BIRD NET STRAINING WIRE
Purpose
The key to an effective and unobtrusive bird net is a properly tensioned suspension system holding the net tightly across the structure being proofed.
Wire Installation
- Attach one end of wire rope to a Corner Fixing, using a loop of wire fixed with either Ferrules or Wire Rope Grips
- Run wire rope through fixings, pull hand tight and attach the other end through eye of opened Barrel Strainer that is hooked onto next Corner Fixing
- Cut the wire to length, then tension it by closing the Barrel Strainer
Wire Rope
- 2mm diameter appropriate for the majority of nets
- 1.2mm can be used for very small nets
- 3mm can be used for very large vertical nets, or horizontal nets that might be subject to weight of snow or force of wind etc
- Thicker wire ropes are available to order for extreme jobs
- The Wire Ropes are made up of 49 strands in a 7/7 configuration, allowing good flexibility
- Due to the crevices, wire rope could suffer in a corrosive environment, so stainless steel wire rope is 316 marine grade as standard
Wire Rope view and cross section
Ferrules
- Ferrules are made from copper or aluminium. To avoid electrolytic corrosion, use copper ferrules with stainless steel wire, and aluminium ones with galvanised wire
- Use 2.5mm ferrules for 2mm wire
- Use 2 ferrules per loop, and crimp each Ferrule twice using the Ratchet Crimper
- Ratchet Crimper has two settings: 6 and 10. Use the smaller 6 for maximum security. 10 can be used for the first crimp when reaching out at arms length with one hand
- For 3mm wire use 2 Wire Rope Grips for each fastening, and tighten using 7mm 7mm Nut Spinner
- For small nets 1.2mm wire can be used with 1.5m ferrules
Strainers
- Barrel Strainer size determined by:
- type (SS ones stronger design than galv ones)
- net mesh size and dimensions (i.e. net weight)
- likelihood of exposure to wind and snow
- General Guidelines
- M6 suitable for most net sizes. Use one strainer every 10m of 2mm straining wire (or every 6m of 3mm straining wire) on a straight run. For shorter runs a Barrel Strainer every second straight will suffice. If you try to go around more than one corner fixing, even on a small net, then the wire will not tension evenly
- M8 for runs of 3mm wire over 6m; or 2mm over 10m; or horizontal spans of 2mm over 8m exposed to snow
- M5 runs up to 3m
- M4 runs up to 1m, and when using 1.2mm wire rope
