We have just completed a 2-week project delivering Window Cleaning to multiple high-rise Buildings in Central Birmingham. Our highly experience Rope Access Team were tasked to carry out the external cleaning to the Student Accommodation Buildings called Onyx.
We had to utilise different window cleaning techniques to the buildings, using traditional window cleaning methods of a mop and squeegee to using Ionics Quattro pure water system delivered via water fed poles.
Abseil Rail
Our team used the installed abseil rail for the largest of the buildings which is 24 floors, this system does have advantages and disadvantages, one being that the system is veritably easy to use and gets you into position with minimal effort, on the down side you must attach a tether to the furthest trolley or anchor eyebolt to be able to retrieve your ropes back into an accessible position, trying to swing the trolleys back to the access position may result in you having very long day.
Another disadvantage for this particular system is that the abseil rail / track didn’t reach the entire elevations, leaving multiple drops / windows with any means of getting cleaned. The previous company had left these drops / windows unclean but we managed to come up with a solution, albeit adding extra hours onto the days.
Using Pre-Installed Anchorage Systems
You must check the markings and labelling of the abseil rail before use. This will have important information on the rail which you must observe
This information may include.
- Date of manufacture
- Any relevant standard such as EN 795
- A CE mark and number of the awarding governing body if applicable
- Maximum user weights
- Date of last and next inspection
- A visual inspection of the Site Technical File will assure you the system has been installed and maintained correctly and complies with BS 7883 2019
Inspection and Checks
- It is imperative that the abseil rail has been inspected by a competent person at the required intervals (usually every 6 months). You must never use an abseil rail that is not in date.
- The rail should be free of any corrosion or damage.
- The bolts attaching the rail to the roof should be checked (if visible) to ensure they are securely fastened and free of corrosion.
- It is imperative that the inspection of the rail has been done by a competent person with sufficient skills and knowledge to carry out the task.
- Abseil rails should be proof load tested as part of a detailed inspection in line with the manufacturer’s instructions.
