Opening a window on high-level cleaning

It’s fairly standard practice nowadays for architects to consult with access system specialists and engineers when they come to design a building. However, it is far rarer for specialist contractors who will clean the building to be involved during the design process. This is a missed opportunity to significantly reduce running costs, the difficulties of cleaning complex buildings and improve safety in the long term. 

Experienced working at height specialists could be bringing a wealth of knowledge about operational and logistical challenges of cleaning at high level. There have been many innovations in the cleaning industry – it’s rare to see a man with a bucket and sponge cleaning windows these days – but most glazing and high level features do still need to be accessed by hand for cleaning and maintenance, so this should be given due consideration. The age of nanobots and drones may be upon us, but there’s a little while to go before they’ll be unleashed on high level cleaning tasks. 

If architects consulted specialist high level cleaning contractors early in the design process then we could make a substantial difference to the workings of a building, by making sure access opportunities and building materials are cleaning operative friendly. 

Stunning skylines

The City of London Corporation reports that over 50% of buildings in London have been redeveloped since 1997. Modern buildings combine innovation and energy efficiency solutions, but these often come hand-in-hand with intricate shapes and detailed architectural features. It’s no easy task to clean cantilevered glass or double-skinned climate walls for example. 

This is not an appeal for architects to build straightforward, ‘boring’ boxy buildings though. We believe modern architectural techniques, along with new materials and building practices, have resulted in some magnificent skylines all around the world, and none more so than in our home city, London. We would just like people to remember that building exteriors are our workplaces when we’re conducting cleaning and maintaining tasks. 

Hidden challenges

There are a number of factors to consider when operating at height, many of which may be hidden from people at ground level, or when looking at architectural drawings. This includes solar panels, which need regular cleaning – using de-ionised water – as their effectiveness is considerably reduced if dust, dirt and grime is allowed to accumulate. However, they can be very sensitive and easy to damage. 

Whatever the style of building, a strict regime of risk elimination and control to identify the most appropriate method to carry out the cleaning at height task is required. There are a variety of options to safely work at height, including carbon fibre water-fed pole systems, suspended access equipment (cradles), mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs) or rope access techniques, but it takes an expert to make the right choice. This is especially the case where there are unusual design elements and features to contend with. 

Finding the solution

The cleanliness and appearance of a building is central to its appeal in the longer term, so it is important that those issues are factored in to the design process if a building is to be judged successful. 

Working at height, is rarely straightforward and can sometimes throw up testing and difficult challenges. Choosing a contractor with the right experience and expertise means that a solution can be found in most cases, whatever shape and size the building comes in.