So, what are the best options? Heightsafe’s specialists have provided guidance on the benefits and disadvantages of maintenance via Rope Access equipment, in comparison to typical Building Maintenance Units.
Rope Access Equipment – The Pros
- Quick to deploy
- Ideal for straight façades and difficult to access areas
- Ideal for narrow façades
- Low material costs
- Easy to retro-fit
- Non-destructive
- Cost-effective
- Two Compliance Testing visits required annually
Rope Access Equipment – The Cons
- Difficult to access complex facades
- The working area is more limited
- Even though it is unlikely an accident will occur, there is an increased risk of an incident
- More time consuming when carrying out the work
- Less capacity for tools
There are more advantages than disadvantages of Rope Access Equipment. However, it is worth weighing this up against Building Maintenance Units to see if it is a better option for your requirements:
Building Maintenance Units – The Pros
- Good for complex façades
- Wide working areas
- Suitable for two personnel
- Reduced risk level
Building Maintenance Units – The Cons
- Large investment required for purchasing and installation
- Relatively large roof space required to house the unit when stationary
- Limited options for retro-fit
- Certification required after repositioning
- Four compliance visits and one full service required annually
- High maintenance costs
- Risk of electrical break down
It is up for debate on which Work at Height solution is better. It’s more than likely that it entirely depends on your circumstances and the site you are operating on. The right solution for your building will be entirely dependent on a number of factors, such as budget, maintenance requirements, roof space and façade structure. Therefore, our specialists recommend a Work at Height Site Survey to determine the best solution prior to providing quotations.
The process of booking a survey through Heightsafe is easy. All you need to do is contact us online or by phone on 020 3819 7199. You will be able to get a free consultation and quote from one of our specialists, and they will be able to arrange a date to visit your site as soon as possible.
