high level glazing - cleaning glass structures at height

Reaching new heights in the glazing industry

The use of more glass in buildings is becoming increasingly more popular with architects. Innovative technology will allow for more unusual shapes as well as more sustainable products to be produced with glass. But what about cleaning glass structures at height?

It’s used in windows, facades, roofs, elevators, balcony railings and internal structures such as stairs and inter-level pathways. Not only is “structural glazing” becoming more popular but high-tech coatings to the glazing provide higher energy efficiency.

There are two other key factors:

Firstly, in terms of being environmentally friendly, 30 percent of the raw materials for new glass comes from melted old glass.

Secondly, it’s hygienic and easy to maintain.

However, safely cleaning glass structures at height can be challenging. Whilst easy to clean and maintain, reaching the exact place to carry out the cleaning and maintenance can be the hard part.

Spider lift access platforms with their manouverability and telescopic booms provide the safest method of accessing those high glazing structures, both indoors and outside.

Which Access Platform is Best For Cleaning Glass Structures at Height?

Whether the access platform is bought or hired, there are some essential questions to answer:

• What height does the operator need to reach?

• How far out?

• What weight will be lifted?

• What size cage will be needed?

• Is the cage detachable?

• The turret rotation that is required?

• What length “working envelope” is needed?

• What power source is needed?

• For access – what minimum width and height are needed?

• For ground surface – the total weight of the platform?

• Is remote radio control needed?

Expert advice

Promax Access has been a market leader in the UK for over 15 years. They are not only leading providers, but also pioneers of spider lift access platforms and lifting equipment solutions. Our team of experts and engineers are available to answer questions and provide guidance in choosing the most suitable powered access platform.

We can be contacted by phone or email using the website contact page. Or you can use our handy website “Chat” facility.

Take advantage of our expertise to develop new customers in the expanding world of “structural glazing”.

property upkeep

“I run a property management company. Can you tell me why I should consider your powered access platforms for property maintenance” A question we often hear at Promax.

That’s simple. All buildings require regular maintenance to protect the value of the owners’ investment. From domestic buildings to large industrial and commercial structures they all need the same protection from the elements.

Guttering and pipes need cleaning and repairing; facias and soffits need treatment and replacing; roofs suffer storm damage; electrical and communication cables need installing and checking; bird damaged areas need cleaning and spike deterrents installed; brickwork needs repointing; cladding needs installing or replaced. These are just a few of the jobs that property owners turn to buildings maintenance companies to get done.

Powered Access Platforms for Property Maintenance

For the property maintenance specialist, all these jobs require working at height safely and efficiently. Our powered access platforms for property maintenance (MEWP or “Cherry Picker”) is essential.  They are versatile, compact and accessible. Their ability to work in confined spaces and on difficult terrain along with a high level of outreach and reduced ground pressure provide outstanding performance. They are user friendly with intuitive operating systems providing an efficient and secure working space for personnel.

To Sub-Contract or Not to Sub-Contract?

Many property management companies sub-contract the maintenance of their buildings to specialist firms. These are companies that offer not only access platforms, but also highly skilled personnel. This is an outgoing that companies will pay from profits. They perceive using the correct machinery and working safely at height as a costly expense. However, they want the work carried out as cost efficiently as possible without a compromise to quality. Actually owning your own powered access platform for property maintenance is a cost effective way key to success in this area of your business.

Promax Access Specialise in Access Platforms

We can help to source the correct high level access platform to suit your specific requirements and realistic budgets. Our range of equipment reaches from head height up to nine or ten story buildings. Our powered access platforms for building maintenance are suitable for both internal and external work. They are transport easily and will access through narrow passageways and doors. The Promax team have extensive experience and advice and is just a phone call away.

If you are looking to win larger contracts in Property and Building Maintenance then the addition of a powered access platform is a key step to success.

window cleaning at height

Gain the Powered Access advantage

Industrial window cleaning businesses are increasingly taking advantage of what powered access platforms for window cleaning can offer.

Ladders and abseiling are often used but there are inherent risks in carrying equipment and getting water to windows above two storeys. Many new buildings have large windows, often with glass domes and atriums. The more traditional methods have difficulty in getting to these hard to reach places.

Power Access Platforms for window cleaning are much safer and larger window areas be cleaned more quickly. Getting closer to the glass allows for a cleaner, more professional finish.

Buildings where powered access platforms for window cleaning excel…

Office buildings
Apartment blocks
Public sector buildings
Schools and Academic Buildings
Housing Associations
Shopping Malls

Your business may already be working in some of these sectors, but if you are looking to expand your existing operation with high access equipment, or thinking of entering new markets, then purchasing a new powered access platform will give you a very competitive edge.

The experts at Promax Access can help in choosing the right machine (often referred to as a MEWP – Mobile Elevated Working Platform – or more colloquially, a Cherry Picker).  They offer free advice and also guidance, taking into consideration your specific requirements.

Things to consider…

• The ability to work both outdoors and indoors

• Use in narrow access spaces

• Reach heights up to 100 feet

• Dual power options (e.g. no diesel fumes in Malls)

• Raise the operator with cleaner’s scraper and also plenty of water to exact requirements

Example One

You want to get more contracts where the requirement is to reach heights up to 4 stories and with an outreach of 20 feet. The work is indoors but with a standard door width access restriction. Schools and academic buildings might be an example. A suitable power access platform would be a SPIDER 13.65.

Example Two

You may already be working in the Shopping Malls sector but are also looking at expanding into exhibition buildings with vast architectural glass structures. Again the requirement is for use both indoors and out but with a working height of 100 feet and an outreach of 50 feet. An industry leading solution is the Promax Access SPIDER 33.15. With it’s telescopic lower and upper boom arrangement, this machine provides a unique up-and-over working envelope, with smooth and stable operation.

Both these machines have an Air/Water and power line to the cage. This facilities not just window cleaning, but also permits high pressure cleaning of external walls, cladding and gutters.

Summary
These are just two examples from the Promax Access powered access platform for window cleaning range. Study the market you want to enter or expand into and choose the right working height and outreach you require from our range of equipment.