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How are windows of tall buildings cleaned?

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Window cleaning of high-rise buildings is done manually by window cleaners. They use a sponge with a squeegee. It is a challenge for window cleaners to reach the glass of high buildings.

100 years ago this was done with a so-called bosun’s chair. A bosun’s chair is nothing more than a board on a vertical cable. The window cleaner stands on the shelf and hangs on a cable that comes from the roof. This method is prohibited in the Netherlands because it is physically demanding and also dangerous.

Aerial work platform

Another tool for cleaning windows of high buildings is the use of an aerial work platform. An aerial work platform consists of a trolley with a telescopic or folding arm, on which there is a platform at the end on which the window cleaner can stand.

Nowadays there are even aerial work platforms that are up to 100 m high. However, these are not suitable for periodic window cleaning of high buildings. You can imagine that the platform at the end of the arm experiences considerable deflection during movement, which prevents very precise positioning.

It is important to have windows in the open areas. Since it is necessary for a man to enjoy the glass, so that he or she can reach it (<0.5 m), otherwise the man should not be exposed to the glass, but should avoid damage to the façade.

If you have a height of 20 m, a hub bar is open to the wall, then there is no problem with the solution. Since the interior of the living room is visible, the foundation is strengthened and stabilized and all parts of the facade are covered. In addition, there are more and more cities where you must first apply for a permit for the temporary use of a mobile elevating work platform.

Glass cleaning facility

In high-rise buildings, a window cleaning system (also called facade care system or window cleaning lift) is often installed on a building installed. You know what you’re like: An old man is a man of his own water with care. That is a fencing system. A window putter is placed in the container and is attached to the washbasin on the wall.

There is a vertical path, all the way through, then the path becomes wider and then the next path. Typically is defined by the window cleaning system on rails, which runs around the roof, so it will be very useful. Manchmal wrd a fest anchorte window cleaning system in the center of the roof, while the window cleaning systemwith a telescopic arm.

Before the installation of the fencing installation is done, it is necessary to prepare the installation beforehand. It is important that the structure of the high-quality structures is strengthened, and that the overall strength is high, that a simple installation is also to derive.

The investment in a fencing system is erheblich and it is necessary to clean the glass immer nor manually.

Alpinists

Nowadays buildings are so high, large or complex that window cleaning systems are no longer always a solution since. They also work together with architects and architects for the construction of mountain climbers, as well as industrial letterers and mountain climbers.

In fact, you travel back 100 years to the time when the window cleaner had a boatswain’s chair used. The windows are open to the surface and cleans the building. This method is used in the home and in the open air: it is open to the man 15 windows are still in use in the living room.

This method has never been officially prohibited in the Netherlands. The fact that the external aspects are self-evident, that is the result of the assessment of the effects of the fencing arrangements, which are not detrimental to the work, is that the ARBO is still prohibited, that is also the case with the strictest working conditions.

window cleaning robot

The new method for cleaning the construction of the robot. In each sector, the production and coordination of additional, self-explanatory work has been automated. There is only a fraction of the time, which is also a part of the Instandhaltung von Hochhäusern zum Standard.

In addition to the safety benefits, robots are also interesting from a financial and sustainability perspective: a saving of not lower than 80% both de Wartungkosten und 85% both de Energie. More information can be found here under kite.

Buildings do not have to be very smooth or made entirely of glass to be suitable for robot cleaning. The Robots of Kite Robotics can create a wide range of geometric shapes, including horizontal and/or vertical shapes, shapes of glass and other colored glass surfaces. You can find more information here under project.

This is important when cleaning windows in tall buildings. On the one hand, you have to be close enough to the glass to reach it (<0.5m), and on the other hand, you must not get too close to avoid damage to the facade.

Up to a height of 20 m, an aerial work platform works perfectly, but beyond that it is not a solution. When using an aerial work platform, care must be taken to ensure that the subsurface is reinforced and stabilized and that all parts of the facade are accessible. In addition, there are more and more cities in which you must first apply for a permit for the temporary use of an aerial work platform.

Glass cleaning system

In high-rise buildings, a window cleaning system (also called a facade maintenance system or window cleaning lift) is often installed on a building. You probably know it: on tall buildings you often see a tap with a container. This is a window cleaning system. A window cleaner stands in the container and uses the tap to move along the facade.

He makes vertical paths, all the way down, then back up and then to the next path. Typically, the window cleaning system is on rails that run all around the roof to reach everywhere. Sometimes a fixed window cleaning system is used in the middle of the roof, with the window cleaning system equipped with a telescopic arm.

When choosing a window cleaning system, it is important to check if there is enough space on the roof to install the faucet. In addition, the structure of the tall building must be reinforced to properly dissipate the large forces exerted by such an installation.

The investment in a window cleaning system is significant and you still have to clean the glass manually.

Alpinists

Nowadays, buildings are so tall, large or complex that window cleaning systems are no longer always a solution. At this point, developers and architects of high-rise buildings choose to employ alpinists, also called industrial climbers or rope access climbers.

In fact, you are traveling back 100 years, to the time when the window cleaner used a bosun’s chair. The window cleaner abseils from top to bottom and cleans the building. This method is very common in the Middle and Far East: there you can sometimes see 15 window cleaners hanging next to each other on a tall building.

This method is still officially banned in the Netherlands. Although the companies themselves state that they believe there are fewer accidents compared to using window cleaning equipment, this is still banned by the ARBO because it is physically demanding work.

Window cleaning robots

The latest method for cleaning tall buildings is the use of robots. In every industry, dangerous and/or physically demanding, repetitive work is being automated. It is a matter of time before this becomes standard in the maintenance of tall buildings too.

In addition to the safety benefits, robots are also interesting from a financial and sustainability point of view: a saving of no less than 80% in maintenance costs and 85% in energy. For more information, see https://www.kiterobotics.com/.

Buildings do not have to be very smooth or made entirely of glass to be suitable for robotic cleaning. Kite Robotics’ robots can handle a wide range of building geometries, including deep horizontal and/or vertical trenches, buildings made of glass and other cladding, and glass roofs. Examples can be found at project.