There are three common ways to clean the outside of a high-rise building in Sydney: rope access, a building maintenance unit (BMU) and an elevated work platform (EWP) such as a boom lift. Each has a place. The right choice depends on the building, not on what one contractor happens to own.
Rope access window cleaning
Technicians descend the façade on two ropes rigged from certified roof anchors, cleaning each drop from top to bottom. Rope access suits most residential and commercial towers in Sydney, including buildings with set-back façades, atriums, glass over awnings or landscaping, and buildings with no BMU.
- Strengths: reaches almost any glass, needs no machinery on the ground, quick to set up and move between drops.
- Needs: anchor points that are in date, a safe way onto the roof and exclusion zones below each drop.
Building maintenance units (BMU)
A BMU is a permanent cradle system built into the roof of some large towers. Where one exists and is serviced, it can be efficient for regular cleaning of flat curtain walls.
- Strengths: designed for that building, good for large flat glass areas.
- Limits: only some buildings have one, it needs its own maintenance and certification, and it may not reach recessed or irregular areas. Rope access is often used for the sections a BMU cannot reach.
Elevated work platforms (EWP)
Boom lifts and scissor lifts work well on lower buildings with good ground access.
- Strengths: useful for low-rise glass, shopfronts and podium levels.
- Limits: reach is limited, they need firm level ground and space, and they often require footpath or road closures in busy areas.
Which method suits your building?
As a rule of thumb: EWPs for low-rise glass with clear ground access, a BMU where the building has one that covers the façade, and rope access for most other high-rise glass. On many buildings the best answer is a mix, for example rope access for the tower and a pole system from the ground for podium glass.
How often should high-rise windows be cleaned?
Most strata and commercial buildings in Sydney clean external glass between one and four times a year. Coastal buildings usually need more frequent cleans because salt builds up faster, and premium commercial towers often clean more often to keep tenants happy. A regular program is also easier to plan and budget than one-off cleans.
Using the access for more than clean glass
Once technicians are on the ropes they see every part of the façade up close. We note failed sealant, cracks and other defects and photograph them for the building manager. Pressure cleaning, caulking and bird proofing can often be done in the same access setup, which saves paying for a second mobilisation.
High-rise window cleaning in Sydney
Ace Abseiling provides high-rise window cleaning by rope access for strata, commercial and apartment buildings across Sydney, including North Sydney and the Northern Beaches. We can also inspect and certify your roof anchors before the clean, so one contractor covers both.
Planning a clean? Contact Ace Abseiling for a quote.
