Rope access is a way of reaching the outside of a building, or any hard-to-reach structure, by hanging from ropes instead of standing on scaffolding, a swing stage or a lift. Trained technicians abseil down the façade from anchors on the roof and do the work on the way down: painting, repairs, sealing, cleaning or inspections. In Sydney people often call it abseiling or abseil painting. This guide explains how it works, what it is good for and when another method makes more sense.
How rope access works, step by step
- Anchors are checked. The roof needs certified anchor points that are in date. If they are missing or overdue, they are inspected, replaced or installed first. See anchor point inspection.
- The area below is made safe. Entries, footpaths, balconies and car parks under the work are closed off or managed while technicians are above them.
- Two ropes are rigged for each drop. Each technician hangs on a working rope and a separate backup rope, both fixed to certified anchors.
- The work is done drop by drop. A “drop” is one vertical strip of the building. The technician works from the top down, then the ropes move across to the next drop.
- A supervisor runs the job. On IRATA work, a Level 3 technician plans the rigging, checks the team and is responsible for the rescue plan.
Who can do rope access work?
Rope access technicians are trained and assessed under schemes such as IRATA. IRATA has three levels:
- Level 1: works on ropes under supervision.
- Level 2: can rig ropes and carry out rescues under the supervision of a Level 3.
- Level 3: plans the work, supervises the team and takes responsibility for safety and rescue.
For trade work, the rope skill is only half of it. Painting, for example, still needs a properly licensed contractor in NSW. At Ace Abseiling, our technicians are painters and repairers who also work on ropes, and our rope access work is supervised at IRATA Level 3. More detail: what an IRATA Level 3 supervisor does on your building.
What can be done by rope access?
- Façade and high-rise painting, including repairs before painting
- Concrete cancer repair and render repairs
- Window and joint sealant replacement
- Leak investigation and water testing
- High-rise window cleaning and pressure cleaning
- Cladding maintenance and façade inspections with photo reports
- Gutter cleaning and bird proofing in places that are hard to reach
Why buildings choose rope access
- Less set-up. No scaffold to hire, erect and dismantle, so work can often start sooner.
- Less disruption. Residents and tenants stay in the building, balconies are not boxed in for months, and entries can stay open with planning.
- Often lower cost. On many buildings, rope access costs less than scaffolding for the same work. The right method is confirmed at inspection.
- Several jobs in one visit. Painting, sealant, repairs and cleaning can be done from the same ropes, so the building pays for access once.
For a strata view of the trade-offs, read why strata managers choose rope access over scaffolding.
When rope access is not the best choice
Rope access suits most façade work, but not every job:
- Heavy or bulky work such as replacing large panels or lifting heavy materials may need a crane, a mast climber or scaffolding.
- Long, continuous work on one area, such as full re-cladding, is often better from a fixed platform.
- Low buildings with easy ground access may be quicker with a ladder, a scissor lift or an EWP.
- Buildings with a BMU (building maintenance unit) may use it for window cleaning, but rope access is often used for the areas the BMU cannot reach. See rope access vs BMU vs EWP.
A good contractor will tell you when another method makes more sense.
What does rope access cost?
Price depends on the number of drops, the height, the surface condition, the work being done and how many trips the crew needs. We explain the main cost drivers in how much rope access painting costs in Sydney. Every Ace Abseiling job starts with a free inspection and quote.
Is rope access safe?
Done properly, yes. The safety comes from the system: certified anchors, two ropes on every drop, equipment checked before use, trained and supervised technicians, exclusion zones below the work and a written rescue plan. In Australia, rope access is covered by AS/NZS ISO 22846, and anchors by AS/NZS 5532 and AS/NZS 1891.4. Ask any contractor for their SWMS, rescue plan, licence and certificates of currency before work starts. Here are ours.
Frequently asked questions
Is rope access the same as abseiling?
Mostly, yes. Abseiling is the technique of descending a rope. Industrial rope access uses abseiling plus a second safety rope, certified anchors, trained technicians and a supervisor, so trade work can be done safely at height.
Do residents need to leave the building?
No. Rope access work is done from the outside. Residents are usually asked to keep windows closed and balconies clear on the days the crew is working on their side of the building.
How tall a building can be done by rope access?
Rope access is used on low-rise walk-ups through to tall towers. What matters more than height is having certified anchors on the roof and a safe way to work below.
Can rope access be done in the rain?
Some inspections can, but painting and sealant work need dry surfaces, so they are planned around the weather. See the best time to paint a building exterior in Sydney.
Have a building that needs work at height? Request a free quote or call 1300 926 176. We work across Sydney, Wollongong and the Central Coast.
