A simple topic you might think, but not if the building is covered in glass and very, very tall! The type and size of the building dictates what sort of cleaning method is undertaken and which type of equipment is used.
Lets start with the average skyscraper. Obviously the height itself is a challenge
Early skyscrapers did not have flat roofs, so lugs or eye bolts were embedded in the building on each side of the windows. Window cleaners then had to climb out of the windows, suitably dressed and wearing a safety belt and attach themselves. This was very labour intensive and needed a good head for heights! In fact the Empire State Building is an example of a building where this method is used even to this day!
As skyscrapers began to be built with large flat planes of glass, it became possible to use a large scaffold, suspended from the top of the building. A great advantage of this method was that several window cleaners could work together and a large area could be cleaned in one go. It was also considerably safer!
Another similar system using ropes and a chair became popular, which allows a single window cleaner to operate. Buckets are clipped onto the side of the chair with safety features in place, including a full-body harness attached to a separate line, in case the window cleaner falls out or the primary line breaks. In both these methods, the window cleaner and his equipment must be securely attached to the roof. Some buildings have specially mounted structures called davits that can support the weight of the scaffolds. However, this is not always the case and other attachment points, such as a structural beam or hook, have to be used. This is not ideal as there can be a tendency for the scaffolds to swing about and lose control in high winds.
The windows of other domestic or commercial buildings pose fewer problems but not fewer safety risks! The most common piece of equipment used is one some consider to be the most dangerous tool in the industry – the ladder! The Health Survey for England (HSE) doesnt ban the use of ladders but prefers the use of a mobile elevating work platform or scaffold tower where ever practicable when cleaning windows.
So we can see that window cleaning should not be taken lightly. Its a worrying fact that several window cleaners die each year and many are injured. The main risks being falling from height or having equipment break down or fail. It is good to know other methods of cleaning windows are becoming more common, which pose fewer or no risks to the window cleaner, such as the use of fully automated robotic window cleaners, water-fed poles and pure water window cleaning.
So, let us salute our nations intrepid window cleaners, who strive to keep our beautiful double glazed windows sparkling and as brilliant as the day they were fitted!
Information sourced from Wikipedia.
This article was written by FENSA, the leading competent person scheme for double glazing. Set up by the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF), FENSA make sure your glazing complies with building regulations.
