Case Study:High-Rise Window Cleaning on a 22-Building Complex in Just 6 Weeks

We were called recently to provide specialist window cleaning services to 22 buildings within a high-end residential complex in Fulham, London.

Using expert rope access and complex abseiling techniques, discover how we scaled the occasionally difficultly shaped complex to overcome a series of challenges and save our client valuable time.

The Site

Imperial Wharf is a 22-building residential complex in Fulham, London. The tallest block stands at 10 storeys, with a lot of glass to clean across the complex, including difficult-to-reach areas that required advanced rope transfers. This property involved various rope access techniques, including rope transfers and re-belays. 

We liaised with the property manager to inform the residents of our schedule and pre-empted any privacy issues or disturbances. To minimise our set-up time each morning, we could conveniently store all the necessary kit, exclusion barriers and signs so they were ready to go each day.

Spectrum offered a competitive cost and value for money for our client due to our unique equipment. One piece we utilised for this project allows easy access to Juliette balcony glass, an otherwise difficult area on high-rise developments. 

The Logistics

Following the successful completion of several other maintenance projects for Rendall and Rittner, we were approached about our general window cleaning services for their Imperial Wharf complex.

Due to our previous experience and highly qualified rope access technician team, both parties were highly confident of another successful service.

As with all our projects, we conducted a pre-site assessment to determine the extent of the job with the correct window cleaning strategy.

The Imperial Wharf complex consisted of 22 buildings, with the tallest block being 10 stories high.
The property was fully glass-fronted and would need rope access with exclusion zones on the ground.
Some narrow areas required challenging deviations alongside performing rope transfers to gain proximity to the penthouse windows.
With our strategy in place, we drew up a schedule with the client so they could notify their residents of the days we would be abseiling and cleaning the windows.

The Project

Due to the size of the project, we had to break the work down into individual blocks, working on one block at a time. In notifying the client of our window cleaning schedule, they could inform the residents and ensure no one was disturbed.

The health and safety measures for high-level window cleaning require us to create exclusion zones beneath each drop as the operatives abseil and clean.

We set up the exclusion zones on ground levels with the necessary barriers and appropriate signage to protect the passing public and residents. With a safe working system established on ground level, we retrieved the keys from the concierge to access the roof and prepare the rigging.

We then began abseiling and cleaning the windows with tethered buckets of soapy water and specialist applicators. Working methodically from top to bottom, left to right, our rope access technicians cleaned, rinsed and wiped their way around without issues. However, some areas of the complex were difficult to access via typical rigging and required deviations to pass via rope access. 

Performing this procedure, we used what’s known in the rope access industry as a “rope transfer”. This involves connecting ropes that we transfer between to allow us to move from one position to another in midair.

Another rope transfer procedure was required when cleaning the penthouse windows. Due to an overhanging design feature, when dropping over the natural edge of the property, the operative was at least two meters away from the windows. This required something called a “long rope transfer” or “wide rope transfer”. This manoeuvre enabled us to drop down on the first set of ropes before connecting to another set closer to the windows to pull the operative closer so they could begin cleaning.

Working on these types of procedures requires a high level of abseiling expertise. So, for this job, we used Level 2 and 3 IRATA-qualified technicians to maintain health and safety and to maintain good rope access practices.

At Spectrum, we have five IRATA Level 2 technicians and five Level 3’s, no Level 1 technicians were used for this project due to the complexity of rope skills required.

Challenges

While most of the glass was easy to access and clean, some areas did present a challenge to our technicians, such as the penthouse and more narrow areas that required complex rope transfer deviations. Juliet balconies often cause access issues, with the glass units being only millimetres apart. These specific points around the site involved more access procedures to ensure we could maintain high service standards across each aspect of the building.

For example, the penthouse windows were double the height with an overhang. This architectural design meant a standard drop was impossible to reach as the operative who performed it would still be several meters from the facade.

Therefore, we performed a long rope transfer which required a designated rope hatch where the rope fed through at the façade level. This move allowed the abseiler to hang over the lip of the overhang before attaching it to the other rope and pulling themselves closer to the façade.

Knowing there were complex areas on this property, we only used experienced technicians with a Level 2 IRATA qualification or above.

The timing was another challenge. We had to stick to a schedule across each building over a six-week period to coincide with the signing of the pre-schedule agreement with clients and residents. Avoiding any confusion and complaints while remaining on track, it was vital for us to deliver our window cleaning services effectively and efficiently while always satisfying our high industry standards.

The Result

After six weeks, we cleaned every window and glass pane across the 22-building complex via rope access and restored the property's facade to pristine condition.

Here is a quick overview of our window cleaning process from start to finish:

• We conducted a pre-site assessment to establish a cleaning and access strategy.
• We compiled a schedule of window cleaning for the client and residents.
• We set exclusion zones on the ground using barriers and signage.
• In gaining access to the roof, we set up the rigging for rope access.
• Across the narrow deviations and penthouse overhang, we had to perform various rope transfer manoeuvres.
• We methodically worked from one block to the next, cleaning, rinsing, and wiping from top to bottom.

Get in touch for more information about our high-level window cleaning services in London.