VERTICAL GROUP Ltd. successfully completed a project to inspect and secure the facade of the Public Procurement Agency (PPA) building.
The activities were carried out in the period August – September 2022 through rope access and industrial mountaineering by technicians certified for working at height and in difficult-to-reach urban environments.
The project included the removal of compromised facade sections and securing unstable elements in order to prevent risk to passing people and the operation of the building.
Within the scope of the project, the following were performed:
inspection of facade surfaces;
localization of risk areas;
manual scaling (chipping) of loose plaster;
removal of unstable facade elements;
securing of compromised zones on the facade.
The total area of the secured facade sections is nearly 500 $m^2$.
Due to the height of the building and the need to work in an urban environment, the activities were carried out using industrial alpinism via rope access. This method allows for:
safe access to high facade sections;
work without the construction of large-scale scaffolding;
faster execution of activities;
minimal impact on access and movement around the building;
efficient organization in a limited urban environment.
Industrial alpinism is particularly suitable for the inspection, repair, and securing of facades on administrative and public buildings.
Over time, facade plasters and claddings can be compromised due to:
atmospheric influences;
moisture and temperature fluctuations;
aging of materials;
structural movements;
insufficient maintenance.
In the absence of timely measures, there is a possibility of falling facade elements, a risk to pedestrians, damage to facade surfaces, and the need for more serious future repairs. Timely inspection and securing significantly reduce the risk of incidents and extend the service life of the facade.
The work on the building facade was carried out in strict compliance with safety measures and work process organization. During the execution of the activities, the following were used:
dual-safety systems;
certified rope access equipment;
personal protective equipment (PPE);
secured work zones;
preliminary risk assessment;
controlled removal of unstable elements.
All activities were performed by qualified technicians with experience in working at height and facade securing.
Work via rope access allows for:
rapid response to emergency facade problems;
access to hard-to-reach sections;
minimal load on the space around the building;
lower organizational costs;
efficient execution without heavy machinery.
This makes the method particularly effective for administrative buildings, public facilities, residential buildings, and facades with limited access for machinery.
The project for the inspection and securing of the facade of the Public Procurement Agency building is an example of the effective application of rope access for facade repair and safety activities in an urban environment. Thanks to industrial alpinism, the activities were carried out safely, quickly, and with minimal impact on the operation of and access to the administrative building.
