Embarking on a new commercial building project is full of exciting possibilities for the future, from the aesthetic vision as it comes to fruition, to the façade access equipment that will make that vision possible…and compliant with regulations.
It’s vital to consider the latter at a building’s design stage—not only to ensure that your façade access equipment solutions don’t compromise on the project’s artistic ambitions, but also to protect the construction and glazing contractors responsible who act on the architect’s goals.
That’s where the Façade Access Solutions North America’s (NAM) Integrated Design Services (IDS) experts come in. When you contact us at your building project’s earliest stages, our proven team can listen to your stakeholders’ needs, then return with recommendations that can help you stay ahead of safety concerns including regulatory compliance.
To incorporate façade access safety into your building project’s design stage, you first need to remember the regulations & standards governing your work.
For example, while OSHA 1910.66 in the US sets numerous regulations affecting facade access equipment, these regulations can change depending on geography. When you include experts like Façade NAM’s IDS team, we can help you stay aware—and ahead—of any compliance concerns.
When your team begins considering the regulatory requirements in place to protect workers, it becomes easy to see how your architectural ambitions benefit from maintaining compliance with local regulations.
These benefits include:
Efficiency: By considering compliant façade access equipment solutions early on, the project team saves itself from having to potentially retrofit systems into a design after the building’s completion. Preventing that means cutting the amount of downtime for the building, which in turn decreases the risk of accidents on the site. Early consideration also prevents a retrofit from reducing the façade’s exterior appeal or marring your architect’s initial vision.
Cost: Avoiding retrofits later helps reduce costs in the long-term. However, architects also benefit from considering façade access safety at the design stage because it helps them determine when they require custom access solutions, and grants them time to work with experts (like the Façade Access Solutions NAM’s IDS team) who can develop recommendations that fit the project’s budget.
Innovation: When an architect plans a building with many varying angles, heavy use of glazing and glasswork, or rounded, organic shapes, the project may require a custom façade access system. This presents an opportunity to work with integrated design experts to create a wholly unique access system. Achieving this can help architects position themselves as forward-thinking artists capable of keeping their buildings appealing well into the future.
When you consider regulatory compliance at your building’s design stage, contractors win, too.
The benefits that contractors experience when you solve for compliant for façade access equipment early include:
By contacting Façade Access NAM’s IDS experts, you can provide these benefits to the contractors on your building project. Incorporating our team early also means that your contractors’ needs can be heard and accounted for before they begin their tasks. When an IDS team member is present at the design stage, they can hear what contractors need to load building materials and tools, access complicated parts of a building’s structure, and more safely and successfully.
Regulatory compliance isn’t a luxury for commercial building projects—it’s essential. That’s why the Façade Access NAM team is vital to ensure your project’s success. We have a proven history of developing custom solutions for everything from standard, traditional builds to the most unusual and artistic commercial properties in North America. With every project, our experts develop systems that prioritize compliant façade access safety and meet maintenance and repair needs while never compromising on a building’s aesthetic vision.
To learn more, contact our IDS experts and begin achieving these results for your project today.
The push for sustainability is gaining momentum in the architectural landscape. Architects are incorporating renewable materials, energy-efficient systems, and green building practices. The focus squarely rests on creating Net Zero Energy buildings and carbon-neutral constructions. This shift directly responds to the urgency of combating climate change, leading to a more environmentally conscious and sustainable approach to architecture.
In response to the rising emphasis on energy efficiency in modern building design, Facade Access Solutions had a range of sustainability goals as part of Alimak Group. By developing a framework based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, we commit to reducing our entire carbon footprint by 30% across the value chain by 2025.
Thanks to innovative technologies, Facade Access Solutions integrate sustainability into the manufacturing process, focusing on key aspects such as design, components, and materials. For instance, Facade Access Solutions emphasises the importance of designing lighter equipment, strategically placing facade access systems for efficient maintenance, and using energy-efficient features to power the systems.
Additionally, we prioritise sustainability through sourcing energy-efficient materials. This includes using highly insulated glass and efficient cladding materials to enhance system performance, decrease load capacity, and reduce energy consumption.
Architects increasingly turn to adaptive reuse and historic preservation in a conscientious effort to preserve cultural heritage. This trend breathes new life into ageing structures and aligns to minimise waste and maintain historical significance in ever-evolving cities.
A prime illustration of this trend is the restoration of the iconic Lloyds of London building. Designed by architect Richard Rogers, the building held a Grade 1 listed status, emphasising its historical importance. Manntech, leveraging our engineering expertise, was tasked with replacing the ageing facade access system without compromising the building’s aesthetic or disrupting daily operations.
The challenge lies in updating the building maintenance units (BMUs) while adhering to current design standards and health and safety regulations. Manntech’s custom facade access solution featured 17 BMUs strategically placed, respecting the building’s original design, and working within its loading limits. From underslung BMUs to crane-type units, the solution showcased innovative design to meet the architectural profile of Lloyds’s building.
This adaptive approach not only safeguarded the architectural legacy but also achieved a balance between historical significance and contemporary needs.
With a focus on adaptive reuse and historic preservation, the sustainable benefits of refurbishing existing facade access systems come to the forefront. Investing in a proactive refurbishment plan, Manntech provides customers with a cost-effective alternative to a full replacement.
One significant advantage lies in the improved performance achieved through a comprehensive inspection and evaluation report of the current equipment. This ensures the safe operation of facade access systems and minimises downtime, optimising overall productivity.
The use of genuine spare parts not only guarantees quality but also contributes to the long-term sustainability of the systems. This approach aligns with a broader commitment to reducing waste and promoting responsible resource utilisation.
Moreover, customised upgrades are an integral part of refurbishment solutions. Refurbishment contributes to the longevity and efficiency of facade access systems, whether focusing on increased cradle capacity, improved materials handling, or options for future building upgrades.
Manntech’s refurbishment services were highlighted in the Fashion House project in Munich, where the 59-year-old building maintenance unit faced challenges due to weight limitations on existing tracks. Opting for a cost-effective refurbishment instead of complete replacement, Manntech minimised system weight and utilised existing tracks. The refurbished system extended the unit’s life and showcased the advantages of Manntech’s refurbishment services.
Parametric and generative design tools reshape architectural aesthetics, allowing architects to create dynamic and organic forms. In 2024, these tools are expected to play a significant role in pushing the boundaries of architectural innovation.
The MSG Sphere at the Venetian is an example of this creative transformation. Standing tall at 110 metres, this sphere-shaped music and entertainment arena has the world’s largest LED screen. Manntech was tasked with delivering a custom access solution for maintaining the external LED light panels. This involved navigating a 2700-tonne steel roof and a steel compression ring that shaped the unique spherical structure.
To tackle these structural challenges, our team devised a Manntech Type 6 building maintenance unit equipped with an articulating arm for precise contact with the LED lights, also adding an Automatic Positioning System, enabling operators to select a location on the facade and be guided to that spot.
In essence, using parametric and generative design tools, coupled with Manntech’s innovative solutions, demonstrated the potential of technology to support the realisation of visionary architectural projects.
As the world becomes more urbanised, architects turn to biophilic design to reconnect people with nature. Incorporating green roofs, indoor gardens, and expansive windows with panoramic views, this trend promotes wellness and enhances air quality within urban spaces.
The Edge is a testament to biophilic design, earning recognition as the world’s greenest building. The architects’ vision was to create a social hub, taking the form of an atrium with bridges and lifts, creating a social environment.
Manntech was tasked with the responsibility of maintaining the building’s intricate facades, as well as a solution to mounting and preserving works of art. The challenges posed by sloping roofs and glass structures were met with access solutions that complemented the building’s design.
A fit for purpose, facade access system offers a significant advantage by enhancing the value of a building. Keeping the building facade well-maintained and free from dirt, debris and hazards makes it more appealing to potential tenants and buyers. This increased attractiveness contributes to a higher perceived value of the building, making it a desirable investment or occupancy opportunity. A well-maintained facade can also increase the overall curb appeal of the building, which can positively impact the surrounding neighbourhood and property values.
Facade Access Solutions’ facade access systems assist in the long-term preservation of commercial and residential buildings worldwide. Not only do our facade access solutions enable the regular cleaning of large and complex building structures, they also provide a means of enhanced safety access for maintenance and repairs, which allows our clients to safeguard their investments.
Regarding safety, investing in a suitable building maintenance unit (BMU) over relying on abseilers is key. Using a BMU significantly reduces the risk of falls and accidentally dropping cleaning equipment, which could result in safety risks for pedestrians below. Additionally, abseilers are more vulnerable to sudden weather changes and lack the protective measures offered by a building maintenance unit.
At Facade Access Solutions, our facade access systems are designed with maximum safety in mind. Facade Access Solutions’ building maintenance units rely on precise engineering, rigorously tested safety equipment, and qualified workers to ensure the safe and effective execution of all maintenance procedures.
A facade access system can help reduce long-term maintenance and repair costs by identifying potential problems before they become major issues. Regular inspections and maintenance of the building facade can help identify and address issues such as water damage, cracks, and other forms of deterioration, which can help prevent costly repairs and replacements down the line.
In addition to providing our clients with the installation of facade access systems that allow for regular repairs and maintenance on their structures, Facade Access Solutions also offers prompt and effective repairs and maintenance services for our systems. This includes quickly responding to short-notice and emergency callouts, ensuring efficient operation and reliability of our systems.
A facade access system can help building owners and managers comply with regulatory requirements and avoid potential legal issues. Building owners can avoid potential liability issues and fines associated with non-compliance with safety regulations by ensuring that the building facade is well-maintained and free from hazards.
At Facade Access Solutions, we offer a range of inspection programs to support the safe operation of our facade access systems. We also work closely with organisations across multiple industries to promote best practices around inspecting and safely operating facade access equipment.
Facade access design often deals with how access systems will impact a commercial building’s exterior aesthetics, but during
the early stages of a construction project, owners, developers, architects, and other stakeholders also need to consider
functional requirements. These can include the space needed for access equipment to launch and, more importantly, how
operable an artistic design is for the access systems that may attach or be built into it.
Failing to consider facade access functionality at the beginning stage can lead to costly solutions later, which is why it’s a vital
topic to discuss early on. These conversations can also be much more successful when you invite Integrated Design Services
(IDS) consultants from Facade Access NAM to the table.
IDS consultants are experts who can balance architects’ and clients’ aesthetic concerns, as well as the safety managers’
cautionary and regulatory compliance needs, all while staying cognizant of the nuances various types of contractors (e.g.
facade repair, curtain wall, and commercial glass contractors) will face when completing their work.
To help you share with your teams why contacting IDS consultants is essential to design-stage discussions, we’ll walk you
through how our experts can facilitate custom commercial facade access solutions that are both effective and appealing.
Historically, facade access systems became more necessary when buildings began incorporating glass more and more as a
large-scale material. That’s why building design now needs to accommodate the functional and safety needs of curtain wall
contractors, commercial glass and glazing contractors, and facade repair contractors.
When you work with a facade access design team like Facade Access IDS experts in those early days, we can arrive at
conversations already understanding contractors’ functional needs, which can include (but are not limited to):
In addition to facade access functionality, these contractors also need to know the systems they’re working with are safe.
Organizations like OSHA and CCCOHS have fall protection regulations to ensure these safeties are present on job sites, and
building project teams should always evaluate their plans to ensure compliance.
Your team should also consider working with experts like Facade Access IDS consultants. When contacted at the design
stage, we can be your resource for both all regulatory information you need to know, and for custom access solutions built
with equipment that makes compliance part of your commercial building’s DNA.
The most successful commercial facade access solutions blend form and function seamlessly together. For architects, this
means a solution that delivers on all of the following:
Together, these qualities ensure that architects can achieve their goals of innovatively pushing artistic boundaries. When your
team contacts Facade Access IDS professionals, we can empower you and your architectural partners develop custom facade
access design solutions that achieve functional and safety needs without sacrificing your creative vision.
When you and your building’s project team integrate facade maintenance systems at the initial design stage, you demonstrate
a forward-thinking and strategic mindset capable of balancing the artistic, functional, and regulatory requirements such an
undertaking requires. By embracing this approach with the help of proven experts in facade access functionality and design,
you also make your end product exponentially more successful.
For years, Facade Access NAM has been at the forefront of custom solutions for complex commercial needs. This includes
facade access for both standard and unusual structures, and it’s why our team of Integrated Design Solutions consultants can
be the ideal resource to help you bring your creative vision to life while maintaining compliance and operational excellence.
To ensure your building’s facade is not only accessible and safe, but also maintained to the highest standards, contact us and
begin a conversation about your commercial facade access project with our expert consultants.
