At-a-Glance / Key Facts
Rope Access And Crane Replacement For A Central London Office
After struggling to find a high level glazing contractor, the client called Sky Access UK to this Central London commercial office to undertake a difficult-access glass replacement. The project required careful planning due to the location, the surrounding public realm and the condition of the existing glazing.
The site was located directly adjacent to a TFL compound, with the main road beside the building designated as a red route. Our initial survey needed to address these logistical constraints while also managing safety risks from a high footfall pathway beneath the works area.
The Challenge
Red Route Constraints And High Footfall Risk
The project presented several logistical challenges. A conventional road closure would have created considerable cost because the adjacent road was a designated red route, while the proximity of the TFL compound required early liaison and careful planning.
During our initial pre-lim attendance to measure the glass, the team removed the existing shattered glass pane for safety reasons due to the high footfall pathway beneath the works area. Our projects team also sourced O+M information to confirm the existing glass specification, allowing the replacement glazing to be matched correctly through our Central European manufacturing partner.
The Solution
TFL Compound Crane Positioning And IRATA Access
To save the client the considerable costs associated with closing a red route, we liaised with TFL to secure permission to position a crane within their compound. A full pavement closure was also put in place following liaison with the local council, allowing the works area beneath the glazing to be safely managed.
Access to the glazing face was provided by our IRATA high level glazing teams, with weight packs positioned at roof level. This gave our technicians the controlled access required to support the crane lift and complete the replacement at height.
The Results
Two Defective Units Replaced With Minimal Disruption
Using the crane and a specialist vacuum suction lifter, our IRATA trained rope access technicians carried out the replacement of the two defective glazed units at height. The agreed methodology avoided a costly red route road closure while maintaining safe access and exclusion controls around the works area.
During the works, our teams photographed and logged the process for a post-works client report. This gave the client clear evidence of the replacement process and a completed record for their building management team.
