At-a-Glance / Key Facts
Bespoke Glazing Replacement For A Central London HQ
The client required the replacement of defective bespoke glazing panels with specialist frit detailing to a feature façade at their Central London headquarters. Previous glass replacements had been completed by others using a crane, which was expensive and extended lead times due to licence and road closure requirements.
Sky Access UK were asked to develop a safer, more cost-effective alternative that would reduce the replacement lead time while maintaining the existing aesthetic appearance of the façade.
The Challenge
Reducing Cost And Lead Time For Specialist Frit Glass
The defective panels formed part of a feature façade, so the replacement glass needed to match the existing specialist frit detailing. This required careful sourcing and coordination with a suitable glass supply partner to ensure the replacement panel maintained the appearance of the building.
Previous replacements had relied on crane access, creating additional cost, licensing requirements and road closure delays. The client needed a replacement method that could be delivered more quickly without compromising safety or finish.
The Solution
IRATA Rope Access And Roof-Level Lifting
As a specialist in high-level works, Sky Access UK formulated an alternative method using our in-house IRATA trained technicians. This allowed the works to be carried out safely and cost-effectively, while significantly reducing the lead time associated with previous crane-based replacements.
To match the aesthetic appearance of the existing glazing, the replacement panel was sourced from a European supply partner. This ensured the specialist frit detailing could be replicated before the access and installation phase was planned.
The Results
Bespoke Panel Replacement With Reduced Lead Time
To conduct the glass replacement, a counter-balanced floor crane was located at roof level to assist with the removal of the existing glazing and installation of the replacement panel. This avoided the need for the more disruptive road closure and crane arrangement previously used by others.
By combining in-house IRATA rope access technicians, roof-level lifting equipment and a carefully sourced European replacement panel, Sky Access UK provided the client with a safe, cost-effective solution for defective glazing to a prominent Central London feature façade.
