Proper maintenance of your building’s exterior is critical not only in terms of visual appeal, but also in terms of safety and functionality. Conducting facade inspections, cleaning and repairs can be a complex and time-consuming process, however. Fortunately, the use of rope access can make facade maintenance much more simple.
What is Rope Access?
Rope access involves the use of ropes and harnesses to traverse the exterior of buildings to conduct inspections, repairs, removals, installations, and cleaning services.
Due to strict training requirements and safety standards, rope access is considerably safer than alternative access methods such as the use of scaffolding and cranes.
Why is Rope Access Ideal for Facade Maintenance?
Aside from being the safest access method, rope access is also a faster, less-disruptive, and less-expensive method of carrying out facade maintenance work.
With little set-up and pack-up times, rope access drastically reduces the time it takes to carry-out facade work. This, in turn, cuts costs associated with labour and equipment and makes the process much more straight-forward.
In addition, the lack of scaffolds, platforms and cranes makes rope access a much more subtle process. This reduces disruption to your building and its inhabitants and won’t compromise your building’s visual appeal.
Rope access is also much more ideal for facade maintenance as it provides workers with greater mobility and flexibility to move around the building. This allows them to reach more difficult-to-access areas with very little restriction from equipment.
If you’re wanting to make the change to rope access, get in contact with the Magic Glass team today. Our dedicated Rope Access Division offers an abundance of services that will keep your building’s facade clean, safe and functional.
When it comes to Rope Access, an acronym that is frequently thrown around is IRATA. If you’ve heard this acronym but are unsure as to what exactly it means, this article is for you.
What is IRATA?
IRATA stands for the Industrial Rope Access Trade Association. This association was established in the United Kingdom in the 1980s as a means for providing a safe working environment in the oil and gas industry.
As these industries began to employ a number of industrial rope access techniques, it was recognised that ensuring these practices were safe was an important factor in maximising workplace health and safety. From this, IRATA developed their own rope access technique that emphasised safety and could be used in a range of repair, maintenance, inspection, and access work.
IRATA is now recognised as the world’s leading authority on industrial rope access. It has over 570 member companies globally and has trained roughly 130,000 Rope Access Technicians from a multitude of different countries.
IRATA directs and regulates the training of all Rope Access Technicians seeking IRATA qualifications and certifications.
What Does IRATA Do?
IRATA’s main activities include:
- Regulating the IRATA system as used by their members.
- Reviewing and updating policies and procedures relating to standards, audit, and assessment.
- Promoting and maintaining a high standard of industrial rope access activities in terms of safety and quality.
- Providing guidance and training of personnel involved in industrial rope access.
- Producing publications and guidance on safety, good working practices, training, and other related topics.
- Preparing submissions and providing opinions and advice to global government departments and organisations surrounding work at-heights, health and safety, and training.
- Ensuring safe rope access training and work procedures are introduced and developed.
- Supporting members with enquiries.
- Organising annual events for the rope access community.
What are the Objectives of IRATA?
The main aims of IRATA are as follows:
- To promote and maintain high standards in safety and work quality of practices in the industrial rope access industry.
- To improve the practices of individuals working in rope access.
- To promote continuous improvement in the education and training aspects of rope access.
- To increase awareness surrounding the advantages of rope access over alternative access methods.
IRATA plays a paramount role in promoting and encouraging safe rope access practices around the world. They offer thorough training and certification programs for Rope Access Technicians to ensure they maintain a high standard of safety and quality when carrying out work at-heights.
At Magic Glass, all our Rope Access Technicians are IRATA trained and certified. This ensures all our practices are of the highest safety standards, and all our work is of the best possible quality.
For any repair, maintenance, and installation requirements at-heights or in hard-to-access areas, get in contact with the Magic Glass Rope Access Division now!
Although rope access may appear scary to many, it is actually the safest option when it comes to height access work.
Compared to alternative methods such as scaffolding and cranes, rope access has very little risk. This is due to several factors outlined below.
1. Full Accreditation Required
In order to become a Rope Access Technician in Australia, you must be fully accredited and IRATA trained.
All Rope Access Technicians at Magic Glass undergo thorough training before they are permitted to work. This enables them to become familiar with all safety procedures and protocols and understand how to tackle all jobs at-height as safely as possible.
2. Less Equipment, Less Risk
Compared to using scaffolding or cranes, rope access requires very little equipment and set-up.
Because of this, there is less space where something could go wrong and less equipment that could fail.
3. Less Time, Less Risk
Rope access is also by far the fastest and most efficient method of height access work.
Because of this, there is less time for complications to arise or for something to go wrong.
4. Safer for Passer-Byers
Rope access is also much safer for passer-byers of the building or construction site.
This is because all tools required for the job at hand are secured to Technicians via ropes and harnesses. In the event that a Technician accidentally drops their tool, it will stay intact to the Technician instead of falling to the ground and potentially harming pedestrians and other workers on the way.
For all your rope access needs, get in contact with the Magic Glass team.
All of our dedicated Rope Access Technicians are highly experienced and IRATA trained.
Concrete cancer is an issue all building managers and owners should be familiar with. It can occur in any building and, if left untreated, can vastly affect its structural integrity.
What is Concrete Cancer?
Concrete cancer occurs when the steel reinforcements in a concrete slab begin to corrode. This causes the surrounding concrete to become brittle and crack, which can have drastic effects on both the functionality and visual appeal of the building.
Concrete cancer occurs most commonly when the steel reinforcements are exposed to air and water.
What are the Signs of Concrete Cancer?
Common signs of concrete cancer include:
- Cracking or crumbling concrete
- Rust stains emerging from the concrete
- Bubbling of the concrete render
- Leaks in internal walls.
What are the Causes of Concrete Cancer?
Concrete cancer can occur for a number of reasons. The mains ones being:
- Poor waterproofing
- Saltwater chlorides forming in buildings near the sea
- Harsh/wet weather conditions
- Concrete carbonation
- Poor quality concrete
- Insufficient concrete cover
- Ground movement under the building.
How do you Treat Concrete Cancer?
Concrete cancer treatment is predominantly dependent upon the cause of the problem. In the event of concrete carbonation or insufficient concrete cover, most technicians will opt for the application of a polymer modified repair system to the steel reinforcements of the concrete slabs.
In the event of weather damage or the formation of saltwater chlorides, it is common to treat concrete cancer with electrochemical treatment options, such as cathodic protection.
The worse the concrete cancer is, the harder it will be to treat. Early diagnosis is therefore key in preventing further structural damage and saving you money .
If you spot any signs of concrete cancer in your structure, you should contact Magic Glass as soon as possible.
Our qualified technicians will be able to identify the causes of your concrete cancer and inform you on your options for remediation. We also have a specialised Rope Access Division, so we can access all areas of your building, no matter its size.
Call us today for a free quote.
Fall arrest systems are an important part of all at-height construction and work sites. They play a critical role in reducing workplace injuries and fatalities caused by falls. To learn more about fall arrest systems and the different types, read on.
What are Fall Arrest Systems?
A fall arrest system protects workers in the event of a fall. If a person working near an unprotected edge should take a fall, the fall arrest system combined with a fall arrest harness will catch the person and prevent them from hitting the ground or area below.
It’s important to note that fall arrest systems are different to fall prevention systems. Fall arrest systems protect workers after they’ve fallen, whilst fall prevention systems prevent the occurrence of falls (such as edge protection and roof guardrails).
What are the Different Types of Fall Arrest Systems?
Fall arrest systems can be categorised as either general or personal. General fall arrest systems include nets and catch platforms, whilst personal arrest systems include lanyards and harnesses.
Some of the most common types of fall arrest systems include:
- Static Lines
- Anchor points
- Rope grabs
- Safety nets (ideal for worksites where there are no scaffolds, and the fall hazard is less than 25 metres)
- Rails
Many of these fall arrest systems involve anchor points. These are points where workers can attach their lanyards to anchor themselves to the building and catch them in the event of a fall.
Like all fall arrest equipment, it is important to get anchor points inspected regularly and ensure they are certified for use. All height Safety systems must be inspected and certified every 12 months by a certified professional.
When Should Fall Arrest Systems be Used?
Fall arrest systems should always be used when working at a height that could potentially cause injury in the event of a fall. This may include when carrying out electrical, glazing, cleaning, and roofing work.
Even if the risk of injury is minimal, at least one form of fall protection should always be used.
If you require height safety installation, get in contact with the Magic Glass team. We are highly experienced in installing, inspecting, and certifying a range of different height safety hardware including fall arrest systems, anchor points, safety ladders, ladder points, and temporary and permanent edge protection.
Most building owners and strata managers have probably heard of anchor points. But what are they exactly? And why are they important? Read on to find out.
What are Anchor Points?
An anchor point is a point of attachment for a fall arrest system. They are usually found at the top or on the side of a building and serve as a secure and safe way to ensure that those who are working on elevated surfaces will be protected from any potential falls.
There are three main types of anchor points: surface mount, concrete mount, and temporary anchor points.
Surface mount anchor points are typically found on metal roofs. They are easy to install, attaching directly to the rooftop with screws.
Concrete mount anchor points are designed to be fixed onto concrete surfaces. They are commonly used on high-rise buildings with concrete roofs for abseiling and installation of fall arrest systems.
Temporary anchor points are most commonly used for one-off jobs. They are not suitable for abseiling as they are not as strong as concrete or surface mount anchor points.
Why are Anchor Points Important?
Anchor points are important as they allow for the installation of fall arrest systems. These are systems that prevent injuries and fatalities when people working at-heights fall (such as netting and harnesses).
All building and strata managers have a legal obligation to ensure their building has functional, safe, and certified anchor points that are checked frequently.
For all anchor point installation, certification, and maintenance requirements, contact Magic Glass today. Our Rope Access Division can carry out thorough height safety inspections, ensuring your anchor points are compliant with all relevant Australian standards.
Bird-proofing your building can present countless benefits for you and your building’s inhabitants. These include:
1. Blocked Gutters and Property Damage Prevention
A common cause of blocked gutters and property damage is bird feathers and nesting ruminants getting stuck in gutters. This can cause blockages and clogs in gutters and downpipes that often lead to water damage.
2. Glass Awning Damage Prevention
Birds are known to pick up rocks from roofs and drop them over the edge frequently landing on glass roofs/awnings below. This can be extremely costly to replace the glass. Magic Glass can install either netting on the pebbled roof to cover the rocks and prevent birds from picking them up, or alternatively install a debris catch net above any glass awnings to catch the rocks and prevent glass breakage.
In addition, birds can damage tiles and shingles when roosting on building facades.
3. Improved Property Aesthetics
Birds can also damage the aesthetics of your building. Bird droppings and nesting ruminants can make your building look dirty and can even lead to permanent discolouration of your facade.
4 . Protection of the Health of your Building’s Inhabitants
Bird droppings and feathers can carry transmissible diseases and parasites. This can threaten the health and well-being of your building’s inhabitants.
5. Reductions in Nesting Noises
Birds can be loud, especially when they’re nesting. Bird-proofing your building will ensure that the inhabitants of your building can enjoy peace and quiet.
6. Ecosystem Protection
Bird-proofing encourages native birds to nest in nature, rather than in buildings. This keeps them safe and improves surrounding ecosystems.
Magic Glass can offer long-term bird-proofing solutions for all buildings, low and high-rise. Our bird-proofing and pest control services include:
- Bird spiking
- Pin and wire
- Bird netting
- Guano removal
- Trap and release of pests.
For more information, call us today.
