The Emporis Standards Committee defines a High-Rise building as “a multi-storey structure between 35-100 meters tall (115 to 328 feet), or a building of unknown height from 12 to 39 floors”. Most architects, building engineers and the like consider a building 75 feet or taller a High Rise. A story is generally considered approximately 10 to 11 feet.
A couple of interesting facts: The Empire State Building in New York has 102 floors and is 1250 feet tall (with it’s antenna it is 1454 feet). The height of the Leveque Tower in Columbus is 555 ½ feet tall and has 47 floors above ground.
High-Rise work is usually done by accessing windows from the roof rappelling with a boson’s chair or using swing stage equipment (suspended scaffold). Some buildings are best served by using a lift from the ground. Often times it is a combination of two or more window cleaning methods on a single structure.
Weather and wind often play a large role in High-Rise cleaning. With many tall buildings located closely together the wind is funneled between them and great care has to be taken to make sure the conditions are right to chair or use swing stage.
It takes experience to decide the best way to clean a building. Can you drive on the sidewalk or the grass? Are there enough proper ties offs and roof anchors? Are there any architectural structures or obstacles that must be addressed? Can you safely avoid power lines and any other hazards? What kind of roofing? What is the condition of the building’s façade? Of the window glass? Do the building owners or managers have any specific concerns or requirements? Many, many things have to be considered before a true cost estimate can be provided.
We have that experience and the equipment to do most any job, but we also know when our equipment may not be the best solution and we know who to consult to get the equipment to perform the work safely and cost effectively. We will always do our best to make sure our customer receives the best service for their window cleaning budget.
