Façade cleaning and BMU

Access Technologies: The Role of BMUs and Gondolas

The building’s morphology dictates the strategy. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, as cladding materials require differentiated chemical and mechanical treatments. However, when height defies conventional logic, or the design features intricate geometries inaccessible from ground level, facade cleaning with gondolas and BMUs stands as the predominant methodology.

Critical System Components

• Suspension Gondolas: These are platforms supported by high-strength cables that allow operators to move both vertically and laterally.
• BMU (Building Maintenance Units): Mobile mechanical devices are usually anchored at the top of the building. Their function is to facilitate access to the most remote points of the envelope through telescopic arms or rail-mounted translation systems.

This infrastructure allows for total surface coverage. Workers operate with optimised mobility, eliminating the need to constantly relocate equipment, which translates into superior operational efficiency and a significantly safer work environment.

Safety Protocols and Technical Requirements

Working at heights leaves no room for improvisation. It is imperative that technical personnel have specific and certified training in handling these tools. Safety is an absolute priority that depends on critical variables:

1. Safe Working Load (SWL): The maximum weight supported by the gondola or BMU must be strictly respected to prevent fatigue or overload failures.
2. Environmental Conditions: Wind speed and atmospheric stability are determining factors that can mandate the immediate cessation of activities.
3. Industry Standards: Compliance with current regulatory frameworks guarantees both the protection of human capital and the preservation of the real estate asset.

Innovation in Safety Components: The EIDE Contribution

At EIDE, we understand that mechanical reliability is the heart of height safety. We manufacture precision engineering components specifically designed to integrate into facade cleaning and BMU systems:

• Safety Brakes / Parachute Brakes (FPC Type): Essential mechanical units to prevent accidental falls in rack-and-pinion elevators, acting progressively in the event of overspeed.
• Centrifugal Brakes (EC Type): Ideal for controlling descent speed in the absence of motorisation, preventing uncontrolled acceleration.
• Electromagnetic and Pneumatic Clutches: Applicable for optimising the movement of complex BMU units on their rails, allowing a smooth and precise transition between translation and stopping phases.

The implementation of cutting-edge technology in access systems is the factor that transforms a hazardous maintenance task into a controlled, high-performance industrial procedure.

Here are the products that EIDE manufactures for façade cleaning and BMU.