While the glass panels used for high-rise buildings are strong and thick, they can still be damaged or crack due to extreme weather conditions.
An example of this will be a strong gust of wind picking up an object and hitting it against the window. In these situations, the glass will need to be replaced and you might want to know how this is done and the options that are available for this.
The Windows of High-Rise Buildings
The windows that are used in high-rise buildings and skyscrapers are not standard glass like that used in homes. The primary reason for this will be the fact that tall buildings are under great pressure which is caused by the wind. The glass in these buildings will also need to function as a wall and be able to resist people or objects leaning against them.
As this is the case, the glass panels used in these buildings will need to be extremely strong and will be made in a way that ensures they do not shatter if they are damaged. These panels will generally have two 6mm glass panes which are separated by an airspace of 12mm.
As you might imagine, a decent sized panel of this type of glass will weigh a lot more than the average pane of glass. This means that the installation and replacement of these glass panels require the use of heavy-duty machines. This is very important when you consider that some skyscrapers have glass panels that span an entire floor and weigh even more than normal.
Replacing the Glass Panels
When a high-rise building is constructed, the builders will use cranes to lift the heavy glass panels to their positions. The workers will then stand on the structural part of the guide and install the window. However, when the building is completed, the cranes are removed, and the replacement of these windows will require different methods to be used.
Using A Crane or Mobile Elevated Working Platform
The most obvious method to reach the position of the glass that needs to be replaced will be to use a crane or a mobile elevated working platform. The crane will be able to lift the heavy panes of glass to the correct level, so workers can install it. The workers would be hanging suspended alongside the building either using a suspended scaffold or the mobile elevated working platform.
While this equipment will be able to do the job well, there are a number of issues that come with using ground-level cranes. The first is that they will need to be parked somewhere. High-rise buildings are generally located in busy areas where a crane will need to be placed partially in the street which it will then block. The cost of hiring this machinery is also high which means that large expenses will need to be made each time glass has to be replaced.
There is also the fact that cranes and platforms are only able to reach a set height. This means that windows above this height cannot be replaced which can be a major problem when dealing with a skyscraper.
Replacing the Glass from Inside the Building
Another option that can be used is to replace the windows from inside the building. To do this, a pane of glass is transported in a special cart that has suction tools which hold the window. The pane will be brought to the level where it is needed using a freight elevator. It will then be put into position.
If you are dealing with relatively small windows, this will be a good option. Of course, the panes of glass will need to fit into the elevator for the method to work. However, if there are panes that cannot be transported in the building and a crane cannot reach the right level, there is another option.
Using the Building Maintenance Unit to Replace Glass
The building maintenance unit is generally used to provide access to the facade of the building so that maintenance work can be carried out. Window cleaners will often use these units to ensure that hotel guests, office workers, and residents have a clear view and that the structure still looks impeccable from the outside. This is particularly true when the facade is made from glass which is common with modern architecture. These units can be used for glass replacements when the affected window is very high and other heavy equipment cannot be used.
Glass Replacements Units
The BMU can be equipped with a glass replacement unit. This can be used to hoist and lower the materials that are needed but will generally be used for glass panels. This unit has a winch which is incorporated in the BMU with wire rope running from the base using pulleys. A snap hook will be attached to the wire rope and it will be suspended in front or behind a gondola. The hooks are able to carry tools and will include a suction tool which holds the glass panels.
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