As part of RAND’s Facade Inspection Safety Program (FISP, formerly Local Law 11/98) services, RAND has a team of Certified Professional Rope Access Technicians who conduct hands-on facade inspections by rappelling down the sides of buildings.
Rope Access vs. Motorized Scaffold
Hands-on FISP inspections are typically conducted by an engineer or architect from a motorized scaffold hung from the roof. Scaffold drop inspections require a day to set up the motorized rig, with the facade inspection itself typically taking place the following day.
The Rope Runners
RAND's Industrial Rope Access team members Senior Architect John Monroe, RA and Project Architect and Rope Access Team Leader Sara Tsiropinas, RA.
Both John and Sara went through intensive training to become Certified Professional Rope Access Technicians.
The Big Drop
RAND recently performed a rope access inspection on the Hotel Eventi at 851 Sixth Avenue between 29th and 30th Streets in Manhattan. The 54-story, 620,000-square-foot glass-curtainwall tower consists of 290 hotel rooms and 302 luxury rental apartments, as well as banquet facilities, meeting rooms, two floors of restaurants, retail space, and a parking garage.
First order of business: Detangling the rope—all 1,200 feet of it.
John double and triple checks the knots.
First up: Sara preps for her drop.
As Sara drops farther down the side of the building, she gains more lateral movement with the rope, allowing her to cover wider areas of the facade and conduct a more extensive inspection.
On deck: John prepares for his drop on the east facade of the building.
John makes his drop from the very top of the building, 56 stories high.
Conducting hands-on facade inspections via rope access is the preferred option when operating a motorized scaffold is not feasible, such as on buildings with sloped roofs, closely spaced terraces, or angled facades. Also, some building owners do not want scaffolding equipment mounted on the facades because it is intrusive or blocks views, or for aesthetic and/or security reasons.
Contractor costs for inspections that require hands-on examinations are typically less expensive by rope access than from a motorized scaffold, especially on two or more facades.
Because rope access inspectors can move more freely than they can on a motorized scaffold, inspectors can better determine the extent and locations of repairs, resulting in more accurate scopes of work and budget projections.
Although inspecting facades by rope access appears dangerous, it has an excellent safety record thanks to extensive training and very high standards of certification.
56 stories later, John is finally at end of his rope.
Wrapping up: The inspection has been completed, but the work's not over yet. The crew pulls up 1,200 feet of rope.
Benefits of Rope Access Facade Inspections
The advantages offered by rope access inspections make it a viable option for property owners and managers.
- Quicker set-up and breakdown
- Faster mobilization
- Less intrusive installation
- Minimal impact and inconvenience to residents
- More efficient and thorough inspections
- Savings on contractor costs, especially on multiple facades
RAND is authorized by the New York City Department of Buildings to perform rappelling inspections, and our inspectors are certified by the Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians (SPRAT).
To find out if your building would benefit from a FISP inspection using rope access, please contact RAND at 212-675-8844; info@randpc.com. randpc.com/rope-access
YOUR BUILDING IS OUR BUSINESS