Window cleaning , or window washing , is an exterior cleaning of architectural glass used for structural, lighting, or decorative purposes. This can be done manually, using various tools to clean and access. Technology is also used and more and more, automation.
Commercial jobs are contracted with a variety of direct transactions for cash or barter, to the formal tender process. Regulations, licensing, engineering, equipment and compensation vary nationally and regionally.
Video Window cleaner
Tools
- Chamois and scrim - Chamois are used to loosen and remove dirt, followed by buffing with scrim or cheesecloth
- Water and squeegee - Generally, chemicals are added to water, and tools such as a cloth-covered brush or handle are immersed in the resulting solution and used for rubbing glass. A squeegee is then used for sluice gates mixed with water and glass. Chemicals are added to various solutions from dish soap and glass cleaners to Trisodium Phosphate and etching salts. In under-freezing temperatures, anti-freezing chemicals are added to the solution to prevent it crystallizing on the panel before it is turned off.
- Water-filled poles - One of the various types of telescopic poles, mounted at the top end with a brush and water jet, fed from a deionized water tank borne by the vehicle or by deionized water production at a location using domestic water channels or commercial. The water is filtered by a two-stage or three-stage filtration process, involving carbon filters, and two de-ionization filters, or carbon filters, reverse osmosis filter filters, and de-ionisation resin filters. Filtered water should contain TDS (total dissolved solids) of 0 ppm, when used on windows (parts per million). The reason is if using water is above zero ppm; Achieving and washing/cleaning pole windows can not claim to be purified window water purifiers and then, readings above 0 ppm may cause spotting on the glass. The number of spots will depend entirely on the mineral composition of what the water is. The brush is used to stir the debris from the window, while spraying water, and then the brush is lifted several inches from the glass to rinse the glass with pure water jets. Fan jets are used for hydrophobic glass, and "pencil" jets are used for hydrophilic glass. Deionized water is lacking in ions, which will draw solids from the glass and dissolve solids into water, assisting in the cleaning process. Since there is no solids dissolved in the water, the windows are clear with no water. Water poles vary in length. The longest pole is about 70 feet, and can reach up to six floors. Water-eating cleaning is also called pure water purification. It's common in the UK and is becoming common in the US.
Maps Window cleaner
Access
Where glass is found is a window cleaner, and access methods and equipment related to access and cleaning vary nationally and regionally. If the window is not easily accessible using one type of equipment then it is advisable to combine various tools to be able to clean it properly.
- Stairs
- Supported scaffolds - Temporary platform workers can stand on top of the surface below, rather than hanging from above like deferred scaffolding.
- Suspended platforms or mounts - Unlike supported scaffolds, these are not mounted on a lower surface or ground, but suspended by a wire rope from the top. They raise and lower workers either by hand or by motor.
- The air work platform is a high platform that workers can use, such as scissor lift, or cherry picker. These include:
- Boatswain seats (boss chair) - One-person seat designed to lower the rope in a controlled manner. Often referred to as the "rope of the hereditary system" (RDS), it usually anchored to the roof structure, balancing configuration, or connecting points designed for that purpose. This is always temporarily installed for access purposes. However, their anchor points can be temporary or permanent.
- Suspended platforms - Access platforms for one or more workers with manual or motor-driven devices to raise and lower through the rope. Platforms can be mounted to tall buildings or skyscrapers, or assembled from components to adapt the architecture and nature of the work performed. This can be temporary or permanent. Both have their own unique rules and regulations. A permanently suspended platform is called a building maintenance unit (BMU), or, in Europe, a gondola.
Access Windowsill
Direct access to the window obtained by exiting from that window. This method is still used at the Empire State Building in New York City.
High window cleaning
The windows need to be cleaned up higher as the building becomes higher. Wind cleaning trade was developed, for example, in New York City in the late 19th century when the early skyscrapers were built. Elevation increases the risk of washing machines. At first, the wash cleaned the skyscraper window by standing on the window sill and holding the frame. Then, the leather belts attached to the anchor bolts are introduced and then scaffolding. For example, the Otis Lift Company built electronically operated scaffolds for use at Lever House.
Three window cleaners worked at the World Trade Center during the September 11 attacks. Jan Demczur, who worked in the North Tower, survived and helped rescue five others trapped in the elevator with him. Roko Camaj and Fabian Soto, who worked in the South Tower, were killed.
Dangers
Risks include slipping in water or soap, and falling from a height. In 1932 in New York, on average one out of every two hundred window cleaners were killed per year. On May 29, 1962, four window cleaners were killed when a scaffold fell on the Equitable Life Building. In 1993, the local 32BJ, the New York window cleaning union, launched an internship training program, improving work safety among its members, although an increase in the number of New York window cleaners was not unionized.
Unlike in Scotland, there is no government license in the United States, England, or Wales - this means anyone can claim to be a window cleaner. Window cleaning is considered the most dangerous job in the UK. Some window cleaners die every year, and many are injured.
Many window cleaning businesses claim that the law will come into force because of the European Regulation 2001/45/EC which will make the stairs illegal for window cleaners. However, the government rejected this provision, as the use of stairs to clean windows was "low risk and short duration":
To clarify the situation, HSE does not attempt to ban stairs or step ladders, but the ladder should not be the first automatic access option. They should only be used after appropriate appraisal of applicable alternatives and site conditions. The selection process for access equipment is getting the spotlight on HSE inspections. This guide explains that for short-duration work such as window cleaning, with a number of recognized precautions, the ladder will remain a common tool for many jobs.
The Working in High Rule went into effect in 2005 and did not ban the ladder but only limited their use for safe methods, ie the foot by people or with ladderstopper:
4.2.2. Portable ladders shall be prevented from slipping when used by securing stiles at or near the top or bottom, by an anti-slip device or by other arrangements having equivalent effectiveness. The ladder used for access must be long enough to stand out beyond the access platform, unless another action is taken to ensure a firm grip. Connected extension ladders and stairs should be used so that different parts are prevented from moving relative to each other. Mobile ladders must be prevented from moving before stepping on.
HSE supports the use of scaffold towers, ie temporary workstations, to clean windows but say this is a bit awkward:
"For some jobs, the car lifting platform will be the best option, but for many jobs, especially in domestic and small commercial buildings, risk assessment will show that due to shorter work durations and unchangeable building features, the only realistic option. "
Although the WFP system is meant to be safer than the ladder, the Health and Safety Executive says that they shed a large amount of water that either windows cleaners or their clients can enter.
Ecology and water shortage
Another problem is how the "green" window cleaning company looks. During spring 2006 Defra considered banning unnecessary water use and extending strict restrictions to prevent the use of safer drinking water up to 60 feet. Window cleaners can go back to the bucket-and-mop method, because Health and Safety at Heights allows such temporary access. Many window cleaners and window cleaners argue that their water use is minimal compared to the use of water from large industrial and energy companies, and that their water use accounts for only a small percentage of overall water consumption in developed countries.
Technological advances and decreased labor requirements
Much progress has been made in the field of minimizing the need for labor in this industry by using technology. The availability of technologies such as pressure washer makes it more efficient. Recently, in a high-tech society, the use of fully automatic robotic window cleaners started to become common.
Cultural reference
Window cleaners and window cleaners are the subject of songs, movies and comments, often with the intent of comics. Examples include the comic song George Formby "Window Cleaner", also known as "When I'm Cleaning Windows" is one of the best known. Films on window cleaners include Window Cleaner (1968) and Confessions of a Window Cleaner (1978). Journalists sometimes comment on the peculiarities of the trade.
See also
- Cleaning green
References
External links
- Window Cleaner in Empire State Building - 1938 British Pathe newsreel
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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