Specialist Access Repairs for Commercial and High-Rise Buildings

What determines the quality and effectiveness of our work most is our ability to safely and professionally access even the most challenging buildings. Working at heights on commercial buildings requires more than just the right tools and equipment. It demands expert planning, specialist knowledge and an unwavering commitment to safety.

At Building Transformation, we combine highly skilled façade repair and maintenance technicians with advanced working at height capabilities. This allows us to deliver industry-leading solutions for even the most difficult access scenarios.

Multi-disciplinary techniques include rope access (abseiling), MEWPs (Mobile Elevated Work Platforms), cradles, and a range of anchor and safety line systems to reach every corner of your building envelope.

So, whether you’re managing an iconic city tower, a listed heritage building, or a multi-block hotel complex, our solutions are tailored, efficient, and backed by rigorous RAMS (Risk Assessments and Method Statements).

We are also proud members of IRATA International, the world’s leading authority in industrial rope access, which ensures our teams meet the highest standards of safety in the industry.

Rope Access Repairs

We are proud to be members of IRATA International, the world’s leading authority on industrial rope access. Their globally recognised system ensures our technicians are trained, supervised, and operate to the highest safety standards. In fact, IRATA’s rigorous approach has been shown to outperform the wider work-at-height industry when it comes to safety and incident prevention.

Rope access offers one of the most flexible, efficient, and non-disruptive methods for inspecting and repairing building façades. Using an abseiling anchor system – either fixed, weighted, or temporary – our teams can safely descend buildings of any height and configuration to perform a wide range of repairs.

This method is ideal for:

  • Tall, complex, or irregularly shaped buildings
  • Situations where scaffolding is impractical or too costly
  • Projects that require quick deployment with minimal impact on tenants or public access

Compared to traditional scaffolding, rope access:

  • Reduces setup and dismantling time
  • Avoids road closures and site congestion
  • Minimises visual disruption in sensitive heritage or urban settings

MEWP (Mobile Elevated Work Platform) Access

MEWPs are a versatile and safe solution for medium-height buildings or areas with limited ground access. Our experienced operatives use a range of MEWPs to perform high-level inspections, leak investigations, sealant repairs, glazing works, and more.

Types of MEWPs we use:

  • Boom lifts – These extend vertically and horizontally for flexible reach.
  • Scissor lifts – These provide vertical lift with large working platforms.
  • Spider lifts – These are compact, so great for narrow or fragile ground conditions, also ideal for courtyards or internal atriums.

MEWPs are quick to deploy, easy to relocate, and allow us to carry tools and materials directly to the work zone. This makes them an ideal solution for jobs requiring speed and precision.

beaufort place case study

See how we used MEWPs on specifically constructed pontoons in the River Cam to access and clean the façade at Beaufort Place, Cambridge.

Cradle Access Systems, or Building Maintenance Units (BMU)

Many modern commercial buildings are designed with integrated cradles or monorail systems for ongoing maintenance. These can also be referred to as Building Maintenance Units (BMU). This provides efficient vertical and horizontal access to all façade elements. Our teams are trained to operate and manage:

  • Permanent cradle systems/ BMUs suspended from roofs or gantries
  • Telescopic jib cradles for complex geometries
  • Monorail systems for continuous façade access

When properly maintained, these systems offer long-term cost savings and operational efficiency. We also liaise with facilities teams to integrate rescue and safety procedures into the building’s existing access strategy.

Anchor Systems & Safety Lines

Where permanent fall protection systems are not in place, we install and use a range of portable or temporary anchors to ensure work at height can be conducted safely and in full compliance with HSE guidelines.

Depending on the structure and location, we use:

  • Fixed anchor points
  • Weighted mobile anchors
  • Horizontal and vertical lifelines

Anchor systems are essential for rope access works and for safely tethering operatives on exposed roof areas, particularly where there is no 1100mm parapet or guarding.

Working at Height Safety and Compliance

Safety is the foundation of every project we deliver. We adhere to all HSE working at height regulations, using fully certified and traceable access equipment.

Learn more about our approach through our work at the Horse Guards Parade and the Pullman Hotel.

Our key safety measures include:

  • RAMS produced for every project, including detailed rescue plans
  • IKAR rescue kits deployed onsite for controlled descent and emergency scenarios
  • All tools secured using tethering systems
  • Staff trained to IRATA, IPAF, and PASMA standards

Our highly trained in-house teams operate under a robust safety culture that prioritises risk prevention, operational excellence, and compliance at every level.

Get in touch to discuss your specialist access needs