When permanent access systems are unavailable, unsuitable or unable to reach the area requiring work, a temporary access strategy can provide a safe and practical way to inspect, maintain and repair difficult-to-access buildings and structures.
Building Transformation uses temporary access solutions to enable our own inspection, maintenance and remedial work across commercial, industrial and public-sector assets.
Whether the requirement is a façade inspection, roof repair, leak investigation, structural assessment or high-level maintenance task, we assess the building and the work first before deciding how the area can be accessed safely and efficiently.
This may involve rope access, MEWPs, temporary anchors, fall protection or existing cradle systems, depending on the structure and the work required.
We do not provide temporary access equipment as a standalone hire service. Our access strategies are developed as part of the inspection, maintenance or repair work Building Transformation is carrying out.
Difficult access can become a significant obstacle when a building needs inspection or remedial work.
Permanent Building Maintenance Units (BMUs), fixed access systems or roof safety infrastructure may not be available, may not reach the affected area or may be unsuitable for the task.
Rather than approaching access as a standalone service, Building Transformation considers it as part of the wider maintenance problem.
We assess what work needs to be completed, where the defect is located and what constraints exist before selecting an appropriate access method.
Temporary access solutions can enable us to carry out:
The objective is to overcome the access challenge so that the required inspection or maintenance can be completed safely, efficiently and with minimal disruption to building operations.
The most appropriate access method depends on the building, the location of the work and what our teams need to do once they reach it.
In some cases, one access method will be sufficient. More complex projects may require a combination of techniques.
Where appropriate, rope access can provide an efficient way for our teams to inspect, maintain and repair high-rise buildings and other difficult-to-access structures.
It can be particularly useful where the work area is difficult to reach using conventional access or where extensive scaffolding would create unnecessary disruption.
Rope access may enable our teams to undertake tasks such as:
The decision to use rope access is based on the building, the task and the access risks involved rather than using it as the default solution.
Where ground conditions, height and site constraints allow, MEWPs can provide flexible access for inspection, maintenance and repair work.
Depending on the project, this may include:
MEWPs can be particularly suitable for localised works and situations where tools or materials need to be taken to the working area.
Our team assesses whether a MEWP provides an appropriate solution based on factors such as working height, reach, ground conditions, public interfaces and operational restrictions.
Where suitable permanent fall-protection infrastructure is not available, temporary anchor systems or safety lines may be required to allow our teams to complete specific inspection, maintenance or repair tasks safely.
Depending on the project, these may include:
These systems can provide secure attachment for operatives working around exposed roof areas and other locations where additional fall protection is required.
Temporary anchor arrangements are selected and used according to the building, access conditions and the work being undertaken.
Some inspection and maintenance activities require additional temporary fall-protection measures before our teams can safely reach the work area.
Depending on the building and task, this may include temporary fall-restraint measures, edge protection or other site-specific safety arrangements.
For fragile roof surfaces, suitable spreader boards may also be used where required to distribute loads and provide safer access across the roof construction.
These measures are introduced to enable the work itself rather than being provided as standalone access products.
Many commercial buildings incorporate permanent cradles or Building Maintenance Units for ongoing façade maintenance.
Where these systems are available and suitable for the work required, our trained teams can use existing BMUs and cradles to undertake inspections, maintenance and repairs as part of the wider access strategy.
Where a permanent BMU or cradle is not available, temporary cradle or access arrangements may also be possible in some circumstances, subject to the building, access requirements and nature of the work.
The appropriate solution is considered as part of the overall project rather than treating the cradle or BMU as a standalone service.
No two buildings present exactly the same access challenge.
Before deciding how our teams will reach an area, we first establish what needs to be inspected, maintained or repaired.
We then consider factors including:
This allows us to select an access strategy based on the actual maintenance requirement rather than forcing the project around a predetermined access method.
In some cases, specialist access can also reduce reliance on extensive scaffolding, helping minimise disruption and allow work to be completed more efficiently.
The key difference in Building Transformation’s approach is that access is not the end product. Our role is to help clients inspect, maintain and repair difficult-to-access assets. That means we can assess the problem, determine how the affected area can be reached and then carry out the required technical work.
For facilities managers, asset managers, surveyors and property teams, this creates a more integrated process. Rather than coordinating one contractor to provide access and another to complete the work, our specialist access capability supports the maintenance services delivered by Building Transformation itself.
Access planning can become particularly important where buildings need to remain occupied or operational while maintenance work is underway.
This may include:
In these environments, conventional access methods may affect entrances, public areas, operational space or surrounding infrastructure.
Where appropriate, temporary access techniques can help reduce the physical footprint of the work and minimise unnecessary disruption.
The strategy is developed around both the technical maintenance requirement and the way the building needs to continue operating during the project.
Building Transformation combines specialist access capability with practical inspection, maintenance and repair expertise.
Our teams regularly work on commercial and complex buildings where the required work is difficult to reach using conventional methods.
Depending on the project, our approach may involve:
The access strategy is always developed around the asset, the work required and the safest practical method of reaching it.
If you have a roof, façade or structural element that is difficult to reach, you do not necessarily need to determine the access method before contacting us.
Tell us about the building and the problem.
Building Transformation can assess the work required, identify an appropriate access strategy and carry out the inspection, maintenance or repair itself.
Please note: we do not provide temporary access equipment for standalone hire.
What are temporary access solutions?
Temporary access solutions are short-term access methods used to enable inspection, maintenance or repair where permanent access infrastructure is unavailable, unsuitable or unable to reach the required area.At Building Transformation, temporary access is used as part of the technical work we carry out rather than being supplied as a standalone access-hire service.
Do you hire out temporary access equipment?
No. Building Transformation does not operate as a temporary access equipment hire provider. We select and use appropriate temporary access methods where they are required to enable our own inspection, maintenance and repair work.
When might temporary access be needed?
Temporary access may be required where a roof, façade or other building element needs inspection or maintenance but permanent access infrastructure is unavailable or unsuitable.This can include façade repairs, roof maintenance, glazing inspections, leak investigations, structural inspections and other difficult-access work.
What temporary access methods can you use?
Depending on the project, our access strategy may involve rope access, MEWPs, temporary anchor systems, safety lines, temporary fall-protection measures or BMUs and cradles. The method is selected according to the building and the work required.
How do you choose the right access method?
We assess the building, work scope, location of the defect, access restrictions, operational environment and work-at-height risks before deciding on the most appropriate approach.The access method is therefore based on what is required to complete the inspection, maintenance or repair safely and efficiently.
Can you carry out the work as well as arrange the access?
Yes. This is central to our approach. Building Transformation uses specialist and temporary access methods to enable our own inspection, building maintenance and remedial services. This means we can address both the access challenge and the work that needs to be completed once the area is reached.