Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Stu Wallace on February 28, 2013, 06:00:17 pm
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Hi
Just after some advice I've been asking to quote for cleaning a school. They want all windows inside and out cleaned which isn't to much of a problem just loads of windows :)
The problem is that they want their skylites cleaned and there's about 50 of them only accessible by climbing on a flat roof I have a rule of not climbing on them.
So how do I find out how strong the roof is ?
I'm guessing it must be very strong as it is in a school and they don't want a roof falling in on a classroon full on kids.
Many Thanks
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I'm not 100% on this but if you were to go down the whole h&s route with this...
Then I'm sure if there's more than so many windows on th roof there must be a rail around the roof and safety gear worn...
How high is it? Just standard ladder hight roof?
Only you know if its safe for you - I personally wouldn't have a problem with but I haven't seen it I guess.
I'd be more worried about the school clearing every window inside for good easy access to them, can kill a lot of time if they haven't cleared the area around each window etc...
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Hi
Just after some advice I've been asking to quote for cleaning a school. They want all windows inside and out cleaned which isn't to much of a problem just loads of windows :)
The problem is that they want their skylites cleaned and there's about 50 of them only accessible by climbing on a flat roof I have a rule of not climbing on them.
So how do I find out how strong the roof is ?
I'm guessing it must be very strong as it is in a school and they don't want a roof falling in on a classroon full on kids.
Many Thanks
I'm sure anyone with building experience will back me up in saying that the weight of a single man could never be enough to cause the flat roof of any residential or commercial building to collapse (in this case I would class a school as 'commercial').
I would have no problem at all about walking on such a roof to clean skylights. I would be more concerned to be sure the ladder was properly set so that it couldn't slip or blow over sideways.
Having said that, the roof of the gymnasium of Camden School for Girls collapsed in the late 60's/early 70's - it was a job I used to clean regularly. Luckily it happened during the school holidays and also not while I was cleaning it!
It had been built with high-alumina cement which was widely used in the late 50's/early 60's but it corroded from the inside, meaning apparently sound concrete roof beams were actually disintegrating inside where no-one could see them. It caused a huge outcry at the time and many buildings had to be pulled down and rebuilt.
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Wc Solutions.
Its just a single storey so just ladder height.
All windows will be clear as it will be at the end of the school year will be cleaning some time in July.
Thanks
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The school caretaker is the man to speak to. ;)
He should know what shape the roof is in and who was last up there and when.
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Why have you got this rule not to walk on flat roofs?
Ive walked on hundreds and am still here :D
... just asked my mate who has also walked on hundreds and he is still here ;D
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If the roof is strong thats fine but I think if it doesnt have rails you would need to put a barrier up so youkniw not to walk back after that point maybe hi vis cones with tthe tape on them. Also tye the ladder of at top and bottom.
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Why have you got this rule not to walk on flat roofs?
Ive walked on hundreds and am still here :D
... just asked my mate who has also walked on hundreds and he is still here ;D
I don't like heights :) thats why I use WFP
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FWIW i do several schools and all require cleaning from the roof - ie upper levels or skylights without exception
the roof has varoius air-con units electrical boxes and extraction systems all of which need maintence etc..
some have non slip walkways moulded into the 'rubberised' surface ( they all seem to use this thick rubber rather than felting )
we always do schools as 2 man cleans with only 1 on the roof, never be on a site on your own
Darran
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Bully the fat kid into testing it out.
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Having said that, the roof of the gymnasium of Camden School for Girls collapsed in the late 60's/early 70's - it was a job I used to clean regularly. Luckily it happened during the school holidays and also not while I was cleaning it!
It had been built with high-alumina cement which was widely used in the late 50's/early 60's but it corroded from the inside, meaning apparently sound concrete roof beams were actually disintegrating inside where no-one could see them. It caused a huge outcry at the time and many buildings had to be pulled down and rebuilt.
No, it collapsed because of all the little spy holes I'd drilled in the roof.
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Why have you got this rule not to walk on flat roofs?
Ive walked on hundreds and am still here :D
... just asked my mate who has also walked on hundreds and he is still here ;D
I don't like heights :) thats why I use WFP
It's only the edges that are high, and I doubt the skylights are near the edges.
Obviously speak to a person in the know at the school, but flat roofs are generally OK to walk on. The have to be re-felted atc. every so many years and I'm fairly sure the roofers don't have jetpac's ;D
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I've not been on a roof since Strangeways. It was safe enough but I got another six months on my sentence.
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I've not been on a roof since Strangeways. It was safe enough but I got another six months on my sentence.
Tiles came off a bit too easy tho' ;D
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Stu what's the problem???
You've been a windy for years!!!
Just get up there and clean em !!!
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I've not been on a roof since Strangeways. It was safe enough but I got another six months on my sentence.
Tiles came off a bit too easy tho' ;D
Well..... ;D.
That's why we threw them all down; we didn't want anyone getting hurt.
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We had some dunderheads go through a school roof last year cleaning skylights. Think it was tiled the section they went through.
Company name? TooGood.
Not so bloody good now. ;-)