11.11.2021 | Facade

Holistic rescue concept for facades

After a fall every minute counts. Of course, the goal must be to avoid accidents through even better planning, equipment and training. If accidents do happen, rescue measures must be professionally prepared in order to keep the consequences as low as possible. One missing link to the rescue chain can lead to serious injuries and death. In this article you will learn how rescue concepts are prepared in connection with facade work and how rescue measures are to be carried out in an emergency.

1 Ratings

Specialist series: Fall protection for facades

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7 tips on installing concealed fall protection systems on façades, with or without rope access technology

Safety systems should not spoil the aesthetics of the façade. Nevertheless, they are important for maintenance & cleaning. The imposing glass structure was in the spotlight when it was time for cleaning the windows, because nobody had thought about the fall protection system required for this on the building’s unusual façade. So that you avoid being confronted with exactly this challenge, we have put together 7 tips for concealed fall protection and rope access technology.

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Correct planning and implementation of rope access technology on facades

Fall protection with rope access technology is an ideal solution for facades if they are also planned in good time. Architects increasingly decide to install rope access technology. The best way to integrate the rope access technology seamlessly into the building structures is to factor it in at the planning stage. The challenges arising during planning and implementation and the mistakes to avoid are summarised below.

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Holistic rescue concept for facades

After a fall every minute counts. Of course, the goal must be to avoid accidents through even better planning, equipment and training. If accidents do happen, rescue measures must be professionally prepared in order to keep the consequences as low as possible. One missing link to the rescue chain can lead to serious injuries and death. In this article you will learn how rescue concepts are prepared in connection with facade work and how rescue measures are to be carried out in an emergency.

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What is rope access technology and what are its benefits for facades?

Safety & beauty on facades - no problem with rope access technology. Because of very differing facade types, a safety system is required with which the user can reach otherwise inaccessible locations for cleaning and servicing tasks. This is particularly where the illusion of safety occurs more quickly than most people would like. Thanks to its great flexibility and high safety standards, one process which currently enjoys favour is rope access technology. In this article, we explain to you the concept and its benefits.

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5 modern facade types on which rope access technology is possible

Facades differ greatly. Every facade is unique and has its own special requirements in terms of safety, because each building shell must be cared for, serviced and, where necessary, repaired. In order to avoid the illusion of safety, a sustainable safety concept is therefore absolutely essential. In this blog, we would like to introduce to you 5 facade types where we have already gained experience in the past and were able to apply fall protection using rope access technology.

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A day’s work in rope access technology for facades

Safety is created above all through the correct workflow. Since 2019 rope access technology has been officially registered in TRBS 2121 as authorised working equipment. It is a rope-supported access process for installation, cleaning, and service tasks on facades. A debriefing and analysis takes place afterwards. In our blog, we’d like to show you this chronology for the individual steps of rope access technology, and to explain each of them briefly.

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Rope access technology on facades - all information at a glance

Definition, benefits, system, processes, legal foundations & more. Buildings are becoming higher, more modern, more complex, more spacious... The safety technology for working at height on these buildings must be correspondingly well-developed and flexible. This is why agile and dynamic rope access technology is being used with increasing frequency. It provides optimum fusing of aesthetics and safety on facades, and simultaneously provides the users with maximum flexibility when performing facade tasks such as cleaning, servicing, or repairs.

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All-round protection on facades with the (S)TOP application principle

Industrial safety on facades is essential. Dangerous behaviour in the workplace must be avoided under all circumstances. In our example, the solution would be suitable fall protection for cleaning the ceiling-high window. Ideally, risks are already eliminated in advance,e.g. by means of correct workflows. We now consider, in terms of facade safety systems, what the acronym (S)TOP represents and what lies behind it.

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7 steps of risk assessment of facades

Tasks on facades harbour risks which have to be minimised. Safety concepts for risks of falling from facades, on roofs, and also in industry have been our special field since 2001. Facade safety is an especially exciting area, because there are an incredible number of different facade types, each with its very own requirements.

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How To Achieve the Optimal Invitation to Tender for Facade Protection

Our experts share their best tips. The earlier the technical advice and planning for facade protection takes place, the better you’ll have your costs under control and the more successful you’ll be in the tendering process. Discover our 3 professional tips for this.

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Fall Protection for Facades: How Much Does it Cost?

All cost items at a glance. Roland K. opens the envelope and pulls out a multi-page stack of paper, and his heart almost stops. The offer for securing the facade of his current construction project is much higher than he’d previously calculated in the tender. Our architect Roland K. here could have avoided this sinking feeling that comes with discovering unanticipated costs. Because with good and early planning, cost-effective solutions for fall protection on your facade can be found. Read on and find out what the costs are made up of, and how you can plan and implement facade security in a way that will save you money.

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Whoops, facade safety forgotten – what can be done?

Necessary steps & expert tips that work. Inclusion of an experienced expert for facade safety early in the project pays for itself in the end, through appropriate know-how and attractive cost benefit advantages. And even if the fall protection system has been forgotten, a partner like this usually has a final ace up his sleeve.

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Fall protection on facades: 2 best practice examples

Stylishly matched to the project’s architecture. For every fall protection system, the focus is on saving lives. A holistic, sustainable safety concept for the facade safety system is the best possible gain for construction projects. At the same time, the safety system should integrate into the overall concept of the building, and complement the architecture. Discover two best practice examples for façade protection below.

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High-level view of fall protection on facades

Fall protection on facades needs to be stylish and safe. Every year, hundreds of people suffer accidents on roofs, facades, and other workplaces at height. The shockingly high number of such accidents could be reduced if suitable fall protection systems were in use. However, at the same time the facade safety system should not detract from the beauty of the building, because every structure has its own aesthetic value.

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Fall protection for Lobster’s facade

Even very modern facades also need fall protection

Time to travel new paths. That’s the motto of Lobster Data GmbH in Tutzing (Bavaria). But it’s not just as a software provider that Lobster puts its faith in developing and selling highly innovative solutions. Recently the company management decided to travel new paths in terms of safety too.

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Med Campus Linz - safe facades with TAURUS

Safety at dizzying heights: TAURUS from INNOTECH as fall protection for the MED CAMPUS Linz

The building’s modern, aesthetic facade, designed by the LORENZATELIERS architectural practice, obviously has to be cleaned and maintained regularly. So that these cleaning and maintenance tasks on the external components of the facade, plus the window and glass elements, were made as safe as possible, those responsible decided on a TAURUS professional fall protection system.

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TAURUS for façade protection at Axel Springer

TAURUS rail system, the perfect fall protection system for all types of modern facades

Regardless of the facade type, the topic of safety is always of decisive importance. Especially for intelligent facades which adapt to different weather conditions and to the actual position of the sun, regular servicing and cleaning is always necessary. Find out in this post how TAURUS is the optimum solution as fall protection for facades.

A holistic rescue concept ensures that after a fall all persons involved remain calm and composed enough to perform the necessary rescue measures.

Michael Pett

According to the Austrian Workers’ Compensation Board, falls are the second most common cause of accidents at work. In 2020, the AUVA (Austrian Workers’ Compensation Board) recorded 15,232 accidents in this area with 17 fatalities.

 

The 7 steps of a holistic rescue concept

Detailed planning:

Safety on facades relies on a professional risk assessment which is the result of a danger analysis, together with the development of a corresponding rescue concept. For this, all danger items are checked, and the rescue equipment is assembled, e.g. a suitable rescue lifting device is present.

 

Provision of the rescue gear:

Professional rescue gear includes a rescue lifting device or a pulley system. This gear must be available at every single work position and to each team deployed on the building site, as the teams usually work independent of each other.

 

Chronological rescue concept:

Every user must have understood the rescue concept and be able to apply it. A worker at height supervises (level 3) and examines the rescue gear and the hazards at regular intervals or after a change of activity. Furthermore, prior to each use and after a team change affecting at least one user, he/she will go through the rescue concept and the correct sequence with those present. 

 

Review of rescue set:

It is essential that the storage of the rescue set is carefully considered and organised, e.g. by clear separation of regular equipment from rescue gear, e.g. by marking or placing in boxes clearly distinguished by colour. The person in charge must ensure that no items are removed from the rescue set, and that all materials are complete and in perfect condition.

 

Compliance with escape routes:

Whether the fallen person is to be rescued vertically (upward/downward), horizontally (to the right/left), or diagonally depends on the previously conducted risk assessment and the rescue concept based on this assessment. Depending on the façade type, it will be necessary to bring the victim to the emergency physician, e.g. to level 0, while complying with the situation-dependent escape routes.

 

First aid:

The rescuer monitors the vital signs of the victim and - if the person has lost consciousness - administers the necessary first-aid measures until the arrival of the emergency medical services. The victim is handed over to the emergency medical services, with the information that the person has suffered suspension trauma. 

 

Assessing the danger situation:

The term rescue is used for living persons, while the term recovery is used for dead persons. A well conceived, holistic rescue concept also attaches prime importance to self-protection, i.e. the rescuer should not place himself in danger at any time. Some circumstances even allow for self-rescue, i.e. the victim can save themselves from danger following a fall from a height. 

Checklist-facades

Rescue measures following a fall from a height

A holistic rescue concept ensures that after a fall all persons involved remain calm and composed enough to perform the necessary rescue measures:

  • Recognise the situation and stop normal work. 
    So that the fallen person can be rescued as quickly as possible, it is necessary to assess the dangerous and general situation rapidly. Stop normal work immediately and concentrate on the fallen person.

 

  • Ask the victim how they are and what happened.
    It is important to gather a clear picture of the situation so that you can respond appropriately.

 

  • Dial the emergency number
    In the event of an accident, you should immediately place an emergency call via your headset or mobile phone. IMPORTANT! Report that there is a potential suspension trauma.

 

  • Initiate rescue measures at the same time
    Even a few minutes of suspension can have devastating consequences and quickly lead to suspension trauma, which is why time is of the essence. The victim must therefore by removed from the situation quickly, in order to prevent, for example, a suspension trauma.

 

  • Bring the victim into a safe situation
    In order to provide assistance promptly, the emergency physician and medical team must reach the victim rapidly. For instance, in order to speed up the rescue after a fall from a wind turbine far away, you should share your location data with the emergency call centre and, if possible, meet the rescue team at the site entrance.

 

  • Administer first-aid measures
    If the fall victim has suffered an injury, those present will have to administer first aid and, in severe cases, perform additional emergency measures, e.g. attach a sub-pelvic strap if the fall victim is likely to have sustained a pelvic fracture.

 

  • Hand the victim over to the emergency medical services
    As soon as the emergency doctor and/or the rescue team have arrived on site, inform them about the fall’s exact course of events. The emergency medical services then instigate all further measures.

 

Repair & maintenance after a fall

If a fall from a height occurs and requires subsequent rescue measures, the entire equipment must be inspected and/or replaced. Repair and maintenance of a safety system involved in an incident comprises the following steps:

 

  • The safety system is tested thoroughly, and parts subjected to stress that became deformed are replaced without exception. Sliders and anti-fall PPE (harnesses, ropes, etc.) must be replaced in their entirety.

 

  • The manufacturer and/or experts trained for the purpose perform a professional inspection of the rescue devices.

 

Note

We provide rescue training relating to rescue of persons in the event of a fall. After completing the training, you are able to help and stabilise people in an emergency. You will also learn everything relating to the subject of rescue concepts, chains of survival, selection of the correct anti-fall PPE, and much more.

 

Summary: Holistic rescue concepts require practice

If a hiker suffers a fall in the mountains, his companions may quickly become overwhelmed, and may start to panic themselves. This should not happen to trained industrial climbers, who are able to apply their theoretical knowledge practically calmly, quickly, and safely. This, however, takes much practice and a well conceived, holistic rescue concept based on a previous risk assessment. Rescue measures must follow a clear sequence; all participants are responsible for themselves and for others, and there must be regular inspection of all items of equipment. Only if all people involved are conscious of the danger situation and are able to perform safety and rescue measures competently can accidents be avoided and lives be saved when it comes to the worst.

Consult our free Checklist for other useful information about rope access technology used on facades and buildings.

Checkliste facades fall protection