Window Washing Regs

Need to figure out how or if you need to provide engineered fittings in order for window cleaning services to do their thing?  Here's everything I know:

Find service providers at the International Window Cleaning Association website (IWCA.org)

At the Department of Labor/Safety and Health website (scroll down to Window Washing) there are links to standards, regulations, checklists and applications, etc.

Highrises tend to go with a davit crane system to hang a platform.  This is probably unnecessary for a building under 10 stories or so.  Hoses can reach 6+ stories and manlifts go even higher (but require access and staging at all sides of the building.

The safety equipment is stuff like this. (J. Racenstein)  JR also has portable roof anchors that may be used in lieu of davit cranes? unknown.

The client is large enough to clean their own windows?  This is sort of a window roomba:  http://skypro.com/

Resources

SUCF window washing regulations

IWCA window cleaning safety standard

ANSI-IWCA Rope descent regulations

ANSI-IWCA Anchor Design Specifications

The following is unverified information given by a window cleaner and an lifesafety engineer from  Flexible Lifeline Systems, which offers free design services (as well as Pro-Bel) but wants its products and installers used.  Take with a grain of salt.  SMS Engineering is a consultant who'd presumably provide an objective opinion/design (for a fee). 

• Bosun’s chairs need 2 tie downs.  One for the chair, one for the person but,
• “everyone” is using manlifts now – “nobody rappels anymore”
• Tie downs must hold 5,000 lbs each
• Consider the possible damage to parapet coping from ropes running over it
• Bosun’s chairs are illegal in New York state for buildings 70 feet or taller
• manlifts can go to 120+ feet – need access to all sides of building
• hoses use deionized, super clean water and shoot 75 ft

Persons contacted during Breckenridge Place Apartments research were:

Eric Grunder

P.O. Box 268 
Port Crane, NY 13833
607.648.5647
www.americanwindowandpowerwashing.com
americanwindow@stny.rr.com 

Frank Parella

8 Adler Drive, Suite 3 
East Syracuse, NY 13057
315.463.5353
www.cleantec.us
fparella@cleantec.us 

Pavel Tretyakov

North East Systems Specialist

Flexible Lifeline Systems

Turnkey Providers of Innovative Fall Protection Solutions

14325 West Hardy Road

Houston, TX 77060

 281-448-8821    Main

 832-448-2980    Direct

 281-448-9225    Fax

 716-517-7163    Cell

Email-   pavel.tretyakov@flexiblelifeline.com

Website- www.flexiblelifeline.com