How Manntech have innovated new building access solutions for hard to reach areas

With over 60 years of experience in the building maintenance system industry, Manntech are recognised around the globe as the driving force behind innovative, precision engineered facade access solutions.

With over 60 years of experience in the building maintenance system industry, Manntech are recognised around the globe as the driving force behind innovative, precision engineered facade access solutions. As the leading supplier of bespoke building access solutions, Manntech are also well known for their continuing culture of constant innovation in building maintenance systems specifically developed to overcome the access challenges presented by the boldest and most adventurous new buildings ever conceived over the years. Each new advance in building materials, construction technology and architectural achievement has brought with it a new range of challenges in terms of delivering building access systems capable of providing comprehensive, safe and reliable service for tall buildings of previously unprecedented height and complexity. Time and again, Manntech have shown their ability to innovate new facade access solutions, specially developed to navigate the most hard to reach areas of complex building forms which push the limits of what is possible in architecture and construction.

Petronas Towers remains one of the most famous and instantly recognisable structures in the world and is an iconic landmark for Kuala Lumpur as a whole. At the time of its completion it held the record of world’s tallest building and to this day is still the world’s tallest twin tower. Beyond the scale of the building, the project also presented a number of particularly hard to reach facade sections, including the skybridge linking the two skyscrapers. The comprehensive building maintenance system includes two BMUs which traverse along the length of the skybridge, one above and one below. As the pioneer of the softrope restraint system, Manntech also became the first facade access provider to deploy this technology on a high rise building, allowing for the functionality of safe and reliable horizontal cradle movement across the complex, multi-faceted facade surfaces.

Shanghai Tower represents another example of Manntech’s innovative building maintenance systems and world-first developments in BMU technology. In addition to a breathtaking scale of 362 metres in height, Shanghai Tower also presents the access challenge of an endlessly twisting, spiral geography designed to provide both an arresting architectural form and a significant reduction in structural wind load requirements. Seven Building Maintenance Units were, once again, specifically developed for the needs of this unique building with davit arms providing all the necessary manoeuvrability to access every part of the main building envelope while also being flexible enough to navigate safely through the extremely limited space available for operation. The angled surface of the roof and its highly complex curving perimeter shape also presented a unique challenge which called for a unique solution. In response, Manntech developed the 3D climbing BMU, the first of its kind. This pioneering design allows for the Unit to adjust both its angle of climb and its direction of travel at the same track location.

Regardless of the complexity of the building geography or the range of particularly hard to reach areas involved, Manntech have repeatedly innovated new advanced building maintenance systems capable of accessing every facade surface. Contact us to discuss how our expert team can help you.