What is a Building Maintenance Unit (BMU)?
Often referred to as a window cleaning cradle, a gondola or a gantry, Building Maintenance Units are a type of permanent mechanical access equipment generally installed on the building’s roof level that is operated manually, automatically or by remote control.
The BMU can be installed in a static location or on fixed or free-standing tracks, allowing the unit to traverse the full perimeter of the roof. From the main unit a telescopic jib suspends a cradle or basket over the edge of the building that can be lowered or raised allowing access to all of the building’s façade for general maintenance, cleaning and repairs such as glazing and façade panel replacement.
Test & Cradle Inspection of Building Maintenance Units (BMU)
The duty holder of a building has legal responsibility for ensuring that suspended access equipment under their care is:
- Safe and fit for the purpose for which it was intended
- Properly maintained and examined
- Used by competent and adequately trained operatives
Eurosafe Solutions can help duty holders meet their legal obligations by providing a full testing and inspection solution individually tailored to minimise down time and maximise the productivity of the cradle system.
The testing & inspection of suspended access equipment is laid down under BS 6037-Part 1-2003 which states a quarterly regime as follows:
- Month 1 – Inspection, thorough examination & load test
- Month 3 – Inspection
- Month 6 – Inspection & thorough examination
- Month 9 – Inspection
LG3 inspections being completed additionally every 10 years
GPBMU
Eurosafe Solutions are an approved installer of GPBMU (part of the JPV group) cradles and BMU systems. GPBMU have more than fifteen years’ experience in the sector and supervised and approved the construction of more than 2,300 façade access machines around the world.
For more information on our Cradle Inspection & Maintenance services please contact...
