Building Maintenance Units (BMU)

Often referred to as a window cleaning cradle, a gondola, or a gantry, a Building Maintenance Unit is a type of permanent mechanical access equipment generally installed on the building’s roof level that is operated manually, automatically, or by remote control. It provides permanent mechanical access for the maintenance of a building’s façade.

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.

Our service

The bespoke nature of Building Maintenance Units (BMU) means early engagement with the architect or building owner is essential. Providing an initial cost-effective design that not only meets statutory requirements but has taken into consideration all of the access needs of the building, throughout its lifetime, is paramount to a successful installation.

Eurosafe offers a full wraparound service to ensure that your project gets the right piece of equipment. Partnering with market-leading BMU manufacturer GPBMU in Madrid, Spain, we guide you through the complete process from access strategy, concept design, engineering loads for the unit and your building, site project management and installation, commissioning, user training and long-term warrantied maintenance.

Learn about BMU Inspection & Maintenance

GPBMU

Eurosafe is an approved installer of GPBMU cradles and BMU systems. GPBMU have more than fifteen years of experience in the sector and supervised and approved the construction of more than 2,300 façade access machines around the world.

GPBMU (part of the JPV group) has more than twenty-five years of experience in the sector and has supervised and approved the construction of more than 2,300 façade access machines around the world.

Working within the 3 fundamental pillars of Safety, Quality, and Innovation, their range of machines can cover a vast majority of façade access requirements from simple flat surfaces to complex uneven geometry incorporating protruding elements requiring the use of pantograph cradles.

Each BMU is tailored to the needs of each building. Please download our BMU brochure below to see the full range or contact us for more information.

Building Maintenance Unit (BMU) Model GPI

Building Maintenance Unit (BMU) Model GPIT

Building Maintenance Unit (BMU) Model GPN

FAQs

What is a BMU?

Building maintenance units (BMUs) are a type of permanent mechanical access equipment which is either operated:

Manually
Automatically
By remote control

Where are BMUs installed?

A BMU is often installed on the building’s roof level and can be positioned in a:

Static location
Fixed-standing track
Free-standing track

What is a BMU generally used for?

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
Window cleaning
Façade panel replacement

What are the Regulations for BMUs?

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

How often should BMUs be tested and inspected?

The testing and inspection of suspended access equipment is laid down under BS 6037-Part 1-2003 which states a quarterly regime as follows:

Month 1 - Annual load test and inspection

Month 2 - Thorough inspection

Month 3 - General inspection

Month 4 - General inspection

Supplementary tasks are in addition to the statutory examinations and should include certain safety-critical components. These are generally carried out at intervals of ten years.