News

BMU Refurbishment solutions for optimised performance and functionality

Manntech’s advanced Building Maintenance Units are renowned for their durable, German-engineered construction. With a history stretching back over 60 years, many of Manntech’s building access systems can still be found in place protecting the ongoing cleaning and maintenance of tall buildings all over the world, often decades after the initial installation.

Any complex machine, no matter how robust in quality, will always be prone to wear and tear throughout its design life and furthermore may also become unfit or in need of modification or alteration due to changes to the building itself.

With an expert team of experienced designers and engineers, Manntech are ideally placed to provide refurbishment solutions for ageing Building Maintenance Units. In many cases, this can offer peace of mind for stakeholders for the ongoing protection of tall building facades for many more years into the future and at a fraction of the cost involved in a complete replacement of a building maintenance system.

As a BMU reaches the end of its natural life cycle, parts and components may become worn, outdated, or obsolete and compromise effective performance. A partial or complete overhaul of a BMU which is still in serviceable condition is often an attractive option where the project is carried out by Manntech’s appropriately qualified teams, bringing with them the necessary product-specific knowledge and problem-solving ability. Such a refurbishment can extend the operational life of the existing facade access system, improve uptime and restore BMUs to factory-standard. Furthermore, refurbishment an existing system can also restore the performance level of an aging BMU by upgrading and enhancing structural, hydraulic and mechanical aspects. Importantly, all safety features are also brought up to date.

Manntech’s expertise can also be an invaluable asset for refurbishment of existing building maintenance systems where additional functionality is required. Where for instance, the building has been renovated, remodelled, extended or there has been a change in use of any given space, the functionality of the original BMU may no longer be sufficient for effective and safe access in terms of outreach or movement. BMU refurbishment can often provide a cost-effective means to achieve the necessary modification in cases such as this. A building extension for instance, might require a greater outreach capacity or the addition of a terrace garden area might call for greater manoeuvrability or self-approaching functionality.

Just one example of a successful refurbishment solution is the One and Two International Place Project in Boston carried out by Alimak Service in 2020. The comprehensive solution overhauled all electrical systems and covered replacement of all components and platform controls on four BMUs. The electrical components were brought up to date with modern communication technology. The refurbishment project also covered replacement of all wire ropes and extensive test drops in order to help maintain safe working practices.

Manntech are well experienced in delivering custom facade access solutions for existing buildings and can complete refurbishment work with the minimum of downtime and disruption. Contact us to find out more.

Back to news

Latest Posts

How MyBMU Technology Transforms Data into Actionable Maintenance Strategies

Effective building maintenance relies on proactive issue awareness and timely resolution. MyBMU, an innovative remote monitoring platform developed by Alimak Group for optimising Manntech's facade access systems, has transformed maintenance practices by ensuring safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. This article explores MyBMU's features and benefits, emphasising the importance of addressing issues pre-emptively.

March 4th, 2024

Navigating New Heights: Innovative Solutions for Skyscraper Facade Access Challenges

As the architectural landscape continues to reach new heights with awe-inspiring skyscraper designs, the challenges in maintaining facades have also increased. From towering structures with complex designs to the limitations posed by extreme heights, ensuring efficient and safe facade access has become more crucial than ever. Manntech recognises this evolving need and has developed innovative solutions that address these challenges. This article explores the challenges and solutions in facade access, shedding light on how Manntech's innovations reshape the landscape of high-rise facade maintenance.

February 20th, 2024

Manntech’s facade access solutions adapt to roof space limitations

The world of architecture is evolving, and rooftops are now dynamic and remarkable features, no longer as static as they once were. They have become integral architectural elements, often boasting amenities such as roof gardens, making the most of available space. However, this trend has brought a unique challenge for facade access systems. Many modern tall buildings lack the traditional flat rooftops suitable for standard building maintenance units (BMUs). Implementing effective maintenance solutions has created a challenge, but Manntech has developed solutions to overcome the constraints posed by limited roof space.

October 26th, 2023

Manntech assists with the preservation of world-famous structures

Manntech’s extensive portfolio of projects spanning over 60 years showcases our dedication to developing high quality facade access solutions that meet the unique needs of each building and the ever-changing architectural landscape. With our engineering expertise and proven track record of delivering innovative custom solutions, we confidently take on the challenges of some of the most recognisable and unique building structures.

August 3rd, 2023

A guide to Manntech’s visualisation services

At Manntech, we are renowned for the high quality German engineering of our custom facade access solutions for the most complex and unique buildings across the globe. With over 60 years of industry experience, we proudly say that no facade access challenge is beyond our means. A large part of our continuing success is due to careful and precise planning and calculations. This is especially vital for the custom facade access systems that we design and manufacture to ensure they meet the specific needs and regulations imposed on them and to overcome a myriad of architectural or structural challenges.

July 31st, 2023