Automatic positioning technology for facade access system

52 Martin Place is a 36-storey A Grade office tower located in Sydney, Australia. Constructed in the mid 1980’s, today the building boasts a 5-star energy rating and lower-level facilities including cafes, restaurants, and car parking, located conveniently above one of the cities transport hubs; Martin Place Station.

To protect the building’s unique coloured glass facade, Manntech was chosen to deliver a facade access system suitable for installation via the building’s existing elevator rather than with a mobile or side crane to create a cost-effective installation solution for the building owner.

Upon delivery, the Type 6.1 building maintenance unit with knuckle style jib will run along a horizontal track system and feature centimetre-accurate programmed automatic positioning, achieved through a variable speed inverter operation and the use of absolute encoders. These features allow the unit to navigate through a very tight passageway, removing any chance for user error that may unduly damage the building.

Alongside this state-of-the-art facade access system, Manntech will also complete a full refurbishment of two lower-level existing BMU systems, as well as replace two decommissioned single operator units with bespoke rope access davit systems to provide total coverage of the building. What’s more, to ensure that the building can structurally support the weight of the new system, a series of additional concealed steel beams will also be installed internally in the building’s upper plant rooms.