Rope Access Façade Remedials & Emergency Repairs - City of London

Rope Access Facade Repair & Emergency in The City of London

Project type: Rope Access / Façade Remedials / Public Protection / Emergency Repairs

Location: Knightsbridge, London

Sector: Commerical

Services: Rope Access / Façade Remedials / Public Protection / Emergency Repairs

Safe, Controlled Façade Repairs on a Live, Constrained Streetscape

This City of London site required targeted façade remedials and emergency high-level repairs, delivered in a tightly constrained public environment where access, oversailing controls, and pedestrian safety were critical considerations. With limited space for traditional access methods and the need to minimise disruption, rope access provided a safe and efficient route to complete the works.

Work instructions and site findings focused on degraded render, failed pointing, localised lead gutter defects, and unsafe concrete sills at height—issues with clear falling-object and water-ingress implications if left unmanaged.

ProAltus was appointed to deliver a controlled, standards-led solution combining rope access delivery, targeted façade repairs, and emergency sill replacement, supported by the relevant permits and temporary safety provisions.

Project Goals

The project required a solution that would:

• Safely access the required elevations via rope access, avoiding scaffold where impractical

• Complete façade remedials to render and brickwork on the nominated elevation

• Resolve lead gutter defects and improve water management detailing

• Deliver emergency removal and replacement of dangerous concrete sills at height

• Maintain appropriate public protection measures and over-sailing controls for a live street environment

• Minimise disruption while working within programme dates and FM stakeholder requirements

Our Solution

ProAltus designed an integrated façade repair and containment solution driven by best practice and fully aligned with:

• BS 7985 – Rope Access

• BS 8560 – Planning for Work at Height

• BS 8410 – Façade Maintenance

  
  

This standards-led approach ensured safe access planning, controlled work zones, and consistent quality across both the remedial and emergency repair elements

Rope Access Delivery (BS 7985)

High-level works were delivered via industrial rope access to enable controlled access in a constrained streetscape, supporting:

• Efficient access to the required elevations without major temporary structures

• Precise working positions for lead-work, masonry, and render tasks

• Strong control of tools, materials, and exclusion/drop zones in a live public environment

  
  

Rope access also significantly reduced environmental impact and avoided imposing large temporary structures on the residential surroundings.

Façade Repairs & Remedial Works

The remedials scope focused on both finish integrity and water management, including:

Localised render repairs, followed by making-good and paintingBrick repointing to defective areasLead gutter remedials, including protection to existing weld areasInstallation of a lead apron to improve drip detail and reduce saturation risk to brickwork below

These works restored façade integrity and reduced ongoing maintenance risk.

Emergency Concrete Sill Repairs

Where dangerous concrete sills were identified, ProAltus delivered an emergency repair approach to remove the immediate hazard and reinstate safe, durable details, including:

• Removal of dangerous concrete sills

• New sills poured and formed to reinstate safe façade elements

• Temporary Access Infrastructure & Public Protection

Key Features of the System

• Rope access delivery aligned with BS 7985 principles

• Work-at-height planning aligned with BS 8560

• Façade remedials delivered in line with BS 8410 maintenance principles

• Lead apron detail added to improve water management at the façade edge

• Emergency removal and replacement of dangerous concrete sills at height

• Works delivered within the instructed programme, supported by completion photography

  
  

Results

The project delivered a safe, efficient façade remediation package that now provides:

• Stabilised and reinstated render and masonry elements

• Improved leadwork detailing and protected gutter weld areas to support better water management

• Removal of immediate falling-object risk from defective concrete sills, with reinstated formed replacements

• A managed approach to public protection and temporary access provisions suitable for a live City of London location

The building now benefits from improved façade integrity, reduced ongoing risk at height, and a documented methodology appropriate for future maintenance planning.

Planning Similar Work?

ProAltus specialises in rope access, façade repair, and engineered debris-containment systems for residential, commercial, and heritage properties across the UK.

Speak to our team:📞 01638 781 541📧 sales@proaltus.co.uk