A growing number of building facade inspectors, increasingly women, are rappelling into New York City’s glass and terra-cotta canyons. — The New York Times
Stefanos Chen introduces us to New York City's growing community of "industrial rope access" facade inspectors.
"The city requires that of the approximately 1 million buildings in New York City, those taller than six stories — more than 14,500 structures — have their facades inspected every five years, to ensure the safety of passers-by below," writes Chen.
"Rather than using bulky swing-stage scaffolds, like the ones for window washing, or hydraulic cranes that block traffic, an increasing number of design and engineering firms are training their staff to rappel down the side of skyscrapers in search of dangerous defects."
8 Comments
No. Why not a drone?
A visual inspection is not a physical inspection.
Still no better, and safer way to do it ?
I'd love to do this.
The future is now!
If you see drones around Salesforce Tower, don’t panic
In either case [drone vs repelling] the inspections are useful, however, limited and be noted as such, particularly when used for decision making. Swing stage access findings should be combined with the initial data to form a more comprehensive report.
Much ignorance about the safety of rappelling up in here.
Speaking of building inspections...I watched this alst night, about scaffolding. it was hilarious and poignant. be aware there is a brief moment of hardcore gay porn, tho.
The Best Half-Hour of Comedy in 2020 Is About … Scaffolding? - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
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