For high-rise buildings, window cleaning, façade maintenance, and inspection of exterior areas always require solutions that are safe, flexible, and capable of meeting the required working height. This is why building maintenance units (BMUs) are increasingly used in modern buildings . Viet Chao Joint Stock Company is proud to be a distributor of building maintenance units (BMUs) from renowned global manufacturers such as GEDA (Germany) and Skypro (USA).
What is a Building maintenance unit?
- BMU (Building maintenance unit) is a building maintenance system designed to support the cleaning, maintenance, repair, and inspection of the exterior surfaces of high-rise buildings.
- BMU systems are typically permanently installed on the roof or upper areas of a building. From this position, the equipment can move a gondola or maintenance cabin vertically and horizontally to access different areas of the building façade.
- Compared with manual maintenance methods, BMUs enable exterior façade work to be performed more proactively, quickly, and safely, particularly on buildings with extensive glass façades or significant heights.
BMUs provide a safe and effective solution for cleaning glass surfaces and aluminum-clad façades. At the same time, a BMU can be considered an architectural work of art that complements the modern building it serves.
What are the main components of a BMUs?
A BMU typically consists of major components such as the main machinery, jib, maintenance cabin/gondola, hoisting ropes and winch system, travel system, control cabinet, and safety devices. Depending on the characteristics of each building, the BMU configuration can be designed and customized to suit the building’s height, façade shape, and maintenance requirements.
Main machinery
This is the main component responsible for moving and operating the entire BMU system. Depending on the design, the machinery can perform movements such as lifting and lowering, horizontal travel, or jib rotation.
Jib
The jib extends the maintenance cabin outward from the building façade. Its length and operating range are calculated based on the building’s shape and height, as well as the distance between the roof and the exterior façade.
Maintenance gondola/cabin
This is the area that directly carries maintenance personnel to access the exterior of the building. The cabin is typically equipped with a control system and necessary safety devices.
Hoisting rope and winch system
Steel ropes and the hoisting winch are responsible for raising and lowering the cabin vertically. This is one of the key systems directly related to the BMU’s operating performance and safety.
Control system
The operator uses the control system to control the equipment’s movements. The system may incorporate protective and warning functions to help prevent unsafe operating conditions.
Safety system
BMUs are equipped with various safety mechanisms, such as travel limit switches, overload protection, emergency stop buttons, and monitoring devices appropriate to the system design.
| The building maintenance unit allows the following ovements |
|---|
| – Movement of the cabin on the roof |
| – Rotary movement of the arm |
| – Raising and lowering |
| – Rotary movement of the roof cabin |
| – Jib steering |
| – Load hoisting |
Safety devices
- Emergency brake acting on the cable drum
- Hoisting equipment speed control device
- Overload protection device
- Slack-rope protection device
- Upper limit switch (lifting
- Lower limit switch (lowering)
- Lower limit switch for the lifting platform
- Emergency stop switches for the lifting platform and roof cabin
- Power shut-off for all electrical functions in the event of safety brake activation
- Hoisting cable protection device
- Warning alarm during movement
- Telephone system for the lifting platform and roof cabin
- Narrow-point detection device
- Safety rollers on the front wheels
- Safety belt
- Anti-collision device for the personnel-carrying unit
What is a BMU used for?
Building Maintenance Units are commonly used for various tasks related to building exteriors, including:
- Cleaning glass windows and façades.
- Inspecting and maintaining façade systems.
- Maintaining exterior components of buildings.
- Supporting façade repairs at elevated locations.
- Inspecting and addressing issues arising on building surfaces.
In particular, BMUs are suitable for office buildings, hotels, shopping centers, high-rise apartment buildings, and buildings with complex façades.
A building maintenance unit (BMU) is an important solution for high-rise buildings that require regular exterior cleaning, inspection, and maintenance. In addition to helping personnel access elevated areas, BMUs enable maintenance work to be carried out more proactively and professionally.
To select a suitable system, project owners need to consider the building façade architecture, building height, roof structure, operating range, load capacity, and safety requirements. Conducting BMU surveys and calculations at an early stage can help optimize both operational efficiency and investment costs.
For any questions or inquiries regarding building maintenance unit (BMU) services, please contact Viet Chao via Hotline 0898 552 888 for free consultation on the most suitable equipment solutions.
