Latin America. The facades covered with glass allow a wide entry of natural light and provide an unparalleled wide view to whoever is in the building, but at the same time they are a cleaning challenge, as they demand maintenance and care so as not to transmit an image of carelessness.

It is relevant to note that many of the buildings that use large stained glass windows on their facades are usually iconic buildings or skyscrapers. Such is the case of the Latin American Tower in Mexico, a skyscraper of 181.3 meters that was inaugurated in 1956; the F&F Tower in Panama City with 236.4 meters high and an illusion of movement for its stepped spiral structure; and the Atrio Towers project in Bogotá (Colombia) that is expected to be completed in 2025, which will have 268 and 200 meters respectively.

Details of glass cleaning
According to the text "façade glass, cleaning and maintenance guide" of the company, AGC Glass Europe must carry out the cleaning and maintenance of the glass in safe conditions; ensure chemical compatibility between the products used and the glass, but also the other components of the façade, such as aluminium, stones and paint; Start by testing a small area when starting a special cleaning program.

However, the publication is emphatic in the general prohibitions against the care of glass in the facades of buildings, since it prohibits the use of any type of product containing hydrofluoric acid or fluorine derivatives, since they can destroy the layer and surface of the glass; the use of highly acidic and alkaline products, because they are too abrasive; Just as it does not recommend washing the glass when it is fully exposed to the sun, rather, it suggests avoiding cleaning at times when it is too cold or hot.

Cleaning glass facades of skyscrapers
According to Limpio, a company that provides various comprehensive cleaning and disinfection services in the city of Bogotá, "when it comes to large buildings with glass facades, the use of specialized equipment and machinery is required to provide the service and guarantee the best results. Therefore, it is important that this task is carried out under strict risk prevention procedures."

In that sense, in addition to having knowledge about the cleaning of glass, due to its particularities, the cleaning company must have knowledge and certification of work at height. In addition to having the necessary tools to comfortably access the glass, windows, canopies and panoramic, such as fixed ropes and guide tensioners.

For Limpio it is essential that this type of requirements be met by an expert company in cleaning height glass that has the necessary safety tools.

In addition, it specifies that this work "will depend on the specific characteristics of the façade, for example, how high and accessible it is, since it is not the same to clean the glass of a ten-story building to have to perform the service for a skyscraper or, clean some glass full of a lot of dust to have to clean some full of lime ". Hence, this company makes a visit to the facilities prior to the delivery of a personalized quote.

Attachments for cleaning glass at heights
Now, in the words of Limpiezas Sil, a cleaning company from Madrid, "the method and tools to clean glass in height that we hire will always depend on how high and accessible the windows are. It will not be the same to polish the windows of a three-story office than to leave a skyscraper of the tallest in Madrid shining".

The Spanish company also pointed out that it is possible to make this type of window cleaning with pole, that is, extendable handles, as it allows a range of up to 20 meters high, avoids having operators hanging from the façade and therefore reduces risks.

On the other hand there are the elevators, "these cranes have a very long and extensible arm capable of raising the operator in charge of cleaning windows at height to a fairly considerable level. There are different sizes, but they can reach more than 24 meters."

Finally, there is the well-known harness cleaning, which is in which "the operator hangs on the glazed surface to be able to carry out the cleaning work. The employee slides from the roof of the building and is left hanging." A method that according to Limpiezas Sil should only be used as a last resort, if the façade has no other form of access due to the risk involved in leaving the operator hanging on ropes, because in that case it is fastened through a harness hooked with carabiners.