IRATA Rope Access in Dubai: What It Means and What to Ask
Rope access is a way of reaching tall or awkward parts of a building using two independent ropes, harnesses and roof anchor points, without scaffolding or a crane. It grew out of mountaineering and caving techniques and is now the usual method for cleaning, inspecting and maintaining the outside of towers. That matters in Dubai, where much of the skyline is glass and steel.
What IRATA is
IRATA is the Industrial Rope Access Trade Association. It sets standards for rope access work and certifies individual technicians at three levels. A Level 1 technician works under supervision. A Level 2 can rig ropes and act as a line supervisor. A Level 3 can lead a site and take charge of a rescue. When a company says its work follows IRATA standards, the useful question is which technicians hold which level and whether their certificates are current.
Why rope access suits Dubai towers
Compared with scaffolding or a mobile elevated work platform, rope access is usually cheaper and quicker to set up, and it causes less disruption to people inside the building. Above the practical reach of platform equipment, typically beyond 30 metres, it is often the only workable option. On a tower without a building maintenance unit it is the practical choice for glass and cladding. On a building that does have a cradle it still reaches the corners, setbacks and projections the cradle cannot. Our comparison of rope access and cradle systems goes through the trade-offs.
What to ask any rope access contractor
Ask which technicians will be on your building, and ask for their IRATA certificates and levels. Ask who supervises on the roof and what the rescue plan is. Ask for the contractor’s public liability insurance and the permits your site needs. Ask how wind, tenants and ground-level areas will be handled, and ask for the scope in writing. The guide for building managers goes through these questions in more detail.
Rope access at Spring Blue
Spring Blue cleans the outside of towers and other tall buildings in Dubai, using rope access where the building calls for it. We have been operating since 2017, with 350 staff, and have served more than 1,000 facilities. You can read about our facade cleaning and high-rise cleaning and rope access services, or call +971 52 280 7364 or message us on WhatsApp.
Spring Blue’s rope access technicians hold IRATA certification.
