The access method is decided by building height, roof equipment, and disruption tolerance, not preference. Each page below covers one method in depth; the table gives you the fast comparison.
Read the method-specific pages for setup time, cost drivers, WorkSafeBC requirements, and when to choose it over the alternatives.
IRATA/SPRAT-trained technicians on independent primary and backup lines — the most versatile option for towers with certified anchors.
Read more →A hung platform on a davit or track system — the fastest way to cover a lot of glass once rigged.
Read more →A permanent, motorized roof-car or track-mounted platform — the most efficient option when the building already has one installed.
Read more →Ground-supported mechanical lift for mid-rise and podium work where surface and clearance allow.
Read more →Purified-water pole systems reaching up to roughly the fourth to sixth floor from the ground.
Read more →| Factor | Rope Access | Swing Stage | BMU | Boom Lift | Water-Fed Pole |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical height limit | Unlimited (roof anchor dependent) | Unlimited (davit/track dependent) | Unlimited (building-specific system) | Typically up to ~45–55 m (135–180 ft) reach | Roughly 4th–6th floor (18–24 m) |
| Setup time | Fast — anchors pre-installed, minimal ground footprint | Slower — rigging and tie-back before first drop | Fastest — permanent system, power up and go | Fast — drive in, level, and go | Fastest — fill and extend from the ground |
| Ground footprint | Minimal | Minimal at height, some ground staging | Minimal — operates at height only | Requires clear, stable ground path | Minimal, may need water source access |
| Best for | Complex geometry, setbacks, no permanent system | Large flat elevations with a certified davit/track | Towers with a compatible permanent BMU system | Podiums, low-rise, ground-accessible facades | Low-rise glass, frequent shorter cycles |
| Weather sensitivity | High — wind holds above ~15 km/h gusts at height | High — similar wind holds, plus rigging in wind | High — manufacturer wind/ice limits apply | Moderate — wind and ground surface both matter | Low — mainly limited by freezing temperatures |
Every access decision starts with the same three questions: how tall is the building, what's on the roof (a certified davit, a track system, a BMU, or nothing), and what's the tolerance for ground-level disruption. A tower with a compatible BMU system will usually default to it first; buildings with certified roof anchors but no BMU usually default to rope access or swing stage; low-rise buildings with clear ground access usually default to a boom lift or water-fed pole. WorkSafeBC OHS Regulation Parts 13 (Ladders, Scaffolds and Temporary Work Platforms) and 34 (Window Cleaning) govern the requirements for each method, and IRATA/SPRAT certification standards apply specifically to rope access technicians.
Send building height, roof type, and any known anchor restrictions and we'll recommend an access plan with the estimate.