Case 6

Navigation

Maintenance and Diagnostics

Regular cleaning work, such as one year to two years a time, is needed to keep the building from staining. Proper cleaning agents and equipment should also be used. The mildest method possible (plain water) should be used, particularly for aluminium which has been anodised. The cleaning specifications should be followed closely with respect to the frequency and method of cleaning.

Maintenance

Consider availability of adequate water supply, drainage provisions and electrical power supply to choose a façade cleaning method. Records of cleaning operations (including photographs before and after cleaning, and drawings of nature of deposits, thickness and patterns) should be kept for buildings of significance in accordance with BS 8221-1, SS 509-1 or equivalent. Maintain the façade in a state as near as possible to its new condition. Ease of façade maintenance can be expressed by the frequency of necessary maintenance operations, labour and supplies necessary for each maintenance operation, and number of possible ways of removing stains, graffiti, etc., or ISO 7361 or equivalent.

Detect/determine staining of porous substrates by joint sealants (ISO/NP 16938-1). Adopt the recommendations for treatments for controlling organic growth in accordance with BS 8221-2, SS509-2 or equivalent. Repair painted surfaces damaged by wear and tear; wash down; remove defective paint film; apply sealer/primer (if necessary); and repaint in accordance with BS 6150, SS 542 or equivalent. TiO2 only works where there is sunlight. Conventional cleanings are still needed for non-coated areas. For areas coated with TiO2, conduct neutral cleaning annually.

Periodic cleaning is necessary to maintain the aesthetics of tiled façades. A neutral cleaning agent should be adequate if a periodic maintenance schedule is performed.

Diagnostics of Defects (see also NDT)

Optical camera on a drone