Rope Access Solutions for Grade A Listed Historic Building in Glasgow

Our Rope Access Services team were contracted to provide a comprehensive range of maintenance and protection services for a Grade A listed historic building in the heart of Glasgow. The historic sandstone building required meticulous care to preserve its aesthetic and structural integrity while ensuring its safety and longevity. Our team employed rope access techniques to deliver critical bird protection and lightning protection work and also completed stonework cleaning and de-vegetation services tot he buildings stonework exterior.

The project involved three key services, each with its unique challenges and importance for the long-term preservation of this historic structure.

Bird Protection Installation

Birds can cause significant damage to buildings in Glasgow, especially older, intricately designed structures. Nesting birds leave behind droppings that can corrode stone and brick, while nests themselves can block drainage systems, leading to water damage. The complex exterior detailing of historic buildings creates numerous ledges, recesses and crevices that are prime spots for birds to nest.

To address these issues, we installed discreet bird netting and other control measures designed specifically to protect both the building and the birds, without detracting from the building’s visual appeal. Bird protection is particularly critical for heritage buildings, where the fine details and stonework require preservation. Proactive pest control is essential to prevent costly damage and erosion over time.

Lightning Protection System (LPS) Upgrade

As a tall and exposed building in Glasgow, this historic site was at high risk of lightning strikes which can cause severe structural damage and endanger the safety of occupants and nearby pedestrians. The existing lightning protection system was carefully inspected and upgraded to modern standards, ensuring the building remained safe during adverse weather conditions.
A reliable Lightning Protection System is crucial for historic buildings; by ensuring the building was properly protected, we helped preserve its irreplaceable heritage and shielded it from potential future damage that lightning strikes could cause, such as fire and structural weakening.

Stonework Cleaning & De-Vegetation

Over time, many historic buildings face deterioration due to environmental factors. Biological growth, such as moss, algae, and other vegetation had begun to take root in the cracks and crevices of the building’s façade, threatening the stonework and degrading its appearance.

Using specialised rope access services, our team performed DOFF Steam Cleaning to the sandstone exterior.  DOFF Steam Cleaning is a non-invasive, eco-friendly cleaning method specifically suited for delicate and historic surfaces. The process gently removed dirt, organic growth and plant matter without damaging the stone or altering the building’s original features. While completing the DOFF Steam Cleaning work, our Rope Access Services team also completed de-vegetation efforts which were equally crucial, as unchecked plant growth can cause cracks in stonework which can widen gaps and allow moisture to seep into the structure, leading to long-term damage.