The rise and rise of Davit systems for high-rise buildings, and are these the best solutions for facade access? Part 1 of 3.

In 2005 the Working at Height regulations began to shape today’s industry. Rope access or abseil is frequently adopted all over the world as a means of cleaning and maintaining buildings as well as infrastructure.

However, the use of Davit arms and sockets is particularly prevalent in London, but is also increasingly the preferred solution in other UK cities. The premium for a BMU system in terms of direct cost, loss of real estate and ongoing maintenance means these are widely avoided, in instances where they might be used elsewhere in the world. 

As a result of this preference for rope access, the UK leads the world in product testing, system design, installation, commissioning and maintenance standards. Through BS8610:2017 and BS7883:2019 there are exacting standards to control a complex industry, formed mainly of specialist SME’s.

In buildings typically from 5 to 50 floors the benefit of a davit solution as opposed to other anchor points such as abseil posts or eye bolts is that the rope can be safely diverted without risk of abrasion, building elements such as parapets can avoid the forces and the sockets can be easily concealed.

The initial costs of a Davit system are relatively low, as are the ongoing costs for LOLER inspection. The design and install is, in the main easy to coordinate. All of these factors have combined for the rise and rise of Davits.

At Sayfa Group where the principle of Safer for Designers, Installers and Users is a core aspect of the product design, the davit solution is viewed slightly differently.

During the design development and testing it quickly became apparent that to meet the product standards with typical UK building standards the Davits would be heavy units even when they are modular interconnecting sections.

It was even more obvious moving the Davit arm from socket to socket, rigging and re-rigging was likely to be far more time consuming than the operation itself. Consultations with rope access companies confirmed this, who in the past might have used poorly executed temporary systems like weighted trolleys or adhoc eyebolts, both of which present risks for the user and duty holder.

When evaluating the benefits of Davits it was evident that its main benefits related to ease of construction rather than user and public safety and initial cost, rather than ongoing cost for the next 30, 60 or 120 years.

With the insulation depths and complex facades present in many UK buildings to meet BREEAM or the highest part L efficiency ratings it was clear some functions of a davit were fundamental, however, if these could be combined with the characteristics associated with a BMU or monorail system, there might be a solution that suited everyone.

Earlier this year Sayfa Group launched EdgeReil, building on the only UK 3 user BS 8610:2017 tested abseil rail. This incorporated two means of Davit attachments through a monorail and A-frame or DuoRail or TwinTrack system.

These systems offer full building perimeter functionality, fixed to a concrete parapet or primary steels is the most cost effective option, but roof fixed support posts are available.

The key benefits are that cleaning is up to 18 times faster than socketed davits, enabling a single rig to clean a large elevation or an entire small building. This improves user safety, minimises manual handling of the davit and drop risks as well as impacts of the exclusion zones at lower level.

The system is also suitable for lifting or lowering materials and undertaking maintenance activities.

Contact enquiries@sayfagroup.co.uk