Window Cleaning for Multi-Storey Properties and Strata Buildings in Sydney

Window cleaning for a single-storey home and window cleaning for a multi-storey residential building are fundamentally different services. The equipment, the safety requirements, the insurance considerations and the pricing structure all change above a certain height.

If you're managing a strata building, overseeing a multi-storey commercial premises, or own a two-storey property with elevated glass, here's what to understand before engaging a provider.

Methods Used at Height

Water-fed pole systems are the standard method for cleaning up to approximately four storeys from ground level. A telescoping carbon-fibre pole feeds purified water to a brush head that agitates and rinses the glass without the operator needing to leave the ground. The purified water leaves no mineral residue and dries streak-free.

Elevated work platforms (EWP), scissor lifts and boom lifts, are used for mid-rise buildings where poles can't reach and rope access isn't required. They allow operators to work safely at height while standing on a stable platform.

Rope access is used for high-rise buildings where EWP access isn't possible due to building configuration, overhead obstructions or structural constraints. Rope access window cleaning requires IRATA-certified technicians with specific working-at-height qualifications.

Safety and Insurance Requirements

Any window cleaning above ground level requires the provider to hold public liability insurance that specifically covers working at height. This isn't the same as general public liability, it's a more specific product that covers incidents involving elevated work.

For strata buildings in NSW, the owners corporation has an obligation to ensure contractors working on the building's common property hold adequate insurance. Request a current certificate of currency before allowing any elevated work to proceed.

What Building Managers Should Ask

Before engaging a window cleaning contractor for a multi-storey strata building:

• What method will be used, and is it appropriate for the building's configuration?
• Does the contractor hold public liability insurance covering elevated work, and what is the coverage amount?
• Are all staff conducting elevated work trained and certified as required?
• Is the contractor registered for the Safe Work NSW high-risk work licence requirements?
• What is the scope, exterior only, or interior and exterior where accessible?

ShineMasters provides window cleaning for residential properties and strata buildings across Sydney. Contact us to discuss your building's requirements and access configuration.