page_title: Window cleaner
section_title: Access
hierarchical_section_title: Window cleaner / Access
caption_attribution_description: English: Window Cleaners on Wedge International Tower in Houston
context_page_description: Window cleaning, or window washing, is the exterior cleaning of architectural glass used for structural, lighting, or decorative purposes. It can be done manually, using a variety of tools for cleaning and access. Technology is also employed and increasingly, automation.
  Commercial work is contracted variously from in-person transactions for cash or barter, to formal tender processes. Regulations, licensing, technique, equipment and compensation vary nationally and regionally.
context_section_description: Where glass is found are window cleaners, and methods of access and equipment related to both access and cleaning vary nationally and regionally. If a window is not easily accessible using one type of equipment then it is advisable to combine different tools to be able to clean it properly.
  Ladders
  Supported scaffolding — A temporary platform workers can stand on that is rests on a surface below, rather than hanging from above like suspended scaffolding.
  Suspended platform or cradle — Unlike supported scaffolding, these are not fixed to a lower surface or the ground, but rather are suspended by wire rope from above. They raise and lower the worker either by hand or with a motor.
  Aerial work platforms are elevated platforms that workers can stand on, such as a scissor lift, or cherry picker. These include:
  Boatswain's chair (bosun's chair) — A single-person seat designed for controlled descent of rope. Often referred to as "rope descent systems" (RDS), these are typically anchored to a roof structure, counterweight configuration, or connecting points designed for the purpose. These are always temporarily installed for the purpose of access. However, their anchor points can be either temporary or permanent.
  Suspended platform — An access platform for one or more workers with manual or motor driven devices for raising and lowering via rope.  Platforms may be fitted to high rise buildings or skyscrapers, or assembled from components to suit architecture and nature of work being performed. These can be either temporary or permanent. Both having their own unique governing codes and regulations. Permanent suspended platforms are called building maintenance units (BMU), or, in Europe, gondolas.
caption: Window cleaning platform, or suspended scaffold, also known as a swing stage
exif: {"Image ImageDescription": "", "Image Make": "NIKON", "Image Model": "E7600", "Image Orientation": "Horizontal (normal)", "Image XResolution": "300", "Image YResolution": "300", "Image ResolutionUnit": "Pixels/Inch", "Image Software": "E7600v1.0", "Image DateTime": "2007:08:03 13:11:19", "Image YCbCrPositioning": "Co-sited", "Image ExifOffset": "284", "Thumbnail Compression": "JPEG (old-style)", "Thumbnail XResolution": "300", "Thumbnail YResolution": "300", "Thumbnail ResolutionUnit": "Pixels/Inch", "Thumbnail JPEGInterchangeFormat": "4596", "Thumbnail JPEGInterchangeFormatLength": "5039", "EXIF ExposureTime": "5/1016", "EXIF FNumber": "49/10", "EXIF ExposureProgram": "Program Normal", "EXIF ISOSpeedRatings": "50", "EXIF ExifVersion": "0220", "EXIF DateTimeOriginal": "2007:08:03 13:11:19", "EXIF DateTimeDigitized": "2007:08:03 13:11:19", "EXIF ComponentsConfiguration": "YCbCr", "EXIF CompressedBitsPerPixel": "3", "EXIF ExposureBiasValue": "0", "EXIF MaxApertureValue": "3", "EXIF MeteringMode": "Spot", "EXIF LightSource": "Unknown", "EXIF Flash": "Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode", "EXIF FocalLength": "374/5", "EXIF FlashPixVersion": "0100", "EXIF ColorSpace": "sRGB", "EXIF ExifImageWidth": "3072", "EXIF ExifImageLength": "2304", "Interoperability InteroperabilityIndex": "R98", "Interoperability InteroperabilityVersion": "[48, 49, 48, 48]", "EXIF InteroperabilityOffset": "1026", "EXIF FileSource": "Digital Camera", "EXIF SceneType": "Directly Photographed", "EXIF CustomRendered": "Normal", "EXIF ExposureMode": "Auto Exposure", "EXIF WhiteBalance": "Auto", "EXIF DigitalZoomRatio": "16/5", "EXIF FocalLengthIn35mmFilm": "364", "EXIF SceneCaptureType": "Standard", "EXIF GainControl": "None", "EXIF Contrast": "Normal", "EXIF Saturation": "Normal", "EXIF Sharpness": "Normal", "EXIF SubjectDistanceRange": "0"}