Reading Train Station chose Ryemead as their cleaning company of choice because of our specialist cleaning teams, advanced equipment, health & safety record and ISO 9000 certification.
Commercial Window Cleaning at Reading Train Station
Clean Railway Stations are more inviting, giving passengers and staff a positive start to their day, and their journey. The Government’s focus on the importance of stations as a community hub* means stations need to be clean and stay clean. But cleaning a complex, commercial, station structure with limited access, a mix of surface materials and continual passenger footfall, presents major cleaning and logistical challenges.
Reading Station Requirements
As one of the busiest stations in the UK the extensive glazing at Reading Station was in severe need of an initial deep clean. Following a major refurbishment 2 years previously, the glazing had built up extensive dirt deposits and required serious attention. The glazing had deposits ranging from general dirt, bird deposits through to deposits caused by diesel fumes and airborne grease.
Access Challenges and Health & Safety
There were many access challenges and health and safety requirements during our activity for commercial window cleaning at Reading Train Station including:
- Externally: We required use of a specialist truck mount access platform for the external clean on the Western and Northern Elevations. This was due to the 50 metre reach required to access all areas of the glazing and to navigate around building undulations.
- Internally: We utilised a state of the art spider access platform to reach up and over the escalators.
- Health & Safety: Externally we had to carefully cordon off all public areas and access was limited in certain areas due to placement of safety bollards. We managed this environment by utilising specialist reach platforms and all areas were cordoned off using chapter 8 barriers and tape. A banksman was in place at all times ensuring public and staff were aware of the work taking place and advising of safe passage.
Timing to suit Reading Station
Our commercial window cleaning at Reading train station works took place between midnight and 6am. This is the station’s quietest time and ensured minimum inconvenience to passengers and staff. It was a very tight time window, so we had to implement a detailed working plan scheduled across several nights. A public subway runs underneath the station, so this had to be monitored at all times with warning signs in place. All Ryemead staff utilised powerful hand and head torches to ensure the quality of cleaning was of the highest calibre and not hindered by the lack of daylight.
Why Reading Chose Ryemead?
We were chosen as the main contractor for commercial window cleaning at Reading Train Station following an extensive and detailed tender process involving inspection in line with the stations strict processes and requirements. Our Safe Contractor Accreditation and ISO 9001 Certification stood us in good stead, along with our previous experience on complex railway station window cleaning projects including Leamington Spa, Marylebone, Oxford Parkway. Our Risk Assessments and Method Statements were fully tailored to the working environment at Reading Station, taking into account all potential risks that may arise.
Dirt build-up before
Mount access platform during cleaning
Main passenger stair glazing after cleaning
Passengers get clear view after cleaning
Escalators required spider access platform
Watch the video of how we managed the cleaning
Watch the video of how we approached, planned, managed and completed the extensive cleaning at Reading Train Station
Ryemead Train Station Experience and Expertise
Ryemead have extensive experience in the train station and transport hubs window cleaning sector and you can rely on us to ensure a smooth schedule of works. We utilise specialist equipment to access all areas combined with high levels of staff training to ensure both safety and quality of work, including:
- Cradle-based access equipment
- Mobile alloy towers
- Rope work/abseiling
- Hot Water reach and wash system
- Compliance with Health and Safety Legislation including The Work at Height Directive 2005
- Safe Contractor approved and ISO 9001 quality certified company
- Environmental Policy and a commitment to supporting and reducing any impact on the environment
Industry Accreditations & Quality Assured
We are a proud member of the National Federation of Window Cleaners and all works are undertaken and managed following industry standard safety procedures. All relevant risk assessments and method statements will be provided prior to any work taking place at your premises.
* The Department for Communities and Local Government report, February 2017, click to read
Train on Platform 9 at Reading Station. cc-by-sa/2.0 – © Steve Daniels – geograph.org.uk/p/2769927