Cost-benefit analysis of the means of access used in maintenance actions

Abstract

The efficiency of the inspection and maintenance of the buildings’ envelope is strongly linked to the means of access available to carry out these interventions. The adoption of adequate means of access facilitates the maintenance works, considering the constraints of each building. The means of access, besides having a fundamental role on the quality of the maintenance interventions on facades, represent a very significant part of the cost of repair of these elements. Therefore, the assessment of the cost variation between the different means of access available is fundamental to optimize costs and resources. In façades, there is a variety of solutions in terms of means of access. The selection of the most appropriate solution must be made according to the characteristics (e.g. architecture, height) and constraints (e.g. users, surrounding space) of each building, the needs for maintaining the façade, and the time and funds available for the intervention. In this study, a comparative analysis of the cost of the means of access in the maintenance plans developed for the different types of façade cladding (ceramic tiling systems, natural stone claddings, rendered façades, painted surfaces, ETICS, and architectural concrete façades) is carried out. The results show that the means of access costs influence the cumulative average maintenance costs and, in the longterm, there are advantages in planning permanent means of access at the design phase of the building.