Session
WE.1.A || Life Cycle Sustainability in Construction and Renovation of Buildings
Authors
Ferreira, Cláudia; Dias, Ilídio; Silva, Ana; de Brito, Jorge; Flores-Colen, Inês
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. Some elements are easily accessible, while others require special means of access to carry the maintenance works. In this sense, 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 in 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 are 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, the temporary access systems to be used in façade maintenance actions in existing buildings are analysed. Three types of interventions are considered, namely cleaning operations, minor interventions, and total replacement of the claddings. A sensitivity analysis of the cost of the means of access is carried out 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) and general recommendations are presented for the maintenance strategies. The results confirm that the fixed cost related with the means of access strongly influence the maintenance costs and, in the long-term, there are advantages in planning permanent means of access in the design phase of the building.