How Will They Do That? Wash the Widows of the Podium and Towers
The title of this post is a derivation from the usual title: “How do they That?” Although it is too early in the construction process to begin washing windows, it is not too early to think about such things and to observe how it might be done. The how “will they wash the windows” has been an ongoing question by construction watchers/enthusiasts as they watch the GFRC panels and windows reach ever higher on the steel frames of the Adult and Children’s Hospital towers. During the process of installing the roofing, the bases (sleeves) for connecting the masts to the hanging-arm systems were welded to the steel frames (at precise distances apart) along the parapets of the podium and hospital towers. It is from the hanging booms (arms), once inserted into the (sleeves) bases, the suspended platforms will be hung allowing the platform to move up and down the surface of the building. The workers will enter the platform at grade, and from there the platform will be moved to various levels as needed.
This post features a closeup of the platform, at grade, on which construction workers have used as they install insulation around the windows and GFRC panels.
In recent days, you may have observed this platform as it moves up and down the surface of the adult tower.
The hanging arms (Booms), which are hanging over the western side of the Adult Hospital tower. When not in use the booms can either be rotated 90 degrees or disassembled and placed on the roof,On top of the 16th floor on the west wing of the Adult Hospital tower, components of the roof mounted Davit arm system are laid out ready for assembly.On the roof of the podium (facing north), two (2) assembled Davit Booms (arms) are clearly visible. Notice that they are swung inward (in a standby position) over the roof.A fully assembled Davit Boom (Arm) on the roof of the Adult Hospital tower’s west wing.At the podium roof level (see arrow), the suspended platform with its two occupants were making their way up the west side of the Adult Hospital tower to where they would anchor around the 15th and 16th floors.Suspended nearly 15-stories above the west corridor, two workmen stand on the platform insulating the GFRC panels and the windows. The closeup (inset) was taken the following day from the east tower of the Medical Center.The mechanical parts of the suspended platform as it hangs some 15-stories above grade. A closeup of one of the two (2) wire rope hoists that move the platform up and down the face of the structure. Each hoist is anchored at each end to the backside of the platform. A view of the suspended platform (upper left) taken from the east tower of the Medical Center.A view of the suspended platform from the northwest corner of the Adult Hospital tower.One of the views the workers would see from the platform.
After graduate school Dennis accepted a position at Loma Linda University. He worked there for 42 years in the areas of administration and financial management, also teaching accounting and management to dietetic students at the School of Public Health. Through the years Dennis has chronicled the growth of the campus, including the construction of the Drayson Center and the Centennial Complex and the razing of Gentry Gym. He is the author of "The Mound City Chronicles: A Pictorial History of Loma Linda University, A Health Sciences Institution 1905 - 2005." dEp 09.30.2016 🔨
the west tower picture shows the connection between the children’s elevator connector tower to the adult elevator tower as not being filled in. The east side is the same way. When will those be finished?
Dennis E. Park, MA
As I understand it, the Children’s Hospital tower, because of current seismic building standards, will not be connected structurally per se. There may have some sort of vertical cover over the space, which can move during an earthquake.
the west tower picture shows the connection between the children’s elevator connector tower to the adult elevator tower as not being filled in. The east side is the same way. When will those be finished?
As I understand it, the Children’s Hospital tower, because of current seismic building standards, will not be connected structurally per se. There may have some sort of vertical cover over the space, which can move during an earthquake.