National Bank of Kuwait, Kuwait City

The BMU manufacturer XSPlatforms had to design the façade access systems for the National Bank of Kuwait, a building with no roof and with architectural features rising high above the main building. The façade access equipment had to be developed in an all-new concept since no similar designs had ever been developed before by anyone. The iconic design and challenging construction of the building resulted in a highly innovative façade access solution. The building is being covered with three systems, with one from level 52 and two from level 41, as follows:

Level 52 System

This upper-level machine must both reach out to the crown of the building and carry a glass replacement unit in addition to the cradle system. The main challenge is that there is no roof in the building to install the machine. XSPlatforms designed a BMU that is integrated inside the building, invisible in the parking position. It will turn to its operating mode by moving out through a panel that mechanically opens and closes. When operated, the machine will automatically move outwards to its working position. From this position, the operators have control of the machine and can reach any location, from the crown of the building down to level 41.

The system has the following features:

• Weighing 123,300 kg, this claims to be the heaviest BMU in the world.
• Telescopic base height of 38 m, BMU height 44.6 m, and knuckle jib reach up to 16 m.
• The hydraulic system pumps 79 gallons of oil per minute for a hydraulic cylinder of 21 ft stroke.
• A glass replacement unit with max. load capacity of 1300 kg.
• Has 6 control panels, 4 cameras, 3-mile electrical wiring, and remote monitoring at XSPlatforms, Netherlands.

Level 41 Systems

The two machines on level 41 are knuckle jib slewing machines. These jibs allow the operator to position the cradle around the perimeter of the building, especially around the shape of the ribs. The systems are with a short stretch of straight tracks to move the machine close to the openings on the elevations and to take them back inside for parking. The systems at level 41 consist of 1 BMU with 2 stage knuckle jibs, another BMU with 3 stage knuckle jibs, and both fitted with a glass replacement unit.