Dismantling and Controlled Lowering via Rope Access.

Think Access carries out safe dismantling and controlled lowering of equipment, structural components and redundant plant from height using IRATA rope access. We remove items from elevated positions without cranes or scaffold, using guided lowering systems that maintain control throughout.

Scope at a glance

Items lowered

Rooftop plant & equipment · Signage & comms masts · Facade components · Structural elements · End-of-life building equipment

Rig before release

Load rigged before disconnection · No uncontrolled release · Controlled descent · Stoppable at any point · Upper & lower team guidance

Dismantling & hot work

Reverse installation sequence · Component-by-component rigging · Hot cutting permits · Fire watch in place · Swing managed throughout

What we do

Controlled lowering at height

Controlled lowering is used to remove rooftop plant and equipment, redundant signage and communications masts, obsolete structural elements, damaged facade components and end-of-life building equipment. The lowering system is designed to provide controlled descent of the load with the ability to stop at any point, eliminating the risk of uncontrolled falls that would put people and property below at risk.

Rig before release eliminating uncontrolled release

We rig loads prior to disconnection, ensuring that the load is fully supported by the rigging system before any fixing or connection is released. This fundamental principle eliminates the risk of uncontrolled release during dismantling. The load is then lowered in a controlled sequence, guided by team members above and below to manage swing and ensure safe landing at ground level.

Dismantling before lowering

For items that must be dismantled before lowering, we carry out the dismantling sequence in reverse installation order, rigging each component before it is disconnected. This ensures that no component is ever unsupported at height during the dismantling process, regardless of how many individual elements the item comprises.

Hot work during cutting operations

Hot cutting at height is carried out under a formal hot work permit with fire watch in place throughout. Permits are raised in coordination with the principal contractor and site safety team, with all required precautions confirmed before any cutting begins. Debris and sparks from cutting operations are controlled to prevent impact on areas below and to eliminate fire risk within the structure.

Why Think Access

Controlled lowering from height is a specialised operation that requires both rigging competence and rope access capability. Think Access provides both, eliminating the risk of drops that could cause injury or damage below.

F.A.Q’s

Yes, subject to appropriate anchor capacity and rigging design. We plan each lowering operation including the anchor system, the lowering device, the load path and the landing area, carrying out a pre-operation check of all equipment before the lift begins.

We lower materials to a pre-agreed landing zone, where your team or waste contractor takes over. We segregate materials for reuse, recycling or disposal as directed, and can arrange appropriate waste disposal through our supply chain if required.