Statutory Inspections · Mandatory · Pre-Construction

RAMS — Facade / Curtain Wall Installation

A specialist RAMS for facade and curtain wall installation covering suspended access, BMU operations, crane lifting of heavy glazed units, dropped object prevention, weather limits for wind-sensitive work, structural fixing torque values, and COSHH for sealants. Distinct from generic WAH and glazing RAMS. Must include suspended worker rescue plan and interface with BSA golden thread for HRBs.

Last reviewed: 2 April 2026 — This guide reflects UK law as of this date. MHSWR 1999 / WAH Regs 2005 / LOLER 1998 remains current with no amendments enacted as of 2 April 2026. Next scheduled review: 2 April 2027.

Legal basis	Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 / Work at Height Regulations 2005 / LOLER 1998
RAMS category	T11 Facade / Curtain Wall Installation
Key risks	Suspended access, dropped objects, crane lifting heavy glazed units, wind limits, structural fixings, COSHH for sealants
CDM relevance	Facade installation is a notifiable activity under CDM 2015 — significant WAH, lifting, and interface risks
CWCT	Centre for Window and Cladding Technology — publishes guidance on safe installation and testing of curtain walling systems
Enforcing authority	Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

1. What It Covers

A RAMS for facade and curtain wall installation must address the full range of hazards associated with installing glazed, composite, or rainscreen cladding systems to the exterior envelope of a building. Facade installation combines sustained working at height — often from suspended access platforms or mast climbers — with the crane lifting of heavy glazed units, the use of structural fixings into primary steelwork or concrete frames, and the application of sealants and adhesives that fall under COSHH. The consequences of failure are severe: a dropped glazed panel from height can be fatal, and facade collapse due to inadequate fixings has been the subject of several major HSE investigations.

The RAMS must cover every phase of facade installation from delivery and storage of panels through to final sealing and handover. It must address the interface between the facade subcontractor, the principal contractor, the crane operator, and any other trades working in the drop zone or on adjacent levels. Wind limits for lifting operations and for working on suspended access platforms must be defined and enforced. The Building Safety Act 2022 golden thread requirements apply to facades on higher-risk buildings, making accurate recording of fixing details, product data, and installation verification essential.

Agree a site-specific Facade Installation Management Plan with the PC before mobilisation

A Facade Installation Management Plan (FIMP) should be agreed with the principal contractor before the facade subcontractor mobilises. The FIMP should define the installation sequence, crane access and lifting zones, exclusion zones below working areas, the interface with other trades, the wind speed policy, and the emergency rescue plan for suspended access equipment. The FIMP sits alongside the RAMS and ensures that site-wide logistics are coordinated around the facade installation programme.

“Every employer shall ensure that work at height is — (a) properly planned; (b) appropriately supervised; and (c) carried out in a manner which is, so far as is reasonably practicable, safe.”— Work at Height Regulations 2005 Regulation 4

2. Key Content

The facade installation RAMS must address each of the following areas in detail. The level of information required reflects the multi-hazard nature of facade work and the severity of the risks involved.

Area	Detail required
System description	Facade system type (unitised curtain wall, stick system, rainscreen cladding, structural glazing), manufacturer, product references, panel sizes and weights, fixing method to primary structure
Access method	Access equipment to be used for installation — mast climbers, suspended access platforms (cradles), scaffolding, MEWPs. Equipment selection justified by reference to the hierarchy of control in WAH Regs 2005. Inspection and maintenance regime for all access equipment
Lifting operations	Crane type and capacity for panel lifting, lift plan for each panel type, lifting accessories and LOLER examination status, rigging arrangement for glazed panels, communication protocol between crane operator and installation team, load paths and exclusion zones during lifts
Dropped object prevention	Exclusion zones below all working areas, fans or debris netting at each working level, tool tethering policy, secured material storage on platforms, panel restraint during positioning, procedure for alerting ground-level personnel during lifts
Weather limits	Maximum wind speed for crane lifting operations (typically 38 mph, lower for large-area panels), maximum wind speed for suspended access platforms (manufacturer's limit, typically 20–25 mph), rain and ice restrictions for glazing handling and sealant application, wind monitoring arrangements (anemometer location)
Structural fixings	Fixing type and specification, torque settings, proof loading requirements, fixing pattern and tolerances, primary structure survey to confirm bracket positions, procedure for dealing with out-of-tolerance steelwork or concrete cast-ins, fixing records for golden thread
COSHH	Safety data sheets for all sealants, adhesives, primers, and cleaning agents used during installation. Exposure controls, PPE requirements, ventilation for internal sealant application, storage and disposal of COSHH materials, spillage procedure
Emergency procedures	Rescue plan for operatives stranded on suspended access platforms or mast climbers, procedure for equipment failure at height, evacuation route from working platforms, first aid provision for facade installation areas, emergency contacts for platform manufacturer
Interface risks	Coordination with other trades working on adjacent floors or in the drop zone, separation of facade installation zones from general site access, programme coordination with fit-out works, protection of completed facade sections from damage by other trades
BSA golden thread (HRBs)	For higher-risk buildings under the Building Safety Act 2022: recording of panel serial numbers, fixing torque records, product data sheets, installation photographs, quality inspection records — all forming part of the golden thread of building information

3. Common Mistakes

Using generic WAH RAMS instead of facade-specific RAMS

Facade installation combines sustained working at height with heavy lifting, structural fixing, and COSHH hazards. A generic working at height RAMS does not address the specific risks of handling large glazed panels at height, the interface between the crane and the installation team, the wind speed limits for both lifting and suspended access, or the rescue plan for platform-based operatives. The HSE expects facade RAMS to be written by competent persons with specific facade installation experience, and a generic WAH RAMS will not withstand scrutiny during an investigation.

Not having a suspended worker rescue plan

Work at Height Regulations 2005 Regulation 4(1)(c) requires that employers plan for emergencies and rescue. For facade installation from suspended access platforms or cradles, the rescue plan must address how an incapacitated operative will be recovered from the platform if it cannot be lowered by normal means. The rescue plan must be specific to the equipment in use, must be rehearsed, and the rescue team must be competent and available on site during all facade installation activities. Relying on the fire service is not an acceptable rescue plan — response times are too long for suspension trauma.

Failing to define panel-specific wind limits for crane lifts

Large facade panels have a high wind area and can become uncontrollable in moderate winds. The standard crane wind limit of 38 mph may be far too high for large glazed units. The lift plan must define panel-specific wind limits based on the panel size, weight, and sail area. Anemometer readings must be monitored continuously during facade lifting operations, and the crane operator must have the authority to refuse a lift if conditions are marginal.

No exclusion zone below active facade installation areas

A dropped glazed panel, tool, or fixing from the working level of a facade installation will be fatal to anyone below. The RAMS must define a rigid exclusion zone below all active facade working areas, enforced by physical barriers, signage, and a banksman where pedestrian routes cross the zone. The exclusion zone must account for the trajectory of falling objects, not just the area directly below the working platform.

4. Frequently Asked Questions

What is CWCT?▾

The Centre for Window and Cladding Technology (CWCT) is a research and information centre based at the University of Bath. CWCT publishes technical guidance on the design, specification, testing, and installation of curtain walling, cladding, and window systems. Key publications include the Standard for Systemised Building Envelopes, the Technical Note series covering topics such as weather tightness testing and structural performance, and guidance on safe installation practices. CWCT guidance is widely referenced in facade specifications and is considered authoritative by the HSE.

Do facade operatives need specific training beyond standard CSCS?▾

Yes. Facade installation operatives should hold a relevant CSCS card and should also have received training specific to the facade system being installed, including the manufacturer's installation procedures, the use of suspended access platforms or mast climbers, and the safe handling of glazed panels. IPAF or PASMA certification may be required depending on the access equipment in use. For higher-risk buildings, operatives should be trained on golden thread recording requirements.

What wind speed stops facade lifting operations?▾

There is no single universal limit. BS 7121 and crane manufacturer guidance typically set a general crane wind limit of 38 mph, but for facade panels with a large sail area, the effective limit will be significantly lower. The lift plan must calculate the panel-specific wind limit based on the panel dimensions, weight, and aerodynamic characteristics. In practice, limits of 15–25 mph are common for large curtain wall units. The anemometer must be positioned at working height, not at ground level, as wind speeds increase with elevation.

Is a rescue plan legally required for suspended access work?▾

Yes. Work at Height Regulations 2005 Regulation 4(1)(c) requires that work at height is properly planned, including planning for emergencies and rescue. For suspended access platforms, the rescue plan must address platform failure, power failure, and the incapacitation of an operative on the platform. The plan must be specific to the equipment in use, must identify the rescue team and their competence, must be rehearsed, and the rescue equipment must be available on site. The rescue plan is part of the RAMS and must be briefed to all facade installation operatives before work begins.

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