Work at height is generally stopped when wind speed exceeds roughly 40 km/h, and the threshold is lower still for suspended access systems. Work is also stopped in heavy rain, icing and lightning risk. Because wind increases with height, the decision is taken at working level, not at ground level.
Weather is the single biggest variable in the programme for facade work. A serious quote therefore gives the duration as a range with an allowance, not a single date.
Conditions that stop work
- Wind: the primary factor. It swings the technician and the rope and increases the risk of dropped material. The widely accepted threshold for work at height is around 40–50 km/h, and lower for suspended access equipment.
- Heavy rain: reduces visibility and grip, and makes paint and sealant work impossible anyway.
- Icing: ice on rope and hardware dangerously changes how devices grip.
- Lightning risk: work at an exposed high point is stopped immediately.
- Extreme heat: prolonged suspension increases dehydration and loss of concentration; working hours are shifted.
Why the decision cannot be made at ground level
Wind speed increases with height. A breeze that feels comfortable at street level can be more than enough to stop work on the fifteenth floor. The decision is therefore based on observation and measurement at the level being worked.
What building managements should expect
A day cancelled for weather does not mean the job is slipping. On the contrary, a team that keeps working in bad weather is a warning sign. A weather allowance stated in the quote shows the contractor has planned realistically.
The most suitable periods for facade work are late spring and early autumn, when rain and wind are relatively low. It is not true that no work can be done in winter, but the schedule must be kept more flexible.
Frequently asked questions
Can facade work be done in windy weather?
Work at height is generally stopped above roughly 40 km/h, and the threshold is lower for suspended access systems. Because wind increases with height, the decision is taken at working level.
Which season is best for facade work?
Late spring and early autumn, when rain and wind are relatively low. Winter work is possible but the schedule needs to be more flexible.