Key partnership facts
Key partnership facts
Overview
Equans partnered with Southmead Hospital to address the ongoing challenges and safety hazards associated with traditional window and façade cleaning. Conventional methods require operatives to work at height, posing significant risk of falls, lengthy setup procedures, and high operational costs. Recognising these issues, Equans undertook a pioneering trial at the hospital to evaluate the use of drone technology for safer, faster, and more cost-effective cleaning.
Solution
Equans deployed the KTV Working Drone UK system to clean windows and facades across the Southmead Hospital estate, replacing manual cleaning with an automated drone approach. Key features include:
- Drone technology: Delivered 70°C pressurised purified water directly to windows and façades, powered from a van with 1000L on-board water, plus on-site purification capability.
- Operational advantages: The drone is controlled remotely by our drone operator and manoeuvres safely in wind speeds up to 7 m/s, and uses RTK positioning and distance sensors for precise, close-proximity cleaning.
- Safety at Height: For work above 40–50 metres, the drone is tethered to prevent any drop risks, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
Impact
The introduction of drone technology at Southmead Hospital delivered substantial improvements across safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness:
- Eliminated the need for operatives to work at height, dramatically reducing fall risk.
- Setup and execution were significantly faster than traditional rig and scaffold methods, minimising disruption to the hospital.
- Reduced labour and equipment usage resulted in lower overall cleaning costs for the client.
Testimonial
"This trial has been a great success. By mitigating the risks associated with working at height and reducing both time and costs, we can deliver a more effective solution for maintaining the cleanliness of external windows and facades.
This innovative approach not only ensures the safety of our operatives but also provides our clients, like Southmead Hospital, with a streamlined, cost-efficient service.”
- EQUANS UK & IRELAND
Frequently asked questions
The system delivers 70°C pressurised purified water, operates safely in wind speeds up to 7 m/s, and provides precise manoeuvring with RTK positioning and distance sensors - enabling faster, less disruptive, and more cost‑efficient cleaning than scaffolding or cradle setups.
By removing the need for scaffolding, reducing labour demand, and accelerating setup and execution times, the drone solution lowers overall operational costs while minimising disruption to the hospital environment.
Using purified water without chemicals and reducing the reliance on heavy access equipment contributes to cleaner, more sustainable building‑maintenance practices.
Our expertise
Equans supports businesses, communities and the public sector by mobilising its expertise to provide low-carbon energy solutions, offer cutting-edge technical and FM services and transformative regeneration across the UK & Ireland.
