Mohamed Merchant

Mohamed Merchant

Director - Façade Access

Tell us about yourself

I have 22 years’ experience in mechanical engineering, including 20 years in the façade access industry. I've designed and delivered façade access strategies and systems for major developments within the UK, Europe and Middle East region including high rise residential and commercial office developments, retail centres, refurbishment projects, hotels, hospitals and historic buildings.

Where do you work?

Hybrid.

What are your main areas of expertise?

• Design of bespoke external & internal building maintenance units (BMU), monorails, travelling ladders and gantry, mobile platforms, scaffolding, fall prevention system, rope access (abseiling)
• Cleaning time analysis to assess medium to long-term cost plan
• BMU swept path analysis
• The current and future highway and footpath requirements
• Over sailing issues with neighbours’ property and highways
• Façade / glass / plant replacement
• Audit and modernisation of existing façade access equipment
• Working knowledge of local and international code of practice, LOLER, PUWER, working at height regulations, working in confined spaces and CDM

What does your role involve?

• Sales and marketing of façade access discipline and generate business leads
• Produce and submit bids / PQQ tenders and finalise (win) work
• Deliver façade access lunch seminars to clients
• Project Lead / Consultant delivering façade cleaning and maintenance strategy, glass replacement and plant lifting strategy

What most interests you about your role?

Uniqueness and dynamism of façade access equipment pushes us to think outside the box. I also enjoy working on iconic and signature projects locally and internationally.

What is your biggest challenge?

As the quest grows to develop more individual and impressive buildings, increasing emphasis is being placed on the building envelope with respect to the detail, quality and proportion of overall budget attributable to the building façade. Economical and effective maintenance of the façade is a prime concern in the overall design concept. Façade cleaning and maintenance has dramatically changed using bespoke systems blended within the tight operating space whilst including the facility to lift façade panels and plant components for replacement during the building design life.

ADDITIONAL INFO

TÜV SÜD Resources

• Façade Maintenance: Enhancing Façade Longevity
• Should You Retrofit or Replace Your Façade Access Strategy?
• Why is Façade Access Important?
• How Can You Ensure Façade Warranty Validity?

Find out more about how our façade access consultants can help you or explore all of our lift consultancy services.