BMU DNA alterations post DLP period

1. Budget constraints/ compulsion resulting in BMU DNA alteration during repairs and
annual maintenacne services & fake spares use
A pragmatic thinking and approach to servicing of the BMU systems with appropriate budget allocation will
help keep Façade Access Equipment performance to required levels of safety, operations, value for
investors’ money, respect for operators.
It will help build and practice safe working habits and eliminate the illusion of savings and keep the equipment
turning into dead investment or underperforming risky affair.
Illusions of savings is the direct result of budget constraints and compulsions and decision makers left with
no choice results in ignoring of DNA alteration of original equipment by:
1. Accepting fake and locally made spares by reverse engineering as many of the service providers
give limited period warranties. Reverse engineering can help produce the identical parts but will not
help on alloy details for safe and required performance like of original part.
2. Replacing the original PLC controls & Megatron system with external power cable dangling from
BMU control box to cradle control box
3. Replacing the OEM’s PLC software by selected Service Provider for AMC with their own software
either with knowledge of decision makers or without
Check on fake components: In case the service provider is other party than OEM, it is my strong suggestion
to insist on a letter from OEM addressed to service provider for having supplied the spare parts to the service
provider whenever replacement of spares is done like traction hoist components, Megatron system
components, suspension wires for Secalt Equipment etc.
BMUs - AMC Service provider’s selection criteria for Building Owners, Property Managers, FM
Companies, Owner’s Association: Based on my practical & field experience, I am pleased to share
happily my knowledge as my gratitude prayer hoping for safety, performance & long life of asset
and respect for operators. It should help stop the illusions of savings.
1. Always check ensuring the ability of service provider for drum hoisting mechanism from European
manufacturers, UAE local manufacturers and new generation failsafe dual traction hoist technology with
built-in security features and multilayer wire winders by Tractel/Secalt.
2. All of the manufacturers provide option of PLC (Programmable Logical Controller). PLC can also be
called ‘Brain’. The quality of program will determine the safety and smooth operations of the BMU
otherwise it will result in hitches and glitches. Every manufacturer has their program.
3. Drum hoisting mechanism use in-built copper wires (conductor) suspension cables whereas Tractel/
Secalt uses standard suspension wires of specific make and specifications for their hoisting mechanism of
new generation failsafe dual traction hoist technology with built-in security features and multilayer wire
winders.
4. Drum hoist uses in-built copper wires for power transmission and communication signals between
control panels in cradle and installed on BMU chassis.
5. Tractel/Secalt uses patented technology called ‘Megatron’ to send and receive communication &
operation signals between control panels.
6. Many manufacturers on case to case basis provide BMUs with traction hoists located in the cradle that
use external power cables thereby such application do not use PLC or other patented technology like
Megatron.
7. In case any third AMC service provider lacks such knowledge like PLC or Megatron technology, the
decision maker must stick to OEMs to avoid change of DNA as per above explained three points.
8. For BMUs without such technologies can be managed any BMU Service Providers where the lifting
mechanism is installed in the cradle and drum hoist mechanism is without PLC.
9. Spare parts supply of most generic nature like drive motors, slew rings, limit switches, wheels, electrical
& mechanical components can be arranged matching to specifications of existing components or same
brand requiring replacement.
10. After every repair, it is strongly advised to get the Third-Party Certification done from Govt. department
approved companies.
11. Access to BMU equipment must be controlled. Must maintain log sheet on operations, repairs,
inspections and certifications of the equipment. Ask for a format to get one.