Skala Technicians Clean Space Needle
This Spring, Skala rope access technicians armed with high pressure cleaning technology from Karcher began the first deep cleaning of Seattle's Space Needle since its 1962 World's Fair unveiling.

The cleaning project, scheduled to wrap up in late June, is spearheaded by Karcher, a global leader in cleaning technology based in Germany. As part of the company's cultural sponsorship program, Karcher has volunteered to clean many high profile structures, including Mt. Rushmore and the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.

Karcher contracted Skala to tackle the vertical challenges of the Space Needle. Rope access techniques are both safer and more cost effective than traditional scaffolding. Skala technicians access the underside of the iconic saucer through a single window opening in the world-famous revolving restaurant. Aid climbing techniques on customized beam clamps allow techs to move horizontally under the saucer. Once positioned, the technicians use Karcher's high pressure cleaning technology to go to work brightening the Space Needle.

All of Skala's staff members are trained by Ropeworks and certified by the Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians.

more Space Needle photos (Photos by David Franc, courtesy of Karcher)