I am looking for information on the equipment and procedures for
washing the exterior windows on the world trade center towers.

---

Clarification of Question by don0987-ga on 18 Oct 2003 11:24 PDT

I am looking for information on the equipment and procedures for
washing the exterior windows on the world trade center towers prior to
their destruction.

Speciafically the manufacturer of the equipment and any information as
to how the equipment worked.

Pictures are acceptable and encouraged.

Thank you.

---

Request for Question Clarification by justaskscott-ga on 18 Oct 2003 13:19 PDT

I have found information on the designer of the window washing
equipment, the last company that operated the equipment, the basic
procedures, and a few pictures.  I have not found the name of the
manfacturer, or detailed technical information about how the equipment
worked.

Would the information I have found be sufficient for an answer?

---

Request for Question Clarification by justaskscott-ga on 25 Oct 2003 20:09 PDT

I just want to make sure: Do you want me to post an answer, or was
your comment directed to techtor-ga?

Once the answer has been posted, you can retrieve it by viewing it in
the "Answer" space on this screen.

Incidentally, here is a guide to the Google Answers process: 

"What to do after you ask a question on Google Answers", by
Christopher Wu
Poetry & Prose     
http://www.christopherwu.net/google_answers/

Hello don0987,

The following article indicates that the chief architect of the World
Trade Center, Minoru Yamasaki, also designed the window washing rig:

"Yamasaki was afraid of heights and decided in order to make everyone
feel secure while they worked in the offices, the windows, set between
columns, would be just 18 inches across, narrower than Yamasaki's own
shoulder span.

The height-sensitive architect also designed a special window rig for
Roko Camaj, who'd been washing tower windows since 1975."

"New York's most disliked building?" [page 3], by Eric Boehlert (Sept.
17, 2001)
Salon
http://archive.salon.com/tech/feature/2001/09/17/wtc_obit/index2.html
 
Mr. Camaj worked for ABM Industries of Manhasset, NY, and died in the
attack, as did several other ABM employees.

"September 11 - A Memorial" [listed by employer]
CNN.com
http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2001/memorial/lists/by-employer/

Perhaps ABM Industries can assist you in obtaining further information
about the equipment.

ABM Industries Incorporated
http://www.abm.com/Home

The most specfic information I found is on a page containing four
pictures of the equipment, viewed from the opposite tower.  (As the
page notes, you can click on each picture for a larger version; you
can then move the cursor to the right corner and click on the symbol
that should appear to get an even larger version.)  This page states:

"... notice the man standing in an odd looking contraption.  That was
the automated window washer.  The entire thing moved around the top of
the building on a track.  If you look below the telescope on the
bottom right side of the picture you will see the actual washing
apparatus going down the side of the building.  It took the machine
one week to wash all the windows on one side. Thus each tower's
windows were washed about every other month."

"The World Trade Center Observation Deck North View"
John's World Trade Center Tribute
http://johnii2.tripod.com/wtc3d.htm

You can see a different view of the equipment in the middle of this
page.  Again, you can click on the picture for a larger version.

"New York City 1999"
Eye In The Tropics
http://www.mthurricane.com/NewYork.htm

I hope that this information is helpful.

- justaskscott


Search terms used on Google, Google Images, and Ixquick:

"world trade center"
"window washing"
"window washer"
"roko camaj"
"abm industries"

This answer was very good. Thank you. I looked myself for weeks and
found a fraction of what you did in a short amoutn of time.  Thanks
again for your help it was well worth the price.

This DVD may have all the information you may need:

Amazon.com: DVD: World Trade Center - In Memoriam (2001)
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000065Q9C/103-9036127-6518204?v=glance

I believe Juskaskscott would have a better answer. I myself did not
happen upon any information on the manufacturer of the window-washing
machines on the WTC. Just mention that you would like to accept his
answer, if that is your wish, then he will post his answer in the
Answer section of this question.

This is my first time - sorry for the confusion. I am interested in
the answer that Justaskscott-ga refered to in the comments above. 
From what you discribed you have information that will help me. Thanks
again - I look forward to reading the information you found. Don