How DRONEWASH+ Restored UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central Under an Active Helipad
Client: UCHealth
Venue: Memorial Hospital Central
Location: 1400 E Boulder St, Colorado Springs, CO 80909
Areas Cleaned: Window Cleaning
Challenge: Inaccessible areas near an active LifeLine helipad
Solution: Window Restoration with FAA Approvals & Helipad Traffic Monitoring
Result: Windows Cleaned to Like-New Condition
By The Numbers
5+ yrs.
Dirt Buildup
Removed baked-on mineral deposits from glass that hadn't been cleaned in over five years.
80 ft
Operation Height
Accessed and cleaned elevated areas completely unreachable by traditional rope or lift methods.
100 ft
Class B Airspace
Operated safely within Class B airspace at 100 feet with full FAA approvals and active air traffic coordination.
2 Days
Project Time
Completed a full exterior restoration clean across the entire facility in just two days.
The Challenge
UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central is a Level I Trauma Center and one of Southern Colorado's most critical and high-traffic medical facilities. Despite the building's prominent presence, key sections of the exterior had gone without window cleaning for more than five years. With no roof anchors in place, traditional rope access drops were impossible. A safety net extending approximately eight feet around the roofline made the situation even more restrictive, physically blocking any crew from working near the building's edge.
The most demanding area sat directly beneath the LifeLine helicopter team's active helipad. With medevac operations running around the clock, our team maintained constant radio contact with the LifeLine team and monitored live air traffic throughout the entire operation. A formal safety plan was in place detailing exact procedures for any inbound helicopter scenario.
The hospital's proximity to a major Air Force installation added another layer of complexity. Operating in Class B controlled airspace at 100 feet required formal FAA coordination and approvals before a single drone left the ground.
On the ground, the challenges were just as significant. The areas directly below the operation see some of the hospital's heaviest foot traffic, including an active valet lane. Additional crew members were stationed throughout the project to coordinate pedestrian and vehicle traffic, ensuring there was zero risk to anyone on the ground during operations.
The glass itself also presented a technical obstacle. Because these windows face direct sunlight for most of the day, years of mineral deposits had baked into the surface. That kind of buildup typically requires hands-on restoration techniques, not standard washing.
The Solution
Standard cleaning passes were not going to be enough. DRONEWASH+ deployed a full restoration clean using hot water, elevated cleaning solution concentration, and higher pressure than a typical maintenance wash, all delivered via drone at precise, controlled angles.
To tackle the baked-on mineral buildup, our pilots flew significantly slower than normal and made multiple passes over each section of glass. This gave the heated, deionized water and cleaning solution time to fully penetrate and lift years of compounded mineral scale without damaging the surface. The drone's maneuverability allowed the team to access every angle of the facade, including areas beneath the roofline net and alongside the helipad that no rope crew could reach.
To deliver a complete, facility-wide result, DRONEWASH+ managed two subcontracting teams working in parallel. A professional rope access team handled the sections of the building accessible by traditional descent, while a dedicated ground crew covered the lower levels and was also responsible for cleaning the interior lobby windows, ensuring every pane of glass across the entire complex was addressed in a single mobilization.
Throughout the operation, a dedicated team member monitored air traffic radio systems in real time. Ground coordinators managed pedestrian flow and valet traffic continuously, maintaining a safe perimeter below the entire work zone.
The Results
The transformation was complete. Windows that had not seen a cleaning crew in over five years, panels baked by direct sunlight and coated in heavy mineral scale, came out spotless with a finish that rivaled hands-on glass restoration. The areas around the LifeLine helipad, previously considered inaccessible, were cleaned safely without a single interruption to hospital operations.
The restoration method required twice the time of a standard cleaning run. It was worth it. Zero safety incidents. Zero operational disruptions. Glass that looks, in many areas, like it was just installed.
Before & After Photos: UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central
UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central exterior windows showing over five years of baked-on mineral buildup before DRONEWASH+ restoration cleaning.
Heavy mineral deposit buildup on south-facing hospital windows prior to drone restoration cleaning — a direct result of years of uninterrupted sun exposure.
DRONEWASH+ drone delivering a hot water restoration clean on the exterior facade of UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central in Colorado Springs.
UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central exterior glass after DRONEWASH+ restoration cleaning — windows returned to near brand-new condition without scaffolding, lifts, or roof anchors.
Client Feedback
"We had sections of this building that hadn't been cleaned in years because we simply didn't have a safe way to access them, especially near the helipad. DRONEWASH+ came in with a real plan, real FAA coordination, and a crew that operated professionally around our most sensitive areas. The results were beyond what we expected. The windows look better than they have in years and there was never a moment where I was concerned about safety or disruption to our patients and staff."
— Travis Todd
Facilities Manager, UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central
"What impressed me most wasn't just the technology, it was the communication. DRONEWASH+ handled the FAA approvals, coordinated directly with our LifeLine helicopter team, and kept us informed every step of the way. For a hospital environment that level of professionalism and planning is a requirement, not a nice-to-have. They met every one of our standards and then some."
— Cary Vogrin
Communications & Media Relations, UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central
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