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One of the prime benefits of powered access equipment is its ability to deliver the user to otherwise inaccessible work locations in environments where space is severely limited. A long boom, for instance can reach across obstacles.
Sometimes, though, it is the machine's own compactness and manoeuvrability that makes the real difference. This is the case at the new Oncology Unit at the famous St James ("Jimmy's") Hospital in Leeds.
Here a fleet of eight ultra-compact Genie GR15 platforms from Nationwide Access are helping specialist contractor Rotary (Yorkshire) install overhead cabling and ductwork for the new wing's complex mechanical and electrical services.
Rotary is installing the overhead cabling and ductwork for the complex mechanical and electrical services in the new 66,500 sq metre wing. When completed, the new Oncology Wing will be Europe's largest cancer research hospital with teaching and patient care facilities located in the new building, which is linked to four existing buildings.
Julian Nixon, area sales manager at Nationwide Access' Leeds branch, visited the site shortly after work began on the new building to discuss access requirements with Bovis and key subcontractors. "We advised Rotary to hire the Genie GR15, "Runabouts" rather than the small scissors that Rotary's project manager Graham Rawlins originally had in mind."
"The days of step ladders and trestles are long gone" comments Mr Rawlins. "The small battery-powered scissor lifts are now the standard spec for this work but on this occasion the compact nature of the GR15 provided access to more areas". The stowed height of the Runabout is only 1.57 metres and the chassis 700mm wide by 1.35 metres long. "With a working height of six and a half metres this model provides access through both restricted entrances and between pipework at height" he continues.
Rotary began using the GR15 machines at St James' Hospital in September 2005 and Mr Rawlins reports that they have proved the ideal solution for his team. "Most of the rooms within the building are already finished and some of them are quite small", he says. "Consequently, we have to manoeuvre in very tight spaces and are travelling from room to room all the time". The GR15's compact frame allows it to pass easily through a narrow doorway and its turning radius means that once inside a room it can quickly navigate its way into the right position.
"It's a superb machine" enthuses Mr Rawlins. 10 small scissor lifts complement the eight Nationwide GR15's at St James Hospital. In addition to the hire contracts, Nationwide provided over 20 Rotary staff with operator training courses to help familiarise them with the equipment.
Work at the new Oncology Wing is still ongoing, and Rotary will be using the GR15s until May. The overall project is due for completion in December 2007.
But when this contract comes to an end, will Nationwide Access still be able to find plenty of work for such a specialist machine? Mr Nixon has no worries on that count: "This is probably the most compact machine I have seen", he says, "and although it is certainly highly specialised, I can see a huge potential market for it. Our branch serves the main Leeds city centre area where a lot of retail premises, offices and other buildings really need a compact machine for repair and maintenance work. I have no doubt that I shall always find work for the GR15", continued Mr Nixon.
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