Some construction, maintenance, or renovation tasks require you to work at great heights. For such tasks, you may need to install temporary aerial access to get the job done. As you will discover, there are different options for this. You can explore other options, from an ordinary ladder or scaffold to automated machines such as self propelled scissor lifts for hire.
Your choice of temporary access equipment depends primarily on the nature of the work, the terrain you’re working in, budget, and safety considerations. This article will explore the top 10 solutions for temporary aerial access and explain why a scissor lift hire might be the best choice for your project.
Top 10 Solutions for Temporary Access
There are different types of temporary access solutions you can explore for your project. They vary in their design, size, applications, and safety level, which are key considerations to keep in mind when renting or buying. The following are some of the top options you can consider for your next project.
Scaffolding
Scaffolding is arguably the most popular temporary access solution used in construction projects. This temporary structure is typically made from wooden planks and metal poles. It is versatile and can be adapted to various heights depending on your project needs.
Ladders
The simplest temporary aerial access you can use is a ladder. It’s easy to get and cost-effective, but it only works for moderate heights. Ladders are also easy to set up, and you can move them around quickly.
Stair Towers
A stair tower is like a scaffold, but with stairs and stages integrated into it. It is a tower-like structure that houses a staircase. This makes it relatively safe and stable. Stair towers also offer excellent mobility, which is essential when you need to move materials.
Mast Climbers
A mast climber is a motorised platform designed to travel up and down along vertical masts. It provides seamless vertical access, which makes it ideal for situations where the work height is likely to change frequently throughout the project.
Suspension Systems
As the name suggests, a suspension system uses a rope or any other type of suspension device to help workers access elevated areas, such as the sides of a high-rise building. Suspension systems can only be used by one worker at a time and do not support a lot of load. It is often used in window cleaning or maintenance but not for heavy-duty construction tasks.
Cranes
Cranes are the most popular temporary access solutions for large-scale construction and maintenance projects. It can do significant heavy lifting and is mainly used to lift and lower materials and equipment.
Temporary Bridges
In large-scale construction projects, temporary bridges can be constructed across gaps or to provide access to remote areas. In addition to moving people and materials, temporary bridges can transport heavy machinery and prefabricated components without disrupting ongoing work.
Elevated Work Cages
Elevated work cages are attached to cranes and other motorised aerial access equipment to access difficult-to-reach areas. They are secure and provide material mobility compared to other temporary access devices.
Boom lifts
A boom lift is an aerial work platform typically consisting of a bucket attached to a hydraulically controlled arm. The arm can be directed to go up and down to elevate workers and materials to hard-to-reach heights.
Scissors lift
A scissor lift is an aerial access device consisting of a work platform that is raised or lowered on scissor-like criss-crossed beams. The X-shaped beams expand and contract to change the elevation of the work platform. In addition to offering vertical mobility, scissor lifts also have wheels or tracks, which makes it easy to move around horizontally.
Benefits of Hiring Scissor Lifts
A scissor lift is one of the most versatile temporary access equipment you can get. It can do pretty much anything you can do with a ladder, scaffold, or any other type of aerial access equipment. Scissor lifts also come in different sizes and configurations, so you can easily pick the most suitable one for your project. Some of the benefits of hiring scissor lifts include:
Safety
The work platform of a scissor lift typically has guardrails around it. It may also include additional safety features such as emergency shut-off, toeboards, tilt sensors, safety harnesses, and outriggers.
Increased Productivity
Scissor lifts are designed to carry both workers and construction materials. They’re also motorised, providing excellent horizontal mobility, so you can cover more ground in less time.
Ease of Operation
Scissor lifts are user-friendly. Most equipment rental companies even offer self-propelled scissor lifts that are easier to use and can be operated with minimal training. This way, you won’t have to spend a lot of time on operator training.
Versatile Power Sources
With scissor lifts, you can choose between gasoline/diesel scissor lifts and battery-powered scissor lifts. Electric scissor lift hire is generally recommended for indoor spaces or simple outdoor tasks. But you can go for an engine-powered lift for projects on rough terrains.
Conclusion
By choosing a scissor lift hire from reputable providers, you improve temporary aerial access on your construction site. Just make sure you’re renting from a reliable vendor like easyToolhire to get a quality and well-maintained scissor lift and reduce the delays or unexpected downtime on your project.
