Signage companies and display specialists today use powered access to such an extent that it is widely recognised as being by far the industry's preferred access solution. Whether it is erecting permanent shopping centre signage, display hoardings to promote the latest blockbuster, in-store merchandising or street decorations and lighting, powered access cannot be rivalled for versatility, speed and manoeuvrability. All in all, it is the safest and most cost-effective option.

However, with many projects demanding the shortest possible installation time and the minimum disruption to passers-by, having the right machine, at the right place, at the right time are factors critical to success. This means using a company with an extensive and readily available fleet, and the country's leading powered access rental company is Nationwide Access, which operates out of 50 depots spread throughout the UK, and has a 6,000-strong hire fleet of scissor lifts, self-propelled booms and Skylift truck mounted booms.

Among the latest signage installations to make use of Nationwide's equipment was the overnight erection of the illuminated signage at the Brewery Shopping Centre in Romford, Essex. Ramsgate-based Active Signs had between 11.00pm and 7.00am the following morning to complete the installation at the top of a 50-metre high chimney. It did so with the invaluable aid of a Nationwide Skylift truck mounted boom.

Creative Display Partnership faced an added challenge when it came to erecting lights on the outside of the Plaza in London's Oxford Street. As one of London's busiest shopping streets, the job naturally had to be completed in the shortest possible time, but it was equally important that nearby businesses and the public were subjected to the minimum disruption. Again, one of Nationwide's Skylift truck mounted units was the ideal solution.

But truck mounted booms are just one of the powered options available to contractors. So, with such a range of equipment, how do you choose the right machine for the job; the one that will get the job done quickly, cost effectively and safely? Fortunately, there is a very simple solution that is available to contractors from their nearest Nationwide depot - a free on-site survey.

But it does help to have some idea of what the main differences are between the three types of machine.

Scissor lifts are limited to vertical elevation only. However, they provide safe and reliable access for working heights between 6.4 metres and 28.3 metres, with plenty of room on the stable and secure platform for tools and fixings. Three power options are available; diesel, which is popular for external use, electric, for indoor use where emissions are unacceptable, and bi-powered.

They can be used for a host of signage and display tasks and are particularly popular - especially the electric and bi-powered models - for indoor use. Typical applications include shopping mall signage and festive decoration, because the machines are compact, fume and noise free, and cause the minimum disruption and inconvenience to employees and shoppers alike.

Turning to Nationwide's self-propelled booms, much of their popularity has to be attributed to their versatility. For, in addition to providing the essential vertical lift, they also offer an outreach capability, which enables the boom's work platform to reach over footpaths and hoardings, gaining access to areas that would be inaccessible to equipment where the operation is limited to vertical elevation. Again the height options are considerable, from just eight metres to an impressive 24.4 metres.

Finally, the Skylift truck-mounts. As the name implies, these are mounted on the back of trucks, some of which are all-terrain, four-wheel-drive vehicles. They are able to move on and off site quickly and efficiently and be fully operational within minutes of arrival on site. Most Skylift booms are able to rotate a full 360 degrees and are manipulated via controls located on the work platform. As with self-propelled booms, the outreach capabilities mean that movement is not restricted to vertical elevation.

Skylift machines range from 14-metre working height units, all the way up to a colossal 72 metres and every machine is supplied with a fully qualified and experienced Nationwide operator.

Full details of Nationwide's powered access range, along with depot locations, are available at www.nationwideaccess.com or for connection to your nearest Nationwide depot, telephone free on 0845 745 0000. There is also a special Freephone number that connects callers to the nearest Skylift Master depot - 0845 850 8888.

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January 2003 Nat3.071a