movemanSKG To The Rescue!

Leading platform lift supplier, movemanSKG, has recently installed Companion Prestige platform lifts in two buildings operated by the Cleveland Fire Brigade. The new lifts were specified as part of the Brigade's policy to provide services, which fully comply with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act.

Cleveland Fire Brigade provides fire and rescue services covering the towns of Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Stockton and Redcar - the former County of Cleveland. This area has a total population of 550,000 people and the Brigade deals with close on 17000 calls every year.

Activities at the Brigade's nine full time and six retained fire stations are controlled from a headquarters building located in Hartlepool. The first lift is installed here and provides alternative access to the second floor of the building. Due to space constraints, it is positioned inside a spiral staircase. The Prestige proved to be the ideal solution as it is completely freestanding and requires no additional supporting structure. It has a travel height of 3670mm.

The second lift, which serves two floors and has a travel height of 3230mm, is at the Cleveland Fire Brigade training centre in Grangetown. Once again, the installation was not straightforward. In order to fit the lift into the buildings existing stairwell, the expectation was that major building work would be required to modify the staircase. After a detailed site survey, however, movemanSKG engineers recommended a far more cost effective solution. They specified a lift with a non-standard platform size, which would fit the existing space, yet still conform with appropriate legislation.

"It was this level of service and attention to detail that set movemanSKG apart from other platform lift suppliers we contacted." Comments Cleveland Fire Brigade's Brian Black.

The Prestige can be specified for travel heights up to three storeys and is supplied with an integral shaft as well as the platform lift itself. This means that the whole assembly is covered by the CE mark, a guarantee of conformity with all relevant European standards. The shaft walls and door panels are fabricated from a unique material called Dobel. It is high strength sheet steel, onto which a polymer film is laminated. movemanSKG specify the material for the shaft panelling, because it combines exceptional strength and durability with flexibility in terms of surface finish. The specific polymer used is also highly fire resistant and certified as such for internal applications. Dobel is available in a wide variety of solid colours and printed patterns enabling the lift's finish to be specified so that it will blend in with its surroundings and be as unobtrusive as is possible.

"We are delighted with the end result." Brian Black concludes. "The new platform lifts are proving of real benefit to our less able employees and visitors. What's more, they look good too."