VEL Fit selects Nifty 210 for safe, efficient window servicing

• VEL Fit has selected the Nifty 210 for efficient and safe window servicing, eliminating the need for time-consuming scaffolding.

• The Nifty 210 offers a 21 m working height and 12 m outreach, ideal for accessing difficult areas on crown roofs.

• The machine's manoeuvrability, including a motor mover and 100-degree platform rotation, enhances precision and ease of use.

• Safety is a priority, with VEL Fit's team undergoing IPAF training and implementing comprehensive risk assessments.

• The Nifty 210's features, such as a 225 kg safe working load and various safety innovations, ensure secure operations.

• VEL Fit plans to hire out the Nifty 210 through its sister company, Giant Hire, to allow others to benefit from the machine's capabilities.

Accessing flat roof windows for maintenance, repair, and servicing can be a challenge. The task often requires hours of scaffolding construction for sometimes short and simple tasks. This is why VEL Fit chose to purchase its very own Nifty 210 which has transformed operations.

Advertisement

Accessing windows at height for maintenance repair, and servicing often requires time-consuming and costly scaffolding, regardless of the project scope at hand. That’s why VEL Fit – one of the UK’s leading rooflight window contractors – turned to Niftylift for its latest project.

“We undertook extensive research to find the best way of accessing difficult windows,” said Steve Wrieden, director at VEL Fit. “For this specific project, we needed to access over 700 roofs to make a simple change to a certain type of window that we only needed 30 mins up there to complete. It just wasn’t viable to erect and dismantle scaffolding which would increase each project timeline by two days at least.”

Accessing the inaccessible

VEL Fit’s need for an alternative to traditional scaffolding arose from a specific product update for a range of flat roof windows. VEL Fit was tasked with identifying and replacing window motors by the manufacture and these windows were often located on crown roofs – a type of roof that includes elements of both flat and pitched design – making them difficult to access.

Scaffolding was not a viable option for this type of work. It posed lengthy timeframes with two extra days needed to build and then remove the structure. It was also a costly option – ranging from £3,000 to £5,000 per job. Finally, as these jobs were largely related to residential houses, there was potential for both inconvenience and damage to properties.

VEL Fit needed a solution that would allow their team to access these difficult locations quickly, safely, and with minimal disruption and cost. That’s when they started to explore using an access platform.

“When we had decided to try an access platform, we hired a Nifty 170 to see if it would meet our needs,” said Steve. “While it got up to the height we needed, it didn’t quite have enough outreach for us to safely access the work areas. So, we decided to invest in the largest trailer-mount that Niftylift has – the Nifty 210.”

Finding the ideal solution: The Nifty 210

The Nifty 210 offers a suite of features that align perfectly with VEL Fit’s specialised needs. Crucially, its impressive combination of 21 m working height with 12 m outreach provided the right access for the team to safely access difficult areas without having to push the machine to its limits.

“The Nifty 210 is the ideal machine for tasks such as window servicing at height,” said Tom James, UK Sales Manager, Niftylift. “Its 12 m outreach is often the deciding factor, allowing operators to access difficult locations safely and with ease. Its height and weight mean that it’s less common in typical rental fleets that serve a broader market, but it’s these characteristics that have made it an invaluable tool for this kind of job.”

Manoeuvrability on the Nifty 210 is also unmatched. It has a motor mover, meaning the MEWP (mobile elevated work platform) can be moved into position without having to use a car or van. Platform rotation of 100 degrees also provides excellent movement in the air and its fully proportional controls mean that the operator can move with precision, even in hard-to-reach places. It is also compact, even when the riggers are out.

In terms of weight, the 210 comes in just under 3.5 tonnes, meaning that most driveways and house surrounds can hold the weight of the machine without damage. This is a vital factor in preserving lawns, driveways, and other finished areas.

An uncompromising commitment to safety

Safety was a non-negotiable for VEL Fit when choosing the right MEWP. As outlined by IPAF, anyone who needs to safely and effectively operate a MEWP in any machine category must undertake one of its operator training courses and so the whole VEL Fit team completed the course. Working alongside their health and safety consultant they then devised a full risk assessment and method statement to fit the requirements of the project and for the types of use VEL Fit required from its MEWP.

“All our staff are fully trained and experienced in working at height. For us, health and safety is about identifying and managing risks so that we can do everything we can to protect from harm,” said Steve. “It’s all about balancing the level of risk against the measures needed to control the risk in terms of money, time or trouble.”

The safe working load on the Nifty 210 is 225 kg, meaning that for each job, VEL Fit has had one operator on the ground and two specialists in the cage – one spotting as the other works.

“There are a number of safety innovations that we have developed over the years, including SiOPS®, ToughCage, and ClipOn,” said Tom Hadden, Technical Sales Manager, Niftylift. “However, we also know that operator training and understanding is of paramount importance to ensure safe operations. That’s why we are so pleased to witness the time and dedication that VEL Fit has put into preparing its team.”

“We just couldn’t find another access platform option on the market to meet our very specific needs – the Nifty 210 has no competitors. The height plus the outreach, teamed with the manoeuvrability, safety, and the time savings have been game-changing for us,” said Steve.

VEL Fit has now completed this project, but they aren’t ready to say goodbye to their Niftylift. Instead, the company has pushed forward with ambitious plans to enable others to take advantage of this impressive machine. The Nifty 210 will be hired out with a trained operative through a sister company, Giant Hire. Because, as Steve says, “if you can’t reach it, you should hire a giant!”