Issue Date: 1 October 2009
Ref: CTE09/15
BETTER WINDOW CLEANING ACCESS FOR RJ NORRIS
Specialist window cleaning contractor RJ Norris has recently started using a CTE ZED21J vehicle mounted access platform to enhance its ability to clean a wider range of buildings. The ZED21J incorporates a sigma (Σ) boom with a fly-jib to offer 21m maximum working height and access to windows and fascias even when there is an obstruction between the vehicle and working area.
“The combination of the sigma boom and fly-jib offers clearance over canopies and glass structures,” says Louise Herd at RJ Norris. “We selected the ZED21J because the basket is supported on the front and with the boom and fly-jib this offers terrific flexibility where close-up work is needed.”
Slough based RJ Norris (www.rjnorris.co.uk) provides a range of window cleaning and related services to customers including a number of colleges and universities throughout London and the home counties. The company previously hired vehicle mounted access equipment, including other models from the extensive CTE range, whenever contracts demanded. As the business grew it recognised the benefits in owning and operating its own vehicles. It selected the CTE ZED21J because it was familiar with CTE’s products and the vehicle offered the right combination of performance and reliability.
The ZED21J has a maximum working load of 200kg in all possible configurations, enough for two average sized people and up to 40kg of tools, with 10m outreach from 1-14m above ground level in a straight vertical line. Performance includes full and continuous 360o turret rotation for all-round access with true zero tail swing which is important when working in narrow streets because there is reduced risk of passing vehicles and bystanders coming into contact with moving parts of the mechanism.
Simple controls mounted inside the basket and at ground level allow users to operate the platform very easily and this was one of the features that appealed to RJ Norris. The boom and basket can be positioned using just one hand. The maximum working height of 21m is achieved by straightening the entire boom and fly-jib using the same simple controls.
“The controls make window cleaning very fast and easy with potentially less damage,” says Richard Norris, Managing Director of the company.
The ZED21J is the first access platform in its performance class available in the UK on a 3.5t commercial vehicle chassis. One of the main advantages of this is that the vehicle can be driven with anyone who has a normal “Category B” car licence. Anyone qualified to drive a car can also drive and operate the access platform. This simplifies operations for RJ Norris and also allows the company to hire the vehicle out to other window cleaners for self-drive or with one of its own team as a dedicated operator.