Creating Safer Access for Modern Fire Engine Manufacturing
As one of the world’s leading fire engine manufacturers, Angloco builds specialist emergency response vehicles designed to perform in some of the toughest conditions imaginable.
From ladders and lighting systems to cameras and foam guns, every vehicle requires extensive fit-out work at height before it is ready for service.
However, with increasingly complex vehicle designs and evolving safety requirements, traditional access methods were no longer providing the efficiency or protection required within the workshop.
To improve safety, maintain productivity and adapt to changing operational demands, Angloco turned to the SafeSmart Aluminium Mini Mobile Scaffold system, delivering A Better Way to approach vehicle access.
The Challenge
Manufacturing modern fire engines involves significant working at height throughout the build process. Teams regularly need access to the roof area of the vehicle to install:
- Emergency lighting systems
- Roof ladders
- Cameras and sensors
- Foam guns and specialist firefighting equipment
At the same time, operatives still needed unrestricted access below the vehicle to continue compartment fit-outs and internal assembly work.
For Angloco, this created several key challenges.
Limited Workshop Space
Operating within a 60-year-old facility, the workshop was never originally designed to accommodate the size and complexity of today’s emergency response vehicles. Space was limited, meaning large fixed access systems were not a practical option.
Multiple Vehicle Sizes
Every fire engine build can differ in size and configuration, making flexibility essential. Any access solution needed to adapt quickly to different vehicle dimensions without slowing production.
Safety and Compliance
Historically, much of the work had been carried out using ladders. While this had “always been the way”, modern safety expectations and insurance requirements demanded safer working at height solutions that helped eliminate fall risks.
Angloco needed an access system that was:
- Lightweight
- Mobile
- Modular
- Compact enough for tight workshop spaces
- Flexible enough to adapt to multiple vehicle types
- Safe for daily working at height tasks
The Solution
To meet these requirements, Angloco implemented the SafeSmart Aluminium Mini Mobile Scaffold system.
Using a combination of:
- Long boards
- Corner kits
- Extensions
- Variable height options
the scaffold system could be configured to create a close-fit wraparound working platform around each vehicle.
The lightweight aluminium construction allowed the scaffold to be moved and adjusted quickly throughout the workshop, while the modular design provided the flexibility needed to accommodate varying fire engine sizes and layouts.
Importantly, the system allowed teams to maintain clear access beneath and around the vehicle while roof-level installation work was taking place.
The Result
The Aluminium Mini Mobile Scaffold system delivered immediate improvements across both safety and productivity.
Full Vehicle Access
The modular design allowed Angloco to fully wrap the cab area of virtually any vehicle configuration while maintaining a compact footprint within the workshop.
Custom-length long boards created snug access around the vehicle, helping eliminate gaps and reducing fall risks while still preserving open working space where needed.
Faster Installation Times
The speed and simplicity of the setup process helped teams stay on schedule, while the large stable platforms provided enough working space for multiple operatives to complete installations simultaneously.
This significantly reduced installation times compared to previous ladder-based methods.
Improved Safety
By replacing ladders with stable working platforms, Angloco improved working at height safety across the workshop and aligned operations with modern safety and insurance expectations.
A Better Way for Large Vehicle Access
While implemented within fire engine manufacturing, the same challenges faced by Angloco are common across many industries working on large vehicles and specialist transport equipment.
The SafeSmart Aluminium Mini Mobile Scaffold is equally suited to:
- Bus and Coach manufacturing
- Commercial vehicle maintenance
- Lorry and fleet servicing
- Emergency service vehicle builds
- Rail and specialist transport applications
Its lightweight modular design provides a practical, adaptable and safer solution for teams requiring reliable working at height access around large vehicles.
Discover the SafeSmart Aluminium Mini Mobile Scaffold
Whether improving workshop safety, reducing build times or creating more flexible access around large vehicles, the Aluminium Mini Mobile Scaffold delivers a smarter approach to working at height.
Explore the product range today and discover A Better Way to work safely and efficiently.
https://www.safesmartaccess.co.uk/product/mini-mobile-scaffold-aluminium/
