Specializing in the rental of lifting and hoisting equipment, Perret Location has been supporting its customers on demanding construction sites for over twenty years, particularly in challenging indoor environments. Ludo Armonia, Technical and Marketing Manager, discusses the expertise developed by the company for working on sensitive floors and in complex spaces, and the key role played by Haulotte electric aerial work platforms in these missions.
A family business with expertise in confined environments
A family business based in France, Perret Location has established itself as a recognized player in the rental of aerial work platforms and lifting equipment. Its proximity to the field and local needs enables it to meet the specific requirements of the French market, particularly in terms of safety, access constraints, and infrastructure preservation: « We specialize in indoor operations, with sensitive flooring and limited space constraints,« explains Ludo Armonia.
For work on sensitive floors, the requirements are precise and non-negotiable:
« Today, customers are primarily looking for compact, lightweight, quiet, electric machines equipped with non-marking tires. This is the basis for working indoors, » emphasizes Ludo Armonia.
These criteria have become essential because construction sites now take place in a wide variety of locations: shopping malls, museums, hotels, laboratories, ice rinks, and even churches.
Analyzing the site before any work begins
Before deploying an aerial work platform indoors, Perret Location systematically conducts an in-depth analysis of the site’s constraints:
« First, we have to look at the nature of the floor, its strength, the width of the access points, the ceiling height, the environmental constraints, and the permissible loads,« explains Ludo Armonia.
The issue of loads is particularly critical: « Depending on the presence of networks just below (gas, air, or others), the permissible load on the floor can vary greatly, » explains Ludo.
This methodical approach ensures the safety of the operation while preserving the existing infrastructure.
Haulotte aerial work platforms designed to protect floors and people
To meet these constraints, Perret Location favors compact electric solutions. « We mainly use electric aerial work platforms, lightweight vertical masts, compact scissor lifts equipped with non-marking tires and, if necessary, ground protection, » explains Ludo Armonia.
Among the notable projects carried out by Perret Location, several examples illustrate the diversity and technical complexity of the sites: « We have worked in clean and sterile rooms, churches, and even ice rinks, directly on the ice, particularly to work on the burners, » says Ludo Armonia.
In the case of clean rooms, the requirements are extreme: « These are sterile rooms. The machine had to be flawless, with no traces of grease, oil, or contamination. » Thanks to very compact aerial platforms and specific protective equipment, the work was carried out without damaging the floors or the environment.
The main difficulties encountered often relate to the accessibility and fragility of the areas where work is carried out. « We regularly have to deal with narrow access points, highly sensitive areas, and load distribution management, » explains Ludo Armonia.
Towards machines that are increasingly suited to sensitive environments
Perret Location has observed a clear market trend. « Demand for compact, clean, and quiet solutions is rising sharply, particularly for work in busy environments, » notes Ludo Armonia. These operations allow activity to continue on site during the work.
In the coming years, aerial work platforms will also become lighter, more autonomous, and more environmentally friendly. « We are moving towards lighter machines with greater autonomy that are smarter and better suited to protecting floors and the environment, » anticipates Ludo Armonia.
Finally, Ludo Armonia emphasizes a few fundamental principles for ensuring the success of an indoor operation: « Visiting the site is essential, as is choosing a lightweight machine, installing floor protection, training operators, and communicating clearly with the customer. »
This comprehensive approach enables Perret Location to provide tailor-made solutions that are perfectly adapted to the technical and environmental constraints of each site.