Quick answer
Fire service inspection work is usually short, repeated and spread across a building. A narrow electric scissor lift or vertical mast lift suits most indoor routes between racking and through doors. Plan the route, the highest point to inspect, the floor and when the area is clear, and send them with your dates.
What makes this work different
Inspection teams move often, spend a short time at each point and work in buildings that stay open. The machine needs to fit the narrowest aisle, move quietly and not mark the floor. Height is often moderate, but access is tight.
Choosing the machine
| Setting | Starting point |
|---|---|
| Office ceilings, corridors, standard doors | Narrow scissor lift or vertical mast lift |
| Warehouse aisles between racking | Narrow electric scissor or mast lift, checked against aisle width |
| High-bay roof space above racking | Larger electric scissor in open areas, or a boom lift to reach over racking |
| Car parks with low headroom | Check stowed height against the lowest beam |
| Machine | Width | Working height | Stowed height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skyjack SJ12 Vertical Mast Lift | 0.77 m | 5.7 m | 1.79 m | 782 kg |
| Sinoboom 0407E Electric Scissor Lift | 0.76 m | 6.5 m | 1.67 m | Confirm |
| Skyjack SJ16 Vertical Mast Lift | 0.77 m | 6.8 m | 1.79 m | 966 kg |
| Haulotte Optimum 8 Electric Scissor Lift | 0.79 m | 7.8 m | Confirm | 1,520 kg |
| Skyjack SJIII 3219 Electric Scissor Lift | 0.81 m | 7.8 m | 1.99 m | 1,557 kg |
| Sinoboom 0608ME Electric Scissor Lift | 0.76 m | 7.8 m | Confirm | Confirm |
| JLG ES1932 Electric Scissor Lift | 0.81 m | 7.8 m | Confirm | 1,550 kg |
| LGMG S0607E II Electric Scissor Lift | 0.79 m | 7.8 m | 1.81 m | 1,610 kg |
| Skyjack SJIII 3226 Narrow Electric Scissor Lift | 0.81 m | 9.8 m | 2.15 m | 1,876 kg |
| Zoomlion ZS0808AC Narrow Electric Scissor Lift | 0.81 m | 9.8 m | Confirm | Confirm |
| Haulotte Compact 8N Narrow Electric Scissor Lift | 0.81 m | 9.8 m | Confirm | Confirm |
| Genie GS-3232 Narrow Electric Scissor Lift | 0.82 m | 11.8 m | 2.44 m | Confirm |
Figures are read from the manufacturer specification held on each machine record. "Confirm" means the sheet on file does not state that figure; we confirm it at quote rather than estimate it. Fleet data last updated 30 July 2026.
Plan before it arrives
- The highest point to inspect, measured to the head or pipe, not the roof
- The narrowest aisle or door on the route
- The lowest clear height on the route, including sprinkler mains
- Floor type, mezzanines and any loading limits from the building owner
- When areas will be clear of forklifts, stock and people
- Where the machine charges overnight on a multi-day job
Working around sprinkler pipework
Raise the platform slowly near pipework and heads. Measure clear height at the inspection point, because the platform stops below services rather than at its maximum. Read the height guide for how to size it.
Repeat inspections
Teams that inspect the same sites on a cycle can book the same machine type each time once the route is known. For longer programmes, see long-term hire.
Send the site, highest inspection point, narrowest aisle and the dates.
Quote a machine for an inspection round