Lakeside ALTO Ultima User manual

ALTO Ultima®
DOUBLE WIDTH LADDERSPAN TOWER
Mobile Aluminium Access Tower
ISSUE 2
3T - Through The Trapdoor Method
Assembly Guide Using 5 Rung Starter Frames
Instruction Manual EN 1298-IM-EN
The ALTO Ultima® Tower is certied to BS EN 1004:2004
Lakeside Industries Ltd
www.altoaccess.com
[email protected]

Page 2ALTO Ultima®Tower |Assembly Guide
Introduction
Please read these instructions carefully and ensure that you fully understand all of the information
contained herein. All of the information in this document is vital for the safe utilisation of your ALTO
Ultima® Tower.
All Alto Access products are professional quality engineered equipment designed primarily with safety
in mind and meet or exceed all standards, recommendations and guidelines. Used properly, Alto access
equipment will keep you safe when working at height.
This manual contains all of the information necessary to correctly assemble your ALTO Ultima®mobile
access tower and incorporates all of the requirements of the PASMA 3T method of assembly as endorsed
by the HSE.
This manual should be used in conjunction with your Risk Assessment and Method Statement and in
line with the Work at Height Regulations 2005 which place an obligation on employers to eliminate or
minimise risks. This manual must be made available to the user/assembler at all pertinent times.
Only competent and qualified personnel should undertake erection, dismantling or alteration, organisation,
planning or supervision of mobile access towers. In the case of any doubt, sufficient relevant additional
training must be given beforehand to ensure safe use. For further information on the use of mobile
access towers consult PASMA (www.pasma.co.uk; Tel [phone]). For any additional technical
information or specific advice please contact the manufacturer: Lakeside Industries Limited Tel: +44 1527
500577 or Email: [email protected].
Certifications
The ALTO Ultima® Tower is a mobile access tower certified to EN 1004 Class 4. If the application is outside
the scope of EN 1004, reference should be made to EN 1139 to ensure that the configuration of the
equipment meets the relevant requirements. This tower is manufactured in our ISO 9001 accredited
facility. This manual complies with EN 1298-IM-EN.
Maximum Safe Working Loads
The safe working load of the tower is 2,500kg including its own weight. The maximum safe working load
of any individual platform is 324 kg evenly distributed. If the tower is to be used in an application outside
the scope of EN1004, contact your supplier or the manufacturer, Lakeside Industries Limited, for advice
on loadings. Tel: [phone] or Email: [email protected].

Page 3ALTO Access Products |Lakeside Industries Ltd
Inspection Care & Maintenance
Alto Access equipment is designed and manufactured to the highest standards in the industry and is
stronger, more robust and safer than any comparable competitor product. Properly cared for, it will give
a long and productive service life.
· The equipment should be inspected and maintained as outlined in the “ALTO Ultima® Tower Inspection
Procedures”. A free downloadable copy is available at www.altoaccess.com/downloads
· Equipment should always be inspected before and after each use.
· Whilst Alto Access equipment is extremely robust, care should be exercised in loading, transporting
and handling components to avoid damage or injury to either the equipment or persons.
· Repairs should only be carried out by Lakeside Industries Limited or their authorised repairers.
· In case of any doubt as to the integrity of any items of Alto Access equipment, the part should be
withdrawn from use, quarantined and subject to detailed examination to determine whether repair
or replacement is required. If returned to the factory, Lakeside Industries Limited will provide a free
of charge evaluation of any damaged components.
Safety
Check that all of the necessary components and equipment for the particular tower configuration to be
built are on site, undamaged and functioning correctly. Damaged/incorrect components must not be
used.
· Check that the surface on which the tower is to be located is capable of supporting the tower and its
payload.
· The safe working load of the tower is 2,500kg including its own weight. The maximum safe working
load of any individual platform is 324 kg evenly distributed.
· If the tower is to be used in an application outside the scope of EN1004, contact your supplier or the
manufacturer: Lakeside Industries Limited, for advice on loadings. Tel: [phone] or Email:
[email protected].
· Towers must always be climbed from the inside using the built in ladders (or Alto stair units if
applicable). If the work carried out from the tower requires frequent carrying of equipment and
materials up or down the tower, an Alto stair tower should be used in preference to a ladderspan
tower.
· The tower must be levelled when erected using the adjustable jack or castor legs.
· Two or more persons are required for the safe erection and dismantling of a tower.

Page 4ALTO Ultima®Tower |Assembly Guide
· It is recommended that the tower be tied in when left unattended.
· Always comply with the Work at Height Regulations 2005 when erecting, dismantling & using the
tower.
· When lifting components, always use reliable lifting equipment and fastening methods and always lift
from within the footprint of the tower structure to prevent risk of the tower overturning.
· See “Moving the Tower” below for safety guidelines affecting the relocation of the tower.
· Beware live electrical installations, cables, moving machinery or other obstructions when erecting,
dismantling or using the tower. The tower is a conductive metallic structure.
· The maximum safe lateral force for a freestanding ALTO Ultima® tower is 30kg.
· Do not use boxes, ladders or other items to gain additional height.
· Do not stand on guard rails for any reason.
· If the tower is to be used in connection with hoisting arrangements, this is outside the scope of
EN1004 and requires specific advice from the manufacturer to ensure safety.
· Contact the manufacturer Lakeside Industries Limited for advice on loadings Tel: [phone] or
Email: [email protected].
· Fit guard rails to every platforms.
· Fit toe boards to all working platforms.
· Intermediate (rest) platforms are installed every 2m.
· The tower is not designed to be sheeted. Sheeting massively increases wind loads on the structure.
If sheeting is to be attached, contact the manufacturer Lakeside Industries Limited for advice on
loadings Tel: [phone] or Email: [email protected].
· The tower is not designed to be lifted or suspended.
· Every erected tower must be inspected at least every seven days and any tower which has been left
unattended should be inspected before use to ensure that:
1 no components have been removed or relocated incorrectly;
2 the tower is still vertical; and
3 no environmental or other factors have arisen which will influence safe use of the tower.
· Unattended towers should be tied in to a rigid structure.
· Stabilisers or outriggers and ballast shall always be fitted when specified.
· Where there is insufficient clearance to fit the specified stabilisers, contact your supplier or the
manufacturer for specific advice. Where ballast or kentledge is used, it must be of solid material,
placed on a platform on the lowest rung of the tower and secured against unauthorised removal.

Page 5ALTO Access Products |Lakeside Industries Ltd
Wind Speeds
Persons using or responsible for towers must beware of the effect of wind on the structure. Wherever
possible, as a precaution, it is advisable to tie the tower in to a rigid structure if it is to be used where it is
exposed to potential windy conditions. Users should beware the potential tunnelling effect of open ended
or unclad buildings and narrow openings between buildings. We recommend that the use of the tower is
discontinued in conditions where the wind speed is above 17mph (force 4).
WIND
DESCRIPTION
BEAUFORT
SCALE
AVERAGE
SPEED INFORMATION
Medium Breeze 4 13-17 mph Safe to work on tower.
Strong Breeze 6 25-31 mph Tie the tower to a solid structure. Do not work on tower.
Gale Force 8 39-46 mph Towers must be dismantled. Towers must not be assembled.
Erecting & Dismantling the Tower
All Alto towers must be built and dismantled in accordance with the step by step instructions in the
following pages corresponding to the particular tower configuration involved and having regard to the
working at height regulations and Health & Safety legislation.
Moving the Tower
Before moving the tower, its overall height should be reduced to 4m working platform height or less. No
persons, tools, equipment or materials shall be permitted to remain on the tower when it is being moved.
The tower should only be moved by pushing it by the lowest frames.
When moving the tower users are to be particularly careful of the following:
· Obstructions, moving machinery or electrical cables and equipment
· Not to move the tower in wind speeds of 18mph (force 5) or above
· The effect of rough, uneven or sloping ground on the stability of the tower
· Locking and unlocking the castors to allow and prevent the tower moving at appropriate times
· After completing the movement, use a spirit level to ensure that the tower is vertical and safely
supported on an appropriate surface
· After completing the movement check that the tower is correct and complete.

Page 6ALTO Ultima®Tower |Assembly Guide
Frames
Braces
Stabilisers
1.8m DW
3500mm (upto 9m)
4500mm (9m & above)
3500mm (upto 9m)
4500mm (9m & above)
Diagonal braces must always be located
with the claw opening facing down.
Horizontal braces must be located with
the claw facing either down (on the rung)
or outwards (if on the upright).
All braces are fitted with spring loaded
pins that automatically lock the brace
into position when attached to a tower.
Brace hooks must be located either over
the rung screw heads, between 2 screw
heads or between the frame upright and a
screw head to prevent lateral movement.
Frames must always be assembled with
the offset conical head fitting pointing
inwards towards the centre of the tower.
Stabilisers should always be attached to
the tower so as to maximise the base area
of the tower structure. Set the stabilisers
so they form a square around the tower
as per the diagram below. The correct
size stabilisers must always be used - see
component schedule for details.

Page 7ALTO Access Products |Lakeside Industries Ltd
Ultima®Anchor Point
The Alto Ultima Anchor Point is an integrated part of an Alto
Ultima frame. It is designed for attaching personal protective
equipment for preventing and arresting falls from height of
a single operative from a tower comprised entirely of Alto
Ultima components.
The Alto Ultima Anchor Point is an EN795 certified type A
device used to anchor a safety harness, or restraint belt via a
lanyard, to prevent the user reaching a position where a fall
is possible (restraint). It is not intended for fall arrest unless
the lanyard is fitted with an energy absorber conforming to
EN355 connected to the anchor using EN362 connectors (hooks, karabiners etc.) and the operative is
wearing a compatible BS EN 361 safety harness and any other relevant PPE.
All testing of anchor points and fall arrest systems is based on a 100kg mass. Users of over 100kg in
weight should seek advice as to whether the equipment is suitable for their safe use. Users of over 100kg
should seek to limit lanyard length to the shortest possible length to minimise arrest forces to below 6kn.
Read the separate instruction manual before using the Alto Ultima Anchor Point. The use of the device
contrary to the manual poses a threat to life.
Ensure that all users have appropriate training and certification before use. Before use – visually inspect
the anchor point for the following points:
· Ensure the system has not been modified/tampered with.
· Check the legibility of the product markings
· Visually inspect the anchor point and the frame that it forms part of for physical damage.
· Check for signs that the anchor has been used in a fall arrest event. Typically this will be evidenced by
the anchor being bent or showing dents in the inner surface of the anchor.
· Check all components for distortion/dents. Ensure that this does not affect the fitting of the steel
anchor plate.
· Check all the steel anchor plate fastenings are tight.
· Check for any general corrosion.
If there are any doubts arising from pre-use inspection, the device must not be used. Report the issues
to the equipment supplier.
As part of your risk assessment you MUST have in place a rescue plan to deal with any emergency, which

Page 8ALTO Ultima®Tower |Assembly Guide
may occur during use. Access to the user - directly or indirectly - and their safe retrieval is of paramount
importance, including preparations for dealing with potential Post Fall Suspension Syncope
Ensure that there is sufficient fall clearance below the anchorage connector to arrest a fall before the
user strikes the ground or an obstruction. When calculating fall clearance, account for a MINIMUM 0.5m
safety factor, deceleration distance, user height, maximum deployed length of lanyard/SRL, and all other
applicable factors.
3T Method Explained
The “3T” or “through the trapdoor” method is one of the two permitted ways of assembling a tower
without the assembler being at risk of falling. This tower is a 3T tower.
Tying In
Towers must be tied into a suitable rigid structure once they go beyond the freestanding working heights
specified in EN 1004 2004 - 8m working platform height outdoors and 12m working platform height
indoors - or if the tower is unstable or is in danger of being unstable.
Standard scaffold tubes and fittings can be used with the Alto Access products. Ties should be spaced at
no more than 4m intervals. Ties must be rigid and be secured to both frame uprights. For further details
regarding tying in, please contact your supplier or the manufacturer: Lakeside Industries Limited.
Step 1:
As each new level of platform is installed, the operative
takes up a working position in the trap door of the platform,
standing on the ladder and leaning back against the edge of
the trapdoor aperture.
Step 2:
From this position the operative fits the horizontal braces
500mm and 1000mm above the platform level (i.e. on the first
and second available rungs). If the far end of the guardrail
braces don’t fully engage when they are put in place, the
operative fully engages it when first climbing up onto the
platform. This process ensures that operatives never have to
stand on an unguarded platform.

Page 9ALTO Access Products |Lakeside Industries Ltd
DOUBLE WIDTH ALTO ULTIMA®TOWER TO BS EN 1004:2004
Using the 3T (Through The Trapdoor) assembly method
PLATFORM WORKING HEIGHT (m)
INTERNAL & EXTERNAL USE INTERNAL USE ONLY
CODE PART DESCRIPTION 2.4 2.9 3.4 3.9 4.4 4.9 5.4 5.9 6.4 6.9 7.4 7.9 8.4 8.9 9.4 9.9 10.4 10.9 11.4 11.9 12.4
2238 150mm Dia. Castor Wheel 444444444444444444444
2240 HD Adj. Leg (silver collar) 444444444444444444444
2066 HD 1.8m D/W Toeboard 111111111111111111111
2001 HD 1.4m Base Frame 111111111111111111111
2212 HD 1.4m 5 Rung Ladder Frame 111111111111111111111
2301 Ultima®1.4m 4 Rung Main Frame 1 11212232334344545
2304 Ultima® 1.4m 4 Rung Ladder Frame 1 11212232334344545
2302 Ultima® 1.4m 3 Rung Main Frame 1111111111 2305 Ultima®1.4m 3 Rung Ladder Frame 1111111111
2303 Ultima®1.4m 2 Rung Main Frame 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
2306 Ultima®1.4m 2 Rung Ladder Frame 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2040 HD 1.8m Brace 6 8 11 11 11 12 15 15 15 16 19 19 19 20 23 23 23 24 27 27 27
2041 HD 2.7m Brace 2242446466868810 810 10 12 10 12
2080 HD 1.8m x 3 Rung Brace (Blue) 22 422 422 422 422 42
2043 HD 1.8m Platform 111111111111111111111
2201 HD 1.8m Trap Platform 112222333344445555666
2056 HD Small Stabiliser 44444444444444
2057 HD Large Stabiliser 4444444
TOTAL SELF WEIGHT OF TOWER (kg) 152 164 193 206 213 223 252 265 272 281 311 324 331 340 377 390 397 406 436 449 455
MAX No. WORKING LEVELS 112222333333333333333
BUILD METHOD A B C D A B C D A B C D A B C D A B C D A
COMPONENT SCHEDULE
1.8m Long x 1.4m Wide (Double Width) ALTO Ultima®Tower

Page 10 ALTO Ultima®Tower |Assembly Guide
Step 1
Insert the leg & castor assembly into
the base of the 5 Rung Base Frame
and 5 Rung Ladder Frame. When
fully inserted, ensure the spring
loaded pin is engaged into the hole
in the side of the frames. Ensure all
4 wheels have the brakes applied.
Step 2
Connect 2 horizontal braces to the
uprights of the rst frame in the area
just above the bottom rung. Make
sure that the braces are connected
from the inside of the tower facing
outwards. Make sure that the frame
head ttings are pointing inwards
into the tower.
Step 3
Connect the 2nd frame to the
horizontal braces in the same
position that they are located on
the rst frames. Make sure that the
frame head ttings are pointing
inwards into the tower.
ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS - All Platform Working Heights