Hundreds of homes each year are maintained and updated by Bournemouth Borough Council’s team of tradespeople. Working and preparing materials from the side of a van is often the only option and having to stop work because of wet weather is a problem.
In 2014, the Council appointed Broadview to come up with a way of keeping the maintenance team dry while working from a van. Choosing a Ford Transit long wheelbase model with high roof, Broadview designed and installed the first heavy duty vehicle awning enabling work to continue even in bad weather and reducing lost working days.
The awning had to be quick to use, take up minimal space inside the van and be robust enough to withstand the British winter.
The awning has offered staff a better, safer working environment resulting in more jobs achieved on wet days and reducing the amount having to be re-scheduled. It has also had the added benefit of protecting staff from the sun during this summer’s hot weather.
Max Creed added: “We are pleased with the Broadview awning solution and the service will be looking to add more to our fleet in the future.”
“Often the work is postponed as we cannot use power tools or prepare building materials in wet weather causing delays in scheduling the work and resulting in unhappy tenants. Plus, working day in and day out in wet weather isn’t good for staff morale especially when they cannot achieve what they need to,”
Max Creed - Bournemouth Borough Council’s Building Maintenance Division.