Lift for installing air conditioning on a façade or roof

To install air conditioning on a façade or roof, an articulating boom lift is used most often: the platform reaches over the pavement, planting, balcony or canopy and stops right next to the bracket of the outdoor unit, with no scaffolding. For a low installation on level ground a scissor lift is enough, and on tall buildings a telescopic boom lift. A small split unit is taken up in the platform together with the installers, while heavy VRF units and rooftop air handling units are lifted into place by telehandler or crane, with the lift used only to fix them.

Which lift for which air conditioning installation?

• Articulating boom lift — the default choice for a façade: the unit usually hangs above a pavement, lawn, entrance or between balconies, and the platform “looks” over the obstacle. In our fleet the diesel articulating boom lifts have a working height of 12.5–43 m, and the electric ones up to about 20 m, the latter for atria, halls and work in an occupied building.
• Telescopic boom lift — for tall buildings and hall roofs, when you need a large vertical and horizontal reach (in our fleet from 14.2 to 56.9 m working height).
• Scissor lift — for fitting indoor units, ceiling cassettes and ducts under a ceiling, and for low outdoor units when the machine can drive straight up to the spot. We describe the work indoors in the article lift for installations under the ceiling.

Is the platform capacity enough for an outdoor unit?

The platform capacity covers everything at once: installers, tools, bracket and the unit itself. The articulating and telescopic boom lifts in our fleet usually have a platform capacity of 227–270 kg (the largest up to 450 kg), the electric scissor lifts 227–565 kg. A small split unit usually weighs a few dozen kilograms, so it travels in the platform with two people. Large VRF units, condensing units and air handling units weigh hundreds of kilograms: these are lifted by telehandler (in our fleet up to 4,000 kg and 17.5 m) or by crane. The weight of the unit is checked on its rating plate or in the manufacturer’s data sheet, and the capacity of the machine in its technical data, before the installation is planned.

How do you calculate height and outreach?

Working height is the height of the platform floor plus about 2 m of arm reach. It is matched to the level of the bracket or of the roof edge on which the unit will stand. The second parameter is horizontal outreach: how far the platform reaches sideways from the chassis, counted from the place where the machine will actually stand, beyond the pavement, car park or fence. How to read both values is shown in the article how to read the load and reach chart.

What should you watch for when installing air conditioning from a lift?

• Pavement and pedestrians — when installing above a pavement, the zone under the platform must be fenced off, and when you occupy the road reserve or pavement you need the permission of the road authority.
• Ground — paving, lawn or a garage deck must carry the load of the wheels or outriggers (see how much does a lift weigh). On a finished surface, mats are laid down.
• Wind — the limit from the machine manual is observed and assessed at working height; when larger units are handed up, a gust will swing the load.
• Lines and installations — overhead cables, awnings and lighting on the façade must be avoided by planning the route of the platform before the boom is extended.

Who may work from a lift on air conditioning?

The operator of a mobile elevating work platform must hold a UDT qualification certificate, and in the platform of an articulating boom lift a harness with a lanyard is mandatory. Installation companies without a trained employee rent the machine with an operator. For seasonal installations of many units, long-term rental pays off. It is enough to describe the installation height, the weight of the unit and the access, and we will choose the machine and arrange its delivery.

Frequently asked questions

Which lift should I use to install air conditioning on a façade?

To fit the outdoor unit of an air conditioner on the wall of a building, an articulating boom lift is used most often: the platform reaches over the pavement, planting, balcony or canopy and is positioned right next to the bracket, with no scaffolding. For low installations on level, hard ground a scissor lift is enough, and on tall façades a telescopic boom lift. In our fleet the diesel articulating boom lifts have a working height of 12.5–43 m.

Can the outdoor unit be taken up in the lift platform?

Yes, if the weight of the installers, tools, bracket and unit is within the platform capacity: for the articulating and telescopic boom lifts in our fleet that is usually 227–270 kg (the largest up to 450 kg), for electric scissor lifts 227–565 kg. A small split unit usually weighs a few dozen kilograms and travels comfortably in the platform with two people. Large VRF units, condensing units and rooftop air handling units weigh hundreds of kilograms: these are lifted into place with a crane or a telehandler, and the lift is used only to fix and connect them.

How do I get an air conditioner or a unit onto a roof?

Light equipment is taken onto the roof in the lift platform together with the installers, provided it is within the platform capacity. Heavier units and air handling units are lifted by telehandler (in our fleet up to 4,000 kg and up to 17.5 m) or by crane. Stepping out of the platform onto the roof is permitted only if the machine manual and the risk assessment allow it and fall protection is provided; in practice, work at the roof edge is carried out from the platform.

A lift or scaffolding for installing air conditioning?

For single units and air conditioning service, a lift is quicker and cheaper: it arrives, sets up in a few minutes and leaves after the job, with no scaffolding to erect and no pavement occupied for days. Scaffolding makes sense for long jobs across a whole wall, when a crew works in many places at once for many weeks.

Do I need a UDT licence to install air conditioning from a lift?

Yes. The operator of a mobile elevating work platform must hold a qualification certificate from the Office of Technical Inspection (UDT), and in the platform of an articulating boom lift a harness with a safety lanyard is mandatory. Installers without the qualification rent the lift with an operator. An air conditioning fitter also needs an F-gas certificate for work with refrigerant, which is a separate qualification.