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Complete Guide To Scaffolding

  • Thomas Oppong
  • Sep 23, 2019
  • 7 minute read

If you need to hire a scaffolding company for your business, this blog post is for you. No matter whether you run a building firm or you are looking for scaffolding work conducted on your business, this blog post will cover everything you need to know.

Scaffolding For Sensitive Areas

Do you need a company to provide you with scaffolding in a sensitive area? Over the past few years, the range of sensitive areas that may need scaffolding has risen by a considerable degree, as the built environment has expanded worldwide.

This not only includes buildings that are difficult to access, but it also includes sensitive projects, for example, hiring a scaffolder prior to working with an earthquake and seismic retrofit contractor. A lot of locations that would not have previously been considered for development now are.

There are many reasons why the demand for scaffolding and indeed global scaffolding is increasing. One reason is that technology has advanced to the point whereby development projects, such as re-developing or preserving old structures, are now possible.

There are also changings in planning laws to consider. If you have a potentially sensitive area that requires scaffolding, it is important to choose a Cambridge scaffold firm with care. There is a lot of extra work that needs to go into such projects, with the requirement for special precautions to be taken.

A good example of this is projects involving listed buildings being re-developed. Due to the old nature of the property, it is extremely likely that it has been neglected and is significantly damaged. It is also probable that the building was built using materials that are not available today commercially.

A famous example of this would be Barcelona’s The Sagrada Familia, which is still being constructed, despite the project starting in 1882. Not only do you need to be cautious when it comes to the likes of listed buildings, but other sensitive areas include the likes of manufacturing environments whereby chemicals and materials could cause damage to the scaffolding and the components used.

Tube And Fitting Scaffolding

Not all firms operate in the same way, as there are a number of different scaffolding systems and techniques that are used. In this section, we are going to take a look at tube and fitting scaffolding in particular.

Tube and fitting scaffolding, which is also known as tube and clamp scaffold, is the traditional choice. This type of scaffolding has been used for years and years, and while some firms have moved onto more modern methods, a lot have chosen to stick with tube and fitting scaffolding because it offers many benefits.

When it comes to this type of scaffold, the following is used – scaffolding fittings, couples, and clamps, as well as scaffolding tubes, and battens. The way in which this type of scaffolding system is constructed is rather different to any form of modular scaffolding. This is because clamps and couplers are used to attach the various fittings and tubes together.

This results in a ready-made, prefabricated frame, which is then braced up so that rigid stability is ensured. This approach is still used by a lot of scaffolding firms today. While it can be a bit more time and labour intensive, this is not a hurdle for the experienced and efficient scaffolding firms. You simply need to make sure you find a business that has plenty of experience, so you know that they have provided this type of scaffolding many, many times before.

What Are The Benefits Of Cuplock Scaffolding?

Scaffolding comes in many different forms. This is because scaffolding has advanced considerably over the years, and there are now a wide range of systems that are used. In this section, we are going to take a look at Cuplock scaffolding in particular.

There is no denying that Cuplock is one of the most popular modular scaffolding systems used in the current day and age. This is an option for those who do not want to use the traditional tube and fitting system. High grade, industrial steel is used for engineering Cuplock scaffold pieces, and there are a number of finishes used.

Cuplock scaffolding compromises of Cuplock standards, scaffold battens, ladder access gate, swivel base jack, Cuplock bridging ledger, hop up basket, ladder access transom, diagonal brace, and ledgers. This type of scaffolding is not only ideal for local projects, but it can be used in demanding construction environments, for example, industrial projects, offshore scaffolding, and marine scaffolding.

There are many benefits associated with this option. Firstly, up to four horizontal members can easily and quickly connect in a single action. There is no need for any varying length of scaffolding tube or loose fittings, and there is far less time and labour require to erect, adjust and dismantle when compared with other kinds of scaffold. This type of scaffolding is also very flexible, as it can shape around buildings, structures, and any other type of area that is awkward. Adaptations can be made with ease and speed too.

Scaffolding In Public Areas

Scaffolding may be something you are looking into at present for a whole host of reasons. If you need a scaffold erected in a public area, you need to be even more cautious regarding the scaffolding firm you choose. Safety is of paramount importance for any scaffolding job, but especially when it concerns public areas.

There are a number of regulations that scaffolding companies need to follow to ensure they are operating in a safe manner. In this post, we are going to take a look at some of the steps they must take to ensure the protection of the public. This includes that, while operations are being carried out, the scaffolding firm must obtain a temporary street or pavement closure.

They must also make sure that all work is carried out during ‘quiet’ hours – this means at weekends, at night, or early in the morning. Aside from this, scaffolders should never lower or raise materials over members of the public, or any other workers on-site for that matter.

They must also make sure that loose materials, such as scaffold clips, are stored safely on the scaffold. There must also be signs and barriers that are erected to divert the public away from the operations. Finally, tunnels, crash decks, and fans need to be incorporated into the scaffold as early as possible. All of this highlights why it is so important to choose an experienced and reputable scaffolding firm.

Information On Scaffolding Stability

Scaffolding needs to be conducted to the highest levels of safety. This goes without saying, but it is something a lot of people take for granted. When choosing a scaffolding firm, many people just assume that they are going to be safe. However, accidents do happen, and there are a number of scaffolds in the UK that collapse every year.

Stability is one of the main areas of concern for scaffolding businesses. Needless to say, if a scaffold is not stable, disaster can strike. There are a number of steps that the best scaffolding firms will take to ensure that their scaffolds are one hundred per cent stable and will not collapse. This includes making sure that they do not overload the scaffold with equipment, particularly fittings and tubes.

If you have too much equipment on the scaffold while you are erecting it or dismantling, you can cause it to buckle. Scaffolders will also make sure they use more ties when it comes to netted or sheeted scaffolding to guarantee stability.

Scaffolding firms make sure that scaffold ties or anchors are not removed to early during the dismantling phase, and they will ensure that the anchors they select are suitable for the base material and that they are installed correctly.

If a scaffolder does not do any of the above, it can seriously compromise the stability of the scaffold, which could cause it to collapse. This can be particularly fatal if the scaffold is at a very high height.

Mistakes Made When Choosing Scaffolding Firms

Scaffolding companies are widely available. No matter whether you need the services of such a firm for a commercial, domestic, or industrial project, you need to make sure you choose with care. Below, we reveal some of the common mistakes you need to avoid when selecting a scaffolding business.

One of the biggest mistakes people make when seeking scaffolding is looking for the cheapest service they can find. It is understandable that you may not want to spend a fortune on such a service. However, you really cannot afford to cut corners. Do you want to risk scaffolding being put up by a team of people that are inexperienced and do not have the necessary skills to do so?

Another common error is selecting a scaffolding business that does not have expertise in your area. This is especially the case if you require scaffolding in a sensitive area or for industrial projects. You should look for a scaffolding business that has carried out similar work time and time before.

Another common mistake is failing to do enough research and read the reviews that have been left by previous clients. This feedback can be very telling; it can alert you to any red flags, if there are any, and thus save you from spending your money no a service that really is not worth it.

Last but not least, do not make the error of agreeing to a service without having agreed a deadline and a price beforehand. You should never enter into an agreement without being fully aware of both of these.

Thomas Oppong

Founder at Alltopstartups and author of Working in The Gig Economy. His work has been featured at Forbes, Business Insider, Entrepreneur, and Inc. Magazine.

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