Why do we need to use Scaffold?

Scaffolding is actually the most crucial part of the construction projects as it helps all types of workers by acting as the appropriate medium for them to reach at the places which are difficult to reach even with the help of the ladders. There are people who wrongly assume that Industrial Scaffolding is only for the major jobs and that minor jobs can be done safely with the help of a ladder but, while ladders are useful for the jobs such as the window cleaning or clearing out the guttering, any job that requires you to move upward regularly would benefit from the scaffolding. There are multiple reasons why scaffolding is much better in comparison to the ladders and personal safety is just one of them. Of course, accidents with the ladders used to be the subject of the mainstream comedy, but every now and then, these accidents themselves were no laughing matter. Falling in the backward direction from even a short height can prove to be quite disastrous. Having a properly fixed structure to work from is a much safer and appropriate option as you have a whole properly arranged platform to work on, which allows you greater access to all the property and it is also not to mention that is will act as a handy shelf for all your tools.

There is a preconception amongst some of the people that only contractors can use these Scaffolding and that the members of the public cannot themselves, hire such equipment. People are also not very much aware about the different types of the scaffolding available and therefore people wrongly assume that this is only for the external walls and for the large scale projects but you would be surprised at the number of jobs that can all be done quicker and safer, by using this very useful fixed structures: 

Roof Saddles: These are effectively fixed onto the pitched roofs for chimney work or re-pointing, so no more sliding down the tiles trying to get a foothold.

Putlog scaffold: It allows access to the entire length of the wall and the platform can be raised or lowered as the work progresses, so ideal for the exterior painting or the rendering.

Birdcage: It is very useful for the external or internal work, the birdcage is ideal for painting high ceilings or replacing the soffits.

Scaffold Towers: These towers are ideal for the indoor work but can also be used for the outdoors to repair the outdoor structures. The best thing about the towers is that they can either be static or mobile, so there is no any need to dismantle and re-erect the tower.

What is Scaffolding & How Does it Work?

Scaffolding, also called staging, is a temporary structure used to support people and material in the construction industry. Scaffolding has been used since ancient times. There are many kinds of prefabricated, modular system of metal tubes There are many different types of scaffold platforms with different support systems to accommodate the various job requirements. The purpose of a working scaffold is to provide a safe place of work with safe access suitable for the work being done. The Standard sets out performance requirements for working scaffolds. 

Types of scaffolding can be broadly divided into two types, Tube & Coupler and System Scaffolding. Scaffolding Tube & Coupler is made from loose tubes and couplers whereas the later type is made using pre-fabricated components with very little use of couplers. System scaffold are very quick to install and dismantle and requires lesser skill level compare to Tube & Coupler system.

The key elements of a scaffold are standards, ledgers, transoms and bracing. The standards are also called as uprights and they are the vertical tubes that transfer the entire weight of the structure to the ground where they rest on a square base plate to spread the load. The base plate has a shank in its center to hold the tube and is sometimes pinned to a sole board. Ledgers are horizontal tubes which connect between the standards. Transoms rest upon the ledgers at right angles. Main transoms are placed next to the standards, they hold the standards in place and provide support for boards; intermediate transoms are those placed between the main transoms to provide extra support for boards. Since scaffolding is a physical structure, it is possible to go in and come out of Scaffolding.

Different types of Scaffolding:

1.      Base Supported Scaffolding: Scaffolds build from solid base are called Base Supported Scaffolding. These scaffolding have multiple platformed levels / lifts in elevation which provide safe working platforms for material and manpower.

2.      Mobile Scaffolding: Scaffolds which have wheels at the base are called Mobile Scaffolding. As the name indicated mobile scaffolds can be moved from one location to another horizontally. These scaffolding also have multiple platformed levels / lifts at different elevations.

3.      Suspended Scaffolding: Suspended scaffolds (also called hanging scaffolds) are work platforms that hang from overhead support structures on roofs or building setbacks.