When completing any construction project, scaffolding is a crucial part of the process. There are two main purposes of scaffolding: predominantly it is there for the safety of the workers on the site, and secondly, it also provides necessary access to certain areas of the building site that would otherwise be too difficult or even impossible to reach. Whether carrying out commercial or domestic construction, it is most likely that you will need to install some scaffolding, so we’ve put together this brief guide to what your options are.
1. Access Scaffolding
This kind of scaffolding is placed on the exterior of buildings so that workers can reach high-up areas. They can also incorporate systems for bringing construction materials to the upper levels of a building. As well as providing ease-of-access, these scaffolding systems also provide better safety for the workers, and also the public down-below. This kind of scaffolding is particularly useful for general maintenance and repair work, where the frame of a building is already set in place.
Scaffolding consultants consider subcategories within this type of scaffolding, such as a prefabricated system that is designed first to meet the needs of a construction site perfectly, and then installed on-site. A tube-and-coupler system uses steel tubes and clamps to secure the structure. The most common type of access scaffolding system is called an H-frame, whereby as the name suggests the structure takes the form of the letter H, and provides a good, rigid structure.
2. Shoring
This type of scaffolding is designed to support an unstable building. Shoring can be placed internally or externally, depending on the requirements. Shoring is often used as a support between the floor and ceiling during construction, to avoid collapse. It is particularly useful to support walls or acting as a wall structure when the foundations may be unstable.
Shoring scaffolding also has subcategories, with three main types known as raking, flying, and dead. Raking shores are used to prevent lateral movement (sideways or rotated), Flying shores provide temporary wall support whilst renovation is being completed. Dead shores provide additional support to walls, ceilings, and floors when a new opening is being created. A combination of shores can also be used in specialist scaffold design to better support a building during a construction or renovation project.
3. Tower and Birdcage Scaffolding
As the name suggests, tower scaffolds are created in order to be able to access taller structures during construction projects. Anyone using this kind of scaffolding to complete their work should be aware of the increased risks and be trained by the scaffolding company on how to limit any potential accidents. Birdcage scaffolding is similar to tower scaffolding, except it usually only reaches as tall as one storey. Mostly, these birdcage scaffolds are used for decorating – plastering and painting.
Choose the Right Type
There are several more types of scaffolding, and your construction project may require a combination of different types. We’re experts in what we do, and would be very glad to advise you. DH Scaffold Services Ltd is a specialist scaffold design company based in Sheffield, although we cover all of the UK. If you’d like to contact us, please give us a call on 0114 230 0923 to talk to one of the team. You could also send us an email at enquiries@dhscaffoldservices.co.uk, and we’ll respond to your message promptly.