What are the factors to be considered when selecting scaffolding? Explore our guide on the essential factors to consider. From safety features and weight capacity to project-specific requirements, we cover it all.
Northampton Scaffolders offer bespoke scaffolding hire throughout Northampton, Daventry, Wellingborough and Northamptonshire. Make informed decisions with insights into selecting scaffolding that ensures a secure and efficient work environment. Your go-to resource for smart scaffolding choices.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT SCAFFOLD
There are many things to consider when choosing the right scaffolding for your project. Everything about the job, from your worksite to the ground conditions, the available space and the height you need to reach all determine what scaffolding you should choose.
As an employer, you'll need to ensure the scaffolding you choose is right for the conditions and work you need to perform. However, sticking to the basics is possibly the easiest way to do it. Bear in mind the height your workers will need to reach and ensure that the structure will be stable during the work and you can't go wrong.
But, if you're still unsure about what scaffolding would best suit your work, this article will take you through some of the main considerations you'll need to make.
How to Choose the right scaffolding for Your Projects?
Here are some of the main factors to consider when choosing the right scaffolding for your projects.
Installation Method
There are three general categories of scaffolding, each of which has a different installation method. These are:
Mobile Scaffolding
As you can imagine, mobile scaffolding is set onto caster wheels and can be moved around your site. This makes it a versatile type of scaffolding that is ideal for jobs that require a lot of relocating, such as painting or plastering.
Supported Scaffolding
This is the most common type of scaffolding you're likely to encounter. You install it by fixing it to a solid area of the ground using the adjustable jack base.
This makes for a very solid foundation to work from, offering you higher bearing capacity. These types of scaffolding are best when you need to reach high buildings or structures.
Suspended Scaffolding
This type of scaffolding is suspended from a structure overhead using pulleys and rails. It is best suited to worksites where building scaffolding from the ground isn't possible.
Construction Needs
One of the most crucial things to bear in mind when choosing scaffolding is the needs of your construction project. Not every project is the same, meaning some scaffolding might be incompatible with your needs. Before choosing your scaffolding, assess your worksite, how much available space you have and what your ground conditions are like.
For example, if you have a large construction area with plenty of room and a solid ground surface, you can opt for supported scaffolding. Alternatively, if your project requires a lot of moving around, then mobile scaffolding would better suit your needs. Finally, supported scaffolding is best for working at extreme heights.
Ground Stability
The condition of the ground on your worksite is a key safety consideration when it comes to your scaffolding choices. It may even be the deciding factor for the type of scaffolding you choose. Again, solid, stable ground conditions mean you can choose supported scaffolding without worry.
However, if the ground on your construction site is loose and uneven, you may have to go with suspended scaffolding. Also, consider the available access to the site. If supported scaffolding would prevent workers from entering the building or vehicles from entering the site, then even if the ground conditions are perfect, you may still have to go with suspended scaffolding.
Height
Height is another key safety consideration. Employees trying to work beyond the capacity of your scaffolding is a serious hazard. Therefore, you need to choose the ideal scaffolding to reach the heights your employees will be working at.
As a general rule, if your construction height is 50 metres or under, supported scaffolding is your best choice. On the other hand, if your construction height is over 50 metres high, then suspended scaffolding would be the better choice.
Height
Budget
Budget
Whatever your project goals, your budget will be a significant factor regarding your scaffolding choice. Supported and mobile scaffolding are the two cheapest options. This is because suspended scaffolding needs to be specifically customised to your project. This means that suspended scaffolding cannot be reused for other projects, unlike the other two options.
Safety
Safety is vital when working at height. Therefore, you need to ensure the scaffolding company or supplier you choose has all the necessary permits and licenses and is up to date with the latest safety regulations. Almost all scaffolding is made of separable, moving parts, which only increased the risk of accidents and injury.
Some of the key safety features you want for your scaffolding are:
Guardrails
Handrails
Slip-resistant platforms
Comprehensive user instructions
Types Of Scaffolding
Again, scaffolding isn't a one-size-fits-all solution to your construction needs. Different projects will need different types of scaffolding. This is why you should take great care when choosing the right scaffolding for your project.
Here we'll take another look at the different types of scaffolding you can choose from.
1
Supported Platform Systems
The standard type of scaffolding you'll see is supported systems. The elevated platforms they provide are usually made from wooden planks or metal. The supporting structure beneath them will be made from scaffolding poles or metal frames.
2
Suspended Scaffolding
Suspended scaffolding is rarely seen unless you're used to working at extreme heights or on uneven worksites. This type of scaffolding is attached to the top or side of a building, with the working platform being lowered down to the construction height you need.
3
Adjustable Scaffolding
Adjustable scaffolding is similar to suspended scaffolding. The only difference is the height this scaffolding can reach ca be altered using a system of pulleys and ropes. This type of scaffolding usually only has a single platform, which you can move around your construction site to where it is needed.
THE MATERIAL OF SCAFFOLDS
There are two main materials that the vast majority of scaffolding structures are made from: aluminium and steel. Rarer materials include insulating fibreglass, but you'll only find this on construction projects where there is an electricity risk.
Steel scaffolding
Steel scaffolding is ideal for projects that will but a lot of stress on the scaffolding structure. For example, if your construction materials are incredibly heavy. Most scaffolding of this type will be made from electrolytically galvanised steel, which is far stronger than aluminium.
This also makes it a more budget-friendly option than aluminium. However, steel scaffolding is usually made from more individual components, so it will take longer to construct.
Aluminium scaffolding
Aluminium is the best option for those who want a lighter and easier scaffolding structure to assemble. Time constraints are another key factor for construction projects, so if time is short, aluminium may be the better option.
While they are lightweight, aluminium structures are also very durable and sturdy for those working at height. However, any employees still need to be supervised while at height, potentially more so than with stronger steel scaffolding structures.
The stress resistance of aluminium is far less than steel for the same amount of material. Additionally, since there are fewer pieces used to create aluminium scaffolding, this also lowers the load-bearing capacity considerably.
However, if you aren't lifting heavy materials and need light scaffolding that you can move around with ease, then aluminium is the ideal choice. This material is perhaps most useful for mobile scaffolding as the lightweight makes it easy to move around on the caster wheels.
To make them even easier to use, most aluminium scaffolding comes with automated openings and pre-assembled base sections. This makes them incredibly easy to install, perhaps only requiring a single operator to set them up.
At Northampton Scaffolders, we offer a broad spectrum of scaffolding services for our customers in Northampton to hire. Our family-run business is fully qualified and has all the experience to deliver and install bespoke scaffolding and roofing covers. We complete scaffolding solutions for residential and commercial building projects.
