You can look at the tallest building near you and wonder just how it is well painted and maintained. How do the workers get to the highest points of a building to work? The answer is by using scaffolds. A scaffold is a temporary, elevated working structure that enables workers to work at heights. It is mainly used by construction workers to build, decorate, renovate, repair, maintain, and clean a building at its height. The purpose of scaffolds is to maintain the safety of the workers while giving them easy access to high areas thus enhancing efficiency.
Types of Scaffolds
If you are new to construction or other activities that involve working at heights, this article is for you. It addresses the main types of scaffolds (also called scaffolding) to enable you to choose better in your next endeavor.
A scaffold can either be suspended or supported depending on its uses. However, we are going to discuss more on various types of scaffolding in the section below.
Access scaffold
As the name suggests, access scaffolding is used to get to points that are not reachable at normal height. It is mainly used by construction workers to access hard-to-reach spots of a structure, like a roof. This scaffold is ideal for overall maintenance and repair tasks.
Suspended scaffolding
A suspended scaffold is a platform that is held from the roof downwards. It features wired ropes or chains to offer more stability while suspended. This type of scaffolding can either be lowered or lifted depending on the working area. If you are looking for a scaffolding system that will aid your paintwork, look no further than with a suspended scaffold. It is easy to access and is ideal for tasks that require a day or less to finish.
Trestle Scaffolding
A trestle scaffold is a working structure that consists of movable ladders (which also provide support). This type of scaffolding is ideal for repairs and maintenance works inside buildings with a maximum height of 5 meters. Bricklayers and plasterers often use this type of scaffolding to work.
Cantilever Scaffold
If the construction area experiences obstacles that prevent the erection of a scaffold tower, a cantilever scaffolding is used instead. It is a scaffolding that requires standards placed slightly above the ground and is supported by needles. Usually, this happens when the ground lacks the sufficient capability to support standards or it is the upper bit of the structure is still under construction.
Single Scaffold / Putlog
Only one row of standards is present in a single or putlog scaffolding. The row is usually parallel to the wall of the structure and the structure is set far away to house a platform. Most bricklayers benefit from using this type of scaffolding which is why it is also referred to as a bricklayer’s scaffold.
Double scaffolding
Since it can be difficult to make holes (to support putlogs) in stone walls, double scaffolding is used instead. This type features two rows whereby the first one fixes to the wall and the second a few meters away. The putlogs are supported on both ends of the ledgers freeing them from the wall surface.
Steel Scaffolding
This type of scaffold features steel construction. The steel tubes join with steel fittings to make the scaffolding strong, durable, and fire-resistant. This type provides a more secure platform for the workers, and that is why it is a popular option. It is worth noting however that this scaffolding tends to cost more than others.
Patented
Similar to steel, patented scaffolding features steel construction. However, it uses special couplings and frames for adjustability. The best part about this is that it is easy to erect and take down, making it suitable for short-term projects.