Safety is a precaution which saves you from regret. It should be strictly considered.
One such precaution as well as a necessity in the field of Real Estate is Scaffolding. It is the safest measure to construct high–rise buildings or take up necessary repairs or maintenance of any structure.
TABLE OF CONTENT
1.Know what is Scaffolding
2.Scaffolding is vital
3.Parts of Scaffolding
4.Types of Scaffolding
4.1. Single Scaffolding or Brick layer’s Scaffolding
4.2. Double Scaffolding
4.3. Cantilever Scaffolding / Needle Scaffolding
4.4. Suspended Scaffolding
4.5. Trestle Scaffolding
4.6. Steel Scaffolding
4.7. Patented Scaffolding
5.Safe support
1.Know what is Scaffolding
Scaffolding is a temporary structure that provides a platform to the workers and material in the construction or repairs of a building. This temporary platform is erected around the building’s exterior. It is a platform on which the labours can work at different heights. Workers can move around safely in any direction to complete their work. It also helps to lift materials of construction. It is used when the height exceeds 1.5 m.
2.Scaffolding is vital
Workers have to work at different heights in the construction or repair of a manmade structure. A safe and protected workplace is very much required as they work at a variety of heights. Scaffolding gives support on heights, ensures construction at a fast pace, assures the safety and protection of the workers and general public. It creates a secure working space and gives access to those parts of the building which are normally difficult to reach.
3.Parts of Scaffolding
- Standards : These are Vertical / Upright posts or tubes that transfer the entire weight of the structure to the ground where they lean on a square base plate to scatter the weight
- Ledgers : These are horizontal tubes that join between the standards, add further support and help in weight distribution.
- Braces : These include cross or transverse braces and façade braces. Cross braces run diagonally between ledgers increasing the structures’ overall rigidity and façade braces help the structure from swaying.
- Putlogs : These are horizontal braces that run perpendicular to the wall and support the standing platform of the scaffold.
- Transoms : These lean on the ledgers at right angles.
- Bridle : These are horizontal braces used to bridge openings.
- Boarding : These are planks on which the workers stand during the work
- Guard Rail : This is also known as protective rail. This is a rail that guards the men working on the boarding. It is about 1m high and protects the workers from accidentally falling off the scaffold.
- Toe Board : They are attached to the platforms. These are placed parallel to boarding near the wall and give protection to the workers. They help prevent tools such as screwdrivers from rolling off the board and also provide security to the workers.
- Base Plate : These are the plates on the ground that support the Standards.
4.Types of Scaffolding :
Most prominent scaffoldings are mentioned here.
4.1. Single Scaffolding or Brick layer’s Scaffolding :
This is generally used for brick masonry. It consists of standards, ledgers, putlogs which will be parallel to the wall at a distance of about 1.2m. About 2-2.5m of distance is kept between the standards. The standards are connected by ledgers at vertical intervals of 1.2 – 1.5 m. Putlogs have one end on ledgers and the other end will be right angles on the wall. These are placed at intervals of 1.2 – 1.5 m. A single row of standards is fixed into the ground. One end of putlog is fixed with wall.
4.2. Double Scaffolding :
Also known as Mason’s Scaffolding is generally used for plastering or in stone masonry. It is stronger than Brick layer’s scaffolding. It has two rows of standards supported by ledgers for better support. First row of standards is fixed close to the wall and the second row of standards is fixed at a distance of 1.5 m from the first row. The first row of standards is placed 20-30 cm away from the wall. To make it strong, double rows of scaffolding are made. That’s why it is called double scaffolding. Here the putlogs are not fixed with the wall. Instead they are supported at both ends on ledgers. Double scaffolding has pairs of verticals supported on an inner system of verticals and longitudinal. For additional stability it is tied to the building at intervals when used in high rise buildings. Hence, this scaffolding is completely independent and does need any hole on the surface of the wall.
4.3. Cantilever Scaffolding / Needle Scaffolding :
This type of scaffolding is fixed at some height above the ground level instead of fixing the standard in the ground. These are used where the standard cannot be fixed in the ground, when the construction is being done on the side of a busy street or when the construction is carried out at a height. The platform on which the stands are placed is called a needle, a cantilever structure, made of timber and projected out from the holes in the wall. The needle is fully braced on all sides to prevent it from lifting up or tipping over. The inside ends of the needles are supported by struts wedged between the needles and the head pieces. This will prevent the lifting up of the needle. The projected outward end of the needle is supported by an inclined strut that rests on the window sill. Cantilever Scaffolding is a separate scaffold constructed to angle out from a building.
4.4. Suspended Scaffolding :
Suspended Scaffolding is used in repair work, paintings etc. This scaffolding goes with the name. Here the working platform is suspended from roofs with the help of wire ropes or chains so that it can be raised or lowered to the required height. It is usually applied in tall buildings where the height is more than 30 m. It is more convenient as well as economical to suspend the working platform from above the ground. These are of three types.
(a) Fixed type suspended scaffolds are attached to a truss or the roof truss with ropes, chains, tubes etc above the place of the work.
(b) Suspended scaffolds are operated by pulleys. They are like platforms used by window cleaners and painters.
(c) Suspended scaffolds which are operated by winches are heavy platforms hung by wires from temporary outriggers. These are operated by external cranes.
4.5. Trestle Scaffolding :
This type of scaffolding is mostly used for work inside the premises and up to a height of 5 m, like painting, repairs etc. Here the working platform is suspended on movable tripods or ladders. No standards or putlogs are used here.
4.6. Steel Scaffolding :
Steel scaffolding is made of steel tubes fixed together by steel couplers or fittings. These are easy to construct or dismantle and are stronger, more durable and fire resistant. Though a bit costly, it becomes economical in the run. This is more suitable and safe to work at any height.
4.7. Patented Scaffolding :
These are readymade scaffoldings available in the market where the working platform is placed on brackets and can be adjusted as per the required height. These are made of steel and are outfitted with special couplings and frames.
5.Safe Support
With the scaffolding, be it of any type, workers can move around the structure safely in any direction, irrespective of height. Scaffolding provides support on heights and reduces the risks of accidents. It also enables the workers to maintain balance. Workers can move around the building of any shape and size effortlessly. It offers access to even those parts of construction which might be tricky to reach. Scaffolding improves the efficiency of construction though these structures take just a day or two to get erected. Scaffolding along with barrier netting and fencing catches any loose debris thus creating a safe working environment for everyone. It allows multiple workers to work simultaneously beside each other. Scaffolding helps builders to safely construct or carry on repairs or maintenance of any building irrespective of height. It ensures the safety of the workers as well as the general public and also enhances the speed of the work. A variety of scaffoldings that are described here are the ones which are successful and are mostly used. Select the scaffolding that is perfect and safe for your construction.
It is essential to know about scaffolding because safety of the workers is the most important element of construction.
Written by Nikhil Gattu
