When it comes to choosing to scaffold, you want to ensure that you’re making the right decision to complete your project. There are lots of options out there and each option has its own pros and cons. In order to be sure that you choose the best scaffolding for your needs, you’ll need to understand all of the different options available and how they differ from one another. Take some time to look over the nine scaffolding choices listed below and try to match them up with your project goals.
1) Discuss your project with the architect
Architects are well versed in local building codes and can advise you on structural requirements. They can also design a scaffold plan to meet your project’s needs. It’s always important to check with your city or county government before beginning any work that requires a permit, but even if you don’t have one, getting professional advice about safety is worth it. This will not only save time and money in repairs down the road but will also make everyone working on your project feel more comfortable.
2) Know about Accessible Unit Load Design (AUFD)
Are you planning to use the One-Nine scaffold platform in your upcoming project? Before making a purchase, do make sure that you know about AUFD codes. Although not all buildings and structures in America follow ADA standards, there are several universal guidelines. With help of these guidelines, you can easily design a platform or structure which complies with all codes.
3) Avoid adding heavy equipment above the first floor
When choosing to scaffold, weight capacity should be your primary concern. Some suppliers may claim that their product has a capacity of up to 300 pounds, but there’s a catch. The way these numbers are calculated varies from company to company, and it’s not unusual for a supplier to round up by 10 or 20 pounds in order to make its advertised number seem more impressive. If you want accurate numbers based on industry standards, you’ll need to consult an independent organization like Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or other similar companies that put forth industry-wide specifications and have no stake in creating a wow factor with their number.
4) Choose a lightweight, portable scaffold platform
The kind of scaffold you choose will depend on a number of factors, including whether or not you need to install it yourself, how many people are working on your project, and what types of materials you’ll be working with. Regardless of which one you pick, make sure it’s lightweight and portable so that moving around your project is easier. Also, try to find scaffolds that are easy to use—you don’t want something that makes setting up difficult or even dangerous. There are lots of different brands out there; shop around before settling on one.
5) Frame it and forget it
The easiest and safest way to get a high-quality, long-lasting scaffold up is to buy a pre-engineered one that’s built specifically for your project. If you choose one of these, you can basically frame it and forget it. These types of scaffolds are made with special materials that ensure they hold up even if you were to look away (though we don’t recommend that—safety first!). They’re also constructed with thicker braces than what you might see on a traditional scaffold.
6) No need to visit job sites daily
It’s not easy trying to decide which scaffolding is best for your next project. The wide range of options can be overwhelming, especially if you need to order from a company that has no existing relationship with you. However, if you just follow these simple steps, you’ll have an easier time choosing your ideal scaffold provider. Before we jump into our list of factors to consider when choosing a scaffolding supplier, let’s take a quick look at what makes one type of scaffold better than another: A lightweight aluminum frame combined with tough and durable material gives one type of framework its unique set of strengths; by contrast, wooden frames are durable but often heavy and can be vulnerable to fire.
7) Consider an aluminum scaffold system instead of a steel
If you need to buy scaffolding, aluminum might be a good alternative to steel. Some contractors may tell you that aluminum is not safe enough or strong enough, but that simply isn’t true. In fact, if it was not safe or strong enough, they would never be allowed to use it in Scaffolder Manchester projects. You should know that there are different grades of aluminum scaffold systems and some of them aren’t as strong as others. However, if you choose one of these scaffolds made by a reputable manufacturer (such as Win-Fab), then your safety should never be an issue.