Scaffolding is an essential tool for accessible construction works. Indeed, you cannot handle large building or renovation projects without erecting a solid and reliable scaffolding system on site. visit https://www.bkhgroup.com.au/scaffold/ to learn about the complete step by step guide about Scaffolding
As a building contractor, erecting scaffolding is one of the first problems you will have to solve on site before you can proceed to execute any building or maintenance project. Especially if you are dealing with a multi-story building, scaffolding is the only aid to on-time project accomplishment.
Scaffolding is a better option than ladders. It is your only hope when working on a large construction site. What’s more? You can move it around the site quickly without having to dismantle and assemble again.
If that is not enough, scaffolding also provides you and your workers with a safe and reliable walking platform. It also allows you to set your tools by your side working.
Scaffolding shows’ work in progress in a construction site. More than you can ever imagine, erecting scaffolding in your construction site will save you a lot of time, stress, energy, and even workforce. Click here to know about The 8 Essential Materials You Need to Erect Scaffolding in Your Construction Site.
However, many people consider it a daunting task to erect an efficient scaffolding system on site. The general belief is that it takes much of their time to use for the actual construction work and wearies the workers after setting it up.
Well, that is nothing but a misconception. On the contrary, it is pretty much easier to set up scaffolding on a construction site. Except you don’t know how to go about it, it takes less time and requires less stress.
Are you looking for easier ways to set up your scaffold for your construction project? That is what you are going to learn in this article. This step-by-step guide will teach you practical steps on how you can erect scaffolding in your site within the shortest time possible.
Here are the eight steps.
1. Make a Solid Foundation
The first step to take when erecting scaffolding in a construction site is to make a safe and reliable foundation on which you will pitch your scaffold. The best way to do that is to get some base plates or mudsills and attach them to the feet of the scaffolding to make the footing more balanced on the ground. At this beginning stage, your primary concern would be to ensure that the scaffolding levels with the building and stand firmly on the ground.
If you want to use the scaffold on unlevel ground, the best thing is to dig the ground to a shallow level to achieve balance. If that still doesn’t give you what you want, you may have to tune the adjusting screws on the scaffolding to balance the structure. If you’re going to erect the scaffolding on a drastically sloppy surface, you can obtain leg extensions.
2. Use Casters
Scaffolding is not something you will use on the spot. Most times, you will have to work in different places on the construction site. To aid your free movement while working, you will have to include casters while setting your scaffolding.
Meanwhile, a caster is a wheel attached to the legs of a scaffold to enable quick and easy movement in a site. I know you might be thinking about the stress you will go through for fixing casters to the feet of your scaffolding? Well, it costs nothing. As much as I know, fixing casters is among the most straightforward tasks when erecting a scaffolding. All you have to do is screw them to each of the scaffolding feet and get ready to move.
3. Assemble the Scaffolding Frame
it is time to assemble your scaffolding frame. How do you do that? Layout all the ends of your scaffolding on straight lines. Raise one end and attach the upper cross brace. Now, make sure that the far end of the brace supports the end piece as you raise the other end piece and fix its upper cross brace. It would help if you secured both ends of the cross braces making sure it fits perfectly with the opposite end frame.
4. Ensure the Scaffolding Stables on the ground
After you might have assembled the scaffolding frame, the next step is to run a snap test. How do I mean? You will know whether the scaffolding is well balanced on the ground by moving it to the actual position where you want to work and check if it levels with the structure. You also need to check if the scaffolding is solid and reliable enough for workers to stand on it.
5. Put the Planks
When you rest assured that your scaffolding is standing gallantly in the position you want it, the next step is to place the planks on it.
To put planks at the appropriate places on the scaffold, put the planks into place through the bars. You might also need hardware to fasten the planks into place to ensure that they stand firmly on the scaffolding.
6. Secure Access to the Scaffolding
It is good to use ladders to gain access to your scaffold. Mind you, if you want to use ladders, use the ones that are made for your scaffold specifically. Yes. You have to be careful not to use the wrong ladder for your scaffold to avoid accidents.
Start-like ladders are suitable for almost all types of scaffolding, but you must make sure that you use the one with handrails and treading. In addition, you need an access point to make your scaffold easier and safer to manoeuvre and prevent it from tipping over.
7. Attach Guardrails
I highly recommend that you use guardrails for your scaffolding, no matter the type. Remember, the scaffold is high, so you need to secure yourself or your workers from falling from the height. It is also ideal to use any fall protection.
8. Check the Scaffolding Properly Before Use
It is always a good idea to thoroughly examine your scaffolding to make sure all the pieces are tightly fixed before you climb. Then, to be double sure, reinspect every part of the scaffolding every time you return to the site to check if it is still safe.
Final Words
Remember the saying ‘Safety first’ every time you are erecting your scaffolding. Ideally, if you want to set up your scaffolding in a way that will give you rest of mind on safety and easy movement, you will need to invest a bit of your time in doing a perfect job.