Erecting a scaffolding is one of the essential tasks to do in any given construction site. Indeed, no worthwhile construction can be successful without a stable and reliable scaffolding ready for long-term use. Click here to read more about Scaffolding Materials.
Scaffolding remains the only tool that helps workers to reach the highest height during construction work. Not only that, it allows workers to transport their essential materials along with every spot they want to work. Without a doubt, no tool provides tangible support for construction works like scaffolding. Hence, it is not an exaggeration to say that scaffolding is the lifeline of every worthwhile construction work.
However, as much as scaffolding could offer excellent support for construction works, it can be a reason why workers would have to stop working and correct some damages. In some instances, scaffolding could result in fatal accidents on-site, resulting in loss of lives.
For that reason, you, as a worker on a construction site, must be careful enough to choose suitable materials while building your scaffolding. If you end up using the wrong materials, it can put your and other workers at the risk of scaffolding hazards or, worse still, cost you some inestimable damages.
I don’t mean to break the sad news to you, but it can be somewhat challenging to erect scaffolding on a construction site. That is why I always suggest hiring a professional scaffolder who is already familiar with the suitable materials to build a solid and reliable scaffolding.
But, if you want to cut costs and opt for a Do-It-Yourself option, you are still on the right track. You can erect scaffolding for your construction work. You only need to get familiar with the essential materials to build a safe and efficient scaffold.
I know some contractors argue that it would cost workers several hours or even days before they finish setting up scaffolding on-site, resulting from delays in the entire const6ruction project. Well, that’s correct in a way, but I have a contrary opinion. Knowing each material better and how to use them will save you a lot of time and stress in the scaffolding building process.
Now, what are the essential eight essential materials you need to build a scaffolding? Here is the list.
The 8 Essential Materials To build a Scaffolding
1. Sole Plates
The soleplate is one of the essential materials you can’t do without while building your scaffolding. It is the base that provides maximum support to the entire scaffolding. Without a soleplate, you can’t guarantee that your scaffolding is balanced on the ground even if it is well leveled.
In most cases, sole plates are long planks of wood that you need to place horizontally under the scaffolding itself. But, again, it helps provide a more balanced ground level to give more stability to the entire scaffolding.
2. Base Jacks
Base Jacks also help the scaffolding to stand on a leveled ground. They serve as the base that supports the scaffolding to stand firmly even on the unlevelled ground.
Base Jacks are ideal for more sturdy scaffolding. Depending on the demands of the job at hand, you might need a robust scaffolding that can accommodate more workers and their materials to work on the same spot simultaneously.
Meanwhile, you will need several base jacks for a more robust scaffolding to achieve maximum stability.
3. Standards
Standards are also essential parts of a scaffolding that makes it stand firm on the ground. For your base jacks to work more efficiently, you will have to attach a standard to each one of them appropriately.
Typically, a standard is a tube or long pipe that connects several parts of the scaffolding. It is an absolute fact that you can not erect scaffolding without measures. They are crucial parts of a scaffolding that enables other features of the scaffolding to form.
4. Ledgers
A ledger is a part of the scaffolding that provides adequate support to the standards. Ledgers are pole or tube that stretches horizontally between the standards. If you know how to fit them appropriately, you can rest assured that your scaffolding is safe and reliable to use for long working hours while the construction project lasts.
Ledgers efficiently increase the safety level of your scaffolding, thereby making it safer and studier.
5. Hook-on-boards
Hook-on-boards make the ledgers effective in their positions. They sit beside each other horizontally. When building your scaffolding, you will have to hook this scaffolding material to the ledger to create a flat surface area that you and other workers can stand on while working.
It brings peace of mind knowing that you can walk confidently on your scaffolding while working. Indeed, it makes builders work harder and better. More so, Hook-on-boards allows you to carry your work tools along with you to any height.
6. Access ladders
The essence of an access ladder is written in the name. as you might have also guessed, an access ladder allows you to climb quickly and safely to the hook-on-board.
Ideally, it is not safe to climb the scaffolding up to the highest part. That is why you need an access ladder in the equation.
7. Trapdoors
As the name implies, a trapdoor is a whole in the standing area (hook-on-board) that you can climb through. Trapdoors help builders to move lower or higher up the scaffolding through the access ladders.
8. Scaffold Tags
This scaffolding part allows you to communicate with your fellow workers while working. Ideally, it is not good enough for co-workers to discuss while working. Hence, scaffold tags can help you fill in the gap. Furthermore, scaffold tags communicate vital information to workers as regards the safety and the likes.
Final Words
Construction rules and regulations have already stipulated some guidelines you will need to build a scaffolding correctly. Therefore, you need to get familiar with the said guidelines before you begin to develop your scaffolding on your construction site.