Types of Board

Boards an be produced steel or aluminium but the vast majority are made from timber. Whitewoods and redwoods are often used and many of the old scaffolding boards still in use are produced from these kinds of timber. It is important for the boards to be structurally solid with no weak points. In order to ensure this each board will be checked before it is put on the market so that no knots, cracks or other imperfections that could comprise the strength of the board are present. If you are purchasing second hand scaffolding boards you should also attempt to check them visually for signs of damage. Many modern scaffold board designs are now produced using treated plywood which has been laminated and layered for increased strength.

Timber scaffolding boards have a thickness which typically measures between 40 and 65 millimetres. They will usually be no longer than 4 meters. Metal plates are fixed to the ends of the boards to protect them from damage. In the UK all scaffolding equipment must comply with the various requirements set out in different parts of British Standard. BS 2482 covers timber scaffold boards. Where timber boards are not used then aluminium or steel boards often will be. Alternatively recyclable plastic materials can also be used in the production of some scaffolding board designs.

Sole boards are another type of design which is used when scaffolding needs to be erected on surfaces which are not quite solid enough to safely support the structure. These are placed underneath the scaffolding and have direct contact with the ground. Regular scaffolding boards can be used but there are scaffolding pads with rubber bases which are designed specifically to be used as sole boards.

Pricing

You can buy scaffolding boards for sale at relatively low prices. Standard timber boards will begin at around £5 or $8 each for the small boards with the larger options generally costing up to twice as much. The metal boards will be similarly priced. Used scaffold boards can be purchased at lower prices from many builders merchants or scaffolding companies that are investing in new equipment. If you are going to buy scaffold boards which have been used previously you should be sure to check for excessive wear or any signs of damage. It will not be worth compromising your safety in order to lower expenses. You should find out why any seller is attempting to offload their used scaffolding boards. Are they simply no longer required, or are they now unsafe due to the wear they have already received? If you are going to purchase old scaffold boards you may want to have an experienced scaffolder with you who will agree to check that they still meet safety requirements.

There are various methods you can use to find the details of companies from whom you can hire scaffolding tower equipment. The internet is a great place to begin looking and any sizeable search engine will be able to compose a list of companies in your area who are offering scaffolding towers to hire. Alternatively you can look through the classified advertisement sections of building or construction trade magazines, there will be various companies who have paid for their adverts to appear here. When you have identified a handful of companies in your local area you can begin contacting them to compare the pricing and terms of like for like quotations. It will be sensible to decide exactly what you are looking for prior to getting any quotations so you have a fair basis for comparison. Try to ask them various questions about their scaffolding towers for hire so that you can get a feel for their levels of customer care.

Before entering into any scaffolding tower hire agreement be sure to inspect the tower for any signs of damage or excessive wear and tear. Question anything that you feel is not safe and request an alternative tower if you are uncomfortable using the one you are allocated. Any company that has scaffold towers to hire is required to provide you with documents from the manufacture detailing safety instructions. Be sure that you understand these before using a tower. You should also be comfortable with the assembly procedure for any tower you intend to use. The tower scaffold hire company should be able to provide additional guidelines if you feel that you need them. It will also be possible to request an assembly demonstration in some instances, you will usually also have the option of paying an additional fee for an employee of the tower scaffolding hire company to erect the structure for you upon delivery. If the service of any one company is not to your satisfaction there will be plenty of others to choose from. The details can be found online for companies in all major cities. We found a number of listings in Bristol, London, Leeds, Sheffield, Southampton, Manchester and Nottingham along with almost every other location. There are also companies listed in all US cities.

When you are happy that the tower is safe to use then a scaffold tower risk assessment should be completed. This will enable you to identify and dangers present in the work you are about to carry out, taking into account the working environment. You should ensure that the area around the base of the tower is cordoned off, this will prevent access to members of the public. When you are ready to use the tower, be sure to lock the wheels so that the structure will remain stationary. Be aware of windy conditions and do not attach any sheeting to the side of a tower. The tower scaffold maximum height should be noted, along with the maximum weight. Be sure not to exceed the upper limits. These points should also be covered in the tower scaffold risk assessment.

Anyone using a tower should be trained to ensure that they are a ‘competent person’ in accordance with scaffold tower regulations. These are the Work at Height Regulations 2005. The operator will need sufficient knowledge of all aspects of tower scaffold inspection, usage, safety, assembly and dismantling in order to comply. Individual employers may also enforce their own tower scaffolding regulations which you will need to be aware of and adhere to. As long as the necessary training has been completed, the assembly and safe usage instructions are followed and the relevant tower scaffold regulations are adhered to, using a tower should be a safe and effective way to work.

Create a Safe Area for the Tower

Before beginning the assembly of scaffolding towers it will be necessary to ensure that any area where a tower will be located is safe. The ground must be stable, level and capable of supporting the considerable weight that is about to be placed upon it. A tower should never be constructed in an area which has power lines overhead. The safety of other people should also be considered along with the safety of those involved in using the scaffolding tower. The area around the base of a tower should be blocked off using barriers to ensure that nobody strays to close to the structure. Adequate space needs to be left in case any objects fall from the tower. Wherever it is possible to do so work should be completed during quiet periods when members of the public are less likely to be in the vicinity. If the structure needs to be left unattended overnight or at any other time then access ladders should be removed from stair tower scaffolding so that children do not attempt to climb them.

All the components of the tower scaffolding should be checked for damage before they are assembled. This is particularly important when using an aluminium scaffolding tower. The tubes used in these structures are not as resistant to dents as steel ones may be so an aluminium scaffold tower could be more likely to collapse when supporting heavy weights if individual components are damaged. Where a mobile scaffolding tower is being used the brakes should also be checked along with the wheels or castors to ensure that the tower will remain stationary. Mobile scaffold towers should never be moved while anyone is using them.

Methods of Assembly

The Prefabricated Access Suppliers and Manufacturers Association have outlined two safe methods for assembling these structures which will apply to both steel and aluminium scaffolding towers in the UK. The first method uses temporary guard rails which can be fixed into position from the platform below the one where they are needed. When these protective rails are in place the operator can climb the up to fix the permanent guard rails safely. This technique ensures that the operator will never need to work from a platform which is unguarded.

The second method of construction involves the operator working from a position in the trap door of a platform. From here he can safely fit guard rails to the platform above the one he is currently positioned on. The trap door of the unguarded level provides protection to the operator while he secures the guard rails and therefore prevents him from needing to position himself on an unguarded platform. Whatever method of construction you are using care should be taken when assembling a lightweight alloy scaffold tower as it can topple over if the correct procedures are not used.

These explanations are brief and are only intended to highlight the methods of assembly which may be used. The installation instructions from a manufacturer such as Boss tower scaffolding will be specific to the tower you are working with and should be followed very carefully. They will detail the method of assembly which needs to be employed along with how it is to be performed with your tower specifically. A DIY scaffolding tower should never be assembled by one person alone. A second operator should always be present to provide assistance and in case anything should go wrong.

Although they provide a safe way to work at height without installing a full scaffolding system there are still various precautions which should be taken when using one of these towers.

Safety Checks and Construction

Safety begins before you actually start using your tower as a platform to work from. Every year many accidents occur due to the use of damaged aluminium tower scaffolding, which was either erected incorrectly or was just not suitable for the job at hand. First of all you should ensure that the tower you plan to use is the correct height for the structure you will be working on. Make sure that you understand whether the supplier quotes the working height or the platform height. If do not know what height you will need then your supplier should be happy to give you some advice. When you are making a purchase or looking at hire options it is important to check the structure for any signs of damage or wear and tear which could require maintenance. This is especially true when working with a used aluminium scaffold tower as it has likely been used many times before by many different operators. You should pay particular attention to any dents in the scaffold tubes as any with major dents in them will be significantly weakened and could even cause a tower to collapse. This is particularly important when using the aluminium scaffolding towers as they are more susceptible to denting that a steel tower would be. Damaged parts should always be replaced before the tower is used. You should also check that any tower you plan to use satisfies the European Committee HD1004 industrial usage standard. Most structures will meet the requirements but it will be sensible to make sure.

Any time you purchase a tower or take out an aluminium scaffold tower hire contract, the supplier has to provide you with documentation detailing safety and construction and procedures. These should be followed carefully. In the UK the Work at Height Regulations 2005 can also be used as a guide to safe working practices and carrying out assessments before starting a job. When constructing your aluminium scaffolding tower there are two methods developed by The Prefabricated Access Suppliers and Manufacturers Association which can be used. These methods ensure that the operator is always working from a platform protected by guard rails. The instructions provided with your tower will detail which method is to be used with that individual tower and the exact steps which should be taken. You should never attempt to construct a DIY aluminium scaffold tower on your own. A second person should always be present to increase safety and to take action if you are injured while using the tower.

Using the Tower Safely

After you have constructed the tower in accordance with the documentation there are several things you should keep in mind while working from it. Make sure that any stabilisers or braces are fitted correctly so that the tower does not wobble. Good quality products such as any Boss aluminium scaffold tower should always come complete with effective stabilisers. You should not fit any sheeting to the side of the tower as this could also cause the tower to move around if the wind is strong. Any wheel brakes should always be applied while the tower is in use. When climbing the tower be sure to use the method specified by the manufacturer. This will generally mean staying inside the structure and not climbing up and down the sides unless a ladder has been fitted for this purpose. A hoist should never be used on aluminum scaffold towers. The vast majority are simply not designed in a way that will allow a hoist to be attached safely.

It is important to consider the safety of others around you. Wherever possible you should cordon off the area you are working in to prevent anyone being struck by falling objects or attempting to climb the tower. Any ladders should be removed while the tower is unattended in order to discourage others from using them. As long as you follow the advice of companies offering tower hire or sales then you should be able to use a tower to your advantage and remain safe at the same time. If you feel that one of these structures would be of use to you then the internet is a great place to begin looking for reasonably priced aluminium scaffold towers for sale.

Safety

There are obviously going to be safety concerns when using scaffolding of any kind due to the added risks associated with working at height. In the UK there are various laws and guidelines which will help ensure the necessary safety precautions are in place. An assessment should be carried out in accordance with The Work at Height Regulations 2005. These regulations are for use in the work place but it will be a good idea to apply them to any scaffolding work including that which takes place in your own home or on other private property. The regulations are in place to make sure that there is no other alternative to working at height and that the work will be completed using the equipment which is best suited to the task. A company who provides tower scaffold services will be able to offer further advice about the regulations.

Procedures have been developed to ensure that towers are erected safely and in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Instructions should always be provided by any company offering scaffold tower hire or sales. The Prefabricated Access Suppliers and Manufacturers Association have developed two methods for constructing scaffold towers in the UK with the Health and Safety Executive. The first method is the advance guard rail system where the guard rails are locked in place by the operator who is standing on the platform below, which already has guard rails in place. This allows the tower to be built progressively higher while always using platforms with fitted guard rails. The operator does not move up to the next platform until he has fitted a rail to it from the platform below.

The second procedure is known as the ‘through the trap’ method. This method also ensures that the operator will never need to stand on a platform that is unprotected by guard rails. The trap door is used as an access point to a platform which is currently unguarded. Working from the trap door a person can add or remove guard rails to and from a level safely.

If during construction of a tower you notice that any part of the scaffolding structure is damaged or pieces may be missing, the tower should not be used and make-shift repairs should be avoided. Although the structure may look solid, any weaknesses caused by damage or missing parts could mean extra stress is placed upon components which cannot handle it. The worst case scenario here is that the entire tower will collapse.

Before any kind of scaffold stair tower is constructed a site survey must be carried out to make sure that the surface is firm and will not become unstable under the considerable weight about to be placed upon it. Other common sense safety precautions must also be taken into consideration. Vertical sheeting should not be fixed to a scaffolding tower as a strong wind could cause the structure to become unstable. Care should always be taken when using scaffolding towers in windy conditions especially when using any kind of sheet materials. Rain will also make scaffolding considerably more hazardous.

Scaffolding Tower Materials and Components

The primary components used in the construction of all scaffolding are the tubes (or pipes), couplers and boards. Scaffold tower parts are most commonly produced from either steel or aluminium. Where steel is used the metal is usually galvanized to provide resistance to corrosion. The major differences between the two materials are their weight and flexibility. Aluminium scaffold towers are both lighter and more flexible than steel towers. Flexibility is actually a benefit rather than a liability in tower scaffold parts as it means the tubes are more likely to bend rather than break under impact if they are accidentally hit, or if something is dropped onto them from height. An aluminium scaffold tower is a popular modern choice for these reasons.

Couplers are the devices which join the tubes to each other. The three major types are knows as swivel couplers which allow tubes to be joined at any angle, right angle couplers to join tubes at ninety degrees and putlog couplers which join the scaffolding to the structure currently being worked on. Putlog couplers are not used in load bearing joints. Sleeve couplers can also be used to join tubes vertically. All of the components of a tower are widely available as scaffold tower spares.

The scaffold boards are often made of wood which is then attached to the tower using hooks or nails. Steel and aluminium boards are now commonly used with scaffolding towers as they are typically more durable and secure. The aluminium boards are much more lightweight than either steel or wood and also more expensive.

Stair tower scaffolds are essential for many construction companies and small independent contractors as well as DIY enthusiasts. They can often provide the same levels of flexibility as a ladder but with the benefits of a full scaffolding system. The ability to erect and dismantle the towers in small time frames along with their mobility and levels of safety make them extremely versatile and suitable for many construction projects both inside and out. The aluminium telescopic scaffold tower is proving especially popular with its lightweight design making transportation between sites even easier. If you wish to purchase a good quality small scaffold tower for your home DIY projects then slightly older steel or alloy scaffold towers can be found which are reasonably priced.