Any self-respecting work needs a structure of provisional scaffolding to properly execute a construction. There are a thousand options and varieties.
Catwalks, bridges, anchors or platforms made of materials as diverse as wood, steel, fiber, aluminum or even the bamboo will be transformed into the different types of scaffolding for construction works what can we see in buildings that are being built or rehabilitated in our streets.
Knowing its function, how scaffolding is assembled and disassembled, is really interesting since we were in a chat with the scaffolding company Grupomaq who told us quite a few things interesting as what are their weaknesses and strengths, How much do they support or how should we mount them in front of the facade of a building.
These are just some of the key pieces we need to know as architecture professionals for literally no get into any security trouble or get the expected functionality according to the work to be executed. So what, let's get started!
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According to the documentary compiled for the article, there are actually a variety of classifications of scaffolding that depend to a large extent according to manufacturer, design, function and even country or institution to which we let's walk.
We have tried to classify the type of scaffolding in a way coherent attending aspects and general characteristics. Remembering that it is a structural element intended for auxiliary means (In most cases for works or constructions) whose objective is to have a support surface at height to materials, workers or tools…. How many types scaffolding exist?
Classification according to its function in a general way:
Once we have already seen in a general way the possible utilities and functionalities. Now we are going to focus on the types of scaffolding for construction with the following classifications: (We remember that we have an article of reference for the classes of machinery on site and their features)
Because of the importance of this section we want to clarify concepts and provide a little more relevant information about the different types of scaffolding on the market according to its structural system:
The criteria for classification, approval and designation according to European regulations focuses on its loads. According to the UNE-EN 12810 and UNE-EN 12811 Standards, they are detailed in the tables 1 and 3. Service load 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 according to Table 3 of the UNE-EN 12811-1:2003 standard. The designation of An approved scaffolding system must contain the parts that are indicated in table 2.
The regulations in Spain are designated by Royal Decree 2177/2004. (Forces the need to create a Plan of Assembly, Use and Disassembly with certificate of stability)
We believe that one of the best ways to identify all the parts of a scaffolding and their most common components It is through a graphic card. So we carry the image following of this didactic scheme of an example from
Although practice makes perfect, we have compiled a series of tips based on the key and necessary points to understand how a scaffolding is assembled and what its process is step by step with different examples.
From the base levelers and front skirting, past by all elements such as the diagonals of bracing, horizontal bars, platform work and service, the access ladder, the railings of side protection, to the final shot:
Recalling that the process of disassembling the scaffolding is done exactly the reverse of the assembly.
Obviously, one of the main conditions is a forceful mooring with fixed anchor points on the façade of the building under construction or its own structure. In this sense There are two main types of scaffold ties:
Remembering that lashing to pillars is also practiced, it is that is, clamp style and mooring by means of strut between slabs, although these are systems that are not highly recommended due to their little resistance.
Another point would be to determine how many anchors a scaffolding and its distribution, although it should always be carry out a preliminary calculation study complying with the regulations and applicable regulations, as a guide according to the types of scaffolding that we are going to to use, as a starting point, we can see the following schema:
The construction scaffolding does not always support everything whatever we want, we must bear in mind that they work according to specific loads that will be designated by the manufacturers complying with rigorous regulations. It must of check carefully!
The use of a scaffolding structure in works is always complex and carries a series of risks, We must always treat approved scaffolding from the beginning, starting with the design itself and its particularities of assembly, until that final phase of disassembly that normally (99%) is practiced in reverse of the assembly and that must be guarantee stability throughout the process.
We want to provide a table of tips and recommendations that They will be useful for all professionals in the sector who you will remember the key points in the whole process:
You have to keep in mind that there is not only the physical part, but there are also a series of documents and records of work that we must complete throughout the process as They can be the assembly, use and disassembly plan with their technical descriptions (Plans, instruments, machinery and assembly tools, the sequences of assembly, use and disassembly, materials used and their certificates, general safety regulations). The minute of receipt of scaffolding or the relevant permits from the municipal administrations, among other documents.
In all work we must always be attentive to the safety, but the risks in scaffolding represent one of the weakest and most critical points of that security plan. We can designate the following points critics and of which we must have special attention:
Security adequacy owes a lot to quality of the materials used, the assembly carried out and the design in the particular case. Practice a short review evaluating the points on a checklist will help us avoid surprises:
With this article we only want to show a review of the basic foundations of scaffolding evidencing which is a very wide world without counting the field of secondhand or used materials, or what type of scaffolding buy or rent based on market prices and our own needs.
We know that many people already work directly with BIM in your projects when we handle Revit. From ULMA we have stumbled upon two interesting resources:
To access the resources on scaffolding, it is from HERE in ULMA (Go down a bit with the mouse and you will see the resources in the "Software" section) To access each one, you must register, but we will download the blocks and program, for free.
To choose the most correct option, we should review the following steps on how to choose the professional scaffolding or domestic:
For the professional sector, large companies scaffolding already offer specialized catalogs for works complex. Brands such as ULMA , Alufase , ASC Spain , IBER ANDAMIOS , Echafan , etc, there are many.
For the normal user, we have some valid options. But…
If in the end you opt for a solution, do not buy cheap. AND If it's second-hand, check it out thoroughly. Search a lot and compare, is the best advice.
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