Scaffolding Designs and the Roles They Play in Construction

Scaffolding is an essential part of building construction. The use of scaffolding allows crews of workers to effectively and safely carry out a range of roles, depending on their job. Anything from painting to cleaning, repair work and much more, can be undertaken once scaffolding has been erected.

Scaffolding also provides flexibility for those who are moving and performing whatever construction-related duties they need to undertake. While scaffold structures are typically made of steel or timber, there are a range of different types of scaffolding designs which can be tailored to accommodate the array of building designs, regardless of their height or shape.

We have put together a list of some of the most common types of designs that are offered by scaffolding engineering firms and their uses:

Mobile

This particular option is an independent, freestanding scaffolding engineering design. The scaffold is mounted on wheels or castors that swivel, similarly to those seen on shopping trolleys. This allows the structures to be moved with ease from one place to another. This is particularly useful for painting or dry lining as it can be moved depending on the areas that require work.

Independent or Birdcage

This type of scaffold is constructed together with a building. It has rows of vertical poles, called standards, that are linked by horizontal ledgers or pieces and transoms. Because an independent scaffold has standards on the sides of the working platforms, it can stay upright without any additional support from the structure or building receiving repair or further construction. However, added support can be introduced by securing the scaffold to the construction building at different intervals. This type of scaffold is specifically-designed to be used on one level only, for example, jobs being carried out on ceilings.

Swing Stage or Suspended

Swing Stage, also known as suspended scaffolding, is a design that has a free hanging or suspended platform that has the ability to be lowered or raised. This is the sort of design that is commonly seen when workers are cleaning the outer parts of windows on high-rise buildings.

Hanging Bracket

The hanging basket design is regarded as a rather complex framework that is made of horizontal components that are held up or supported by the building’s floor or other structures under repair or construction. Hanging bracket scaffolds must be designed by a professional engineer, as part of their construction involves load testing among other safety checks.

Single Pole

The single pole scaffold design features one row of standards. A single pole scaffold depends on the structure that is under construction or repair for much-needed support.

Our scaffolders (Tiverton-based) are able to erect structures for a range of different jobs, so why not get in touch today and see how we can help?