What are the Three Types of Scaffold UK?
Scaffolding is required in most construction projects, whether the job involves new building, demolition, improvement, or repair. Working above-ground level with no scaffolding is not just impractical but is also unacceptably risky and dangerous.
Scaffold comes in different types. Every scaffolding job must be individually designed to fit the specific environment up to a certain point. However, in practice, they are broken down into three primary types.
Read on below to know more about the three types of scaffold commonly used in the UK:
Mobile Scaffold
Mobile scaffold or also called rolling scaffold is a type that is put up in a way that is similar to that of supported scaffold that will be discussed later on below. The only difference is that mobile scaffolding is a free standing structure that is mounted on castors. This specific type of scaffold is most recommended for large sites, specifically those that have several projects going on wherein it will not be practical to dismantle then reconstruct scaffolding again and again.
As expected, mobile scaffold poses some potential for additional hazards. It is important that the castors are all locked before someone even tries to work on a mobile scaffold.
Supported Scaffold
Supported scaffold is a type of scaffold that first comes to people’s mind every time they hear the term scaffolding. A supported scaffold is erected from the ground up the building’s side with the use of materials that range from metal tubes to couplers that are quite commonly used in the UK. Other materials that can be used for supported scaffold include timber as well as bamboo scaffolding although this one is primarily used in China.
Supported scaffold in general is the safest way to achieve elevation as this is held in the right place by the side of the building and the ground at the same time. This type of scaffold is also among the most flexible you can find. For example, in the case of new builds, another extra level can also get added in order to reach every storey. This works in complete reverse for demolitions in which every level gets dismantled while the structure is being taken down from above.
Suspended Scaffold
Putting up scaffolding from the ground up is something that works for two-storey buildings or even ten-storey ones. However, this can be totally impractical if a very tall building will be worked on. Suspended scaffold is used in cases like this.
This type of scaffold gets hung from the building’s roof and it can also be lowered or raised to different floors. The most familiar use of suspended scaffold is to let the window-cleaners work on high-rise buildings but this can also come in handy for repairs or for moving equipment between the different levels.
Other Types of Scaffold UK
Mobile, supported, and suspended scaffold are the three most common types of scaffold UK but there are still many other categories. Birdcage scaffold is a small structure for accessing a specific location. Meanwhile, cantilever scaffolding is fixed at only one end to give better access to hard-to-reach areas. There is also the aerial airlift that offers more flexibility compared to suspended scaffold.
