Advantages of using Scaffolding

(prHWY.com) July 20, 2012 - Los Angeles, CA -- Scaffolding as a construction tool has been in use for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. As common in modern cities as it was in ancient ones, scaffolding has been used on large construction jobs as a way to get workers where they need to be to complete their projects. The reason it has endured for so long, though, is because scaffolding provides a great deal of advantages to its users.

Scaffolding is a temporary structure that is erected for use in the construction of either industrial or residential buildings. It allows for convenient working platforms that can reach many meters high. Scaffolding is necessary, because even if you were to use a tall ladder, a ladder will not provide the same level of stability. A ladder would not be very useful on a forty-story high rise building! Only with scaffolding can you safely reach those heights. On scaffolding you will have a large platform for your construction tools and a more usable workspace. The platform will need to be surrounded by guardrails for extra safety.

In most cases scaffolding will be constructed out of steel pipes and wooden platforms. In some Asian countries, bamboo is still used to erect scaffolding. This is because bamboo is more cost-efficient and also readily available. There are certain weight restrictions for different types of scaffolding, and certain ratios of the steel pipe width and height to each other. If the safe base-to-height ratio is exceeded, the scaffolding should be tied with scaffold tubes and fittings. Each individual scaffolding tower will be its own structure, but it will be tied and connected to its neighboring towers for more security
The first and probably the most prominent advantage of using scaffolding to help you complete different construction tasks is safety. Scaffolding provides additional safety measures when working on relatively tall areas or building tall properties. Since different sets of scaffolding can be constructed as one, you can easily install scaffolding and complete various tasks along the construction project without hassle.
Another advantage of scaffolding is of course its flexibility. Scaffolding consists of different parts and sets that can be installed differently, allowing you to reach difficult spots and cover different areas of the construction project all at once. You can even set scaffolding to be several meters high and use the scaffolding to complete the entire construction project from A to Z.

Reach
* The first and primary advantage that scaffolding offers is that it provides reach above arm's length, for work on higher walls or ceilings. As a small platform of wood, fiberglass or lightweight metal on top of a network of support, scaffolding offers any worker the necessary height to get the job done.
Position
* The second big advantage of scaffolding is the position that it puts a worker in. Height and reach sometimes can be offered through easier means, such as a ladder. However, ladders are angled, and do not offer a solid platform that a worker can balance on. Scaffolding, on the other hand, puts a worker directly in front of the surface he needs to work on, without awkward angles. This can be a major boon, particularly when leverage comes into play. Additionally, a scaffold offers a wider surface, so multiple workers can work side by side without great difficulty. This is not generally possible for two workers who are trying to get two ladders side by side.

Safety
* One of the biggest reasons to use scaffolding, and why it remains so popular, is the amount of safety that it can provide. Scaffolding is supportive and has four anchor points, if not more, on the ground. This means that it provides a firm platform for workers to stand, sit and work from. Additionally, scaffolding can be made of a variety of strong, lightweight materials such as aluminum, which enables it to stay even steadier. It is easier for workers to maintain their balance on a flat platform than on a ladder step, for example, so accidents are less likely with scaffolding. Additionally, scaffolding often has a hand rail on the top platform, which helps prevent workers from falling off and injuring themselves while on the job.

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