COMMISSIONING A BUILDING PROJECT OR MANAGING YOUR OWN? HERE’S WHY YOU NEED SCAFFOLDING IN LONDON FOR THE PROJECT

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When planning a large scale commercial construction project there is a lot to think about. From the initial planning permission, surveying, architectural design, procurement of materials, organisation of labour and all of the budget concerns involved.

Once the foundations are laid and the first walls go up, scaffolding is the next biggest consideration to think about in order to allow work such as the roof, windows, floors, interior work and more to continue. Scaffolding improves the efficiency of any construction job, giving workers a platform to store equipment, manoeuvre and carry out their duties. 

Choosing the right commercial scaffolding company is a crucial part in planning nearly all commercial construction projects. As a necessary aspect throughout the majority of the construction process, it provides the support to allow workers to perform their jobs effectively. Therefore it is important that you choose a scaffolding company that is able to keep up with your needs as a business and the changing demands of the project.

Scaffold Safety

The number one priority in any building project is the safety of workers and the public. Falling from height is still one of the main causes of fatal accidents and injury within the workplace. There were a total of 37 fatal injuries reported as a result of falling from height in the UK in 2017. Scaffolding should only be erected, dismantled, altered or moved under the direct supervision of a qualified professional. This is particularly important with commercial projects, where scaffold systems tend to be more complex. When you choose a professional scaffolding company, the structure will be erected by fully trained engineers. The right scaffolding solution can be a life-saving piece of equipment for construction workers. Choose a professional scaffolding company that ensures it’s employees undertake regular health and safety training. Enquire about certifications, the standards their workers are trained to and the level of insurance. Get this in writing before commencement of the project, to ensure that you are covered should the worst happen.

An experienced scaffolding company will understand if any additional safety measures need to be put in place during the scaffold design. These can include barrier netting and fencing to prevent objects falling from heights and onto walkways or roads below. Barricading the area It is also important to ensure that members of the public are not able to easily access the building site and scaffolding system, particularly during out of operating hours.

Signage

Placing signage on a construction site is an important resource. Signage is a necessary precaution to warn the public of the dangers of construction work. Signs should be placed at street level to alert the public of scaffolding works above, or in addition to barriers to warn people to avoid hazardous areas where work may be taking place.

Road Closures

Obtaining temporary pavement or street closure may be necessary whilst scaffolding operations are carried out. This can include performing works during ‘quiet’ hours ie. in the early morning, at night or during weekends. Consideration must also be taken to ensure that disabled persons have proper access solutions along pavements.

Scaffolding Design

Must be versatile enough to support the building project as it grows and changes. Ease of access and safety are the primary concerns. Properly trained scaffolding engineers understand how to design the scaffolding structure so that it supports and protects workers, as well as equipment and the necessary building materials. The right scaffolding is important to ensure building work is able to continue at a constant rate throughout the project and isn’t slowed down by things such as access restraints or the inability to manoeuvre materials and equipment to where they are needed.

Bespoke Design

Many construction projects require solutions custom built to their specifications, due to the unique nature of the project. These can include bridges, marine scaffolding, pedestrian walkways, historical structures, skyscrapers and tall buildings requiring suspended scaffolding, the list is endless. Choosing the right scaffolding company is one of the key elements to the success of a building project. Professional commercial scaffold companies are able to quickly produce creative solutions. Allowing the distribution of the necessary equipment and the labour force to work effectively on the project, adapting to the changing needs throughout the construction process. 

Speed Of Construction

The right equipment yields the right results, and scaffolding is no different. An experienced scaffolding company understands the complex needs of the construction process, particularly during large scale projects. The right scaffolding solution allows for building work to take place at a quicker pace, without encountering the bottlenecks of access requirements. 

Easy Of Access

To provide creative and effective building solutions, scaffolding provides workers with access to parts of buildings which would otherwise be tricky to reach. Bespoke scaffolding solutions designed around the specific requirements of a building allow for more creative designs and blueprints to be implemented.  

One of the main benefits of scaffolding is that it puts workers in a strategic position to be able to carry out their task. Scaffolding allows the same capabilities for workers to perform tasks as if they were at ground level. Scaffolding provides a much safer alternative to ladder and access equipment, which can often mean working at an angle, compromising worker safety.

Quality Of Materials

Leading scaffold companies come equipped with top of the range materials that ensure a safe working environment for you and your crew. Likely your business will have seen the scaffolding design plans prior to them going up, and with a reliable company, you can trust that the erected scaffolding system will be the same as the plans. Scaffolding systems erected by experts with high-quality materials means that there is a lower likelihood of an accident occurring. Your company will be protected from litigation or delays if the structure were to collapse. 

Skilled Staff

Another benefit of seeking the services of a professional scaffolding company is that you are relying on the skills of well-trained staff with years of experience in erecting scaffolding. This saves you as a business owner considerable time and money from having to hire and train knowledgeable people into the business structure. Leading scaffolding companies can even supply a work supervisor if you require scaffolding work to be completed to the highest standards.

Inspection

Scaffolding should be regularly inspected, particularly if the system is constantly adapting to meet the needs of a large scale building project. Only competent trained professionals should interfere with scaffolding systems, to ensure worker safety is not compromised. Although scaffolding tags are not a legal requirement, a scaffold tag system can help to supplement inspection reports and ensure those who need to access the scaffold know it has been inspected and is safe to use. 

Dismantling Scaffolding 

Dismantling a scaffolding structure can be a big job which takes a significant amount of time. When you choose a professional company, this is all taken care of for you at the end of your building project. It is also important to dismantle scaffolding in a particular order to avoid compromising the structural integrity of the scaffolding and cause accidents. 

Imperium Engineering: Structural Engineering & Scaffolding Across London

As both civil engineering contractors and a professional commercial scaffolding company, we understand the complex needs when it comes to scaffolding solutions for large scale commercial building projects. If you need a company that is able to plan, design, install and dismantle scaffolding solution tailored specifically around your project. We have an experienced team of temporary works and structural engineers able to offer practical and cost effective solutions to meet the needs of your building project.

Get in touch with us today if you have any questions and would like to learn how our scaffolding services can support your construction project.