Steel offers greater resistance to weather than aluminum and can also support heavier loads (or more tower users). Inexpensive Steel scaffold towers are the most durable option. However, for the majority of non-commercial uses, a fibreglass access tower is comparatively heavy, expensive and easily damaged. Aluminium is lightweight and inexpensive, which means that aluminium tower scaffold is cheap to rent, easy to construct and effortless to move around.įibreglass is the material of choice for those who need a tower with non-conductive properties when working with electricity. With a vast range of scaffold tower hire companies and different models to choose from, the choice can be overwhelming! To help you choose, here are the key considerations to keep in mind when hiring a scaffold tower:įor the best DIY scaffold tower – Aluminium is the most popular choice of material. Extra care should be taken to inspect the condition of the tower components prior to construction. However, the lighter materials that enable these benefits can be susceptible to wear and tear over time – with potentially dangerous consequences.
Scaffold towers are designed to be lightweight, easy to construct and effortless to move around. While there is no specific regulation for working on traditional scaffolding in high winds, the structure itself can remain erected in all conditions. Industry body PASMA advises that, if wind speeds reach 17mph , work should stop and the tower should be dismantled. A sloped driveway, uneven patio or a mix of surfaces (for example gravel and grass) may prevent a scaffold tower being erected safely.īeing a lighter, temporary structure – scaffold towers cannot be used in windy conditions. Nevertheless, a scaffold tower requires a firm, flat surface in order to be used safely. The wheels on a scaffold tower can be adjusted to help it to remain level on different surfaces. What are the disadvantages of a scaffold tower?ĭespite their obvious advantages, there are also some important considerations to take into account when deciding whether a scaffold tower is right for your project. Thanks to the four wheels at the base of the tower, scaffold towers can be easily moved from place to place or around the circumference of a building. Hire costs can be as low as £30-40 per week for a basic tower, compared to £300-600 for traditional scaffolding. That is why the cost of hiring traditional scaffolding is often very expensive.Ī scaffold tower is almost always significantly cheaper than traditional scaffolding costs. This is a sharp contrast to traditional scaffolding, which can be incredibly labour intensive and time-consuming to erect – even for groups of people. A moderate sized tower can be erected in under 10 minutes. However, a scaffold tower is nonetheless straightforward to assemble – and some can even be assembled by one individual. It’s essential that a scaffold tower is constructed safely (more on that below) and according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Unlike when using a ladder, you can also use both hands while you work (this is because one hand should always be holding a ladder when in use). The scaffold platform gives you ample room to kneel or stand – and you can also keep essential tools right by your side. Scaffolding towers make it easy to work at height for extended periods of time. What are the advantages of a scaffold tower?įrom convenience to cost – there are a number of reasons why tower scaffold is a popular access solution among tradesmen and homeowners alike: Scaffolding towers can be built to a height of up to 8 metres in outdoor environments and 12 metres in indoor environments. What is the maximum height of a scaffold tower?
This is because they can only reach one area at a time – and are generally not designed to support the weight of a large group of workers and their equipment. Scaffold towers are less suitable for larger projects which require a more significant workforce. They can be fantastic solutions for jobs such as painting home exteriors, window repair and maintenance, and are even used as camera towers at festivals and sporting events. Scaffolding towers are generally used for smaller, shorter projects undertaken by an individual or small group of contractors.
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