Scaffolding is crucial in construction, cleaning, maintenance, repairing, and other manual tasks that must be done at a high height. It supports the workers, preventing any potential accidents and injuries. Buying them right is an important decision that sets up the assurance of project success.
To begin with, buying from a local scaffolding supplier with industry expertise or at least a trail of references and numerous testimonials is always a half-battle win in purchasing the best scaffolding.
In this blog, industry experts offer their top tips for purchasing scaffolding, making sure you tick all the proper checkboxes, getting the right equipment for your job, and not having to face ugly surprises on your way.
Pro Tips You Must Consider While Buying Scaffolding
Here are some expert tips that you need to consider while purchasing scaffolding:
1. Stick To The International Scaffolding Standards
As per our experts, the first simple rule to ensure you get the best scaffolding in terms of quality and performance is to find international standards for scaffolding in your region and stick to that.
Standards for scaffolding change based on different parts of the world. Even though many of them are similar yet different, each boils down to the specific requirements of the individuals, such as boards, couplers, tubes, and other specifications for system scaffolding.
Make sure the scaffolding material you purchase holds up to those specific standards and is supplied to you with the proper certification. – Says, AscendUAE.
2. Stay Away From The Fakes
Like most people, you will also be tempted to just order those fake copies of reputed and branded scaffolding products from Chinese manufacturers at dramatically lower rates. But then be prepared to get disappointed by their sub-standard, low-quality product.
3. Evaluating the Safety In Accessibility
One of the most overlooked aspects of buying scaffolding is the vertical access requirement. Ladders can be dangerous equipment on any construction site, yet they are commonly used.
It is essential to understand that when you put the ladders through scaffolding, there are huge holes where people can accidentally fall down, causing fatal injury or even death.
In some cases, scaffolding itself is used to climb up. The best safety decision you can make here is to choose a scaffold that features stairway access to completely eliminate such safety hazards.
4. Verify The Supplier
There is no shortage of scaffolding suppliers in the world. So either you just go with the option right there for you or pick one based on the wrong assessment.
Either way you’re doomed to get a low-quality product at the end, which in this case can potentially cause safety hazards leading to accidents and fatal injury.
So, do not rush into this. Instead, do your research. In fact, you better get some insights about the industry, products, suppliers, and some experience before you make the final commitment.
Make sure you run some references before choosing a supplier. Remember, the bigger they are, the more experience they have, the more advantage you get out of it. Seek out expert advice when it comes to selecting a scaffolding supplier.
5. Check Weight Capacity
You need to make sure the scaffolding you’re choosing is manufactured from high-grade materials and provides safety to support the weight of not just the workers but also the tools and essential equipment required in the construction. Ensure that the weight capacity of the scaffolding meets your requirements.
6. Ask For Independent Tests
Ideally, You should look for good manufacturers that already provide independent test certificates for their products. If they are not issuing test certificates already either you ask for it or better stay away from them.
If the manufacturer is not the regular supplier, then it is better to get an independent test of every batch until a level of trust is built in between. This is to prevent any potential deterioration of quality standards after you start buying from them.
7. Make Sure There’s A Technical Support
Ensure the manufacturer or supplier from where you’re buying the scaffolding must have a strong technical support team to help you out in events of failure.
Not having proper technical support to back you up can lead to the loss of a lot of money, time, and effort and also expose workers to potential risks.
8. Purchase From Local
The best way to make sure you get all the services and support is to purchase the scaffoldings from a company that is locally present in your region and has an exceptional support team.
Being based in one location and buying scaffolding from a company abroad makes it almost impossible to receive good support when needed. Local support teams are much more agile and quick to respond and deliver, saving you a lot of time, effort, and money.
You can expect a local scaffolding supplier to send their guys on the site for measurements, prepare the drawings, do the calculation, create loading lists, risk assessments, method statements, and numerous other steps, and everything gets covered well.
9. Involve Yourself and Third Party For Testing
Getting third-party testing for the scaffolding you’re investing in is an excellent marker for unbiased quality checks and standard verification. It is usually done by the manufacturer, providing relevant certification for proof of the testing done by a third party.
Make sure you personally also check all the parts of the scaffolding. Get them assembled before you, and then put them to use for demonstration. Connect to the manufacturers for any problem with the quality or mismatching of the parts.
10. Scaffolding Height and Reach
Even though it might seem obvious, choosing the right height, neither smaller nor taller than what you require for your specific application, is critical. Different jobs or projects demand different heights and reach for workers to easily reach the desired spot to make the task successful with proper support.
Conclusion
Scaffolding provides accessibility, support, and safety to workers who need to pull off any job at a certain height that otherwise is inaccessible. It is used for several purposes, from cleaning to construction, from shorter heights to taller sky-rise buildings. Buying the proper scaffolding makes all the difference in the world in achieving success with your project. With these industry expert tips, you will find the best scaffolding suiting your requirements. No need for hassle!
Photo by SevenStorm JUHASZIMRUS: https://www.pexels.com/photo/four-people-painting-wall-on-scaffolding-1292257/
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