Since their introduction in the United States construction industry in the middle of the 20th century, mobile scaffolds have been making waves. In the early 1960s, European countries, Japan, and others in this region took up this versatile tool and further developed it as a mainstay in current buildings. International experience is competitive, and it enhances its assemblies that are easy, with superior load-bearing capacity and reliable safety features, making the scaffolds an essential component at any worksite anywhere in the world. In most countries, for example, in Europe and Japan, mobile scaffolds account for about 50% of all scaffolds in use.
In this blog, we are going to delve into the main features and the various applications of mobile scaffolds that make them such an important part of the building industry and beyond.
Key Features of Mobile Scaffolds
- Easy Assembly and Dismantling
Some of the key advantages associated with mobile scaffolds include relative ease of assembly and disassembly. Moreover, a basic scaffold consists of the following: a main frame; horizontal and diagonal braces; a scaffold board; adjustable bases; and casters. The horizontal supports connect the vertical frames, preventing the structure from side drifting, which can result in collapse; they are also called cross braces.
The surface of the scaffold components is cold or hot-dip galvanized to protect against corrosion for long life. The simple scaffold, by adding casters at its base, is developed into a scaffold that provides an effective, convenient, and movable work platform. Thus, easy rigging up and dismantling of the scaffold, due to its ease of movement and assembly, allows significant time and labour savings in rigging up and dismantling the scaffold, hence increasing general efficiency at the job site.
- Adjustability and Versatility
These mobile scaffolds are of great versatility, applied in either one of the several aspects of the installation of systems, painting, equipment maintenance, and many others that involve temporary construction. Equipped with lockable casters that hold tight when the scaffolds are being used for work, the scaffolds combine mobility with stability.
Such adaptability of the scaffolds includes their ability to be configured into different shapes and sizes. This scaffold design can be tailored to the needs of the workers in a project for both inside and outside work, in narrow places, or at great heights.
- Excellent Load-Bearing Capacity
Even though these scaffolds are light and portable, they can support large loads. The vertical pipes bearing direct pressure in a vertical direction increase their load-bearing capacity. Such a provision makes the scaffolds adhere to the most rigid safety and performance standards relevant for construction and industrial uses.
- Safety and Reliability
With scaffolding, safety is always the top priority, and scaffolds are designed to consider all the safety aspects associated with any construction or industrial environment. Scaffolds provide a host of safety features from lockable casters to guardrails and stabilizers. They are constructed with sturdy steel and different kinds of locking options that ensure there cannot be any kind of mishap involving a scaffold that might be in use.
Additional safety accessories, such as toe boards and attachment points for harnesses, can be fitted into a mobile scaffold very easily, giving workers extra protection. Because of the safety features that can be installed or fitted, a scaffold is useful in providing a safe and stable working platform for various kinds of projects.
- Durability and Cost-Effectiveness
Constructed largely with steel, a material that enjoys a lot of strength, mobile scaffolds are designed to resist a great extent of rigours that are common in construction sites. A steel frame is not only fire-resistant but also extremely hardy, allowing the scaffold to be used as often as it has to be. According to industry data, a properly maintained mobile scaffold can be reused up to 30 times, making it a cost-effective alternative to others, such as bamboo scaffolds, which cannot be reused as many times.
In addition, this scaffolding is light in weight with a high strength-to-weight ratio, hence requiring less material and even labour to put it up. This fact makes mobile scaffolds cost-effective for both small and large projects.
Uses of Mobile Scaffolds
- Building and Repair Works
The application of mobile scaffolds is in great use in the construction industry. They can be applied either inside or outside different types of high-rise buildings, bridges other than tunnels and such structures. Due to their ease of mobility, workers can move from one place to another without any need for dissembling, so this type can suit tasks like painting, plastering, and electric system installation.
- Temporary Structures
They can form scaffolding for observation platforms, stages, or shelters. The combination of mobile scaffolds with basic roofing can turn them into temporary housing, warehouses, or work sheds with ease. In this way, they are invaluable during emergency responses or in areas where speed is necessary for a structure.
- For Industry
In industrial settings, scaffolds are mainly extended to work involving maintenance and repairs. Their stability and load-carrying capacity extend them to provide access to machines and equipment at periodic intervals for maintenance. The scaffolds provide the workers with a safe and stable platform to carry out tasks such as inspection, repairs, and cleaning.
- Event Setup
Mobile scaffolds are also used in great numbers during the construction of event setup. They can be used to build temporary viewing platforms, stages, and other structures that large gatherings may need. The scaffold’s ease of assembly and disassembly is recommended it for constructions where time is of the essence, such as in events.
Mobile scaffolds, among the very important tools in the contemporary construction and industrial sectors, have appeared to be among the favourites among other user populations because of being easier, safer, more durable, and versatile, especially since gone are the days of bamboo scaffoldings for building construction or maintenance.
At Gw eqip, we have an all-inclusive line of mobile scaffolds available for hire in strict adherence to the highest levels of industrial standards. They are designed to offer maximum safety and efficiency to make sure that you can effectively complete your projects within schedule and budget. Look through our extensive range of scaffolds today and realise the benefits yourself of using this versatile and integral plant on your next project.
