Scaffolding

Scaffolding and Its Types

 Being in India while the process of construction is going on we always see bamboos/wooden sticks surrounding the entire building. Basically it is called as ‘Scaffolding’.

The basic definition of scaffolding is It is a temporary structure which consists of aluminum, steel bars connected with the help of couplers used to access the different places of a building while construction.

Let’s have a look on the parts of scaffolding.

The vertical bars are called ‘Standards’. Standards are connected by bars named Transoms.

The horizontal bars are called Ledgers.

The platform on which we can move, place things is called Putlog.

Types of Scaffolding

1. Putlog Scaffolding

2. Suspended Scaffolding

3. Mobile tower Scaffolding

4. Independent Scaffolding

Putlog Scaffolding: A single row of standards placed at a distance from walls and the platform is placed a certain height between the standards and wall. Here the platform (putlog) takes the support of walls. It is mainly used for brick masonry.

Independent Scaffolding: Here we can two rows of standards covered by transoms. They don’t take support of building walls.

Suspended Scaffolding: We see people standing on equipment which is hanged from terrace they usually paint the walls, clean the windows in tall buildings etc...using this. This set up is nothing but Suspended Scaffolding.

Mobile Tower Scaffolding: This type of scaffolding is similar to a table which is used while plastering process, reaching the ceiling for various works, mainly is repair and maintenance works. This type of scaffolding can be moved from one place to another.

Now the question arises on which type of scaffolding is to be used. This depends on the type of climate, budget various other factors.

Basically we use steel, aluminum, bamboo and wood. Steel scaffolding is used for its durability and strength. When it comes to humid places we go for aluminum in order to avoid rusting, if not  a coating is applied on steel or other material which is used in order to avoid rusting. In developing countries bamboo, wood material is used for scaffolding. 

Aluminium Scaffolding

Bamboo Scaffolding

Factors to be considered while choosing scaffolding:

1. It should be light in weight.

2. It should be strong

3. It should be under our budget, cost should be less.

4. It should be accessible to all places

5. It should be easy and quick to assemble and dismantle it.