Construction
Scaffolding towers may look like simple structures but they in fact have many different elements that combine to form a safe, durable and versatile tower. The unique requirements of the job at hand and the budget of the project will ultimately determine just how complex a tower you need to employ.
Components
Scaffolding towers are generally comprised of a few basic components, with additional safety and structural features being added for various needs. Starting at the bottom of the structure are the base plates (sometimes referred to as feet) that carry the rest of the scaffold tower's weight. If the ground is uneven or soft it may be necessary to use a sole board underneath the base plates (a flat board that provides a level stable surface). Base plates may instead be replaced with castors (wheels) that allow the scaffold to be pushed around for easy transportation; these castors must be lockable for stability.
Moving up from the base-plate foundation of the typical tower is the vertical (standards or uprights) and horizontal (ledgers or cross bars) metal tubing that makes up a big portion of the overall structure. These bars are held together by couplers and cross braces and should be stabilized by transoms (horizontal bars that are placed at right angles on top of other horizontal bars, forming ladder-like sections). Depending on the height of the tower it may also be necessary to use ties, contraptions that fix the scaffold to a nearby building or vertical face (such as a wall or cliff). Ties come in several variations (through ties, box ties, reveal ties and lip ties) and can be fixed through windows, over walls or even with hooks and pulleys. A final safety requirement of any scaffold used in the United Kingdom is a toe-board, a wooden (sometimes plastic coated or laminated) board which is placed on the horizontal bars for additional safety when workers are using the structure.
Safety Features
Scaffolds come with a number of safety features that are either in-built or optional additions. Common safety improvements include reinforced platforms (capable of supporting more weight), galvanized steel and weather-proofed boards and fixtures, and double handrails (going the entire way round the platform). Some companies offer scaffolding towers that have ladders that are built into the design, thus eliminating the need to use a separate ladder to mount the tower. Stabilizers attached to the bottom of the scaffold and diagonal brace bars for additional stability are also popular.