When it comes to scaffold there are 2 main types you can acquire, tower and mobile. A tower scaffold is an independent structure consisting of four vertical standards connected together horizontally and transversely to create a scaffold bay. Mobile Scaffold is an aluminium structure that is erected on site. It can be built to a maximum height of 12 metres and comes equipped with lockable wheels or casters for easy maneuverability. If you need to work at heights, but are constantly on the move there is a Scaffold that will suit.
Mobile scaffold makes a safe elevated working platform for things such as plastering or painting, where you need to constantly move around the work area. It is safe, easy to erect and doesn’t need to be stripped down before moving it. Keep in mind you should always have a competent person erecting the scaffold and you should be aware of any risks around your worksite before erecting. Make sure your scaffold is erected on an even surface, and don’t try to move your scaffold in windy conditions.
Before you purchase a mobile scaffold tower be sure it is the right structure for your job by reading on.
Height V Mobility
When it comes to the question of whether you need a mobile or fixed scaffold there are a few questions that you need to answer and the first one is do you need height or mobility? A mobile scaffold can only be built to a maximum height of 12 metres. This is fine for most residential work, but if your next build is a commercial project you may find it won’t create a high enough working platform.
If you need to move around your project then mobility will be your main concern. A standard scaffold structure needs to be stripped down and reassembled in each area that you need it where as a mobile tower allows you to simply unlock the wheels and move it the next spot.
Cost
Mobile scaffold towers are much more cost effective when it comes to the initial outlay. If you don’t need a higher structure you’ll find that the upfront costs to purchase mobile scaffold are much smaller than your outlay to buy a complete scaffold system.
Getting started can be costly enough without the added costs of equipment you may not quite need yet. Mobile scaffold is very versatile and can be used on a variety of jobs.
Manpower
Mobile scaffold can be erected and stripped by 1 person quite easily. It can also be moved from place to place by that same worker. When it comes to larger scaffold structures safety is a concern if you don’t have enough manpower to hand things up and down as you build and strip the structure.
Once built, keep in mind that any structure where a person can fall more than 2 metres is still classified as high risk by WHS and will require SWMS (Safe work method statement) to be completed by all who work on the structure.
With that said, if the distance a person or object could fall is less than 4 metres you don’t necessarily need a qualified scaffolder to erect your scaffold but the person you choose should be capable.
In conclusion, if you’re looking at getting into the field of scaffold, or you simply have a project to complete that requires an at height working platform you can choose a mobile of fixed scaffold tower depending on your requirements. That said, most people do not need to go to the cost and lengths it takes to erect a stand alone scaffold tower when a mobile tower will do the job perfectly.
To find out what type of scaffolds are for sale around the country contact our team and we can guide you in the right direction.
