Everybody is familiar with this image – an under-construction building with several people working on it, wearing hard hats and navigating around some tall, wooden or steel structures. These structures are referred to as ‘scaffolding,’ which is one of the most important aspects of any architectural job. But why is it considered such a vital part of the construction industry?
Scaffoldings are always the first thing installed when starting any construction project or maintenance work. While it is only a temporary support system for the workers to conduct their work, scaffolding is important for construction in more than one way. Here are seven reasons why the use of scaffolding is considered of paramount importance when it comes to working in the construction industry:
Easy Accessibility
Working on a construction site becomes way more challenging when the building has some areas that have limited or no access. That is one of the major problems that scaffoldings address by providing workers a clear passageway to all parts of the structure. This is especially important when the under-construction site is a tall building where a supporting platform is more than essential.
Scaffoldings provide a secure channel to the construction workers, providing an entrance to any area in the building without having to worry about the disarrayed structure. Moreover, the scaffolding’s interconnected layout ensures the builders can have full access to each part of the area for easily performing their tasks like painting or plastering.
Firm Footing and Balance
After the accessibility factor, the biggest advantage of installing scaffoldings would be the exceptional balance that they provide to the builders who are actively working on the site. There are several tasks to be performed where the construction workers must be at their quick pace while working on the building. That’s only possible when they have a firm footing and a stable balance. Using a high quality scaffolding never fails to deliver in this aspect.
Thanks to the solid, flat surface that the scaffolds offer, the builders can comfortably balance themselves in different positions. It is a necessary facet of the job as it helps them posture themselves in the required strategic positions and specific angles needed to carry out their work efficiently.
Maximum Safety
Safety is among the primary reasons why scaffolding is important for construction. Working at dizzying heights always carries an element of risk and danger for the builders. This means that it is necessary to provide them with a safe and secure construction setting to perform their tasks without worrying about falling. Not only does it ensure the health and safety of the builders, but it also protects the people below the scaffolding. Moreover, this structure provides the workers with a secure medium to transport their materials without getting injured. And to top it off, scaffoldings also work as an excellent barrier to catch all the loose debris, creating a safe working environment for everyone involved.
High Productivity
While this is not as prominent a reason to install scaffolding into a construction site, enhanced productivity is an advantage that is way more useful than many other factors. These structures indirectly give you a greater benefit of efficiency, significantly speeding up your overall job. When a construction builder is offered a safe working space with easy access to different parts of the building and a solid foot balance, the productivity automatically elevates tenfold. As it is a highly demanding job that requires excruciating physical efforts and time, scaffoldings provide the kind of advantage that proves to be exceptionally helpful for the workers until their work is fully finished.
The Bridging Act
An unfinished building involves several activities where the construction workers might need to take a considerable time out of their schedule, making their way to a certain point safely. This could be an unnecessary waste of energy and time for the builders.
Scaffolding makes it easier for the workers on-site, saving their extra time and energy by offering several bridging points, reducing the long distances that need to be covered. Along with these benefits, it’s also worth mentioning that the bridging points also prove to be helpful for making the construction process simpler.
Easy Assembly and Dismantling Process
Despite what many people assume, it doesn’t take a lot of time to assemble or dismantle the scaffolding structure. The simple process saves the builders a significant amount of time constantly working through a tight deadline and doing their best to complete the projects within the required time limit. Simply put, the construction builders minimize their pre-construction and post-construction time when they decide to install scaffoldings onto their working site.
The Scaffolding’s Lifespan
By now, you must have realized why scaffolding is important for the construction industry and why not using them isn’t taken lightly in the industry. However, there is another bonus advantage to these structures – increased safety at construction sites. Typically, good-quality scaffolds last a very long time, whether they’re made of wood or steel. This makes the scaffoldings a highly durable accessory for finishing the job more competently and securely every single time.