Important Tips for Renting Scaffolding for Any Project
Renting scaffolding can keep you more safe and secure than any ladder, and using scaffolding can also allow you to easily work with a variety of tools and materials that would otherwise be difficult to balance. If you have a renovation or repair job at home or in a building such as a church or school, you may want to consider scaffolding hire to make the job easier. Note a few simple tips for choosing the right type and size, and for ensuring your safety.
1. Platform versus working height
When renting scaffolding you may notice the terms platform height and working height. This is important to understand, as the platform height refers to the height of the platform itself, but working height would include your own reach while standing on the platform.
You want to ensure you choose scaffolding that will offer comfortable working height, but this will vary according to the workers. A worker who is very tall may need a shorter platform height so that he or she is not crowded under a ceiling being repaired, whereas a worker who is somewhat short may not even be able to reach that ceiling with a shorter platform height. If the rental agency asks about your needed working height, be sure you understand what this term means so you choose the right platform height for yourself or your crew.
2. Choosing indoor versus outdoor
Indoor and outdoor scaffolding may not look different to you, but you need to ensure you note which type you need before renting. This is because indoor scaffolding is usually very lightweight, comes with wheels for easy movement, and may not be equipped with outriggers. These are like arms that extend out from the legs of the scaffolding and which sit on the ground to keep it balanced. It's assumed that the floor of a building will keep the scaffolding level and even, so these aren't typically used with indoor scaffolding.
Outdoor scaffolding may not have wheels on the bottom and those outriggers are very important for keeping it level on soft ground. Outdoor scaffolding is also typically heavier so that it can stay steady in windy conditions.
3. Ensure you know how the stack pins work
Stack pins are what allow you to adjust the height of scaffolding. You move the platform up and down the legs and then insert the stack pins to hold that platform in place. If you don't use the stack pins properly, the platform could easily fall down one or both sides of the scaffolding. Ask for a demonstration of the stack pins before you use the scaffolding, to ensure your own safety.
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