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Case Studies

1. Connect Scaffolding helps build the future at the BRE

Innovative house building projects undertaken at the Building Research Establishment in Watford are widely seen as being at the forefront of the industry. With specific emphasis on key factors including energy efficiency, sustainable buildings and ground breaking new materials, the organisation takes an active role in responding to the challenges asked of today’s industry.

Connect Scaffolding used Layhers Allround System to provide safe access for the construction of a number of new houses . These include, the ‘Natural House’ – developed by the ‘Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment’ and is based on Thermaplan clay blocks. The ‘Renewable House’ – delivered by the NNFCC with funding from the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) – which uses material that includes timber and wool – and the ‘Creo Building’, which has been built using Neopor® foam blocks.

Versatility has proven important particularly as scaffolds can be erected free-standing, allowing the scaffold frame to be created ahead of the structure itself. The absence of cross-bracing and the wide bay design have also assisted a number of the building methods used, and it was important for the client to have scaffolds that could be easily adapted at minimum cost.

2.Connect Scaffolding accomodates trackside location

Specific safety requirements relating to wind loading and location alongside a railway line have been fully addressed by Connect Scaffolding at a new residential complex in, East London.  The multi-storey design has required scaffolding on three connected blocks whilst at the same time, meeting the needs associated with the site location adjacent to the Docklands Light Railway.  Importantly, the design of the structure has also accommodated a number of radius elements – a requirement which was fulfilled by Connect Scaffolding’s decision to use Layher’s Allround ® scaffold system which offers a choice of fixing points and angles.

“The position of the railway meant that we had to minimise any risk during the erecting and dismantling of the scaffold,” explains Connect Scaffolding’s Managing Director, Oliver Cave.  “This was addressed by the scaffolding system which features no loose couplers and component lengths no longer than 3.0 m.  As a result, we were able to reduce significantly the potential risk from using a tube and fitting scaffold in order to satisfy DLR’s safety requirements.”

Connect Scaffold’s selection of the scaffold design allowed decks to be automatically locked into position which, in turn, contributed to the rigidity and thus safety of the structure.  Steel bridging beams were also used at each floor level to provide access for one of Connect Scaffoldings twin mast rack-and-pinion hoists.

“The absence of cross bracing and wide bay access as well as the versatility of the scaffold were all key factors at this site,” continues Connect Scaffolding’s Oliver Cave.  “Alongside this, we paid close attention to the quality of the scaffold structure and to its overall appearance – both important considerations which reflected key safety and installation objectives.”

3. Tapered church spire access presents no problems for Connect Scaffolding using Layher’s AllRound system

The project provided multi-level access primarily to allow stonemasons from Lodge and Sons to work on the spire structure. Rising to an overall height of 45 metres, 2 metre fully decked lifts on all four sides of the structure created clear working platforms – a direct benefit of the Allround® design which does not require cross-bracing. We also installed a Layher stairtower to provide simple, safe access from ground level for the workforce with a mini-hoist for lifting materials.

Three sides of the scaffold were founded from the ground, but the fourth side was required to bridge the nave roof without any load bearing down on it. Layher’s technical department designed a bridging structure at two levels using two rows of twin 700 mm deep aluminium beams to ensure that there was no contact with the fabric of the roof itself. Repairs, to both the Victorian ironwork and higher level masonry, were conducted safely and effectively.

4. Connect Scaffolding provides the access for Telford Homes Plc to construct the tallest modern timber residential building in the world!

Stadthaus on Murray Grove, N1 was designed by architects Waugh Thistleton and comprises nine storeys of flats.

The solid cross-laminated timber system pioneered by Austrian manufacturers KLH, arrived from Austria in panels up to nine metres long. The panels were lifted directly from the lorry into position by mobile crane.

Due to its speed of construction, Connect Scaffolding used Layher Allround scaffold to the external facade.

The scaffold was erected in 2.0m lifts. The programme was very tight, as continuity had to be maintained for the Austrian installation team.

Due to the restricted site location Connect installed two hoists. A Geda 500ZZP hoist to serve all the external scaffold lifts was used initially to help with the scaffold erection and then for installing the Marley Eternit lightweight fibre cement cladding. A second hoist, a Geda 1500ZZP, was installed to access the 8 floor levels. This hoist can carry 1500kg of materials or up to 7 people.

The building was constructed in nine weeks.

5. Connect Scaffolding provide safe solution to prevent falls from height for Taylor Wimpey

Connect Scaffolding provided access solutions for TaylorWimpey for the constuction of new homes in North London. The problem to overcome was how to prevent falls from height for the various trades involved in the construction of traditional housing at a budget beating price.

The solution Connect came up with was to use tube and fitting scaffolding to the perimeter of the builds, erected progressively with the brickwork, and to use Layher Allround to provide fully decked birdcage scaffolds to the internals of the dwellings. The birdcage was multi-use. Firstly it provided fall protection for the bricklayers working externally. It was then used as a working platform by the bricklayers for constructing the blockwork partition walls and, finally, the carpenters were able to work safely to install the floor joists and roof trusses.

This method meant there was no need for trestles, internal handrails, internal scaffolds to party walls, or the installation of safety deck, air bags and soft landing bags. These savings more than offset the cost of the birdcage and provided a much safer, more time efficient method of working.

Safer Easier Quicker.