The Voice of Scaffolding Since 2008 | U.K. Edition
Malvern Key-Tie offers innovative new scaffold tie
Necessity has proved to be the mother of invention for Malvern, Worcestershire based Malvern Scaffolding Ltd. (Malvern).
Having got past the tender stage for a £700,000 retirement village scheme with the Wates Group, which was priced in 1.5m progressive masonry lifts, it soon became clear that some innovation would be required.
Malvern’s tender was based on the assumption that the scaffold would be tied through the window openings. However, Wates’ project manager wanted to install windows while the scaffold was still at full height for roofing.
Malvern contacted ADI Supply Ltd. (ADI), a specialist in a wide variety of scaffold fixings, which agreed to work with Malvern in finding a solution. Striving to avoid drilling, Malvern with ADI attempted a brickie installed slide lock tie, which was rejected by Wates because of cold bridging concerns, and a tang type tie, the first of which fixed to the inner blockwork and the tang to the outer brickwork; both failed the pull test.
Developing the tang concept further Malvern and ADI came up with what was to become the, “Malvern Key-Tie.” The tie is essentially a hook fitting welded on to a bar with a plate welded at the end. The brickie prepares a putlog type joint, the tie plate is inserted behind the external brickwork and then turned to lock it off, then it’s a case of attaching the scaffold to the hook. Removal is the opposite process.
“The new ties are really quick to install through the slot the brickies leave behind,” said Jon Stone, Malvern’s commercial director. “There’s no drilling needed, no messing around in window openings. Just insert – lock – secure.
The scaffold is secured as in TG20 & TG4 using a hook fitting, but without the risk of damaging the front of the bricks, or having to relocate the ties once the windows need fitting. You can simply “fit and forget” and then retrieve them as the scaffold is stripped.”
Bearing in mind that compliance for most progressive masonry jobs requires a tie of around 2.5kN Malvern say that the Malvern Key-Tie was tested in-situ to 9kN and pull tested to destruction at 12.5kN. This was sufficient said Malvern to rate the Malvern Key-Tie for standard duty at 6.1kN thus covering the majority of applications.
Stone said the current version of the tie works within the around 40mm space cavity between the outside skin and the insulation, which give the Malvern Key-Tie the space to turn. However, Stone also said that Malvern has used the Malvern Key-Tie where the insulation board takes up almost all of the cavity and the tie has performed well too. “It (the tie) doesn’t penetrate the insulation board,” said Stone.
There is a bit of an education process prior to using the Malvern Key-Tie explained Stone but once the brickies understand what they have to do in order for the tie to work, “brickies have been great,” he said.
We asked if Malvern had experienced any significant labour saving through using the Malvern Key-Tie and while Stone said that the company had not performed any time and motion study yet he said that the company estimated that on a 100m perimeter building that four or five hours could be saved using the Malvern Key-Tie compared to drilling and about half of that with using window ties.
“The contractor is so much happier with the end product,” said Stone. He said that the tie has also performed well on existing buildings too but the ability to use the tie is strongly dependant on the type of cavity that is present.
“We have entered the Malvern Key-tie as a new innovation in the NASC New Product Awards. We know we are up against some stiff competition but most of the other contenders are either system based or only used in special circumstances, whereas the new Malvern Key-tie can be used in numerous situations and will be of use to every scaffold firm in the country.
It is not just new builds either, most modern buildings have a cavity where the Malvern Key-tie can be used,” said Stone.
Eight entries shortlisted for the NASC Scaffolding Product Innovation Award
UPDATE: Winner of the NASC Scaffolding Product Innovation Award announced
The first NASC Scaffolding Product Innovation Award was announced in the summer of 2016, the awards have attracted entries from a range of NASC hire/sale and contracting members, showcasing a range of innovative scaffolding products developed by their members.
The NASC say the biennial award has been designed to celebrate developments in scaffolding products by NASC member companies.
The confederation has received a total of eight entries from their members. These are comprised of written submissions, photographs, powerpoint slides and videos, and in some cases examples of the actual product:
- Acorn Scaffolding (Yorkshire) Ltd (Creamfields Steel Yard temporary event venue)
- Malvern Scaffolding Ltd (the ‘Malvern Key-Tie’)
- TRAD Scaffolding Co Ltd (a new/revolutionary Gin Wheel)
- Layher Ltd (new Universal Aluminium HD Beam)
- HAKI Scaffolding Ltd (HAKI Decking CADEE system)
- TRAD Hire & Sales Ltd (Plettac Metrix Permanent Advanced Guardrail)
- GKR Scaffolding Ltd (Elimin-8 innovative scaffold fitting)
- Focus Scaffolding Ltd (two and three board hop-up bracket for tube and fitting)
CN Specialist Awards finalists announced
The best of the best from the UK scaffolding fraternity will go head-to-head at the Construction News Specialist Awards 2017 after finalists are announced.
The Construction News Specialist Awards is in its 13th year and celebrates the achievements of the best specialist contractors in the UK. The awards are a fantastic opportunity for contractors to position themselves as leaders within their industry and receive recognition for their outstanding work. Out of all the many entrees, Six industry recognised scaffolding and access firms have been shortlisted, they will be battling it out in the following categories: Access and Scaffolding Specialist of the Year Finalists- This category aims to recognise the best access and scaffolding specialist contractor in the industry.- Artel Scaffolding (NASC Members)
- GKR Scaffolding (NASC Members)
- JECS Offshore Scaffolding
- TIGER Scaffolding (Scaffolding Association Members)
- WellMax Scaffolding (Scaffolding Association Members)
- Klawz: Klawz Scaffolding Fitting (Scaffolding Association Members)
- TIGER Scaffolding (Scaffolding Association Members)
- GKR Scaffolding (NASC Members)
“We are absolutely delighted to see a number of our members shortlisted across a range of categories at the CN Specialist Awards. To see them being recognised at a prestigious event like this truly demonstrates the commitment that they have to raising standards and improving the image of the industry.”Each entrant has their work assessed in front of a panel of distinguished clients, industry leaders and construction experts, and after submitting their initial entry online the shortlisted entrants will next be delivering a face-to-face presentation to a judging panel in January. The winners will be announced at the awards evening at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London on the 22nd March 2017.
MTD Scaffolding gains NASC accreditation
MTD Scaffolding becomes one of the NASC’s newest members
MTD Scaffolding has announced they have successfully gained membership status of the NASC (National Access & Scaffolding Confederation) Given the NASC strict membership criteria, MTD say gaining the reputable accreditation is an achievement.
MTD Scaffolding is a Midlands-based scaffolding company, with three depots in Telford, Loughborough, and Oldbury. The firm provides system and traditional scaffolding for public and private projects. MTD recently received major financial support from the Altrad Group, to invest in developing the business and train its scaffolders. The business has a view to move into new sectors – new build, commercial, railway, highways, and waterways. It also aims to secure larger construction projects alongside social housing contracts.
“We are thrilled that NASC has accepted MTD Scaffolding to join its impressive membership base, the opportunity to grow our business from this accreditation and break into more market sectors means that the future for MTD will be both exciting and challenging” said Sarah Vanes, Operations Director of MTD. “Our business has over 30 years’ experience, and a great reputation within the industry. It’s a real achievement for the company, its staff and operatives to gain the NASC accreditation from the premier scaffolding trade body,” she said.
To the join NASC, a company must meet a set of stringent membership criteria which include from the initial application, a desktop audit of the application, a visit to the companies premises to verify the information received, followed by site visits to audit on site practices which the NASC auditors place a great emphasis on. Audits including sites are then carried out on a biannual basis to ensure continued compliance.
NASC members must also attend two NASC meetings each year, and abide by a comprehensive code of conduct.
“Being an NASC member is imperative in this industry. These days, most main contractors and public authorities will only hire NASC-accredited suppliers,” Sarah said. “Our NASC accreditation assures our customers that we are a reputable company that meets strict standards and always puts safety first.”
NASC report ‘Boom Time’ with surge in memberships
The NASC have just recently launched their 2017 Yearbook announcing the confirmation of the highest level of NASC membership, since their formation in 1945.
NASC Managing Director, Robin James opens the 2017 Yearbook with a welcome note stating: ‘It’s boom time for the NASC and its members’ – as membership enquiries and applications peaked, sales of the widely accepted TG20:13 soared and the value of NASC membership reached scaffolding companies of all sizes in 2016.
Over the past 12 months the NASC has been out on a membership drive to attract more small and medium sized scaffolding businesses, after NASC President Alan Lilley launched the campaign in Leeds at the 2015 AGM.
Alan Lilley said: “I am pleased to report the initiatives we undertook to attract new members have proved an unqualified success.”
“I am eager for the NASC to be seen to represent the whole of the scaffolding industry and further initiatives by the confederation are being planned to broaden its appeal. Now is an opportune time to apply for contracting membership.”
The NASC’s widely respected 2017 Yearbook also contains updates on new and revised NASC guidance, CISRS training and Britain’s premier access and scaffolding projects, as well as details of the activities of the confederation in 2016.
NASC Managing Director, Robin James added: “The NASC 2017 Yearbook testifies to a healthy and dynamic industry, and one that continues to astonish and amaze. The range and quality of work carried out by NASC member companies simply underlines the importance of maintaining the highest possible standards where requirements for NASC membership are concerned.”
ScaffMag features on Have I Got News For You
ScaffMag featured in the ‘Missing Word’ round as the guest publication on the BBC1 prime time program Have I Got News For You, hosted by Comedian Jo Brand. Newspaper headlines from the week are read out with a vital word missing for the panel to guess the word which has been removed. It is tradition for a guest publication to be featured alongside this.
ScaffMag’s Founder and Editor, Daniel Norton said “This was an amazing opportunity for prime time TV exposure for ScaffMag, our advertisers and the scaffolding industry.”
“Have I Got News For You has been making fun of the obscure guest publications for twenty-five years, however I believe it was important not to miss the opportunity to raise ScaffMag’s and the UK Scaffolding industry’s profile on prime time TV.”
The show aired on Friday 21st October 2016 9pm BBC1
St Helens Plant wins 2016 Build Awards
Merseyside based St Helens Plant have won the Construction and Engineering category plus an ‘Excellence Award’ for Scaffolding Fabrication, Repair and Reconditioning’ in the recent Build Awards 2016.
This is the second high profile accolade in 2016 for the NASC full non contracting (hire/sales) member – known within the industry for their fabrication, repair and reconditioning services. St Helens Plant were also awarded a finalist placement in the Access and Scaffolding Specialist of the Year category in the Construction News 2016 Specialists Awards in February.
In a recent press release from the NASC St Helens Plant was reported to be one of the UK’s all-encompassing scaffolding supply specialists, the firm has gained national and international recognition for their commitment and contribution to the access and scaffolding industry.
Gordon Pilling of St Helens Plant said: “We’re delighted to have been nominated by our clients, and to have won this construction and engineering award, also to have gained an excellence award for scaffolding fabrication, repair and reconditioning.
“It’s another award purely down to the strength, commitment and loyalty of each one of our team, from factory, dispatch and delivery, and office staff. We are very proud of all of who commit daily to St Helens Plant and have made our international recognition and awards possible. I extend my gratitude to our clients and the Build Awards for the privilege of being awarded this accolade.
“Safety of supply is a huge focus for us at St Helens Plant and being part of NASC, we try and promote this as much as we can at every opportunity.”
NASC MD Robin James added: “Congratulations to St Helens Plant on this magnificent achievement for their services to the scaffolding sector. Working alongside big clients in the scaffolding industry, expanding their operations and winning significant awards, they are living proof of the success NASC members have had in 2016. We wish them further success into 2017 and beyond.”
City Access Scaffolding saves contractor thousands with innovative build
Edinburgh based City Access Scaffolding (CAS) recently brought an out-of-the box solution to its Boroughmuir High School scaffolding contract.
At the heart of the new school is a multi-functional atrium, which using a traditional birdcage scaffold would have meant a design requiring 13,000 m3 of scaffolding weighing around 56 tonnes.
CAS considered another way and used CAD (computer-aided design) from a previously used mobile roofing system and came up with the successfully implemented concept for a rolling scaffold constructed from the roof slab.
CAS say that this is the first time such a scaffold has been used in Scotland and is a significant improvement over a birdcage scaffold. The rolling scaffold, say CAS, is easy to use, was quicker to build and meant a saving of over £60,000 on the project.
“This innovation has had a huge impact on the build time and on our client’s costs. Although we are a relatively new company, our leadership team have over 35 years’ experience in the sector, which they applied in order to develop this effective solution. It’s very rewarding to make such a contribution to the project, and we look forward to using the rolling scaffold with other projects,” said Kirsty Allan, business development director, CAS.
“The initial concept was drawn up and agreed between CAS team and Craig Watson of Generation UK, then issued to Generation Design Engineers for clarity and suitability of concept before passing to Zenith Design to issue construction drawings, which were readily adopted by the main contractor,” said a spokesperson for CAS.
CAS said that the scaffold was built using four operatives over a period of three days with the scaffold being built on the roof slab before being lifted into position by the on-site tower crane. “By utilising this rolling scaffold design, CAS reduced the erection time by 86 per cent, from four weeks to just three days,” said the spokesperson
The contractor is pleased too. Mick Fearnon, project manager from O’Hare & McGovern Ltd said, “O’Hare & McGovern would like to express their delight with the rolling scaffold designed and fitted by CAS, and the difference it’s made to this major project. The CAS team provided a very innovative design that had never crossed our minds, or indeed any other contractor that tendered for the project. The scaffold itself is safe and easy to use by all contractors on-site and has helped us to make considerable savings in cost and build time.”
CISRS tighten entry requirements for Scaffold Inspection Training
CISRS has tightened up the entry criteria and course requirements for their Scaffold Inspection Training Scheme (SITS).
CISRS say the changes are effective immediately, there will now be a pre-qualification requirement that the delegate/employer must ensure they can provide evidence of a minimum of two years relevant industry experience prior to attending the basic SITS course.
The course, aimed at anyone responsible for carrying out statutory scaffold inspections on basic scaffolding structures in accordance with the Working at Height Regulations 2005 – as well as scaffolders wishing to expand their knowledge.
CISRS say the basic SITS course is one of the most intensive courses within the CISRS scheme, which entails three full days at an accredited training centre to complete.
The course includes practical inspection, theory, report writing, fault finding as well as an update on the latest NASC safety and technical guidance.
CISRS Scheme Manager, Dave Mosley said: “Scaffold inspection is such an important area with far-reaching effects and we feel that those attending the course should be able to verify that they have at least a rudimentary knowledge of scaffolding prior to attending training. They also need to be aware of the responsibility that comes with inspecting scaffolds – hence the pre-qualification change to two years relevant work experience. “In the past, companies would send staff on scaffold inspection courses very early within their career in order to gain some basic knowledge about scaffolding. CISRS feel that in reality a scaffolding awareness/introduction to scaffolding course is more suitable, until they have more of a working knowledge of scaffolding on site.” As a result of the changes to the Scaffold Inspection Training Scheme, potential delegates will be required submit a CV, employer endorsement and/or proof of prior training at the point of booking a course. CISRS are also considering the possibility of putting together a short duration scaffolding awareness course, for entry level training purposes.