Rank: Forum user 
|
Ok guy's I need a definitive answer on the use of easy dec for installing solar panels on domestic properties.
The CITB guide backed by the HSE say's the following:
Solar panel installation is not short duration work and will need scaffolding or similar equipment.
It should have a boarded working platform and full edge protection (double guard-rails and toe-boards) to stop people and tools from falling. Debris netting may also be necessary to prevent materials from falling on householders or neighbours.
Edge protection should be provided along the eaves of the roof slope on which the work is being done. It should extend 2 m on each side beyond the area of work.
In theory easy dec meet the above and the guidance document states 'similar equipment'
The board of directors are keen to use easy dec as it will save a large amount on scaffolding costs. At the moment we spend roughly 60k a month on scaffolding.
I would honestly prefer to use a fixed scaffold as it is solid and does not require erection from our guys.
However the pro's would be it is quicker, cheaper (money talks as we all know)
The con's would be it is requires our guys to erect correctly, the majority of people on this forum do not speak highly of this system, it would not suit every property.
Can everyone else please share opinions on this system please.
Pro's, con's and the HSE's views on this system would be good if anyone knows ?
I need to put a proposal together for the board so any advice would be great
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user 
|
Debris netting is not going to stop tools or equipment from falling. Brick guards will though.
A bit of a pet hate of mine to be honest, the significant expenditure on 'shrimping net' covering the whole facade of a scaffold, often becoming wind borne in a matter of days.
Netting can help contain dust from raggling and stone cutting operations, but that's about it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user
|
Thanks Ron,
Any other views ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
Easi-ded works fine where there's level access along the facade and it's good at what it does, but there are locations where it won't do and a tube/fit or kwikstage is needed to account for changing levels, obstructions etc.
Having said that, these scaffold assemblies are themselves often non-compliant regarding bracing, ties, dodgy butresses, poor ladder access etc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
Freudian slip there. I meant easi-dec of course. The typo might be seen as slightly disparaging!
That said, I'm rather taken with that typo.................
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user 
|
I have covered this before on this forum but will say it again. I would strongly advise against using this system. Firstly, before I proceed, I have used the system on numerous social housing projects in the past.
The system itself, if used correctly, works fine. The problem I have with the system is as follows
- The system is reliant on the people installing the system at the time i.e. no handover process
- There is a 'formal' training course however, the training course becomes diluted as there is a train the trainer scheme and I cant say I have been impressed
- If the system is set up incorrectly they are a death trap as the system can be easily set up the wrong way cauing an inbalance
- There is weight limits for the use of the system and generally are for light use
- The gates are not spring loaded and can easily be forgotten or bypassed
The rest, as they say, is up to you........................
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user
|
The CITB document is non compliant as it shows the scaffold blocking all upstairs windows which according to building regs are to be left clear for fire escape. To work in this way you would have to insist that the top floor of the building is unoccupied during the project.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user
|
Could you not use one of the many system scaffolds which are available i.e lahyer, kwik stage etc as this can be erected and dismantled much quicker than traditional tube and fit scaffolding.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
Just as an observation from having a system installed not long back, one of your competitors has bought out a scaffolding company to ensure they do it "proper" and it's part of their USP to customers!
Day before install the companies scaffs turned up and put the scaffold up, inspected etc.
Day after the install the scaffs turned up and took it all away, leaving happy customer (me) with a neat tidy site and a roof full of free electrickery etc.
Incidentally the info provided pre-install included a very good RA and description of the MS being used. I even had a good look at the scaff which was pretty good too - and at no time did any of them know what I do for a living, no need to tell 'em as they were on the money all the way,
Jim
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user
|
Dear Ex deeps, may I call you Ex ?
While I found your posting to be interesting and informative, I strongly disagree with your final statement : "No need to tell 'em, they were on the money all the way"
Have you never heard of Positive reinforcement ? Congratulating people for doing a good job ? It makes them feel good, increases their pride in their work, reinforces their tendency to repeat the good performance and, if they tell their boss about it, it might make him/her smile lovingly on them. if you had told them that your were a professional H&S person they might have changed, or at least improve their opinion of H&S.
We shouldn't just be kicking people for getting it wrong. Gives H&S a bad name. And a few bad words.
Merv
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
Dear Merv,
No, you may call me Jim, all my friends do. You too are on the money. I did feed back to the installation guys at the end of the works, paid particular attention to the safety aspects of the job and also did the same in written feed back to the company as well as via one of those on- line trades check web sites. I must confess my one problem was that the guys were finishing earlier than I had initially thought, so could not fully comment in the way I would have wished as sadly I was trying to get to a funeral. My " on the money comment" was simply because I did not need to intervene or ask for changes before or during the work. I have discussed issues before with both scaffs and tree surgeons with a very positive, professional agreement or explanation of why etc.
Fear not, my post was written whilst taking a brief break and thus detail was exchanged for brevity and an attempt at a light touch chat room comment,
Cheers,
Jim
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user 
|
Have a look at my thread Scaffold Expert required on March 5th. You may find it interesting?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.