Afternoon all,

As the title of the post suggests, i'm having a real headache with scaffold towers! 

We work in the construction industry and 9 times out of 10 when we use towers it is internally for lower level working at height with roughly 1m platform height, giving us a 3m working height.

The problem we keep facing is that at 1m or less platform height, entering the tower from underneath (as you're supposed to) is extremely difficult meaning that most guys will end up removing the intermediate rail, sliding into the tower, and then replacing the rail. As the days and weeks roll on though the intermediate rail usally ends up being removed altogether, leaving them exposed to a fall from height risk. I don't blame the guys for doing it and i'd probably end up doing the same if i was in their boots. To me it's the tower which is at fault becuase it's not the right tool for the job.

NOTE: We have very few issues with higher level work at height where the towers can easily be entered from underneath in the proper way.

I've searched high and low for something more suitable for lower level work at height and the best i can find is called a Delta deck:

https://www.safetyplatforms.co.uk/product/delta-deck-only-335-00/

It's a kind of mini foldable scaffold tower/podium hybrid with an access gate on the side, as opposed to a trapdoor. The maximum platform height is 870mm (which is fine for what we need) however it has a very short platform meaning that it's not optimal for us. Has anybody come across anything more suitable over the years? Essentially something which works like a Delta Deck but which has a longer 1.8m or so platform? I've even spoken to the main UK distributor of Delta Decks to see if they do a larger one but they don't and have no intention of doing one either.

I'd be forever in your debt if you can point me towards something!

Stern

Hi Brian,

Thanks for the reply, although they're not really suitable for that we need them to do.

Hi Stern,

We have one of these items on-site, but again the working platform size isn't near what you are looking for - http://www.zigzagaccess.co.uk/product/razor-deck/

Originally Posted by: grim72

I came across these guys a week or two ago - haven't used them but looks like they might have something that would do the job for you? https://www.peri.ltd.uk/...ri-up-flex-stair-75.html

Hi Grim72

Thanks for replying. That's proper scaffolding though, as opposed to small mobile scaffold towers which we are looking for. Thanks though

Stern.

Originally Posted by: grim72

Think I've fallen into the same trap as Brian - think you might be after something more like this one?

Like you, struggled to find anything longerthan 1.2m - this one is 1.8m though so might be an option: http://www.ladders-999.c...alloy-work-platform.html

Another option might be staging and trestles with handrails which should allow you to have longer platforms? http://www.ladderdeals.c...taging-and-trestles.html

Others similar tothe one you already found are

https://www.tbdavies.co....idge-steps/#.WIH_531-bYY

http://www.safelift.co.uk/item/Brand_SafeliftFoldingAccessPlatform_277_0_530_0.html

Hi Grim,

The Zap Platform is one of the better options. However, the lack of a gate and intermediate guard rail means that we'd never get away with using them on site. Plus the cost of them, compared to our current small towers as well as the Deltadeck is astronomical.

The rest aren't suitable for various reasons. Thanks for taking the time to reply though, much appreciated.

Stern

Originally Posted by: frankc

Originally Posted by: Stern

Afternoon all,

As the title of the post suggests, i'm having a real headache with scaffold towers! 

We work in the construction industry and 9 times out of 10 when we use towers it is internally for lower level working at height with roughly 1m platform height, giving us a 3m working height.

The problem we keep facing is that at 1m or less platform height, entering the tower from underneath (as you're supposed to) is extremely difficult meaning that most guys will end up removing the intermediate rail, sliding into the tower, and then replacing the rail. As the days and weeks roll on though the intermediate rail usally ends up being removed altogether, leaving them exposed to a fall from height risk. I don't blame the guys for doing it and i'd probably end up doing the same if i was in their boots. To me it's the tower which is at fault becuase it's not the right tool for the job.

NOTE: We have very few issues with higher level work at height where the towers can easily be entered from underneath in the proper way.

I've searched high and low for something more suitable for lower level work at height and the best i can find is called a Delta deck:

https://www.safetyplatforms.co.uk/product/delta-deck-only-335-00/

It's a kind of mini foldable scaffold tower/podium hybrid with an access gate on the side, as opposed to a trapdoor. The maximum platform height is 870mm (which is fine for what we need) however it has a very short platform meaning that it's not optimal for us. Has anybody come across anything more suitable over the years? Essentially something which works like a Delta Deck but which has a longer 1.8m or so platform? I've even spoken to the main UK distributor of Delta Decks to see if they do a larger one but they don't and have no intention of doing one either.

I'd be forever in your debt if you can point me towards something!

Stern

There is a possible alternative acess option to your problem. If you use the Betaguard AGR system, you can still have the 1m level platform but it will mean they won't have to clamber over horizontal and diagonal bracings to access the trap door. That way, the mid guard rail CAN'T be removed for access. I'll leave you a link to the equipment.

I have no financial dealings with this company.

http://www.turner-access.co.uk/products/aluminium-scaffold-towers/beta-aluminium-tower/

http://www.turner-access.co.uk/media/Beta-Tower-with-BetaGuard.pdf

If you have any further questions, send me a PM.

Hi,

Thanks for the response. We do use the AGR style towers for higher level work at height. However, at low platform heights (1m and below) they are just as difficult to use as the towers we use at present because it can be extremely difficult to access the trapdoor.

Thanks though!

Originally Posted by: grim72

I saw one of these today and wondered if it might be the answer to what you're looking for. It's my final throw of the dice :-)

Power Tower Nano SP Plus

Grim72,

No good i'm afraid. For this particular application we need something lightweight and easily moveable. The delta deck is exactly what we need, it's just the size of the platform which is holding it back.

We do use these Nanos though, as well as the Popup PAVs, and they are a great bit of kit but at 500kg+ they're a bit tricky to lug up a flight of stairs!! 

Thanks anyway!