Simplify your height work

Aluminium Mobile Scaffolding is a much smaller investment than AHP. Being a different concept, Aluminium Mobile Scaffolding is:

• Likely have a much bigger Platform area
• Made up of many components as opposed to being “one piece”
• Consequently, this system requires time, and certain level of skill to erect for any particular job

Adjustable Height Platforms (AHP) are a much bigger investment than Aluminium Mobile Scaffolding.

Aluminium Mobile Scaffolding can be built to any height up to 6m, provided the brand used has the right componentry available. To some degree, they can also provide a small cantilever if required, however, depending on the local jurisdiction’s regulations, cantilevers and taller configurations will require the services of a qualified Scaffolder.

Equiptec AHP can adapt to many different situations by having a large range of retrofittable options. These options can be used to increase Cantilever distance, deck width, deck height etc. as well as add more features such as Barrier systems, multiple direction access gates etc. Not all brands offer these capabilities.

Aluminium Mobile Tower maintenance is minimal, but essential. It requires good housekeeping systems to keep track of multiple different components, all with different (albeit it basic) maintenance needs.

Although some AHP brands utilise complex systems which include high maintenance sliding faces, winches etc. Equiptec AHP have very few moving parts and consequently very little maintenance requirements. It is a good idea to check out the Manufacturers Instruction Manuals to ensure they are comprehensive. AHP will generally require a little more maintenance than Aluminium Mobile Scaffold.

It should be checked that the Aluminium Mobile Scaffolding system complies with the appropriate National Standard. However, the biggest risk of noncompliance is usually in the way the Scaffold Tower is constructed. Manufacturers instructions need to be followed in detail. These need to be very clear instructions, and you may also require a qualified Scaffolder to be available.

Compliance is not easy for AHP as Standards have not been developed to cover this relatively new concept yet. Check that the Manufacturer has made some effort to comply with the design (handrail heights etc.), stability and strength requirement sections of an appropriate Standard. Equiptec AHP may go well beyond these, but compliance with these basic requirements would be essential for any reputable supplier.

Aluminium Mobile Scaffolds:

• Are not simple to transport as they are made up of multiple components, each of which has to be correctly selected, loaded, and secured for transit
• Correct assembly is imperative, so skill is needed to deploy a Mobile Scaffold
• Deck size is relatively large, which can be good or bad, depending on the job at hand
• One advantage is the ability to build to the height required, and the adjustable height wheels which can take up fine adjustment, or undulating terrain

Some AHP’s are very large and difficult to transport, while some are small and compact, and therefore easy to move around. Ease of transport and deployment will again vary between brands. Equiptec AHP produce some very large units that “fold down” to a more manageable size/shape for transport/storage. Watch this capability as if a brand cannot do this, it may incur a lot of cost to get them to your site.

Once on site, deployment should be reasonably easy. Equiptec AHP also produce options that allow for units to be used “off slab”, so its important to check you are getting the brand and options that accurately suit your needs.

On dismantling, an Aluminium Mobile Scaffold really needs a Rack to hold the components in a tidy and efficient manner. This will minimise storage, but it still requires a reasonable area.

AHP is similar in size to Aluminium Scaffold Towers of the same Platform height, but it is a "single piece". As such it requires more in the way of logistics to move between sites, but a lot less skill and 'housekeeping' compared with Aluminium Mobile Scaffolding.

Aluminium Mobile Scaffold

• Again, it must be stressed that manufacturers guidelines must be followed when erecting a Scaffold Tower, or the result could be unstable and dangerous.
• Different components/methods may be needed to achieve stability, depending on the situation.
• Inferior brands may produce an unnerving sway.
• Aluminium is light, and towers are big, so they are susceptible to windy conditions.

Equiptec AHP comply with the applicable 'strength and stability' requirements of major international standards. Some Brands do not place importance on this, so while they are “safe” they may feel quite unstable at higher positions which makes users uncomfortable. AHP tend to be susceptible to wind, so take care when using them outside.

Scaffolds are inherently very adaptable, but again, adaptions need to be within the Manufacturers guidelines, and the erectors skill level.

AHP are more limited in terms of height range (Aluminium Scaffold can be used for any height between 1 and 6 metres if you have the right componenets available), but within its range, is extremley fast to adjust in height by comparison. Add to that the ability that Equiptec AHP have of retrofitting a variety of accessories to suit many different situations, you really have a difficult time comparing these 2 very different approaches to working at height.

Once assembled and levelled, a Mobile Scaffold is not hard to use. Wheel into position, relevel if needed, apply all 4 brakes, and climb the ladder through the hatch. Carrying tools/items on to the deck is awkward.

AHP outperform Aluminium Mobile Scaffold for ease of use on low level height work. This because of:

• Easy and quick access from floor to deck (or vice versa)
• Rapid and easy manual movement of small to medium sized units.
• On larger stair units, the ability to carry items up and down with ease.
• Users can quickly adjust the deck to both a safe and ergonomic position surrounded by handrails and compliant access methods at any height