The Safe Scaffold Bolt Fitting..

I present to you this new innovative fitting from Presco The Safe Scaffold Bolt Fitting. This new product is said to be an effective and safe method for eliminating protruding bolt threads. Ideal for use in narrow walkways, in cramped access areas and around doorways.

We wanted to find out more about this new product, so we contacted the creator Lee Lipinski who exclusively told ScaffMag the story behind this innovative new product.

So Lee can you tell our readers how you come up with the idea for The Safe Scaffold Bolt Fitting ?

In the beginning..

I came up with the idea for the Safe Scaffold Bolt Fitting whilst working on a Power Station as an Electrician in Hull, I was forever catching my high-visibility vest and overalls on protruding scaffolding bolts when working at height.

This became very annoying and potentially dangerous as the platforms we were working on were very narrow once the electrical containment was in place. This obviously meant that everybody had to walk side on for long periods of time which in turn, put us very close to the hand rails a lot of the time. The final straw for me was when a colleague snagged his safety harness upon a protruding bolt when leaning through the hand rails. For the safety conscious reader, he was clipped on to a higher tube via his harness. Unfortunately as he was now caught on a scaffold fitting bolt this meant he could not come back through until I came down from my platform and unhooked him.

Thankfully he was not holding heavy materials at the time as he would have had to let it go since I could not get to him quickly. So, after returning from Hull I started to research the myriad of scaffold fittings on the market. This involved, as you can imagine hours and hours of internet searching. Boredom doesn’t come close.

The Design Stage..

After said time I was happy that there were no other versions of what I had in mind on the market and hired a search company to verify this before applying for a patent. More hours tinkering in my garage with hand grinders, bits of tube and the odd M10 bolt, I finally came upon in my opinion the most effective way to remove the hazard of the protruding bolt in a traditional pressed steel scaffold fitting. Then I remembered a buddy from school who was in the designing world who had the software and know-how to bring my ideas to life and so I dropped him a Facebook message. He soon replied and our working relationship began.

He drew up the first set of drawings so they were readable by engineers. We went through at least 7 major modifications before the final design was settled on and then contacted a metalworking specialist. Within a week, I had my first prototype to try (it did not fit) but I had a Datum to work from and soon ironed out the bumps.

Of course during this time I was aware of plagiarism should the idea take off and so was given advice from a Design and patent company to ensure anyone I spoke to at least signed a NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement). This of course gave me the peace of mind when discussing the product.

[quote type=”center”] After four hours of selling myself, I came out with my only prototype professionally tested on a UKAS test rig and passing with flying colours.  [/quote]

My next step was to contact a Company that manufactured scaffold fittings in the UK so I could monitor the progress if they were interested. Turns out there is no such thing due to the price of British labour compared to other countries labour rates. This said, the company I’m currently working through, Presco Components Ltd are British based but manufacture in China.

So a three hour drive to Birmingham from Plymouth to meet at 8am was under way. After four hours of selling myself, I came out with my only prototype professionally tested on a UKAS test rig and passing with flying colours. The next step was to have China make prototype that would fit in Presco’s current range of fittings. A lot of modifications had to be made but we are finally there.

What the Safe Scaffold Bolt fits..

The basic version was designed for pressed steel fittings. This model will fit the following:

1. Standard Doubles

2. Swivels

3. Stair Tread Coupler

4. Girder Coupler

5. Access Gates

Note: Only Pressed Steel couplers available at present.

With slight adjustment to my bolt design it will fit the pressed steel Putlog coupler and the Board retainer. With cooperation from scaffold designers and manufactures I am able to tweak the design to fit Forged clamps.

I have shown many scaffold workers, and have tried to listen to what they would like and try to please their wishes. For example, The first major hurdle was to prevent the bolt coming out the end of the collar nut whilst being transported and the bolt vibrating out the end. Not noticing a bolt is missing after climbing four lifts with heavy gear can get very tedious I imagine.

The second problem in design was to make sure the strength was not compromised due to the shape and tolerances I had to work from. The bonus advantages from the nut being inside a long collar nut was the protection from the elements and protection from paints and other particulates that generally gather on the threaded bar. Of course the maintenance issues and the smooth operation of the bolts inside the collar nut are easily lubricated every time the bolt is wound back in and out.

Prices are initially not as cost effective as I hoped due to the manufacturing processes required being new to the factories.

All in all, I hope that this will become a familiar product on all sites around the world. (I can dream).

For more information please visit: www.ssbproducts.co.uk

Thanks Lee for taking time to tell us your story about The Safe Scaffold Bolt Fitting.

We would like to read your comments on this, do you think this is a good product and idea ? let us know in the comments below.

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Say hello to this innovative and unique product from Max Scaffold Products, The One-piece Plastic Brickguard.

This is the first of the Max product line, The Max One-piece Plastic Brickguard, became available in September 2012 and was an immediate success with many scaffolding contractors due to its unique design which removed the issues associated with similar products then available.

As with any product from Max, close attention was paid to current legislation, standards and requirements through all stages of development ensuring that the Max brickguard was compliant and fit for the purpose of intended use.

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Max listened to comments from the industry, both good and bad relating to existing products to come up with a design that makes Max brickguards completely unique.

No hooks to attach count or lose! – Complete one-piece construction with no separate parts.

No additional fixings required. – Built in toe board clip prevents movement, even in high winds.

No more creasing, fracturing or hooks falling off. – High grade impact modified polypropylene for durability and flexibility.

Easy to stack. Easy to separate. Anti-tangle guaranteed! – Vertical stacking design with four way stay-fast alignment.

Great for storage, delivery and movement around site! – Interlocking features maximise stability.

Make every job stand out from the competition! – Wide range of colours in stock and pantone colour matching available.

Max Unique hook design! – Reduces accidental displacement.

Company branding and security! – The option to have your company name or logo on the hook face.

Caring for the environment! – Choose from our recycled range of colours.

With Max one-piece plastic brickguards there are no hidden costs or additional labour requirements when compared to using steel mesh brickguards.

For More Information About The Max One-piece Plastic Brickguard visit www.max-sp.co.uk or Tel: 08448 702420

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NASC member, Deborah Services Ltd. has been awarded a highly regarded major contractor accolade for safety in the 2013 Engineering Construction Industry Association’s (ECIA) ‘Recognising Initiative in Safety Excellence’ (RISE) scheme, with an innovative design for a locking twin retractable lanyard.

The ECIA’s RISE program aims to share best safety practice industry examples – giving members a chance to showcase their achievements publicly – and rewards “outstanding achievement” annually. The expert judges look for innovation, teamwork, leadership, health and safety planning in advance of works commencing, development of people skills and “substantially more than mere compliance”.

NASC’s Managing Director, Robin James said: “With the NASC’s focus and dedication to safety and best practice in the scaffold and access industry – it comes as no surprise one of our members has won this coveted award.

“We’d like to wish Deborah Services Ltd. many congratulations in obtaining this fine industry achievement in the face of stiff competition and we’d also like to thank the company for representing the scaffolding and access safety aims of the NASC so well within the construction industry as a whole. It’s our aim to encourage the best possible safety practices from all our members to reduce the risk of accidents inherent in the industry. The NASC ensures these standards are adhered to, with a strict auditing process. Only companies with the best possible safety record and practices become – and remain – NASC members.”

Steve Flounders, Managing Director of Deborah Services Ltd. (DSL) said: “I am absolutely delighted we have been successful in winning the prestigious 2013 ECIA RISE award for a Major or Managing Contractor – this is a major achievement for DSL. The award has been achieved through the concept, design and implementation of a twin retractable lanyard, which when force is applied locks instantly – therefore reducing the distance fallen, and as a consequence should limit any potential injuries.

“This safety initiative implemented by DSL and developed in partnership with Spanset was chosen as the best example of a safety initiative by the ECIA. DSL is justifiably proud of this award and it clearly demonstrates our commitment to monitor, control and improve our Health and Safety systems not only in DSL, but across the construction industry, creating a safer working environment for everyone.

“I would like to personally thank our Health and Safety team led by Neill Moffat who have made a major contribution in promoting a safe behaviour at work throughout the business as this is a critical and important component to the DSL business.

“DSL is an active member of the NASC (National Access & Scaffolding Confederation) and the majority of our clients recognise that the NASC is the leading body for setting standards for scaffolding within the UK. Being an NASC member provides DSL (and the wider construction industry) with invaluable best practice guidance and standards which ensure delivery of a competent scaffolding workforce.”

Find out more about NASC members, Deborah Services Ltd. at www.deborahservices.co.uk, discover more about the ECIA awards at www.ecia.co.uk and for further details about becoming a member of the NASC, please visit www.nasc.org.uk or email: enquiries@nasc.org.uk.

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Visitors to the 2013 Bauma showcase had the opportunity to find out more about Harsco Infrastructure, which was one of the major exhibitors at this year’s event. On its 1,200 m² stand Harsco displayed a comprehensive range of products – including premium formwork and scaffolding systems, safety equipment and product support services – which reflected the company’s position as a leading single-source supplier with a presence in 32 countries, plus an extended international network of dealers and distributors

The products on the Harsco stand reflected the company’s innovative and on-going approach to serving its customers in the formwork and scaffolding sectors. They included Harsco Platinum 100 – a crane-operated wall formwork system that offers users significant additional quality combined with lower labor and life-cycle costs. The Harsco Platinum 100 elements have a high degree of shape retention and are designed for pressure ratings of 100 kN/m². They allow rapid shuttering and high-speed pouring at heights of up to 3.60 m without the need for extensions, and allow the overall system to use up to 30 per cent fewer ties than conventional wall formwork systems.

Harsco also displayed two special Topmax corner floor table elements which extend the versatility of the highly successful Topmax steel-frame floor table system. The new Topmax corner floor table elements simplify the task of erecting and stripping floor tables adjacent to columns in building corners. They have the same continuous edge profile as the standard floor tables, but come with a diagonal right or left side at a 45° angle. This makes it especially easy to shutter around corner columns.

For the scaffold sector, Harsco also unveiled various products which simplify refurbishment work such as the installation of exterior insulation finishing systems (EIFS). A new telescopic board that integrates with the classic Bosta 70 scaffold system enables the gap between the scaffold and facade to be closed with ease, but without the mandatory inner edge protection that can hamper the work. A further innovation is a system-independent tie bridge suitable for all facade scaffold systems. Specially developed for facade insulation work, it solves tying problems where conventional ring screws are not sufficiently load-bearing for the large distance between the scaffold and facade. It provides a rigid link between the tightened ring screws and creates a load-bearing connection between the scaffold retainer and the tie.

The Harsco stand also offered information on the wide range of services which the company provides, including consultancy, project development, site logistics, professional cleaning and repair, form lining replacement, training and formwork services.

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Introducing Ropesafe a safe way to raise and lower all scaffolding materials using a gin wheel.

For hundreds of years scaffolders have been using the traditional method of tying up materials to pull up with a gin wheel using specific knots.  This comes with the constant inherent risk of materials becoming loose and falling free.

Stuart Faulkner a scaffolder for 27 years had a “eureka” moment after witnessing a near miss involving scaffold tubes falling out of the rope at 40ft, narrowly missing members of the public below.

Stuart worked on his idea for 5 years and with the help from Presco Components Ropesafe was born.

After the years of development Ropesafe is at its lightest and strongest withstanding 300kg of weight during tests carried out by Concord Lifting company.

Ropesafe will fit nearly every scaffolding component by simply tightening using a normal scaffold spanner.

Image Gallery:

For more information contact:

Ropesafe ltd

Tel: 07791800039

Email: ropesafeltd@gmail.com

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Introducing a new timesaving device for the laborious job of sheeting a scaffold.. Say hello to The Tube Monkey !  

The Tube Monkey was conceived and designed by a scaffolder who recognised the inherent dangers and safety issues involved with the traditional methods of erecting scaffold sheeting.

The Tube Monkey is created by a two-piece system that fits onto the outside of scaffolding structure using double coupler fittings. The device then allows a roll of plastic sheeting to be attached and then pulled across each lift from the inside

The Tube Monkey is operated by only one operative from the inside of the lift. This ensures safety and simplicity. Safety to the public is also minimised further. Secondly, by only needing one person to install scaffold sheeting and being quicker than traditional methods, it decreases costs twofold; less labour is needed and less time is taken.

The Tube Monkey is available to buy direct from the Developer at £295 inclusive of VAT and delivery but Affordable Facilities Ltd have promotional offers so if you want to try out The Tube Monkey for yourself visit: http://www.affordable-facilities.co.uk/The-Tube-Monkey or contact Anna Piechocki on 020 871 3145 to arrange purchase and delivery direct to your site.

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Turner Access Ltd, specialists in access and scaffolding product and service provision, has recently added to its innovative range with Turner OCTO® System Scaffolding. Manufactured by sister company Turner Fabrication Ltd, Turner OCTO® should be described as the next generation in system scaffolding.

Designed and manufactured with versatility, safety and productivity in mind, Turner OCTO® adopts the factors required in a scaffolding system for the future. Safe assembly, alteration and dismantling are achieved with OCTO® GuardAid®; a scaffold tool enabling advance guardrail methodology. Decks can be made tamper-resistant with the unique OCTO® Lock function. This removes the risk of unauthorised modification and reduces inspection time. Costs can be reduced through improved production output, thereby reducing labour and other operating costs. Environmental benefits are achieved by utilisation of longer life materials.

System components are manufactured within a BS EN ISO 9001:2008 environment using state of the art technology to ensure the highest quality. Turner OCTO® System Scaffolding offers users a revolutionary access solution. Due to the design of the OCTO® cup, eight components can be fitted at one time, on the same level, allowing a greater versatility than other systems. A 360 degree rotation within the joint provides an almost limitless possibility in structure size and shape. A recent design for a 59m freestanding Turner OCTO® structure for an oil rig flare stack is testament to that.

With over 25 years experience in the Access and Scaffolding Industry, Turner Access has the know-how and expertise to take this revolutionary product to market. Turner Access personnel have been involved in scaffold design, structure installation and specialist training for many years in numerous market sectors; from commercial contract jobs to industrial applications on-and-offshore. As a scaffold service provider, Turner Access can also provide site analysis and an evaluation of access solutions required for particular applications. Turner OCTO® is now widely used in the company’s Scaffold Contracts Division; enabling high profile contracts to be won as a result of the System’s safety, versatility and productivity benefits. Turner Access Contracts Manager states;

“Turner OCTO® has opened doors for us with many local authorities. We have been awarded term contracts because the client knows our System will ensure the job is completed on schedule. The modular nature of the System allows us to assemble runs of scaffolding very quickly before other sub-contractors are on site. This type of work is very common in social housing projects where time is of the essence.

Turner OCTO® is often the client’s choice because it is aesthetically pleasing, unlike some traditional types of scaffolding. This is a benefit for works on Government buildings, landmarks or areas in tourist hotspots.”

Turner Access will be attending, along with other Turner Group companies, the SPE Offshore Europe conference and exhibition in Aberdeen from 3^rd to 6^th September 2013. For a chance to see the impressive Turner OCTO® System Scaffolding and to speak to an access solution expert, visit Stand 1C41. Alternatively, visit www.turner-OCTO®.com for further product information.

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The ease of construction, integrity and stability of scaffolding, gantries and other temporary structures are crucial to the costs and safety of construction and events. Yet there has never been a purpose-engineered system for anchoring and stabilising these structures. That was an omission that Anchorbloc decided to put right.

After two years in development work, the guys at Anchorbloc succeeded in designing and engineering a high quality product that was structurally sound, mechanically versatile and environmentally sustainable due to its very long service life, flexible use/re use and high recyclability.

The South Nottinghamshire company is Independent and privately owned, They manufacture the unique product from its own premises but are also developing capabilities to manufacture from satellite facilities. Anchorbloc can also arrange manufacture local to client via our partnership with a leading ready-mix concrete supplier.

Scaffolding Uses:

Part Of The Structure

A few Anchor Blocs provide 100% secure anchorage – even for sheeted structures. Anchor Bloc adds mass to the structure and also rigidity because the anchor blocks can be mechanically integrated into the framework. Safety markings or padded covers can be used on Anchor Blocs that are close to walkways or pedestrian areas.

Anchorage

Anchor Blocs incorporate multiple ways of connecting to the scaffold structure. Here, the block forms an anchorage for strapping providing lateral support.

Kentledge

Anchor Bloc provides anchorage through sheer weight: no need for footings or stakes, etc. This provides huge cost and speed advantages when working on hard or paved services.

Integration

The precision drillings through the blocks are sized to accommodate standard sized scaffold poles with a tolerance of less than 5mm. This provides rigid support for the scaffolding with minimum clamping or strapping.

For more information head over to http://www.anchor-block.com or phone: 0800 122 3304

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London company comes to market with a revolutionary new scaffold inspection device system.

A new company was born earlier this month with the launch of its innovative product at an event in Kings Cross London.

Using the latest cloud technology the new product is set to bring scaffolding inspection systems into the 21st century.

SafeTime®, the London based firm behind the system have designed the product from the ground up with simplicity as its first priority.

Readers of ScaffMag will know that it is a legal requirement to record weekly scaffold inspections, whereby a scaffold inspector would repeatedly fill in the same old tagging system onsite and then input the same data on a scaffold register. With SafeTime® this process is eliminated as this is all done at the same time using Near Field Communication (NFC) and cloud technology.

With the aid of the SafeTime® app and using an android tablet or smartphone the scaffold inspector can upload inspections instantly to the SafeTime® web portal. With this transfer of information everybody involved can view inspections in real time.

The device which is fixed to the scaffold structure displays the load class of the scaffold and the number of days until the next inspection. Once the device has run over the seven days since the last inspection a LED will flash alerting the user immediately. Along side this an email will have already been sent to the relevant parties to inform them that the inspections are due and reminder emails will continue to be sent until the scaffold has been inspected.

Feedback from SafeTime® clients has been overwhelmingly positive, David Martin, Project Manager at United House said:

“We have been using the SafeTime Scaffold Inspection Device on our project for the past couple of months with effortless ease.  We have engaged our scaffold sub-contractor to use the system and carry out all of the inspections on a weekly basis.  It has been incredibly efficient, once an inspection has been undertaken, anyone of my site team can access the SafeTime online portal and see the inspection information immediately in real time.  In addition should any of the site team see an element of scaffold that looks unsafe, they can immediately decommission the device; everybody will receive email notification informing them that the scaffold is unsafe and should not be used.  I will definitely be using this product on all my future projects.”

For more information on this new product please visit the SafeTime® website.

www.safe-time.co.uk

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Debuting within the halls of ScaffMag, we would like to introduce this simple little product to the masses.

The ScaffCorroClamp.

This innovative clamp enables scaffolders to safely lift corrugated roofing sheets up to multi levels with relative ease. Fixing the clamp to the sheets is very simple with the use of a standard scaffold spanner. The ScaffCorroClamp can secure as many as 6 sheets at a time (Max 66 kilos).

Let us know your thoughts on the product in the comments below.

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Introducing the F-Board a revolutionary scaffold board that the makers say is set to take our industry by storm.

Made from 100% recycled plastic to the same exacting size of traditional wooden boards. The F-Board is non-slip, constantly lightweight, quick to erect and easy to handle. The question might well be asked “Why hasn’t this been done before?” For centuries now wood has been the only mainstream choice for a scaffold board but now at last a worthy successor has arrived.

Wooden scaffold boards have been about for a very long time! Indeed, they were used in the construction of The Great Pyramid of Giza which was completed around 2560 B.C., over 4,500 years ago. Surely it’s time to move on? Whilst wood is an incredible material it is also a problem material and each board will have its own characteristic due to the nature of wood. We all know that a wooden board will have knots and irregularities and can warp, crack, splinter, even break. The weight can vary when water is absorbed leading to rot. How many new wooden boards are wasted in the first week, month or year? A casual remark to an experienced scaffolder back in 2006 about using plastic for a scaffold platform has led all the way to the development of the Patented F-Board system.

”Ultimately F-Board is not only better financially but additionally it will keep your site much safer”

F-Board is made from recycled UPVC making it fire retardant and impact resistant as standard. The manufacturing process gives a board that is stronger than wood. It is a consistent low weight so you can confidently load your vehicle and know exactly what weight you are carrying. F-Board has the same dimensions as wood. A Scaffolder can happily step on to a platform with its anti-slip surface knowing that the boards are safe and secure. The unique design of the internal profile means that you get the inherent strength of a manufactured product, ready to be used time after time. F-Board has a life expectancy of at least 2 to 3 times that of wood.

The F-Board system includes a retaining strip which neatly and quickly locks the platform to the ledgers. This retainer can also be used in conjunction with wooden boards during the changeover to using F Board, it also ensures that one of the major trip hazards found on construction sites is eliminated, namely, the end of a scaffold board ‘tipping up’ when a weight is applied to the middle of the board.

The use of the retainer also adds security in that boards cannot easily be ‘borrowed’ from the platform to be used elsewhere on the site. Trip hazards caused by warping are eliminated, no more falls through hidden internal rot, no end bands becoming dislodged, and no splinters. The boards can easily be cut to desired length using a hand saw.

Another major application where this board excels is the specialist requirements sector such as asbestos and precision clean area environments. A carbon assessment comparing F-Board to a wooden board suggests that F-Board has just one-sixth the carbon footprint compared to its rival and at the end of life, F-Board Ltd will buy the boards back and recycle, subject to certain conditions.

So, what’s the cost? Taken over a two or three year period for example, a cost comparison analysis clearly shows that the F-Board is the better financial option. The company has also introduced a leasing model which enables the boards to be purchased over time out of cashflow rather than the traditional method of having to pay ‘upfront’. Ultimately F-Board is not only better financially but additionally it will keep your site much safer, your company greener, it will give you the competitive edge and make your business more attractive when tendering.

For more information on the F-Board visit:

Website: www.fboard.co.uk YouTube: http://youtu.be/Ohy_N8JYyH8

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The ProView Dragonfly is the first Product to be launched by X-Pro Tools and it introduces the Multi-Award Winning and Patented Innovation, the ‘ProView’ Safety Viewing Feature.

Paul A Sparrow, the Inventor, is a Professional UK Tradesman with over 27 years of experience on the tools, where he used ‘Spirit Levels’ all day every day in his own Trade working as a self-employed Window Fitter on both domestic and commercial installations.

He came up with the idea whilst fitting a Window; without thinking he leaned in to view the bubble on his level and impaled his lower eyelid onto a painted nail sticking out of the Wall.
Coming so close to what could easily have been a very serious life changing incident he immediately realised that having strategically placed mirrors installed into the level would prevent the user from having to get into such awkward and risky positions in the first place.

Also due to the way conventional levels have to be viewed it makes it virtually impossible if the user is wearing a Hard Hat or Glasses. ProView takes that awkwardness out of the product.
The Dragonfly, along with all other X-Pro Spirit Level Designs now incorporate Paul’s new ProView Technology, which in this case will provide two extra and unique viewing features.

The ProView Dragonfly has been specifically designed for the Scaffolding Industry at the request of Professional Scaffolders that had seen the earlier ‘Proof of Concept’ CNC Machined ProView Torpedo version at various Tradeshows.

Paul set about designing one and over time received a lot of feedback about what was needed.

1. It had to have the same accuracy as the traditional Stabila, which although originally designed for Brickies, had also been adopted by the Worldwide Scaffolding Industry.
2. It had to have High Impact Strength as they often get dropped.
3. It had to have 2 Powerful Neodymium Magnets so as not to drop off a Tube.
4. It had to be 250mm long as they are used to measure the drop for lower Handrails.
5. It had to fit Existing Standard Frogs and have Good Grip in the Wet.

With these points in mind it went through several design iterations before ending up at the Dragonfly design currently being launched, and this design has come about in Consultation with Professional Scaffolders who now have a Level specifically designed for their Trade.

The ProView Dragonfly can be purchased online via our own Website at; www.x-protools.com where it is currently still available at the ‘Pre-Order’ price of £29.95 + Shipping.
Alternatively it will be going ‘Live’ in the Toolstation Online Store as of 1st August 2014 where it will be available at the full Retail price of £39.90 + Shipping. At which time the X-Pro website will increase their price to match the Toolstation price.

Follow; www.facebook.com/XProTools and/or @Octopeye on Twitter for more updates.

The first Production Run is just waiting on packaging before being shipped from the factory, so people will get one quicker if they buy from Toolstation as of the 1st August, as shipping normally takes about 6 weeks on the water before reaching a UK Port, so anyone wanting to buy at the reduced price from the X-Pro website will actually have to wait longer to receive it.

As a Personal Note; ProView was actually conceived in 1986 and it was finally filed for ‘Patent’ in 2006 and since then even having Won the coveted title of British Invention of the Year in 2009, it has constantly been refused funding from all sources approached on the grounds that it always fell outside of their eligibility criteria. Essentially it was stuck in a ‘Catch 22’.

The ‘Catch22’ explained;

Banks and Investors all refuse to lend until a Project can show actual Orders placed for its products (Proof of Income). Buyers demand sight of Actual Production Samples before they can place those Orders (Proof of Quality). This creates the proverbial ‘Catch 22’ scenario because the Projects need the Funds <> to make the Tooling – to get the Samples the Buyer demands – before they can place the Orders the Bank demands – before providing the Funds (Go back to <>). As you can see, once a Project falls into this trap there is rarely a way out!!!…

As a result in 2013 I resurrected an old ‘Fundraising’ idea I’d previously had way back in 1993 whilst pursuing another Project, I renamed it BizKit-Tin and asked my Customers to ‘Pre-Order’ the Dragonfly to help raise the funding needed to put it into production.
Therefore I would especially like to thank everyone that placed a ‘Pre-Order’ via BizKit-Tin for their support as without them this great project may never have seen the light of day!..

Thank you!!!… Paul A Sparrow. Founder of 4octopus.com and Inventor of ProView.

NOTE; (It has recently come to light that this 1993 Fundraising Project may potentially be the first ‘Recorded’ Modern Day Crowdfunding Project (As we now know them) to exist.

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Childhood friends develop some innovative new scaffold fittings to bring an end to the use of ‘dead men tubes’ for securing toe-boards.

Two scaffolders, Aaron Gray and Scott Wesson have designed and developed some interesting new time saving scaffold fittings. The Scotti Fittings have been developed for securing toe-boards without the use of a ‘dead man tube’.

The pair hope the new fittings will change the way scaffolding operates, by reducing erection time,labour costs and weight.

The Scotti Fittings encourages best scaffolding practice and fully complies to SG4:10 guidelines also improves site safety with the removal of the ‘dead men tubes’.

*Definition* – Deadman Tube, A vertical tube attached the handrails that can reach down to attach the toe-board.

The fitting will have huge benefits for scaffolding companies with each single Scotti Fitting saving the use of a 5ft tube, 2 doubles and a single clip, over a large independent or tower the savings could be enormous.

Although the duo are not willing to release any images to the media of these new fittings the scaffolders are in talks with three of largest UK scaffolding companies both onshore and offshore. These firms have shown an overwhelming interest in the Scotti Fittings and wish to trial them.

Scott Wesson the inventor of The Scotti Fittings said:

”I first thought about the fittings after thinking they’re must be a better, safer, simpler way to securing a toe-board. After some trial and error, I found the solution.”

“The fittings are patent protected and under CDA agreements with the manufacturers that we have spoke to.

“The fittings will benefit everyone in the industry, from labourers to owners. They save time, investment, costs, weight and have a dozen other benefits which will benefit both the onshore and, in particular, the offshore industries.”

For more information on The Scotti Fittings please contact:

Gray and Wesson Business Developments Ltd.
info@gawdevelopments.co.uk.

The post The Scotti Fittings ‘No More Dead Men’ appeared first on ScaffMag - The Scaffolding Magazine.

A storm is brewing within the Scaffold and Access industry.

It has been said “F-Board is the most significant change in over 30 years”. As with many products, the F-Board was conceived from a flippant remark which then became a passion followed by a crusade to develop this mould breaking product.

F-Board has been over 7 years in its development and following diligent research, development and a very stringent regime of tests. The board complies with BS EN 12810, BS EN 12811 and the standard set out for wood BS 2482:2009. This is the first all composite board to be put through these rigorous standards and fully comply.

F-Board is a direct replacement for the wooden scaffold board

F-Board has been awarded two very well recognised accolades; in 2012 it won the Plastics Industry “Industrial Product Design” of the year and in 2014 won the National Recycling Awards “Best Recycled Product” of the year.

F-Board is a direct replacement for the wooden scaffold board. The dimensions of the F-Board have been kept the same as the traditional board to enable scaffolding contractors to continue using all their existing fittings and transport settings, thereby creating the absolute minimum of disruption during the transition. Although a direct replacement for wood, it is a completely different animal with thorough-bred manners and a smart appearance.

The team producing the F-Board is made up of industry experts who have amassed many decades of experience, from the reclamation of the raw product through to the science of extrusion. The product is cleverly made from a source of 100% recycled uPVC which is designed to give excellent impact and ultraviolet resistance. This material would otherwise be buried or exported halfway around the world to be re-manufactured into other products and then more than likely be shipped back to the western world. The F-Board is manufactured here in the UK near Birmingham. The recycled material is cleaned through F-Board’s own processing unit to ensure a pure product to maintain the highest quality standards. It is then extruded through the best German machinery available today. All production is under continual quality assurance even down to the company having its own laboratory with an in-house polymer technician. Batch testing the F-Board is undertaken on a regular basis for point load strength and impact resistance to exacting industry standards.

Wood has many very positive attributes but none more so though than when it is standing as tree. As a scaffold board, wood splits, warps, rots and will change weight. Wood is regarded as being an unreliable medium when exposed to the elements on a scaffold, slowly degrading and becoming especially slippery in wet and icy conditions. It is a regular occurrence for a scaffold company to have to return to a site to replace boards that have failed safety inspections, taking up the valuable time of an installation team that could have otherwise been working a job that would create revenue not incurring a cost.

The F-board is a very stable platform which maintains its shape and position with precision, offering a very good anti-slip surface which gives great confidence and is made from a material which gives it great flame retardant credentials. The Patented retaining system locks the platform into a strong secure working area that will happily withstand the most rigorous actions during its use.

It has also been noted that with the uniform weight of the board a company can load a vehicle with confidence that they will not be overweight. The saving on transport costs, which over a year total up to considerable amounts. It also makes the loading calculations for a scaffolding project easier to calculate.

F-Board’s low carbon footprint can make the difference between winning or losing a tender

The carbon footprint of the F-Board is approximately one-sixth that of a wooden board. In today’s competitive market, contractors are being asked to look very closely at the carbon impact that their input will have on a project. F-Board’s low carbon footprint can make the difference between winning or losing a tender. By using F-Board, a contractor does not have to prove that their boards come from a sustainable forestry source with a F.S.C. (Forest Stewardship Council) or P.E.F.C. (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) certificate. F-Board is different to handle and use. Two boards can be carried at a time due the light weight of only 13kgs. Due to the impact resistance flex that the board has, feedback from teams working on the board say “it is a bit like walking on air”. The flex is part of the F-Board’s immense strength.

F-Board are also in the final stages of development to produce anti-static and fully rated fire retardant boards. Sealed end caps are expected to be available to order in the next few weeks.

The F-Board has been put into many environments from Power Generation through to General Construction. It is a truly dextrous piece of kit that has multiple times the life expectancy of wood plus all the added health & safety and environmental benefits. Above all, as is regularly stated; “Safety is NO ACCIDENT” and F Board has set the standard for all who are working on access platforms would want to be working with.

F-Board can be purchased outright or can make use of the very tax efficient option of Asset lease finance.

To contact the F-Board team: Email – info@fboard.co.uk, Telephone 01215052360

FIRST ORDER INCENTIVE

Throughout February we are offering all new customers the opportunity to get on

Take advantage of substantial reductions on your first order, call now to find out what we can do to help you (Offer applies to 3.9m boards only and is subject to availability)

CONTACT THE SALES TEAM FOR DETAILS on 01215052360 or 07770607447 Email: info@fboard.co.uk

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Tilon Composites, the United Kingdom’s leading manufacturer of fibre reinforced polymer composite products, has announced a huge reduction in the market price of its Supadek scaffold boards, which are used widely throughout the scaffolding and access industry.

The price reduction has been possible thanks to a number of production, operating and distribution efficiencies that Tilon has realised through recent investment and years of experience manufacturing a range of products from recycled plastic. These include noise barriers, composite decking, industrial partitioning and safety barriers.

Key to these efficiencies has been the installation of a new plastics recycling line at Tilon’s South Wales facilities, which has given the company greater control over the cost and supply of the raw materials used in the production of Supadek.

The new recycling facility underlines the company’s commitment to assuring the environmental credentials and sustainability of Supadek and other Tilon products and means that the company can now provide recycled plastics as raw material to other like-minded manufacturers.

However, changes to operational procedures and distribution of the product have also made a significant contribution to the reduction in overall costs, which has resulted in Tilon being able to offer Supadek boards at a far more competitive price than was previously achievable.

Tilon’s managing director, Stephen O’Leary, explains, “Our experience and knowledge in the manufacture of fibre reinforced polymer composites from recycled plastics has grown immeasurably in the ten years since Supadek was launched.

“This enhanced expertise has seen our turnover increase six or seven-fold during that time and has enabled us to identify areas in which efficiencies can be made.

“Our latest improvements have targeted manufacturing and operations, and have resulted in much lower costs of production without making any alterations to the product.

“The efficiencies mean that we are now able to offer the market the same product at a vastly improved price as well as facilitating a more transparent pricing structure. Customers should see savings of at least 33%!”

Contacting Tilon Composites:

UK Sales Manager for Supadek Chris King can be contacted direct on

Mobile: +44 (0) 7867416033

or please visit http://tiloncomposites.com/supadek/

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TRAD is always looking for ways to improve safety and identified an opportunity to dramatically reduce on-site accidents and injuries when using a traditional Gin Wheel.

Continuing in TRAD’s quest for an ever-safer working environment they identified a way to transform the Gin Wheel into a device suitable for the 21st Century – changing the way site workers handle the lifting and lowering of heavy items and dramatically reduce the risk of personal injury.

Working in conjunction with Leach’s and utilising their technical and manufacturing expertise they have developed the ground-breaking Big Ben Pulley Wheel – revolutionising the lifting and lowering of heavy items on site – saving lives and minimising workplace injuries forever.

By introducing this innovative, braked pulley workplace accidents will be a thing of the past, with less effort and greater control to result in less fatigue and improved efficiency. Even if the rope is released, the pulley has a built-in descent control that gently and smoothly lowers items to the ground. The pulley also allows finger-tip control with the operator being able to stop and start descent at any time with the smallest of effort. Tough, marine-grade stainless steel brake and durable galvanised and anodised parts in a fully-enclosed die-casting ensures durability in the toughest environments – on land or at sea!

Revolutionary features include:

• Easy to operate.
• Smooth, controlled descent.
• SWL of 50 kg.
• Ensures safe raising and lowering of goods.
• Fully enclosed for safety and durability.
• Built in descent control.
• Tough construction.
• Unit weight of only 6.5kg.

Purchase exclusively from Leach’s

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The latest innovation from Layher – the new heavy duty lightweight aluminium beam – is set to open up new opportunities in a wide range of scaffolding applications.

With a depth of 1.25 metres between top and bottom chords, the development, says the company, combines strength and versatility and can be utilised in conjunction with its modular Allround system or with tube and fit scaffolds.

“The HD beam benefits from our commitment to engineering design and testing which has resulted in strength that will be widely recognised by everybody in the industry,” says Sean Pike, Layher’s UK Managing Director.

“The top and bottom chords gain from a 60mm OD with the upright and diagonal chords having a 48.3mm OD. A maximum moment of 150 kNm at 1.036 top chord restraint and shear of 53.8 kN are the direct results.”

Layher has developed the system with installation versatility in mind, which has led directly to a choice of several beam lengths ranging between 1.036 metres and 5.18 metres. Each incorporates Layher’s rosette system and post spacing for ease of installation, and can be specified with an extensive range of accessories and fittings.

“For example, apex sections of between 6° and 36° are available
as are corner, T and cross beam connectors,” continues Sean Pike. “Moreover, the HD beam accepts a range of temporary roofing designs, including the Keder system, while a further choice of accessories from lifting eyes and hanging standard adaptors are also available.”

The result is a development which lends itself immediately to use in the full range of Layher’s marketplaces – these range from construction to event-based installations and with layouts from façade and birdcage scaffolds to domed installations.

“As with all of our equipment, the new beam comes complete with our extensive support capability which is centred on close working relationships with both scaffolding and main contractors alike,” adds Sean Pike.

“With our service input encompassing design, training and advice on safety, and with proven equipment performance arising from our approach to testing and high quality material selection, the HD beam is well placed to become a major part of our extensive choice of scaffolding and access systems.”

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NASC announce the launch of a new Scaffolding Product Innovation Award

The NASC is launching a new biennial Scaffolding Product Innovation Award – celebrating the very best developments in new scaffolding materials and products from leading industry suppliers.

The process for award submissions will be revealed in June, on the NASC website, across social media platforms and via e-shots. The inaugural award will be presented at the confederation’s AGM in Amsterdam on November 25th (and thereafter every two years) – following an independent judging process, featuring a panel of leading access and scaffolding experts in the UK.

Innovative entries will be accepted for any widely used scaffolding material, or access and scaffolding product from NASC member companies.

Chair of the NASC Hire, Sale & Manufacturing Committee, TRAD Group MD, Des Moore, said: “The scaffolding industry is constantly evolving, and product-based hire, sale and manufacturing member companies are at the forefront of driving these changes. As such, we felt it was time to recognise this and champion those companies and individuals who are creating products that make the industry a safer place to work in.”

NASC MD Robin James added: “This is a new and worthy award to complement the existing biennial NASC Health & Safety award, and to encourage best practice in the access and scaffolding industry. We look forward to getting this new award off the ground at the AGM this year and receiving innovative entries from across the membership for independent judgement and recognition.”

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Keeping kit secure, figuratively speaking, has long been the bane of the scaffolding industry. For, not only will your kit be lost on site it can and is frequently stolen. In a bid to improve security Bridgwater, Somerset based Montana Scaffolding Ltd. (Montana) says it has developed Scaffmark.

“Scaffmark is a handheld marking machine that engraves company identification into scaffolding materials we are currently using it to provide security to ready-lock transoms, aluminium beams, stair treads, loading bay gate arms, hop up brackets and rubbish chute fixing frames, this item could also be used for marking system scaffolds,” said Montana’s director, Alan Clark.

Clark explained that Montana spends upwards of £10,000 a year on buying paint alone to identify the company’s scaffolding equipment, let alone the labour of applying it. “And we still have materials stolen as companies just paint over the top of our paint,” said Clark. “With Scaffmark even if you apply paint over the top company details are still visible as names are imprinted into scaffold products so you can categorically identify your product immediately without sending off a paint sample to confirm if it is your equipment.”

Scaffmark has 40 characters on its ramping wheel and although it is a new product costing £1,250 plus vat, Clark estimates that with normal use and regular greasing the engraver should last for up to 10 years. “The names could possibly be written over and if so it would identify that the product was possibly stolen but certainly not as easy as just painting over someone else’s security paint colour,” said Clark.

“I have spoken with technical at the NASC (National Access and Scaffolding Confederation) and they have said Scaffmark will be raised at their coming meetings,” he said. Clark is awaiting feedback from the meeting but was encouraged at the initial response.

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There is a new double on the block designed for tube on tube scaffolds and more. The new drop forged fitting from Klawz Ltd is named KLAWZ and it is fully tested to EN74-1:2005 Class B. Klawz Ltd’s director, Mark Parkin says, “The Klawz doesn’t actually stop at the basic 9.1kN safe working load Class B, with tested slip loadings exceeding 30kN on both steel and Aluminium tube.”

Mark explained the inspiration behind the KLAWZ double. “We decided to design the fitting as we use a lot of prefabricated transom units, the problem is that a traditional double doesn’t keep all the standards inline as the ledger sits further away from it,” he said.

Mark added that KLAWZ was in development, testing and manufacturing for around 18 months before the company was happy to launch the product. “It’s been a long and expensive process with new machinery being bought and additional tooling costs an almost daily event, and all that that before the hours spent with patent solicitors.”

Mark said, “Initial feedback has been very positive with indications that there are huge benefits with this product from design, logistics materials and labour saving. It is the only double that works with a prefabricated transom unit full stop, and offers the benefits of working tube on tube either with transom units or standard tube and fitting scaffolds.”

The cost of a KLAWZ double is £4.95 and Mark said that because it is drop forged it is very robust. “The fitting has been designed, developed and tested in the UK and is manufactured by our partners in a dedicated section of their facility in China”, he said.

Going forward there are no plans to change the fitting. “However,” said Parkin, “we will be conducting additional testing and gathering further data and analysis to justify the capabilities of the fitting beyond the limitations imposed by the EN74 standard.”

In terms of sales Mark said that right now companies are taking batches of KLAWZ to try them out. “We have also in the last week entered into an agreement with one of the UK’s largest scaffolding hire and sale companies, who will be offering KLAWZ for sale through their depots as well as online,” he said.

“We obviously believe in the potential of the fitting, and have a schedule of supplies,” said Parkin. “Our distribution partner generally holds over £3 million of scaffolding products in their facility, so moving forward stock shouldn’t be an issue.” Mark thinks that desired stocking levels will vary depending on the company. “Small firms may only stock a few hundred to use alongside transoms. Those who invest in their business could choose to replace almost all of their doubles with KLAWZ. Price will be an issue for some, but a saving on a purchase is a once only deal, the savings in labour, materials, storage and transport etc. is a benefit you feel every time you put a job up,” he said.

Technical information provided by Klawz Ltd.

KLAWZ perfectly complements the ReadyLok transom unit, allowing seamless transfer between sections of scaffolding constructed with transom units and traditional tube and fitting, by aligning the tube and fitting ledgers with Transom ledger spacing.

• Patented KLAWZ ledger spacing arrangement, aligns tube and fitting with ReadyLok transom ledger offset.

• Double and triple standards, necessitated by extra leg loading requirements, can be added at any point of a build with single or multiple KLAWZ fittings.

• Adding a Deadman when using ReadyLok Transoms can be done with a single KLAWZ fitting directly from the ledger, removing the need to under sling with doubles and punch up, saving tube and fittings.

• Aluminium beams suspended from ReadyLok transoms, can be secured directly to the standard with a single KLAWZ fitting, while guaranteeing a perfect parallel attachment effortlessly, and removing the time to plumb it up.

KLAWZ also offers the first EN74 tested answer to designing a “Double on Double” Scaffold.

• Allows a tube and fitting scaffold to be designed with high load bearing for both ledgers and transoms.

• Patented KLAWZ spacing design results in the ledger and transom sitting together, allowing the scaffold to be boarded out on a single level while maximising node point strength.

• Patented Wide Angle adaptation allows the scaffold to be splayed by up to 60 degrees, while maintaining all of the benefits of the “Double on Double” design.

• Removes the requirement to use “Aberdeen Transoms” as the strength is provided by the regular transom.

• Patented KLAWZ “Wing Design” automatically sets the transom spacing so it sits at the ideal height minimising the need for constant adjustment to level in.

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