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Ladders and Scaffold Tower Articles
January 31, 2010
When undertaking any kind of building or construction project, you will always need a sturdy and reliable ladder. More importantly, however, is that you use the right type of ladder, one that is specially designed for your particular job.
Types of ladders
• Stepladders - These are one of the most standard types of ladders available. Step ladders can be used when reaching storing spaces indoors, or even when hanging pictures on the wall.
• A-Frame ladders –A-frame ladders are taller, and can elevate the user up to four vertical feet. This type of ladder is one of the most versatile; use it for changing lightbulbs, painting, reaching high shelves and many more uses. A-frame ladders, like stepladders, generally have fairly wide steps to ensure stability.
• Extension ladders – These are essential pieces of equipment for exterior home repair or improvement. They can be extended to many feet above their one-segment storage length, and can be used for painting the sides of houses, loft conversions, conducting roof and other exterior maintenance.
• Roofing ladders – A specialist type of extension ladder. Whilst extension ladders lean against a wall or other supporting surface, roofing ladders extend to a few feet above the roof edge for better access. They often have special hooks or hand grips to ensure extra safety at such a height.
Remember; choose the right ladder for the right job!
January 26, 2010
No matter what season it is, the gutters on your roof will require maintenance from time to time. Unless you encounter a difficult problem, and in that case you should consult a professional, then you should be able to carry out this maintenance yourself using a ladder and the right tools.
Clearing gutters
This is one of the easiest tasks to complete. When your gutters become clogged with leaves, dirt and other debris, you simply have to climb your ladder, rinse the gutters with a hose, and use a scrubbing brush on stubborn areas.
Installing time-saving systems
If you don’t want to be climbing up and down your ladder to clean your gutters, consider installing leaf-catching systems or mesh screens. You still have to clean them, but not as often.
Resealing
Repairing sealant that has failed can be undertaken fairly easily, especially if you have aluminium gutters.
Remember, if you decide to undertake any of these small maintenance jobs yourself, make sure to be very careful on your ladder. Be aware of proper ladder placement and use, and check the ladder before use. Using an inferior ladder is just asking for trouble, so invest in a high-quality, reliable one immediately.
January 22, 2010
Scaffolding is an essential component of any large construction project and without it; a number of building projects would never have been completed. But what is it? For those not in the know, scaffolding is a temporary framework around a building, supporting the construction and repair of the structure and allowing any project workmen to access high-up areas.
The scaffolding framework is constructed via four main parts:
• Steel or aluminium tubes
• Couplers, to join the tubes together
• Wooden boards, to allow safe access for workmen
• Ties, to attach the scaffolding to the building
Of all the different types of scaffolding, most of them are constructed using these materials. Scaffolding is available a variety of sizes and shapes depending on the nature of the building project, but here are a few of the most common:
• Single fold– Used mainly for painting or plastering walls, this type of scaffolding consists of a solitary row of tubes against the structure.
• Independent/Birdcage – This is two or more rows of vertical tubes, in a lattice shape with horizontal tubes. Used for ceiling work.
• Cantilever – Scaffolding that is supported on one end only.
• Suspended/swing stage – A height adjustable type of scaffolding, it can be used on taller buildings for window washing.
January 19, 2010
Although ladders and extension ladders can be very handy for conducting essential roof, loft and gutter maintenance and other home-improvement tasks, they can also be very dangerous. Recent statistics show that approximately 1,200 people in the UK suffer ladder-related injuries every year, so you need to be careful when using your ladder!
Following the tips detailed below should make sure that you can carry on using this useful and valuable piece of equipment without becoming part of this worrying statistic.
Tips for ladder safety
• Never climb your ladder when no one else is at home – if you fall, no one will be there to help you. Also, have another person present to assist you and secure the base of the ladder.
• Do your home work – fully research proper ladder placement before starting your ladder-related job, and be aware of all safety guidelines.
• Assess the risk – Consider whether the task you’re going up the ladder to carry out is too difficult for your skill level. If it is, it really isn’t worth risking your life for – use the services of a professional instead.
• Make sure you use the right type of ladder!
When used correctly, ladders can be extremely helpful for loft conversions, laying roof tiles and valuable maintenance on rooftop objects. If you remember these tips, you should be able to safely complete whatever task you undertake.
January 17, 2010
You might not have a loft ladder because you may consider your loft hatch to be too small or the access restricted due to the layout of the room where the loft hatch is fitted. In some of these instances you would be right in thinking that a conventional loft ladder might not work. However have you considered a concertina loft ladder?
Concertina loft ladders can be fitted to loft hatches where conventional loft access solutions will not work and can still support a weight of around 150kg. They have rubber coated non-slip treads and have an anodised finish so are rust resistant. This type of loft ladder has a twin spring system that supports its weight when it is lowered and has an adjustable base position giving maximum flexibility regarding space in the room below.
The concertina loft ladder is available in four sizes and is supplied fully assembled meaning it can be fitted to your existing loft hatch with ease. It even comes with a kit that enables your existing hatch to be retrofitted to swing into the room.
The concertina loft ladder is an excellent product and the perfect solution when a conventional loft ladder might not work.
January 14, 2010
If you don’t already own a ladder then perhaps a combination ladder would be the best choice to make. It can perform all the functions of a freestanding ladder, a stepladder and an extension ladder in one complete package.
If you choose a combination ladder you can adapt the ladder to the specific job that you are doing, whether indoors or outdoors, and with many now having non-slip rungs, large rubber feet and additional platform steps they have never been easier, or safer to use.
Most online ladder stores can cater to your specific needs and can advise you on the right type of ladder for your application. If you are still unsure, having a ladder that is EN 131 certified for trade and industrial use is a good starting point. This type of ladder used to be known as a Class 2 ladder and most are really strong and secure and can support greater weights than the more lightweight class 3 domestic ladders.
If you don’t have much space for storage at home and can’t accommodate more than 1 type of ladder then a combination ladder is the perfect choice. They are versatile, strong and “the only type of ladder that you will ever need”.
January 12, 2010
Most of us use ladders either at home or at work and don’t give a second thought to the life saving potential of a set of ladders. This fact is of course known all too well by the fire brigade who use ladders on a daily basis as part of their job.
Being trained to use ladders properly is now a requirement in most industry sectors and the fire brigade take their ladder training sessions very seriously. They learn what ladder to use and how to use it in the most difficult of situations.
One lucky cocker spaniel now knows all too well the many uses of ladders after falling into a frozen pond near Kilmarnock in Scotland a couple of weeks ago. It took 17 firefighters and an extremely long extension ladder to rescue the chilly mutt after he fell into the pond whilst running playfully on the ice. His owners were all too aware of the dangers of frozen ponds so called the fire brigade who used the ladder to spread the weight across the ice and managed to pull the distressed dog free.
The dog is now recovering after his ordeal which once again proves that ladders are not just used to reach heights, they are used for rescuing lives too.
January 10, 2010
Most people consider ladders to be necessary to reach heights that would otherwise be difficult to reach. But ladders can also be used to climb down from an already attained height. The prime example of course is the escape ladder.
Most people now have smoke alarms fitted in their homes and, because of an efficient advertising campaign from the fire brigade, test them on a regular basis to check that they are working. If you do have a fire at home and the smoke alarm sounds it may be difficult to descend the stairs indoors if the fire has already taken hold. That is why it is so important to have another method of escape from an upstairs room. By using a dedicated escape ladder you can be sure that when fire strikes you have a way to escape from the upper floors in your home without the possibility of smoke inhalation or the potential of putting yourself in more danger by using the indoor stairs.
Escape ladders can be discreetly kept in the bedroom and, although we all hope they will never actually be needed, are the best method of escape from an upstairs room if you have a house fire.
January 6, 2010
Scaffold towers, particularly aluminium towers, have become increasingly popular, and are often used as an alternative to traditional ladders.
Scaffold towers and ladders both have their benefits, and can be used for an endless variety of different tasks.
One of the main benefits that scaffold towers offer is that they allow the user to move about more freely, whereas with ladders, the body has to be kept central.
Despite their appearance, aluminium scaffold towers are extremely lightweight, which makes them portable and versatile.
Scaffold towers are fantastic for carrying out tasks such as fitting windows and glass, repairing and installing gutters, plastering and brickwork. Although ladders can be used to carry out these tasks, a scaffold tower is perhaps preferable as they feature a platform on which tools and materials can be safely placed, and many towers have a maximum load limit of over 23 stone.
Although they may look a little complex, scaffold towers are simple to construct- a task which requires very little technical knowledge.
Scaffold towers are definitely worth considering, particularly if you are concerned about the level of support that a ladder would provide when carrying out a tricky task.
January 4, 2010
Ladders are an essential item in every modern home, as they’re great for a number of uses. Whether you’re carrying out a few much needed home improvements or working outside, ladders are vital for ensuring you can reach heights safely.
Although the majority of ladders are incredibly simple to use, there are a few common errors that many people make- that can lead to serious accidents.
In order to use ladders safely, you should follow a few simple safety pointers that will ensure that you can work at heights safely and greatly reduce the risk of any accidents.
• Before use, ensure that all rungs of the ladder are completely dry, in order to avoid any nasty slippages. In addition to this, ensure that the soles of your shoes are dry in order to maintain a sturdy grip. Wet and greasy rungs and shoes are a major cause of accidents on ladders.
• Make sure that the ladder is completely sturdy before use. You should pay particular attention to any ladders that haven’t been used for a while, as they may have become damaged.
• Keep your body central! Reaching and stretching too far beyond the ladder may cause you to lose your balance, or cause the ladder to become unsteady and tip over.
Using a little precaution and following these simple tips will ensure that using ladders is as safe as possible.
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