How system scaffolding can speed up recladding projects

Following the Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017, the UK Government addressed the fire safety risks caused by unsafe cladding on high-rise buildings. It has since introduced the most significant building safety reforms in 40 years. The Building Safety Act, which was granted Royal Assent in April 2022, has been a catalyst for major changes in building construction and remedial works.

Since the surge of recladding work in the UK, temporary access has been in high demand. Growing pressure to hand these projects over quickly means the speed of installation and removal of temporary access is important to all contractors involved. The speed at which these projects are completed is equally important to the residents occupying the buildings, as their lives are often disrupted due to the work being carried out.

To replace cladding, contractors need access to the façade. In most cases, this requires working at height and at multiple levels simultaneously, making scaffolding the ideal solution. This type of access system enables different trades to carry out tasks at the same time, speeding up the entire process. Additionally, scaffolds are less likely to be affected by high winds as they are not typically weather-dependent.

Mast climbers on the other hand offer less protection from the elements, which could mean work is delayed until weather conditions are more favourable. The longer a project is delayed, the costlier it becomes. Another cost to factor in is the power source required for mast climbers to work, which varies depending on the size of the system.  

Although motorised systems like this have their advantages and can be a good solution for modern facades, they are not always practical when removing EPS cladding systems found on older buildings. This is because EPS cladding comprises lightweight polystyrene insulation which breaks apart during the removal process and is difficult to contain in windy conditions if the access system is not enclosed properly. This type of cladding is thought to be just as prevalent in the UK as the ACM cladding system used on Grenfell Tower.

In many cases, mast climbers are limited at lower heights, which suggests that they work best when used in conjunction with scaffolding, as the latter can provide access around the base and the lower floors, offering protection to the public while works continue above.

Cladding removal poses a risk of falling objects and debris if the temporary access system is not contained properly. To prevent this risk when using scaffolding, protective sheeting such as Monarflex can be wrapped around the structure.

Although protective sheeting for scaffolding provides a safer working environment for contractors, it raises the issue of an entire building being covered for a long period of time, often obstructing windows in the process. While this has been the norm for recladding projects, residents are continually disrupted by poor exposure to natural light in their living environment.

Research shows that poor exposure to natural light for prolonged periods can have an impact on mental health and wellbeing. According to UCLA Health (2022), being in an environment with low levels of natural light can result in ‘poor sleep, low mood and depression’.

In the worst cases, cladding remediation on a high rise building above 18 metres high can take up to two years. Programme extensions and delays like this can be caused by the complexity of the project, labour shortages, means of access and the cost and availability of materials required.

Innovative and modular scaffold systems offer many benefits, such as shorter programme times, reduced preliminary costs, flexible arrangements, minimal components, and a reduced risk of falling objects, slips, trips and falls.

System scaffolding encourages best working practices such as early engagement and planning to ensure build sequences are economical and practical. From basing out correctly to minimising the impact on residents at each lift, everything is considered prior to the build. Proper planning thus ensures faster build times and promotes faster removal of scaffolding, presenting a multitude of options to suit the main contractor’s programme.

For example, a conventional scaffolding structure is typically erected to all façade elevations of a building first to enable cladding removal. With modular system scaffolding and planning, flexible build sequences give contractors the option of erecting fewer elevations simultaneously.

This means cladding work can be carried out in phases, so the entire building does not need to be wrapped for the duration of the project, enabling contractors to challenge standard business-as-usual approaches.

The speed of installation and dismantling can be explained by looking at system scaffolding components in more detail.

For instance, PERI UP, like most other system scaffolds, has built-in steel locking decks instead of traditional timber boards which lock into position instantly. No additional components are required for installation. Other safety components, like the advanced guardrail on the PERI UP Easy façade system, enables the next level to be constructed from the working platform below. With integrated safety features like this, we can prevent the need to implement proprietary equipment such as Scaff Steps, resulting in minimal effort and time required to erect the next scaffolding lift.