Scaffold tube and fitting systems, also known and tube and clip or tube and clamp systems was once the most commonly used type of scaffolding.
Tube and fitting systems have been largely overshadowed by modern day alternatives such as; Cuplock, Kwikstage and Ringlock, with traditional tube and fitting scaffolds becoming used less and less in current times.
Companies and contractors still utilise tube and fitting systems within many parts of the UK and overseas. That said, modern day system scaffolding alternatives can often offer a more cost effective option for the customer, depending on the scale and complexities of the project.
What is Tube and Fitting Scaffolding?
Tube and fitting scaffolds consist of scaffold tube, boards and fittings. Scaffold tube is attached using various couplers, clamps and scaffold fittings. Unlike system scaffolds, tube and fitting systems are not prefabricated.
Scaffold tube is used with various types of fittings to build a braced, stable structure, with platforms (known as lifts) where scaffold boards are installed. This provides a safe, stable working platform where tradesmen can safely gain access to work from the scaffold with tools, machinery and equipment.
Just like system scaffolds, tube and fitting systems require a form of ladder access or staircase, alongside handrails, toe boards and any other relevant safety supplies.
Benefits of Traditional Tube and Fittings Scaffolds – in Construction
Tube and fitting scaffolds have been a long-standing choice for many within the scaffolding and construction industry. Many prefer the ability tube and fitting scaffolds provide in catering for complex geometries.
On the other hand, many not well versed in traditional tube and fitting scaffolds, prefer the ease and ability system scaffolds offer.
What are the benefits of using traditional tube and fitting scaffolding?
Like all things in life, progression is an inevitable. However, not all progression comes with 100% convenience.
Tube and fitting systems offer the hands-on ability to design and adapt the structure in a very flexible way. Complex geometries can be catered for easily, whereas not all system scaffolds permit the same level of flexibility that traditional tube and fitting systems do.
[box type=”note” align=”alignleft” width=”650″ ]Tube and fitting scaffolds are far more labour and time intensive, when compared with the installation of system scaffolds.[/box]
Cuplock, Kwikstage and Ringlock each with their own features and benefits, provide far more pros than cons.
When compared, tube and fitting systems do provide hand-ons level of flexibility, that system scaffolds cannot offer.
The Skilled Trade of Scaffold Tube and Fittings
Traditional scaffold tube and fitting structures are still implemented and used by many contractors and companies.
However, that said with modern day advances in quick installation and increased productivity being a driving force. Pre-fabricated systems such as Cuplock, Kwikstage and Ringlock have been designed, engineered and released to the industry, known as system scaffolding.
[box type=”shadow” align=”alignleft” width=”650″ ]System scaffolding offers speed of installation and ease of adaptation, that sadly, unless well-versed and skilled – tube and fitting systems don’t.[/box]
In today’s day and age, scaffolders of recent generations gain more experience with system scaffolds in many parts of the UK than they do with tube and fitting systems. Due to that,
The skilled trade of working with tube and fitting scaffolds, is not as common as it once was.
In Summary
St Helens Plant manufactures and supplies scaffold tube and a wide range of scaffold fittings, available locally, nationally and internationally.
Customers looking for a quote, advice or more information contact us on – 01744 850 300 or email us at – info@sthp.co.uk