Articles

Construction elevators help get workers and materials safely to upper-level floors. However, not all elevators are created equal. Some are made to only move people, others only materials and still others are ideal for moving people and materials together.  You can start the hoist selection process for your project by asking yourself a few questions. Do I need to move people or just materials—or both? Are there any potential access... Read More

There’s a time and a place for using a scissor lift or rolling tower. For example, when a church needs repairs done high above its altar stage, the first inclination might be to run down to the local equipment rental store and pick up a scissor lift for a few days. But how exactly do you get a ~4,000lb piece of equipment onto a raised platform in a confined space... Read More

Scaffold systems are subjected to the same winds as the building to which they are attached. That means safety and compliance with various regulations hinges on scaffolding engineers being able to correctly calculate wind loads and design an appropriate system.  Many different factors need to be considered when making these calculations, including: Geographic LocationThe shape of the scaffoldingThe shape of the buildingScaffolding heightWind pressure The wind has a tendency not... Read More

When repairing or renovating older buildings, the suitability of the existing structure to support scaffolding must be carefully evaluated.  This is because scaffolding systems often rely on anchoring into existing facade elements for lateral stability.  The scaffold design may also require leg supports to rest on top of existing roofs or walls that will impart gravity loads into delicate structural elements. Improperly designed or erected scaffolding can damage an older... Read More

The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, houses some of the Smithsonian’s largest aircraft and spacecraft, including a Concorde jet and the Space Shuttle Discovery. The Center is a popular destination, attracting nearly eight million visitors and aviation enthusiasts every year. The on-site Boeing Aviation Hangar, which shelters many of the museum’s pieces, is the length of three football fields and reaches a height of 10 stories. The hangar’s... Read More

When completed in 1928, the Buncombe County Courthouse became North Carolina’s tallest local government building at 17 stories high. Over time, the landmark structure deteriorated and eventually required extensive restoration. To get it done, remediation crews would have to work 195 feet above ground to mend the historic building’s exterior brickwork. This meant that safe and reliable scaffolding would be critical to the project’s success. The county needed experts familiar... Read More

The Virginia General Assembly Building in downtown Richmond was long overdue for a significant remodel. The structure was scheduled for partial demolition and rebuilding by Gilbane Building Company.  The improved 15-story building would blend old and new, preserving the original 1912 limestone façade while modernizing the rooms and public spaces.  Considering that the new structure had no internal elevator, Gilbane needed scaffolding for a building remodel that would allow them... Read More

NASA’s Wallops Island Flight Facility at the coast of Virginia is a key launch facility for government and commercial sector research aircrafts, scientific balloons, unmanned aerial systems, and sounding rockets.  Wallops Island also supports military operations, technology development, and satellite tracking for multi-organizational missions including the US Navy, NOAA, the FAA, and Virginia Space and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport.  The Surface Combat Systems Center (SCSC), one of the leading centers... Read More

Working at height is necessary for most construction, restoration, and repair projects. But constant vigilance and a commitment to safety are vital when working on scaffolding.   To ensure the safety of every person on the job site, it is important to inspect the scaffolding equipment and work area for potential hazards during installation, modification, and dismantling of the scaffold.  Checks must also be performed at frequent intervals throughout the project’s... Read More

In the summer of 2020, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington reached out to Scaffolding Solutions to ask for help renovating the Washington Headquarters of the club. Scaffolding Solutions was delighted to join the project on a volunteer basis, donating time, expertise, and scaffolding to the project.  Our team recently received a warm thank you from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington and the President of... Read More