Access and speed are a winning formula for Rose in Manchester

Scaffolding on a new residential development in central Manchester is being delivered by Oldham-based Rose System Scaffolding using system scaffold to overcome skills shortages, restricted access and a tight programme. Adrian JG Marsh reports.

“We proposed an approach that took account of a restricted site and were able to give clean, unrestricted access to any area of the site,” said Chris Howson, director at Rose System Scaffolding.

“By getting involved early, we could demonstrate the flexibility and speed of erection during some pre-tender trials at our yard. This gave the main contractor confidence to accept a system scaffold solution.”

The team at Rose System Scaffolding had come from a traditional tube and fitting background but established the business in 2017 to harness the productivity boosting opportunities offered by system scaffolding.

A key part of the Rose bid was being able to position cross-bracing so that it did not hinder access to any area. When combined with the faster erection time – as much as 50 per cent faster than traditional tube and fitting – this proved to be a winning offer.

Access is a fundamental factor for all main contractors so that trade contractors’ work can be sequenced efficiently and keep to programme. If a subcontractor can’t get access on time, contracts start to fall behind schedule.

Domis is main contractor at the £30 million Burlington Square high-quality residential development in Manchester, being built for developers Salboy and Factory Estates, one of Manchester’s most active developers. The steel frame development comprises 273 apartments over nine storeys with groundfloor communal facilities, a central garden courtyard and a rooftop communal area.

The Rose contract has involved the erection of a full-height fully decked independent access scaffold with three hoist towers, external Layher stair tower and Layher loading bays for external brickwork and glazing. Internally, there is blockwork scaffold to the basement area and all lift and stair cores.

Mr Howson added: “The design has allowed us to build the entire structure using individual pieces no more than three metres in length which are comfortable to handle and also fit in a hoist. The in-built connection system not only simplified the erection process but also removed the risk of fittings accidentally falling from the structure.

“The first operation on-site was to install the hoist towers. As the contract evolved, some changes to the loading bays have been made to accommodate bulk plasterboard deliveries and make it easier for dryliners to off-load pallets on each floor.”

Throughout the scaffold structure, bay widths of over a metre are proving ideal for the positioning and movement of material such as bricks, plasterboard and window frames – a process that is enhanced by the absence of cross-bracing.

“Once a section of the steel frame was up, we were able to erect the next lift,” Mr Howson explained. “We’ve been installing in phases of 30 metres to 40 metres by 10 lifts every two weeks. Lifts are three metres in height so the design had to take into account the lack of cross-bracing and the location of ties due to brick supports.

On the front elevation of phase four, Rose has had to take account of a public footpath. They’ve devised a cantilevered approach that steps out six metres from the second floor upwards.

“We’ve had to prop-off with supplementary work inside in order to distribute a load of 20 tonnes through the steelwork,” Mr Howson concluded.

The site design features a mix of residential units and is planned to welcome its first occupants during 2020.

PROJECT TEAM:

Developer: Salboy and Factory Estates

Main Contractor: Domis

Scaffolding Contractor: Rose System Scaffolding

Scaffolding Designer: Layher/ 48.3

Site Start: October 2018 Site Finish: November 2019

Package Value: £600,000

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