Job location:

City Road, Winchester, SO23

Project objective: To provide a safe and stable access scaffold for painting and decorating the exterior façade of City House.

Project overview: The client required scaffolding to facilitate external painting and decorating work at a property located on City Road, Winchester. The building’s varied perimeter necessitated a custom-designed scaffold structure to ensure complete and safe access to all areas. The project also involved navigating public highway regulations, requiring a pavement licence due to the scaffold’s encroachment onto pedestrian areas.

Scope of works: The scaffolding design encompassed a complex perimeter with multiple returns measuring approximately 6.0 metres by 5.0 metres by 5.0 metres by 4.0 metres, and 6.0 metres, respectively, creating a non-rectangular footprint. The scaffold reached a height of approximately 6.5 metres, comprising three working lifts to accommodate the building’s multi-storey nature. To provide adequate working platforms and ensure optimal access for the painters and decorators, the scaffold lifts varied in depth from 4 to 7 boards.

Safety and public protection measures

Ensuring the highest standards of safety for both operatives and the public was paramount. Several key measures were implemented:

Debris netting: Debris netting was systematically installed on every working platform. This critical measure served a dual purpose: preventing the fall of materials and tools from height, thereby protecting pedestrians and property below, whilst stopping debris and dust.

Ground-level standard protection: To safeguard passing pedestrians, foam padding was applied to the base of all scaffold standards (upright legs) at ground level. This conspicuous and soft covering significantly reduced the risk of injury should a passer-by inadvertently come into contact with the scaffold tubes.

Ladder gates: To enhance safety and prevent falls from height, ladder gates were installed at each level.

Challenges and solutions

Irregular building perimeter: The non-uniform shape of this property’s perimeter necessitated a bespoke scaffolding structure, moving beyond standard rectangular configurations. Our experienced scaffolding erectors designed and erected a scaffold that precisely followed the building’s contours, maximising access efficiency while adhering to all safety standards. Support beams were also integrated into this structure to provide additional stability and strength.

Public highway encroachment and pavement licence: As the scaffold extended onto the public pavement, a pavement licence was a mandatory requirement from the local authority (Winchester City Council). Our team managed the application process, ensuring all necessary documentation, including public liability insurance and a detailed scaffold layout plan, was submitted in a timely manner. This proactive approach prevented delays and ensured compliance with legal requirements.

Cost-effective access: The client sought an efficient and cost-effective solution for the required four-week hire period. The total cost for the scaffold hire, including installation and dismantling, was £3600, representing excellent value for the complexity and duration of the access scaffolding provided.

Outcome: The scaffold was erected and dismantled safely and efficiently within the agreed-upon timeframe, providing the painting and decorating contractors with stable and safe access to all required areas of the property’s façade. The careful planning and execution, including securing the necessary pavement licence, ensured minimal disruption to the public and smooth project progression. The project successfully facilitated the painting and decorating works, contributing to the aesthetic enhancement of this property.