As independent consulting engineers, the firm provides wholly unbiased in-house verification of scaffold components and fittings in accordance with the UK, European and Australian current standards. Testing of scaffold components is a routine part of the firm’s activities. This service is provided by the firm’s Metallurgy Laboratories supported by the UKAS approved Central Laboratories Group.
Detailed below are some of the diverse scaffold access systems and components for which the firm can provide verification for the performance of continued structural integrity and/or for research and development of prototype systems. These are as follows:
- Fall-arrest performance testing of temporary access and falsework systems to BS EN 765:1997
- Full-scale on site integrity load testing of scaffold tower structures
- Load testing of various caster type wheels for mobile scaffold access systems
- Testing of fabricated ‘U’ heads for false-work
- Testing of fabricated pin-lock access systems
- Examination of failed tower transoms and evaluation of welded connections used to connect components together
- Investigating the causes of component failure during service, such as fractured coupler tightening bolts, broken joining rivets and deformed closing tang components
- Verification of proto-type pressed and drop forged right angle (fixed) and swivel (adjustable) couplers to BS EN 1139: Section 2.1: 1991 and EN 74 1988
- Compliance testing of put-log, sleeve and spigot type fittings
- Grav-lock girder clamp component assessment
- Head soundness and strength assessments of prototype “T” bolts, ‘ball and ring’ type bolts used in fittings
- Strain assessment of coupler bolts during torque testing and torque verification of coupler bolts
Scaffold component manufacturers use Sandberg’s services not just to test their systems but also to assist in the design process by testing various prototype scaffold components. A further role played by Sandberg is to help manufacturers maintain the desired quality of their components when undertaking changes such as relocating the manufacturing of the components to alternative countries. Finally, the service includes assisting scaffold component manufacturers to achieve the necessary approvals for their products to be accepted within certain national and international markets.
Sandberg is continually expanding its testing facilities for UKAS accreditation purposes. This involves accommodating increasing numbers of principle scaffold components submitted by manufacturers for their individual suitability and performance, using standard techniques and procedures. Part of the process has entailed developing ‘stand-alone’ certificates for release of results, which now include all relevant parameters relating to findings from testing while ensuring that each certificate is clear and traceable.
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