Film Set Scaffolding Suppliers and Movie Scaffolding

South Africa has become a haven for film productions. Cape Town is a particularly popular location, but the rest of the country has also seen an increase in the number of films being produced.

With the increased number of productions being shot in both studios and on location in South Africa, the demand for film set scaffolding suppliers has increased in recent years. Film productions make heavy use of scaffolding and rigging, relying on scaffold hire contractors to provide film set scaffolding.

South Africa has very diverse scenery, perfect for films needing to be shot in a multitude of locations. There are first-class beaches, attractive business districts with high rise buildings, deserts, wetlands and lakes, small rural towns and high mountains that are snow capped during winter. Labour in South Africa is also comparatively cheap, lowering production costs significantly.

The Rand exchange rate is favourable to overseas film makers and South Africa offers a setting which has all the necessary scenery and facilities at a fraction of the cost of filming in other locations around the world.

The film industry in South Africa is booming with many film and production companies available to assist on films. These few points are just a couple of the many reasons that South Africa makes a great location for film productions.

Scaffolding Requirements in the Film Industry
When films are produced, scaffolding is required for many purposes. Film sets, temporary structures, platforms and access ramps for high areas are some of the uses of scaffolding on a film set.

Enormous sets require a lot of scaffolding to create items such as fake streets and imitation buildings. Scenes shot from an elevation require scaffolding and platforms to allow the equipment and crew access to high points, while assuring the safety of the crew and the equipment.

Film set scaffolding suppliers in South Africa are usually contracted to provide the movie set scaffolding and rigging.

The equipment used in filming can cost millions of Rands, making the stability and reliability of scaffolding a key concern for film makers. Scaffolding used also needs to be adaptable to different terrains. Many films are shot in locations where the ground is unstable or uneven; making the need for scaffolding that is able to perform its duties on unstable locations extremely high, as well as upholding the health and safety of the crew and equipment whilst constructed on uneven ground.

Health and Safety
Scaffolding used on film sets not only needs to be safe for the filming equipment, but also for the safety of the staff, crew and actors. If scaffolding does experience a problem in terms of a collapse or any other issue, even if no one is hurt, filming can be delayed which causes massive problems with budgets, the time schedules and many other important factors which the film depends on to be reliable.

Flexibility and Reliability
'Time is money'; a statement which could never be truer than in the film industry. When producing a movie, film makers depend on efficiency and the ability to shoot the production without delays. For this reason the scaffolding used in films for sets, temporary structures and access platforms needs to be quick to assemble, dismantle and move around. The production of a film can be more expensive and delayed by scaffolding which is not easily constructed and dismantled. Complex scaffolding that is difficult to work with will require more man power, increasing costs further.

When a film is in production, certain unpredictable elements such as natural light and the weather are important factors, yet these are not easily replicated artificially and require swift movement to have everything ready in order to film when conditions are perfect. This is another reason why the scaffolding used needs to be very dependable in term of its ability to be erected and dismantled quickly and efficiently.

Kwik-Stage Scaffolding and Self-Lock Towers
Scaffolding types such as Kwik-Stage Scaffolding systems and Self-Lock Tower systems are extremely useful and popular in this regard. These types of scaffolding are extremely reliable for many reasons.

Kwik-Stage Scaffolding and Self-Lock Towers are very easily assembled and just as easily dismantled requiring much less man power to do so than other types of scaffolding. Because the scaffolding is dependable in terms of time saving and lessened need for manpower, Kwik-Stage Scaffolding and Self-Lock Towers are a massive benefit to the film industry as they save time and cut back on costs.

The Kwik-Stage System is also very useful in the film industry as it is able to be erected on uneven terrain without compromising on efficiency or safety. This scaffolding system adheres to strict health and safety regulations. The scaffolding system is tested by engineers before use to make sure that it is compliant with the standards needed for heavy industrial scaffolding.

Using reliable scaffolding such as Kwik-Stage and Self-Lock systems from a film set scaffolding supplier in South Africa, the film industry reaps a sizeable benefit in terms of time saving, less man power and ultimately lowered costs. Couple this with a favourable exchange rate and dramatically different types of scenery within close proximity to one another; South Africa is a prime location for successful film production.

Precautions For Scaffolding

Construction work for buildings can be pretty hazardous and scaffolding is used as a temporary framework to give support to the workers and the building materials. It is almost like a rolling ladder and is immensely useful especially for very tall buildings as the height can be adjusted and it can hold many people and materials at one go. It is also comparatively safer than other means used in construction because of its lockable wheels. Nevertheless, it is always better to err on the side of precaution and proper maintenance and usage is imperative to ensure the safety of the construction workers. This will help prevent any types of accidents and related injuries. Staircase towers are also commonly used as scaffolds.

Scaffolding comprises of three main parts, namely, tubes, boards and couplers. Tubes can be of steel or aluminum though aluminum is preferred as it is both light and durable and is also flexible. Couplers are used to join the tubes and the boards provide a support for human access. Boards are made of wood which is seasoned and the standard size is usually 50mm - 63mm.

Scaffolding are usually attached to buildings with ties and are more stable than independent scaffolding. A type of independent scaffold is the mobile type which is mounted on wheels or castors which swivel and can be wheeled around from location to location.

Scaffolding safety is crucial for workers and the setting up and pulling down of the scaffold should always be done under the correct guidance and the supervision of a competent supervisor. It is best to follow the manufacturer's guidelines as each one may have some small differences in its set-up which may be crucial to properly and safely putting up and dismantling the scaffold.

The guidelines specifying the usage of the scaffold should also be strictly followed. Even though the management team is directly responsible for the proper workings and safe usage of the scaffolding, the workers should also be vigilant and inspect the scaffolding before and after every use. Any fault or deficiency, however minor, should be immediately reported to the concerned authorities. Even if you are simply in the scaffolding rental business it makes sense to provide for insurance for your company.

For further precautions, safety harnesses and guard rails for construction workers are highly recommended as they will buffer the fall, if any. Anyone working at a height of more than six feet above the ground should wear safety harnesses. Many an unfortunate accident on construction sites could have been avoided, if only proper precautionary measures had been taken and stringent inspection rules followed. Both management and the workers have to work in cohesion and joint responsibility to ensure the smooth and safe usage of scaffolding.

All about Scaffolding and their safety measures

Scaffolding is a provisional framework inside a building to hold up construction and repair of buildings and structures. Scaffolding is one of the main necessities in any construction field. Let it be large structures or smaller homes, Scaffolding is a necessary part. In Australia and most of the Oceania nations, Scaffolding is done with Pipes while in Asian countries Bamboo is used.

Scaffolding works are enduring to certain safety compulsions and the bare minimum requirements are set out by the authorities. The primary elements of basic scaffolds are: - Ledgers, Standards and Transoms.

Standards are perpendicular tubes which are used to relocate the entire weight of the structure to the floor where the scaffold rests. These kinds of Scaffolds are also called uprights. Ledgers are flat poles used to connect between standards. Transoms are always kept in the way which makes the right angle with the ledgers. It is an ordinary practice to place main transoms next to the standards to grasp the standards in place and to supply extra support to the boards. Main transoms will be associated by transitional transoms to supply extra support to the boards over and above the scaffoldings.

Following are some safety measures to adhere to when using scaffolding:

When moving towers, care must always be taken to ensure that the tower will remain upright. Particular concern must be taken when moving the scaffolding tower over a rough surface, as this may cause it to fall. No equipment should be left on the scaffolding platform at the same time as you are moving it. If the equipment falls it could damage or harm someone standing beneath, and the weight of the equipment could also make the scaffolding less powerful.

The tower should always be tied to the building in dubious weather conditions. Acute concern should be taken when there are high winds, as this could cause the scaffolding to move and bend. If the tower is not tall enough for its purpose, rather erect a taller structure of scaffolding. Inserting boxes or a ladder or any heavy equipment on top of scaffolding to gain extra height is very dangerous.

When scaffolding is upright, be it for industrial use or residential, the size and shape of the building must be taken into deliberation. A trained contractor who specializes in scaffolding is always ideal, because they will be able to decide accurately what size of scaffolding. They will draw up a scaffolding construction and installation plan that is customized for your building necessities.