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Behind The Wrap
Technical insights and behind-the-scenes expertise from the Rhino Shrink Wrap team.
Calculating materials & labour for profitable scaffold shrink wrapping
Scaffolders often ask me to advise them how much materials they are going to need for a scaffold shrink wrapping job or how much labour to allow. This article shows how to calculate the costs on a ‘per square metre’ basis and aims to help make your next scaffold shrink wrap job profitable and hassle free! The information here is based on many years personal experience setting up and running multiple shrink wrap installation teams and supplying materials to scaffold companies large and small. I hope you find this information useful. If you think others would too, please share! 1. Scaffold Shrink Wrapping Film A roll of shrink wrap film for scaffolding is typically supplied as a 7m wide x 15m long roll of 300 micron thick, flame retardant shrink wrap sheeting. In theory this means that you can cover 7m x 15m = 105 square metres of scaffolding per roll. In reality, after taking into account areas where sheets need to be overlapped or welded around a scaffold tube I find that 90 square metres is a more realistic figure for usable square meterage per roll of shrink wrap. If a roll of 7m x 15m typically costs from £156 to £186 / roll, (depending on the volume discount your supplier can offer you), this means the actual cost per square metre for shrink wrap materials is going to be £1.73 – £2.07. (£186 / 90 square metres = £2.07). 2. Shrink Wrap Tape If you are using a shrink wrap film that has been engineered for scaffold shrink wrapping then after heat welding the scaffold shrink wrap should stay bonded – you should not need to tape over the edge of each join to help it stick. Neverthless, I always allow for one roll of tape (100mm x 33m roll) per roll of shrink wrap film that is being used on a job. If a roll of tape costs £9.95 then the cost per square metre is 11 pence. (£9.95 / 90 square metres = £0.11). 3. Gas I generally recommend a 13Kg cylinder size as these are convenient to move around a scaffolding and construction site. The amount of gas consumed will depend on the shrink wrapping gun you are using and the skills / technique of the shrink wrap installer. A powerful gun will use 6-7Kg of propane gas per hour but of course, assuming the installer knows what they are doing, will allow you to shrink an area much faster. Based on the most powerful scaffold shrink wrapping torch available – the Rhino Shrink Wrapping Torch – one x 13Kg bottle of gas will be enough to install 500 square metres of shrink wrap. If we assume a 13Kg bottle of Propane gas costs approximately £20 / cylinder then this equates to just 4 pence per square metre! (£20 / 500 square metres = £0.04). 4. Labour How much shrink wrap should an installer be able to shrink wrap in a day is a very common question which can be difficult to give a definitive answer to as it will very from job to job. As a guide I assume that one man should be able to install at least 200 square metres per day for most jobs. This may be reduced to an absolute minumum of 100 square metres per man per day on particularly ‘difficult’ jobs. The difficulty of a scaffold shrink wrap job may depend on; Scaffold Structure – A well designed, flush scaffolding will be much faster to wrap than one with many protrusions. Similiarly, straight runs are easier than multiple facades. Site – Some sites make it difficult to get men and materials to the working area. This may be due to local procedures or just logistics. Central London sites or track side projects are examples of this. Weather – Attempting to battle wet and windy conditions will slow up the installation rate and may also effect on the quality of the finished shrink wrap job. Based on an average of 150 square metres per man day, and a labour rate of £150/day, I normally estimate the labour cost to be around £1 / square metre. I wrote this article, which is based on my own experiences, to help scaffolders who carry out their own scaffold shrink wrap jobs, make sure that they are taking into account the key costs involved. For most scaffolding encapsulation and containment jobs, the main ‘consumable’ items and costs are listed below; Shrink Wrap – £2.07 / m2 (or less depending on volume) Tape & Gas – £0.15 / m2 Labour – £1.00 / m2 (or less depending on project and experience) In conclusion, with some planning of the scaffold structure and by choosing a good weather window it should be possible to install most scaffold shrink wrap for £3-£4 per square metre. However, using poor quality materials that require visits to repair or installers who are not trained or experienced could add to this. At Rhino we are always happy to answer your questions, just contact us. If you find this information useful, and think others might too, please share. This article assumes that you already have a shrink wrapping gun and scaffold clips and looks at ‘consumables’ only. If you would like to learn more about the scaffold shrink wrap process, including the equipment involved, why not download Rhino’s free guide – How to Shrink Wrap Scaffolding.
Scaffold Wrapping For Containment – What is Final Seal?
Any discussion of a scaffold wrap project where the containment of dust and debris is the key requirement, usually involves looking at ‘final seal’. In scaffold wrapping, final seal describes the point where the shrink wrap sheeting is joined to the wall / ceiling / floor. Final seal can create quite a challenge. The easiest type of containment is on internal projects such as a temporary interior partition. In this situation, the scaffolding is erected so that a scaffold tube is run parallel to the surface. The shrink wrap is then wrapped to the scaffolding in the normal way. The next step is to fix a ‘shrink wrap skirt’ between the sheeting and the floor / wall / ceiling. If the surfaces are suitable, i.e. smooth, clean and dry then this skirt can be taped into position and the final seal has been created. However, in many cases, it may not be possible to simply tape a skirt into position. Powerful adhesives can be used although it must be noted that these can leave behind a residue which may be difficult to remove – certainly not ideal for heritage projects. Another reliable way of creating a final seal between the shrink wrap sheeting and a floor / wall / ceiling is to use a wooden batten. This is often use during the construction of building screens. Often a wooden batten will be used to fix the sheeting to the toe board or boards on the lowest lift of the scaffolding. Typically, ‘Cordeck’ or similiar will then be laid over the boards. As always, for advice and guidance on achieving ‘final seal’ give the Rhino Shrink Wrap team a call on +44 (0)1477 532222 or call info@rhinoshrinkwrap.com.
How Tightly Does Shrink Wrap Sheeting Fit Around Scaffolding?
Want to see just how tightly shrink wrap sheeting is fixed around a scaffolding? This short video demonstrates shows how the sheeting is fixed ‘drum tight’ and includes some pictures of completed projects.
I Need a Temporary Roof Cover - What Are My Options?
This guide takes a closer look at shrink wrap plastic sheeting and how it compares to other methods of covering a temporary roof. We compare performance in areas such as project planning, speed of fitting, weather resistance and appearance. Read on to see if shrinkwrap is right for your next project and get some tips and tricks to help make sure your next temporary roof cover is successful. A temporary roof is usually used to create a weather protected covering for a building project. There are a variety of sheeting options for cladding a temporary roof including tin or zinc roofing sheets, (often referred to as ‘CI sheets’), temporary roofing ‘systems’ such as Haki, Ubix etc or shrink wrap sheeting. A controlled environment can mean different things. Sometimes it is simple as keeping a work area dry. Other times there may be more specific requirements for temperature or humidity control. Corrugated Iron The traditional material used to cover a temporary roof scaffolding sheets of corrugated iron. Also sometimes known as tin sheets, or CI sheets, putting a ‘tin hat’ over a construction project is still used today. After the scaffolding has been erected, sheets of corrugated iron are laid over the roof in an overlapped tile configuration and secured to the roof trusses beneath. Used carefully, the tin sheets can be re-used on multiple jobs but they require lifting into position individually so the labour costs for fitting can be high and of course, involve scaffolders working on the roof. For an example of a temporary roof using CI sheets click here. Advantages: Re-usable Disadvantages: Does not let light through to the work area underneath. Health & safety considerations. Large upfront investments in sheeting. Keder Roof Keder describes a temporary roof sheeting technique that is utilised by a number of large manufacturers. With this product aluminium beams of either 1.5m or 3.0m length are fitted together up to a maximum span of 15m. Although the exact design may differ depending on the manufacturer, the aluminium beams incorporate tracks (like the track which allows a sail to be pulled up the mast on a sailing boat). Stiffening of the trusses is achieved by double and single tie bars and diagonals with snap-on ‘claws’. The bay width of this product is 2.57m. Once the beams are installed, the sheeting with sealing beads (Keder) is pulled through tracks in the beams. For a really in depth explanation of Keder sheeting systems click here. Keder systems is a very effective option in terms of temporary roofing. It can create a light working environment however the lack of versatility means in some cases, shrink wrap can be a better suited solution. Advantages and disadvantages of Keder are. Advantages: Re-usable sheets Creates a light working environment Disadvantages: Can be costly Not as versatile as shrink wrap Planning a shrink wrap temporary roof Although, shrink wrapping does not require the initial scaffolding design considerations of a temporary roof system such as Haki or Ubix, covering a scaffolding roof with shrink wrap sheeting will always need some planning. take advantage of the best weather window as fitting shrink wrap sheeting in wet and windy conditions will significantly affect the strength & performance of the product. Additional scaffold boards will need to be fixed securely on the roof surface to batten the shrink-wrap and a hand rail will be required around the perimeter of the roof to provide edge protection and to provide a point for anchoring safety lines for additional fall protection. In addition there will need to be some planning to take advantage of the best weather window as fitting shrink wrap sheeting in wet and windy conditions will significantly affect the strength & performance of the product. Finally, your team may need some kind of shrink wrapping training to achieve the results you or your client are looking for. Speed of Fitting Corrugated tin sheet, (CI) is generally fitted to the scaffolding structure in 2m x 1m (2 m2) sections, (after overlaps have been taken into consideration) whilst shrink wrap is generally fitted as a 7m x 15 (105 m2) sections which seems to be a clear advantage for shrink wrap sheeting in terms of fitting speed. However, fitting a shrink wrap sheet to a temporary roof scaffolding requires more than just rolling it out over the roof. The film will need to be battened down at intervals across the roof (we recommend every 2 metres), overlaps with other sections of shrink wrap will need to be sealed by heat welding and finally the entire shrink wrap cover will need to be heat shrunk ‘drum tight’ by heating the entire area of the roof sheet using a hand held propane gas hot air gun. Weather Resistance Rain : In terms of stopping water ingress, shrink wrap sheeting offers far fewer joints than a tin sheet roof and any joints that are present are sealed by heat welding. Fewer gaps mean much less opportunity for rain to penetrate. Wind : When used as a sheeting for the sides of scaffolding, shrinkwrap is generally considered to be the most robust temporary sheeting product on the market. Temporary roofs can present more of a challenge. In this case, a high wind blowing over a shrink wrap roof creates a low pressure area underneath the shrink wrap which creates a considerable upward force or suction. To prevent damage we recommend the scaffolder securely clips scaffold boards to which the shrink wrap can be battened at intervals of approximately 2 metres. (These boards, which are generally installed as a run three boards wide also provide access to the shrink wrap sheeting after the sheet has been unrolled). Installers Tip – When battening a shrink wrap sheet over a temporary roof, we install a self adhesive strip of foam between the batten and the shrink wrap. This foam acts as a gasket to prevent any water ingress through screw holes in the shrink wrap. Appearance A shrink wrap roof will have a clean, smart and professional appearance compared with one constructed from tin sheet and the working area underneath will be considerably lighter. By continuing the shrink wrap sheeting down the sides of the scaffolding, the entire area can be encapsulated and contained as a continous sheet. One of the main advantages of using shrink wrap sheeting as a temporary roof covering is that it is easily adapted to the size and shape of the scaffolding structure, however ‘awkward’ that may be. Dismantling a Temporary Roof One aspect to consider when comparing shrink wrap sheeting versus tin sheeting for a temporary roof covering is the time taken to remove the roof cover when the project is completed. The shrink wrap film can simply be cut off in sections and bundled for collection for recycling at the site or back at your yard. This will be considerably quicker than removing tin sheets and stacking for transport back to the yard. Is A Shrink Wrap Temporary Roof Right For Me? No product is right for every situation or application and this is certainly true for temporary roof covers. For the largest of temporary roofs, the ‘system’ roofs offer a number of advantages and have been tried and rested on some of the most high profile construction projects in the UK. Shrink wrap sheeting is most suited for smaller and awkward temporary roofs.
Which Scaffold Cover Is Right For My Project?
There are a huge range of scaffold coverings on the market. Although at Rhino Shrink Wrap we specialise in the supply of shrink wrap sheeting (and installation services) we don’t think that shrink wrap is necessarily the right choice for every company and every application. So, what things should you be considering when selecting a scaffold covering? What Do I want The Scaffold Cover to do? Which scaffold cover is right for you depends very much on what you want to achieve. Are you looking for sheeting to create temporary weather protection around a construction site or is the sheeting for the containment of dust or other hazardous materials. Sometimes the scaffold covering is simply to screen the construction works from the public and in this circumstance, the appearance of the sheeting may be critical. The most basic level of protection used on scaffoldings is debris netting. If you are looking simply to protect personnel below the scaffolding against falling debris, then netting can be purchased for as little as 20 pence per square metre. At the other end of the scale, a system such as ‘Layher Protect’ is a solid aluminium cladding system that effectively creates a solid barrier around a construction site. How Long Will The Sheeting Be Required? A small domestic scaffolding, may only be required for a week or two before it is dismantled. If it is preferred to keep the site dry or keep dust within the scaffolding then standard scaffold sheeting is probably going to be the most sensible option. This cladding can be installed quickly, without any specialised training, and it may even be possible to re-use the sheeting on another job. Shrink wrap sheeting is better suited to longer term industrial projects Shrink wrap sheeting is better suited to longer term industrial projects where the extra costs of labour to install the shrink wrap sheeting will be repaid in fewer return visits to repair weather damage and better containment of potentially hazardous dust and debris. Where Is The Scaffolding Located? Is the scaffolding situated in an exposed location where high winds are likely or it situated in a very public location where detached sheeting could be a hazard, then traditional sheeting products may not be the best choice. Of course you should always ensure that the scaffolding structure is designed to handle the wind loadings. Alkthough shrink wrap sheeting is designed to handle high wind loadings, on very exposed locations we advise reducing the typical 6m drop to a 4m drop or even in extreme circumstances a 2m drop. What Is The Scaffolding Structure Like? If you are not able to make the scaffolding structure flush, then it may be easier to use a conventional scaffold sheeting such as Monarflex. As traditional sheeting is installed on a lift by lift basis and overlapped on the sheet below, any protruding poles will pass through the sheeting at this gap. Because shrink wrap sheeting is generally supplied as a 7m wide roll, and covers up to 3 lifts per drop, protruding tubes can create a big problem. Do You Want to Sub Contract the Installation of the Scaffold Sheeting or Do It Yourself? Conventional scaffold sheeting is well known to most scaffolders and so an easy choice when it comes to covering a scaffold for temporary weather protection or containment. If you want to benefit from the extra performance of shrink wrap sheeting then you will need to employ a specialist sub contractor or get your own in house team trained in the application process. What Is Your Budget? Shrink wrap costs around £1.50 per square metre for materials only or from around £6 per square metre fully installed. If you would like to find out more about the cost of scaffold wrap and how it compares to the cost of conventional scaffold covers such as ‘Monarflex’ get in contact with us. Is The Appearance Of The Scaffold Sheeting Important? The issue with conventional scaffold covers is because they are attached with bungees to the scaffold tubes, over time these bungees are stretched by wind loading on the sheet and tend to quickly lose their elasticity. This allows the scaffold sheet to become loose and this can look unsightly. Shrink wrap sheeting does not utilise bungees and is heat shrunk ‘drum tight’ which looks smart and professional. Of course, the ultimate solution is to install a rigid cladding around the scaffolding such as Layher Protect System (link) or the new dBarrier system from sweden which Rhino Shrink Wrap have recently started working with in the UK. No matter what sheeting you use, you need to ensure that the scaffold is designed to withstand the extra wind loads that will be imposed on it. In addition, whether it be Monarflex or Rhino Shrink Wrap, use the best quality scaffold sheeting available and install according to the manufacturers recommendations. If you have any questions or require any assistance give our team a call at Rhino Shrink Wrap on +44 (0)1477 53222 or email info@rhinoshrinkwrap.com. We look forward to hearing from you.
Using Clear Shrink Wrap Film For Scaffolding Encapsulation
Shrink wrap sheeting for scaffolding is most commonly supplied as a 300 micron thick, flame retardant film which is white in colour. However, it is also possible to use a clear shrink wrap film for scaffolding encapsulation and containment. The benefit of using a clear film is that more light is allowed into the work area and the workers can be seen more clearly behind the sheeting, which can be of a benefit in high risk environments.
Encapsulation Sheeting - Monarflex or Shrink Wrap?
When comparing two temporary weather protection products such as traditional scaffold sheeting and scaffold shrink wrap the first thing to consider is that everyone has different needs. In some cases Monarflex is better and in some cases shrink wrap is better, it depends on what you are trying to achieve with your encapsulation sheeting. Scaffold Sheeting – An Introduction A quick search of the internet reveals many manufacturers and distributors of traditional encapsulation products. These products generally consist of 2 x layers of Low Density Polythene sheet with a reinforcing ‘scrim’ sandwiched in the middle with reinforcing strips and pre-punched eyelets through which a tie is attached that secures the sheeting to the scaffolding. Shrink wrapping is a more specialised trade. To apply this type of product, the shrink wrap is attached to the scaffolding by wrapping around a tube and heat welding back on to itself. The entire sheet is then heat shrunk ‘drum tight’ using a shrink wrapping gun. Lets compare a traditional scaffold sheeting such as Monarflex Super T FireSmart with a shrink wrap product such as Rhino Verisafe® 300. We have chosen Monarflex because they are probably the best recognised brand and their name is often used to refer to any type of scaffold sheeting by any company. Monarflex produce a range of scaffold sheeting products, but for this comparison we have chosen the highest performing product – Monarflex Super T Plus FireSmart Scaffold Sheet. According to the Monarflex website (www.monarflex.co.uk) Super T Plus is “The UK’s market leading high performance flame retardant scaffold sheeting, with exceptional strength and wind resistance…” Ease of Fitting – Monarflex ‘v’ Shrink Wrap Monarflex scaffold sheeting is an easy product to fit. Rolls of Monarflex are typically supplied as a 2 metre wide x 45 metre long roll which for a ‘mid range’ grade such as Monarflex Stripe weights around 21Kg (equivalent to 232 grams / square metre). All scaffolders know how to install it and no specialist knowledge or extra equipment is involved. The sheeting is applied horizontally (although Monarflex say it can also be installed vertically) around the scaffolding on a lift by lift basis. Where Monarflex is required to create weather protection for a construction project then the Monarflex website recommends overlapping the lower sheet internally so that rain runs down the outside of the sheeting and if for containment, Monarflex recommend overlapping the lower sheet internally to give the best chance of containing debris from demolition etc. The Monarflex sheeting is attached to the scaffolding using ties, commonly referred to as ‘bungees’. The positioning of the ties is actually set out by the British standard code of practice which states that a minimum of one tie should be used per metre, in each direction. Monarflex recommend the Flexi Tie Shrink wrap scaffold sheeting (such as Rhino Verisafe® 300) requires some training and practice in advice. Rolls of shrink wrap sheeting are typically supplied in a 7 metre wide format on a roll length of 15 metres. At 300 microns, the roll weight is around 32 Kg (equivalent to 304 grams / square metre). Unless wind speeds are high, it should be possible to fit Monarflex in most weather conditions. Shrink wrap sheeting does require reasonable weather conditions to get the most out of the product. Where sheets of shrink wrap are to be joined and sealed, the join cannot be made if the sheeting is wet. Furthermore, it can be difficult to heat shrink the scaffold shrink wrap ‘drum tight’ when conditions are breezy. Resistance to High Winds – Shrink Wrap or Conventional Cladding? The resistance of scaffold sheeting to wind can be a contentious and complex issue. However, in the environments where we at Rhino most typically work – power stations, airports, bridges, alongside railways and roads – the detachment of sheeting is not a desirable characteristic and scaffolds are designed to withstand wind loads. Many scaffolders tell us that Monarflex is ‘designed’ to detach from the scaffolding at certain wind speeds. It seems that there is a certain amount of confusion. What do Monarflex say? If a scaffold is to be sheeted, the scaffolding has to be designed to withstand the wind loading it may be exposed to According to the Monarflex website, the highest performing scaffold sheeting product is their Super T Plus range. Monarflex recommend that Super T scaffold sheeting is applied using an ‘Anchor & Strap’ (link to: http://www.monarflex.co.uk/products/fixing-accessories/anchor-strap.aspx) fixings. The Anchor & Strap system is a EPDM rubber strap with a patented fixing that is designed to lock two sheets of scaffold sheeting tightly together preventing rain from getting in between the sheets or dust escaping through gaps in the sheeting. According to the Monarflex website, when the Super T Plus scaffold sheeting fixed with ‘Anchor & Strap’ was tested in a wind tunnel it was able to resistant Hurricane Force winds up to 77 mph (123 kph) before the eyelets and / or fixings gave way. So what about shrink wrap? Scaffold shrink wrap manufacturers have traditionally been quite vague about the wind resistance of their scaffold encapsulation products. Part of the problem is that whilst traditional scaffold sheeting products are installed in a very consistent way, (lift by lift around the scaffolding), shrink wrap can be installed in a variety of configurations which makes a consistent test difficult. However, shrink wrap sheeting has been tested in some of the harshest projects worldwide. To find out more why traditional sheeting may flap and detach, click here. Advantages of Traditional Scaffold Sheeting Very easy to fit, no specialist knowledge or equipment involved. Lightweight rolls Can easily be printed / branded Economical (although there seems to be a reluctance among suppliers to put their pricing information up front.) Advantages of Rhino 300 micron Shrink Wrap Encapsulation Sheeting Very versatile – can be used to cover the roof and or sides on ‘awkwardly shaped’ scaffolds. Containment – Where a scaffolding must be fully encapsulated to provide the containment of dust and other environmental contaminants shrink wrap can be an ideal choice. In summary, both Monarflex and Rhino Shrink Wrap offer great solutions, depending on what is required for them. Clearly, for many jobs, Monarflex Scaffband and Stripe product ranges are a sensible choice. However, according to the Monarflex website these products are recommended for ‘normal weather conditions’ in ‘low rise’ urban areas and are suitable for short term projects (up to 6 months duration) that will not be exposed to a high wind risk. No matter what type of scaffold sheeting is used, the scaffolding structure must be designed and build to all the standards and codes of practice applicable to that country. Summary In summary, both Monarflex and Rhino Shrink Wrap offer great solutions, depending on what is required for them. Clearly, for many jobs, Monarflex Scaffband and Stripe product ranges are a sensible choice. However, for projects which may be exposed to a high wind risk or which require sheeting for longer periods of time (greater than six months) then it is worth considering the benefits that shrink wrap brings. No matter what type of scaffold sheeting is used, the scaffolding structure must be designed and build to all the standards and codes of practice applicable to that country.
Temporary Weather Protection - Which Sheeting Lasts Longest?
Many construction projects require temporary weather protection for just a short period of time, perhaps for just a few weeks or a couple of months during a certain critical phase of the project. However, occasionally the sheeting will be required for a much longer period, perhaps from 6 months to a year.If you are looking for temporary weather protection sheeting that will perform for up to 12 months there are a couple of options. Conventional Scaffold Sheeting This sheeting is seen on many construction sites around the UK. The main challenge when using this product for long term protection is that there are so many different grades of sheeting. To give you the best chance of success, try and choose the best qyulaity sheeting and use a tie system that is designed for longer term use. This probably means doing away with elasticated bungees and choosing a high end system such as Monarflex’s anchor and tie system. This can present a problem for traditional style scaffold sheeting because over time the bungee cods which are used to attach the sheeting to the scaffolding tend to become stretched and lose their elasticity. As soon as this happens, the sheeting becomes loose and saggy and is at risk of detaching in high winds. The Layher Protect System The Layher Protect System falls into the ‘temporary cladding’ camp. Rather than a sheeting system, using Layher Protect enables you to create a solid metal protective wall around the scaffolding. The system consists of aluminium ‘cassettes’ which can be mounted to either Allround or SpeedyScaff scaffolding. Each cassette contains a rubber seal which creates a very robust and tight fitting skin around a construction project. dBarrier The Dbarrier system has been designed and manufactured in Sweden and is an alternative to Layher for more permanent temporary weather applications (or applications where noise absorption would be of benefit. In a similiar way to the Layher protect system it is applied to the scaffolding as a series of solid panels. These temporary cladding systems have a number of obvious advantages when it comes to a long term protection. However, their initial purchase price can be costly and they are best suited to system scaffolds. They cannot handle awkward shapes or protrusions. Shrink Wrap Sheeting Installed properly, shrink wrap sheeting can provide a number of benefits to projects where long term weather protection is required. Because shrink wrap sheeting is attached to the scaffolding by wrapping around a tube and heat welding back to itself, there are no bungee cords which become stretched over time and allow the sheeting to sag. Also shrink wrap sheeting is heat shrunk ‘drum tight’ For long term weather protection it is particularly important to use a good quality shrink wrap sheeting. Although a low quality shrink wrap may look fine when initially installed, over time welds or joints between sheets may begin to peel apart and the sheet may start to sag. The ability of a sheeting to withstand long term exposure to UV light is vital if the sheeting is to last. Ask your supplier for an up to date specification sheet. Scaffolding Structure For maximum longevity the scaffolding structure needs to be flush. In addition, we would recommend the installation of a sheeting rail around each lift. Although after heat shrinking, the plastic will be moulded very tightly around the scaffolding, including any fittings, over long term, small movements can create holes in the sheeting. A sheeting rail allows the scaffolding to be pushed away from fittings. In the best of examples we have seen a sheeting frame installed on the outside of the scaffolding which allows the sheeting to be mounted well clear of any fittings, braces etc. Conclusion In conclusion, no matter what sheeting you use, you need to ensure that the scaffold is designed to withstand the extra wind loads that will be imposed on it. In addition, whether it be Monarflex or Rhino Shrink Wrap, use the best quality scaffold sheeting available and install according to the manufacturers recommendations. If you have any questions or require any assistance give me or my team a call at Rhino Shrink Wrap on +44 (0)1477 53222 or email info@rhinoshrinkwrap.com. We look forward to hearing from you.
Why Consider Black Shrink Wrap?
WHAT IS TYPICALLY USED FOR SHRINK WRAPPING SCAFFOLDING: Traditionally, most customers have requested white scaffold shrink wrap, it is cost effective, widely available and allows plenty of light through the wrap, so why is black shrink wrap becoming more popular? Like printed wrap, the popularity of unusual or unique products is growing considerably due to a crowded market in the construction industry. Black shrink wrap represents an opportunity to ‘differentiate’ and get one step ahead of the competition. THINGS TO CONSIDER: Whilst black shrink wrap could be a viable solution for your project, there are some things to consider before buying. The product isn’t as widely available as its white counterpart, although white wrap is available in almost any size desirable, options are limited when buying a specialist product like black shrink wrap. Rhino can provide a full installation service for black wrap but in terms of supplying ‘materials only’, currently we only offer a 7m x 15m roll size in 300 micron thickness. (Flame Retardant) *Not available on online store. Additionally, most shrink wrap accessories available on the market so far are all white! So if the project requires a zipper access door for example, you might get stuck looking for alternatives that might not be on the market just yet. ARE OTHER COLOURS POSSIBLE? Yes, theoretically. However, the downside with a custom colour shrink wrap is that there is a minimum order quantity of 5 tons. WHAT IF I PURCHASED A PRINTED WRAP WITH A SOLID COLOUR? Well, it is possible although digitally printing a shrink wrap roll will give quite different results to extruding a custom coloured shrink wrap film. For starters, although edge to edge printing is possible, it is very difficult to get a completely consistent block of colour. Whilst the extrusion option can require a significant minimum order quantity, it is possible to be consistently Pantone accurate across the entire roll. Printed wrap is a seperate specialist product, meaning it is not possible print on any roll and is limited to just 3m wide. However, using a colour additive in the extruding process instead of printing, you can have a wrap of your choice. Below are two case studies of completed installations using black shrink wrap to showcase the finished result. If you have any questions or comments regarding using black shrink wrap for scaffolding or modular building protection, we are always happy to help so please feel free to get in touch. If you found this information useful, and if you think others might too, please share.