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Scaffolding & Shoring

iqvinc on May 9, 2024

Do you know the difference between Scaffolding and Shoring?

Since we are all trying to stay occupied during this difficult time, why not stay occupied learning new things.

Have you heard of the terms Scaffolding and Shoring, and wondered what they mean? or What is the difference?

SCAFFOLDING

Scaffolding, also known as scaffold or staging, is a temporary structure that is used to support a working crew and materials while working on a building. Scaffolds are widely used on site to get access to heights and areas that would be otherwise hard to get to. Unsafe scaffolding has the potential to result in death or serious injury.

WHEN ARE SCAFFOLDS NECESSARY: 

  • To support the working platforms where Team members can stand and carry on their duties such as painting, siding installation, plastering etc.
  • Scaffolding is also provided where demolition or maintenance work of the building has to be carried out.

KEY POINTS DURING SCAFFOLDING:

  • Construction and design of scaffold comes under safety regulation of building site. For example when a person is liable to fall from more than 2m, the platforms of the scaffolds are to be provided with a guard rail to a height of 1m and also a tie board at least 200 mm above the platform.
  • About 35 to 40 percent of all the accidents that takes place in building construction sites is due to faulty scaffolding. Therefore strict supervision should be followed according to standard practice during scaffolding erection.
  • All scaffolding should be properly fixed so that they do not fall away from wall laterally. Similarly it should be stable longitudinally also.
  • The platform should be wide enough to accommodate a person working on it. It should not be less than 425 mm in width when the height is more than 1.8 m.
  • When materials are to be stored on the platform then the width of the platform should not be less than 850 mm.
  • Team members should not work under the scaffolding.

TYPES OF SCAFFOLDING

  1. Single scaffolding or bricklayers scaffolding
  2. Double scaffolding or masons scaffolding
  3. Cantilever or needle scaffolding
  4. Birds cage scaffolding
  5. Ladder or trestle scaffolding
  6. Suspended scaffolding

SHORING

Shoring is the construction of temporary structures to support an unsafe structure.

WHEN IS SHORING USED: 

Shoring is provided in following situations

  • When a building wall shows sign of bulging or leaning outward
  • At the time of dismantling or reconstructing a defective building wall, shoring is provided to support the floors or roofs connected to that wall.
  • Shoring is also provided to support super structure when large openings are required to be made in the walls.

TYPES OF SHORING

Depending on the supporting characteristic or their positions in the space, shorings are classified into following 3 types.

  1. Raking or inclined shores
  2. Flying or horizontal shores
  3. Dead or vertical shores

Are you able to answer the question now? We hope our little 101 knowledge on Scaffolding and Shoring has helped you.

IQV Construction & Roofing is here for all of your construction & roofing needs. If you need a service to be done call us at 408-638-5500 or request a proposal online.

Deck Inspection Liabilities

iqvinc on May 9, 2024

Balconies and decks are highly sought-after features in multi-family properties across the Bay Area where private outdoor space is at a premium and residents desire a spot to take in the gorgeous views and enjoy the beautiful weather. For property owners who neglect annual inspections and ongoing maintenance of their decks and railings, however, they can rapidly devolve from selling point to liability.
Deck collapses and failed railings have, in fact, caused injuries and the tragic loss of life in recent years. The only way to eliminate the possibility of tragedy on your property is the routine inspection of all exterior attachments, such as decks, balconies, porches and stairs, as well as their railings, by a licensed multi-family general contractor. Municipal building departments typically require that all exterior structures be inspected, not only by a licensed general contractor, but by a licensed structural pest control operator and an architect or engineer at least once every five years, and some have moved to an annual requirement. Studies show that the largest number of injuries related to exterior structures on multifamily properties come from one of two sources: the deck ledger connection and the railing.

Deck Ledger Connections

 qualified inspector will examine how, exactly, the deck connects to the structure. One major red flag is a nailed connection. Simply put, nails are not as secure as bolts. They will pull out over time as the strain of weight on the deck, as well as expansion and contraction, take their toll. The data bears this out. The majority of decks that have collapsed have been secured by nails instead of bolts, according to a 5-year study by the U.S. Forest Products Laboratory.
The screwed-in connection of a lag bolt offers up to nine times the resistance of a nail for every inch of penetration. The additional strength is gained by increased wedging action between the screws and the wood fibers. A “thru” bolt, which inserts through a hole drilled in the wood and into a nut on the other side, increases pull out resistance even more by relying on a metal-to-metal connection rather than metal-to-wood.
Other than pure strength, screws offer other advantages over nails. The contraction and expansion of wood have a lesser effect on screws than it does on nails. Although screws can be prone to loosening over time, they will show early warning signs, such as an increased gap between the ledger and the building. Nails show no such signs before becoming compromised. This reinforces the importance of annual inspections. If your deck ledger attaches with screws, a qualified, licensed multi-family contractor will immediately recognize these signs and be able to make the necessary repairs.

Railings

Because they are the most visible portion of a balcony or deck and can be made from a variety of materials and in a variety of styles, many builders look at railings as a chance to enhance the appearance of their property. More importantly, however, the specifications of a railing must adhere to local building code. In most instances, a balcony that is 18 or more inches high must have a railing, and the openings in the railing must be less than four inches wide. Railing heights are also regulated at a minimum of 42 inches in most commercial applications.
Equally as important, how the railings are attached and the load they can carry must be addressed. International Residential Code (IRC) states that a deck railing must resist 200 pounds of pressure applied to the top rail in any direction. One common misstep that can lead to failing this requirement is vertical rail members that are not attached to the deck framing. Inspectors have also reported seeing structural deck posts notched out to accommodate a vertical member. Whether this was done during the initial construction or during a multi-family renovation project, the result is that a weak spot in the post has been created by the notch. Any qualified inspector or multi-family general contractor will advise against notching any support post.
Deck inspections are a vital part of the upkeep and maintenance of any multi-family construction project. Whether building from the ground up or maintaining and renovating an older property, the ledger connections and the railings are paramount. Make sure that that the decks on your property are not only up to code, but frequently inspected.

Commercial Roofing

iqvinc on May 9, 2024

Maintenance Tips for your Commercial Roof

A roof plays a crucial purpose for protecting any commercial structure. Regular commercial roof maintenance will help to mitigate any potential problems that can cause damage to your building. Major wear and tear can lead to a compromised roof.

Keeping up with possible issues and proactively repairing them before they become bigger and prolong the lifespan of your commercial roof.

A regular roof maintenance program is beneficial no matter how old your commercial roof is. There are a variety of ways to extend the life of a roof, such as acrylic and silicone applications that are flexible and durable.

These coatings seal the entire surface, including cracks or crevices. However, starting with basic maintenance is perhaps your best line of defense.

In order to extend its lifespan and prolong the need for a full replacement, it’s important to follow the next roofing maintenance tips:

  1. Maintain roof covers
  2. Maintain roof drainage systems
  3. Check for and repair loose perimeter flashing
  4. Inspect skylights
  5. Check roof hatches
  6. Inspect the roof Regularly.
  7. Inspect AC units

It’s also important to have a reliable commercial roofing contractor.

If you need a proposal please contact us here.

If you are experiencing a leak or need something taken care of ASAP email us at:
service@iqvinc.com

Benefits of Roof Maintenance

iqvinc on May 8, 2024

Routine roof maintenance should be a priority when it comes to keeping your property in good condition.

Maintaining your roof allows you to identify and repair minor issues before they develop into major problems that require costly repairs. It also helps extend the lifespan of your roof.

4 Major Benefits of Proper Roof Maintenance

1. Damage Control

The avoidance of costly repairs is perhaps the biggest benefit of sticking to a rigid maintenance routine. Neglecting your roof makes you unaware of any problems arising on your roof until the situation has caused extensive damage. By undertaking routine maintenance, you can easily spot and address burgeoning issues before they become a threat.

2. Extended Roof Life

Your roof is one of the biggest investments you have. Proper maintenance and repairs help you extend your roof’s service life and avoid the risk of premature roof replacement, thus allowing you to maximize your investment.

3. Energy Efficiency Boost

Energy efficiency is important to homeowners.  We advise property managers to keep their properties roof systems in tip-top shape at all times. By doing so, you can ensure better insulation at the properties and effectively reduce energy loss, which results in lower energy bills to homeowners.

4. Healthy Living

With regular maintenance check-ups, you can spot problem areas, address them promptly and avoid leaks.