“Contractors working on modern construction projects strive to achieve the fastest possible pour cycles and, in doing so, still have access to wet and drytrades underneath deck pouring areas where possible. Until recently, prop-based systems provided a reasonable solution for easy erection and access underneath, but due to the 21-day period before stripping could take place they needed an enormous amount offalsework to be employed on each site.
“This was costly and time consuming. In addition, the reduced stability of props compared with traditional staging was a concern and the benefits were, in the opinion of some, not sufficient to outweigh the drawbacks. That is why we developed a system that effectively draws on the bestofboth types. Our system is also designed to be seamlessly interchangeable with either system and for stability sake many of our contractors now choose to combine props with braced staging systems.
“For example, they can use our staging for perimeters or on a corner of the deck for initial stability and edge protection, then use props for the rest of the floor. This interchangeability of our system is unique and is a major advantage for clients to simplify their falsework requirements on site. It will even work seamlessly with contractors’ own staging systems,” says Klaas Pouwels, Form-Scaff business development director.
Showcase developments
Operations director, Darryl Voysey says these benefits have quickly been recognised and is the reason why contractors currently building the five biggest malls of their type in Africa are using Kwik-Deck to complete their projects.
WBHO and Group 5 (in a jointventure) have opted for the system on the giant Mall of Africa in Midrand, which issoontobe the largest mall in South Africa to be constructed in a single phase. WBHO is also using Kwik-Deck to construct theWesthills Mall in Ghana, while Murray and Roberts is using the system on a further three regional malls, namely Baywest Shopping Centre in Port Elizabeth, Dainfern Square in Fourways and Matlosana Mall in Klerksdorp.
“These are flagship developments and the contractors are using our Kwik-Deck coffer systems because of the speed of erecting, stripping, and re-erection, as well as the ability to grant access to tradesmen to complete work underneath the supports.
“Contractors also have access to a range of props for different roof heights, or to suit weight and strength requirements and can supplement requirements with their own staging equipment if needed. An additional benefit is that Form-Scaff has the unique ability to maintain sufficient stock-holdings to support the sheer scale of all these projects without delay. Our engineers, technical staff and crews are also readily available to assist with requirements on each of these sites, if and when there is a requirement,” adds Voysey.
Rich in benefits
Looking at some of the technical issues and advantages of the new system, Chris Erasmus Form-Scaff technical director, says the new Kwik-Deck system can be supported on any of the company’s support-work systems. A Kwik-Deck drop-head is attached to the upperend of each prop which allows the coffers and Kwik-Deck Beams to be easily stripped for re-use.
One of notable technical differences on the system is the change from the standard 900 X 900-mm grid to 925 X 900mm. This additional 25mm is to accommodate the Kwik-Deck Beams required to hold the coffers in place and translates into beams in one direction being 25mm wider and using slightly more concrete.
“We initially viewed this as a potential stumbling block, but our customers (contractors) on all of the projects where the new system is being used easily managed to convince their clients that the advantages of speed, space, transport and lowerlabour requirements of the new system far outweigh the need to resize drawings etc. In future architects and engineers wanting to use the system will simply take the new grid size into account and design accordingly. In addition, a slightly wider rib adds extra strength to the floor and may even increase the loading capacity of floors in certain circumstances,” concludes Chris.
More information from KlaasPouwels, Tel: +27(0)11 842 8000 / www.formscaff.com
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