The Safe Use of Acrow Props and Other Equipment

We owe a lot of our spectacular modern infrastructure to the development of good construction equipment.  While the basic principles of physics are still the building blocks of these machines and tools, they have evolved in such a manner as to become a lot more efficient than their predecessors have.

For instance, when it comes to construction props, acrow props have come to be used more widely than the old-fashioned timber props.  That is because an acrow props can be used over and over again and adjusted to suit the needs of each project.  Besides steel props, forklifts, mixers, vibrating screens and excavators are also widely in use on construction sites today.

Even with the development of more sophisticated tools however, construction remains one of the most hazardous fields to work in.  For instance, in Europe, it is considered the second most dangerous landbased work sector; from falls to exposure to harmful chemicals to accidents resulting from the improper use of equipment, the risks that construction workers are exposed to are manifold.  Fortunately, attention to safety guidelines, and proper training significantly reduce these risks. Here are some ways in which construction workers can safely use their tools and equipment.

1.  Wearing protective clothing.  In many Third World countries, construction workers make do with little more than jeans and heavy boots.  Ideally, however, everyone should wear suits, hard hats, and steel-toed boots while onsite.  Depending on the particular job to which they are assigned, they may also have to use masks, goggles and gloves – for instance, while using welding equipment.

2.  Proper training.  The right training is also key to safety onsite.  It is a must for workers to be qualified for any jobs that they undertake.  For example, a special license is required for those who are operating heavy equipment.  While they may both have steering wheels and levers, driving a car and driving a backhoe or forklift are two very different things.  Those operating construction equipment need to be very well acquainted with their machines and the dangers they might pose to those working around them.

3.  Right usage.  Another critical element in construction safety is to use tools and equipment only for the purpose for which they were intended.  They should also be used only in the correct manner.  For instance, it is necessary to choose the correct size of acrow prop to bear a specific weight load.

An acrow prop that is too small could cause damage and collapse, while using one that is too large may not leave space to extend the prop to a length at which it can be used securely.  It is also inadvisable to tamper with the equipment in any way, such as extending the height of a prop with blocks of wood and the like.

Construction has always been a rather risky business, and has been so since the beginning of time. Nevertheless, with modern standards and modern maintenance and safety plans in place accidents can easily be avoided.

Now, getting the right construction tools is vital to ensure everybody’s safety. It is also important to get it from a reputable company.

What You Should Know About Acrow Props

Over the years, many different types of construction tools and equipment have evolved to keep up with the rapid pace of development and industrialization.  When the modern era gave rise to the burgeoning of cities, the need also emerged to create implements that would make the task of building faster and easier.  Today, there are many variations on traditional building equipment that are designed to be more efficient and less costly.  One of these is the acrow prop.

Acrow props are a type of construction prop that replaced old-fashioned timber props used for propping and shoring up masonry and curing slabs.  They were developed fairly recently, in the earlier half of the 20th century.  These props were the creation of a Swiss named William de Vigier who arrived in London in 1935.

At this time, most construction project made use of wooden props cut especially to fit the needs of each specific job.  De Vigier’s props however, were made of steel and could be used over and over again. While there was a bit of initial resistance to the new props in the industry, their use was eventually adopted by large building firms like Sir Robert McAlpine.  De Vigier named his creation the “acrow prop” after his solicitor, Mr. A. Crow - presumably because it was a name that was easier to remember than his own.

These props consist of a body that is telescopic in nature.  It has a base plate and a top plate as well as pins that allow for coarse and fine adjustment.  These props can be shortened or lengthened as the need arises, and has proved to be more cost-effective than the use of timber.  This is especially true at present, when there is a need to conserve wood for the sake of the environment.  These props have also been slightly redesigned to allow for easier stacking and storage.

This type of prop is very useful for several tasks on a construction site.  Besides supporting curing concrete slabs, it can also be used to hold up the higher floors or levels while pillars or supports are being completed.  It is also used in instances where these supports are in need of repair, as well as to support walls in cases where a hole or window has to be knocked into the brickwork.  In such cases, it is used together with wooden “needles” or “strongboys.”

This construction prop comes in five different sizes.  Each size is designed to support a specific amount of weight, with the maximum weight it can support halved when the prop is fully extended.  The length of the prop also varies.  The smallest size is about 3 feet and five inches long, while the largest can be as long as sixteen feet.

Acrow props are relatively easy to stack and store at present, but many contractors opt to rent or hire them instead of buying.  This is particularly true when a job only requires their use for a short or limited period. Remember to get these tools from a trusted seller to ensure safety and quality.

What Are the Benefits of Construction Props?

Construction props are used in different kinds of remodeling and construction projects. They are vital in ensuring the stability of the structure while changes are being made to its form and foundation. While such construction props are readily available and easy to find, it would do you well to first get to know the different kind of props available. This way, you will be assured that the props you purchase are the ones ideal for your construction use.

The most common forms of  construction props are tilt props, T locks, acro props, multi props, aluminium tilt props, titan props, strong boys, trishores, sleepers, and needle beams. Tilt props are a form of push-pull props which suit high load applications. These props have two sections which are permanently tagged with model and working loads. They are best used for panel lifting.

On the other hand, a T lock is meant to go hand in hand with a tilt prop, coming with a unique key system meant to secure the tilt prop installation.  Acro props meanwhile are tubular adjustable steel props meant to give temporary support to various structures in the middle of construction. They are apt both for scaffolding and shoring functions and have the simplest and most innovative designs out of all available props.

They are also quite durable and strong. Multi props, on the other hand, are also made for shoring. Unlike acro props, however, they are made of aluminum and are quite light. They have a patented profile, which gives them a longer service life than the steel tubing of the acro prop. This particular kind of prop, however, is less versatile than others. Its high load-bearing capacity makes it apt only for larger scale construction projects and also makes it more expensive than other prop options. Aluminum tilt props function in the same way as standard tilt props but are made of the lighter material of aluminum. It has a modern design and weighs about 30% lighter than its steal counterparts. Titan props, on the other hand, are aluminum props, which are designed to suit awkward, tight locations. It has a lower working limit but is easier to handle because of its lighter material.

On the other hand, needle beams are ideal in propping and needling applications, which require proper spreading of loads while supporting construction slabs. These beams function better when reinforced with stiffener plates and are galvanised. Lastly, sleepers are ideal for construction formations, which need grid patterns as bases of their pads or sole plates. The latter provide support and also help spread the surface loads.

As long as you are aware of the kind of loads you will need to support and the exact nature of the projects you are entering into, you will not have a hard time finding the right prop for your business or project. There is a prop for everyone and for everything.

Now that you need propping for your project, you can either buy your very own props or rent them out. If you are into construction business, it is ideal to buy your own.  However, if you are doing a project only as a hobby or when you feel like renovating or constructing something, it would be okay to rent them.

Tips to Find the Right Construction Props

If you would like to start a construction or development business, you will surely look for equipments, devices and tools that you can worthily invest on. It is normal for business owners to invest on things that can help them in their operations for a very long time. Construction props are just one of the many tools that are needed in the construction business operations. This is very useful for projects that entail construction or repairs in a building. This is used to serve as a support for the building while projects are being done. This will keep the building intact and the people safe from accidents. This is why it is important to look for the right construction props to invest money on.

When looking for the right construction props to purchase, make sure that you check on the brands that are worth investing on. This entails research and inquiring from suppliers and other construction businesses. You will need to know their insights on which brands are best to get. You can check with the suppliers on which brands are most popular and have been receiving good feedbacks. You will also need to make use of the internet to make your research about the various brands of props. You need to find out which is most satisfactory for the different construction businesses around.

Once you have found out which brand you should purchase, you will also need to choose the supplier or store that you will get the acro props from. You need to look for a business or supplier that is known in providing good quality products. It should also be offering other services such as repairs. This way, you can just simply bring your tools that were damaged to them and have it repaired. They should also be offering other tools and equipments so that you can just simply get all the tools that you need from them. Make sure that they offer warranty on their items and they should be willing to show you that their tools work well.

Of course, the price will also matter a lot. You may like to invest on good quality products but always remember that you should not pay too much to have it. Make a research or comparison on the prices that different suppliers have on a specific brand. This way, you would know the average pricing of the tool. By knowing the approximate price of the tool, you will not buy from businesses that offer it in an over rated price. You can then avoid over spending on something that you should have bought at a lower price.

If you are running a construction business, you can check on the size or type of props that you will need the most. This should be the first ones that you should invest on. This way, you can get on with the projects right away. Use the internet when making your research. This is the best way to know more information about the tool and the supplier. By doing this, you will never go wrong when choosing the right tool for your business.