Afix Fast fits all your scaffolding applications

Afix Fast fits all your scaffolding applications !

LONDON - AFIX FAST is a multidirectional system scaffolding for construction, renovation, industry, infrastructure, and event projects. Quick assembly, reusable parts, 360° flexibility. A strategic investment, in other words!

Smart, safe, and efficient at height

Multidirectional scaffolds, ringlock scaffolds, or system scaffolds — three terms for the same scaffolding technology based on rosette and spigot/pin connections — are today’s standard for both access solutions and temporary working platforms at height. The scaffold components, used as mechanical means, are reusable for various configurations, ensure greater safety for the end user, allow quick assembly and dismantling, and provide 360° flexibility for building spatial structures. Arguments that convince in sectors where time is money and safety is priority number one.

Let's highlight the professional applicability of AFIX FAST modular scaffolding systems in various sectors. We start with a general overview of why more and more scaffolders, contractors, and project engineers are choosing this type of modular scaffold.

Where are AFIX FAST modular scaffolds used?

Scaffolders deliberately choose a robust and modular scaffold concept suitable for diverse applications. Here is an overview:

Think, plan, and execute

With standardised components and rigid nodes, scaffolding professionals build three-dimensional spatial structures. Each scaffold component fits precisely onto the next — a 100% functional concept.

A scaffold setup is built in a planned manner.

• First, you visualise the construction idea in a 3D spatial structure using software such as Scaffmax. Such a program includes the complete AFIX FAST scaffold material library, allowing you to design a virtual structure on your screen. At this stage, you already anticipate possible bottlenecks on-site and optimise material usage.
• With this digital building plan and corresponding material list, you organise the work schedule and logistics.
• Check/review all construction steps prior to implementation.
• Then you proceed with the physical assembly on location and the scaffold inspection before commissioning.
  This approach speeds up the assembly process and significantly reduces the margin of error.

With modular scaffolds, you combine assembly speed, operational safety, and flexibility in execution. In the next part, we will delve into applications within the construction and renovation sector.

Common applications of Afix Fast system scaffolding

1. Construction and renovation projects

Versatility is part of the modular scaffold DNA. Let's focus on the construction and renovation sector — where ergonomics, safety, and efficiency at height are essential. Builders and renovation specialists demand a stable, safe working platform at height. To perform at their best daily (bricklaying, painting, plastering, repairs, carpentry…), they require:

• A stable, functional scaffold setup
• A work platform for storing materials, tools, and supplies
• Safe, ergonomic access to required heights and platforms

> Bricklaying

Masonry scaffolds with steel or wooden decks are used for residential and apartment builds:

• 1.09 m deck: grows with the masonry, supplied from above by crane.
• 1.40 or 1.57 m deck: fully built during structural phase, serves as fall protection and supplied via hoist or platform.

> Façade finishing

Façade scaffolds provide stable platforms for painting, plastering, and insulation work. Safety netting reduces dust and falling debris.

> Renovation

Compact scaffolds with narrow bays (0.73 m or 1.09 m) and wall anchoring follow irregular building shapes (cellars, alleys, shafts…). Scaffold consoles bridge recesses, bay windows, or balconies.

> Roof works

Roof scaffolds with tiltable base jacks ensure stability and safety for work on steep slopes, roof structures, or chimneys.

> Shoring

As with anchoring, shoring distributes vertical and horizontal forces from masonry, concreting, and storage, ensuring stability and rigidity.
Modular scaffolds also serve as temporary support for concrete floor formwork, slabs, precast panels, H-beams, etc.

2. Industrial projects

Industrial applications: industrial tank constructions, piperacks, towers… require annual maintenance or need to be modified/extended. To carry out these activities, reliable access solutions and work platforms with high structural stability are needed, allowing flexibility in assembly and ensuring the safety of both scaffolder and end-user.

This can be achieved by using fire-resistant and corrosion-resistant materials, anti-slip decks with lift-locking (storm protection), anti-tilt components, scaffold and stair guardrails. In short, by using system scaffolds you save assembly time (thanks to simple rosette-wedge head locking) and reduce weight while maintaining load capacity (S355 steel) compared to traditional tube-and-fitting scaffolds.

> Round structures

During construction, expansion, maintenance or repair of industrial tanks, silos, chimneys, storage vessels, columns or towers in petrochemicals, refineries, food industry or power plants, scaffold structures and/or stair towers with integrated work platforms follow the contours of the round structure. Using corner decks, diagonal decks and cover plates, the working platform surface is closed off around any diameter.

> Maintenance

Regular maintenance and overhaul is crucial for industrial installations, even in hard-to-reach elevated areas. During shutdowns and upgrades, modular system scaffolds in customized configurations are used to quickly and efficiently create access solutions, working decks, support platforms, suspended scaffolds and mobile scaffolds.

> Piperacks

A piperack is a structural steel frame used in petrochemicals, power plants and refineries to support piping, cable trays, small walkways or utilities in an organized and safe way. A fixed routing simplifies inspection, access and maintenance of flanges and valves. Multidirectional scaffolds can be assembled in almost any angle thanks to 360° connection options and variable bay heights. Combined with cantilevers, recess solutions with consoles, ladder decks or stair solutions, difficult-to-reach areas can be inspected.

Within industrial environments, system scaffolds prove their robustness, assembly flexibility and safe use.

3. Infrastructure projects 

Multidirectional scaffolding can facilitate construction, inspection, and maintenance activities in infrastructure projects such as bridges, tunnels, and hydraulic engineering works, ...
Modular scaffolds are spatial structures that can easily adapt to different geometries, restricted working spaces, or obstructions caused by road, rail, or waterways. Thanks to their high load-bearing capacity, modular design, and fast assembly and dismantling times, scaffolds have become indispensable tools in large-scale infrastructure projects.

> Bridge and road construction

Heavy-duty modular scaffolds provide safe access to hard-to-reach elevated areas such as piers, bridge spans, arches, viaducts, and embankments. From such work platforms, multidisciplinary tasks can be performed, such as tying reinforcement, erecting timber formwork, and installing cabling.

During the construction and renovation of bridges, support scaffolds are also erected. These structures absorb the loads of fresh concrete or prefabricated elements, often using heavy-duty coupled frames, beam towers, and screw jacks for optimal load distribution and safety in compliance with EN 12812.

During concreting, asphalt works, or road renovations, modular scaffolds can also serve as temporary load-bearing structures for weatherproof coverings (protection against rain, wind, or temperature fluctuations to ensure construction quality and scheduling).

> Tunnel construction

During the construction, inspection, and renovation of tunnels, scaffolds provide:

• access to tunnel walls, ceilings, and internal structures;
• support for cast-in-place concrete formwork;
• bracing of vertical walls.

> Port and railway infrastructure

In the construction and maintenance of airports, ports, and railways, scaffolds offer an efficient solution to quickly and safely reach elevated areas. As in the building sector, masonry and renovation scaffolds, roof scaffolds, shrink-wrap frames, temporary pedestrian bridges, and stair towers equipped with anti-slip steps, guardrails, and toe boards are also commonly used.

> Hydraulic engineering

At ports, locks, dams, and hydraulic engineering structures, weather-resistant scaffolds provide access to flood defenses, quays, retaining walls, etc. On these sites, spatial scaffolds, bridging scaffolds, and stair towers are often employed.

For the inspection, maintenance, or repair of vertical walls or suspended elements, suspended scaffolds can also be erected. In this case, the scaffold structure is suspended without ground contact, using anchor bolts, bearer beams, or consoles.

4. Events projects

Let's have a look at the creative and technical applications of modular scaffolding in the event sector.
During cultural, sports, or mass events, scaffolding is functionally deployed: catwalks, walkways, LED-wall structures, or camera platforms that act as both a visual statement, a landmark, and a functional element in the event layout. Scaffolding also contributes to creative design concepts for public events: visual decoration and branding of stages, grandstands, space frames, elevated platforms, using full-colour prints, banners, contour-cut Dibond panels, or space-filling foam structures.

> Stages, grandstands, and elevated platforms

Base structure for temporary stages at festivals, concerts, and trade fairs. Modular assembly of frames, ledgers, transoms, and heavy-duty decks to create safe, load-bearing event platforms of variable height, fully compliant with EN 12810/12811 standards.

System scaffolding components are also used for the substructure of grandstands and VIP decks, integrating stairways, balustrades, seating or wheelchair platforms for optimum public safety and comfort. Grandstand seating offers guests an arena overview and an exclusive viewing/seating experience at the event.

> Lighting and sound rigging towers

System scaffolding is used as a rigging tower for hanging line arrays, light beams, LED screens and other AV installations. In combination with consoles, lattice girders and coupling accessories, safe bridges and cantilevers are possible, tailored to the point and line loads of technical installations.

> Camera platforms and viewing points

For events with live broadcasts, sports competitions or festivals, scaffolding serves as a camera platform during filming. It also provides viewing points for photographers.

> Decoration and branding

System scaffolding is ideal for creative custom constructions. The structure then acts as a canvas for decorative elements, full-colour banners, advertising panels and sponsor branding to enhance the event atmosphere, look and feel and visual impact.

> Access and safety

Public bridges, emergency stairs, ramp platforms, etc. are just a few of the system scaffolding configurations that event organisers can build to ensure public safety and flow.

AFIX FAST modular scaffolding – strong safe smart service

• Quality: strong, durable S355 steel with high load capacity.
• Safety: EN 12810/12811 compliant and certified system.
• Efficiency: flexible system with smart wedge-jump technology & innovations.
• Service: one-stop scaffold manufacturer with local service branches.

AFIX Group, one partner, many services, less worries
Do you want to work professionally and safely at heights? 
Contact the AFIX scaffolding experts.