There are still thousands of tower blocks that require cladding remediation because of life-critical fire safety defects. Progress has been slow due to the shortages and rising cost of labour.

However, mast climbers have the potential to speed up remedial work while lowering costs and protecting residents. And they are suitable for 85% of high-rise projects.

But, this solution is being overlooked. Why? Often simply because key decision makers don’t have all of the facts of what resources are available to them.

So, BFT Mastclimbing joined the National Housing Federation. By talking with National Housing Federation members, BFT Mastclimbing hopes to work together with property owners to speed up the process of remediation and lower the costs of these projects.

Strategic Partnership Between the NHF & BFT

The National Housing Federation members “provide homes for around six million people, and are driven by a social purpose: providing good quality housing that people can afford.” (source: NHF). The social purpose of the National Housing Federation resonates strongly with the mission of BFT.

Part of BFT’s mission is to support the UK Housing market in these three ways:

1. Reduce Unnecessary Cost for Taxpayers

Currently, taxpayers are footing the bill of cladding remedial work. The longer it drags on, the more money comes out of taxpayer pockets. By adopting mast climbers, work can be completed in a faster rate with less manpower, giving it great potential.

2. Preserve Residents’ Access to Sunlight and Ventilation

Residents are cut off from sunlight when they are enclosed by scaffolding for months on end. Mast climbers are a less obtrusive option to get works done without sacrificing residents’ access to natural sunlight and fresh air.

3. Decrease Security Risks

And scaffolding structures provide access to criminals as well as building professionals. Mast climbers on the other hand can be lowered at night and locked. This spares residents from the worry of intrusion.

BFT has been involved in many high-rise residential projects and the plight of residents is impossible to ignore. By joining the NHF, BFT hopes to work together to bring affordable, comfortable, and safe housing for residents.

Why Don’t Main Contractors Consider Mast Climbers?

Scaffolding is often presented to clients as the only access solution.

When residential building owners understand the delays, costs, and impact on residents associated and understand that there is an alternative, they are often surprised they weren’t aware of MCWP before.

Clients rely on main contractors to understand the solutions available and be objective about which solution is best for all stakeholders involved. But often, main contractors have misconceptions about mast climbers.

For one, there is a misconception that a mast climber cannot carry heavy weight. However, the BFT 150 twin mast can carry up to 5000kg.

There is also a natural resistance to change. Scaffolding seems like an integral part of a building project. BFT understand this. As a company that started out as a board, fitting, and tube (BFT) scaffolding company – they appreciate the heritage. However, the interests of stakeholders must be prioritised over the status quo.

Occasionally, a contractor will have had a bad experience with mast climbers. The machines may have broken down, or they received poor service, or very little support. But all mast climbing providers are different. Working with highly certified, experienced operators can make all the difference.

Mast climbing work platform (MCWP) technology has come a long way in the past 30 years. Major innovation means that MCWPs are now safer than many other forms of access.

The Labour Shortage

On top of the issues above, there is currently a shortage of skilled labourers who can erect, adjust, and work from scaffolding. In 2021, the price per day for a scaffold labourer was approximately £250. Now, prices are as high as £450 according to a Construction Director BFT Mastclimbing recently spoke to, who spoke about challenges created by lack of skilled scaffolding labourers who followed the money to nearby re-cladding sites.

All of this makes you ask the question: why not use mast climbers?

When Mast Climbers Are Not the Right Solution

There are times when mast climbers are not suited for a project. There are two primary scenarios when this is the case.

1. Multi-step façades

If a building has stories which are recessed or are extruding, the mast climbers would not be suitable. However, if there are smaller inconsistencies in the facade, this is generally not a problem.

2. Irregular Balconies

Mast climbers are a suitable solution for buildings with balconies and can be easily attached to the building – Provided that the balconies are spaced evenly. However, if they are unevenly spaced, this makes it more difficult. In this instance, scaffolding would likely be a simpler solution.

Wondering if your building would be suitable for mast climbers? Schedule a meeting with Rob to find out.

Conclusion: Starting the Conversation

So why have we joined as a sector supplier? To start a conversation based on what we’ve learned about how access decisions are made. Mast climbers are not considered, even though they provide benefits to owners, residents, and contractors.

There is not enough understanding about the commercial upsides and the multifaceted benefits (e.g., security, residents’ life quality) mast climbers have to offer. At BFT Mastclimbing, they want to change that. Their goal is to supply the information about mast climbers which is currently left out of the conversation.

This is important because mast climbers could be used to overcome major challenges in the recladding efforts. This would make residents safer and save building owners costly delays and labour prices. If you’d like to learn more about mast climbers, consider signing up for their certified mast climbing CPD course HERE.