Watford
Watford
football club
Overview
As part of a communications infrastructure upgrade at Watford Football Club, Milestone Communications commissioned us to design and install a specialist scaffold structure. The objective was to provide safe, stable, and high-level access for the installation of a new antenna system, which was to be suspended from the existing roof steels above the spectator seating area.
Scope of works
- Design & Engineering:
A bespoke scaffold was required to overcome the challenges of uneven ground levels, restricted access, and the need to preserve the stadium’s infrastructure and seating. - Access Requirements:
The scaffold needed to reach the roof trusses above the stands approximately 16m high without tying into the existing structure, ensuring no damage or interference with the stadium fabric. - Installation Timeline:
All works were scheduled to be completed within a tight timeframe during an off-peak period to avoid disruption to football fixtures and stadium operations.
Key challenges
- Free-Standing Stability:
With no option to tie the scaffold into the stadium, the structure had to be entirely free-standing, relying on base stability and weight loading to ensure safety at height. - Restricted Space:
The scaffold was erected in and around permanent seating, requiring careful placement of base jacks and loading arrangements to prevent damage to stadium property. - Working at Height:
The structure had to safely reach the steel roof trusses, allowing engineers to install the antenna from a secure and stable platform.
Our Solution
Our team built a robust TG20:21-compliant design, featuring:
- Independent freestanding base frames with heavy-duty base plates and sole boards to distribute the load evenly across the uneven seating terraces.
- Ladder access towers and intermediate platforms to facilitate safe vertical movement for personnel and tools.
- Guardrails and toe boards at all working levels to ensure full edge protection in line with NASC safety standards.
Health & Safety
- Fully compliant with Work at Height Regulations 2005 and TG20:21.
- CISRS-qualified scaffolders and site supervisors on all jobs.
- RAMS provided per site and weekly inspections carried out.
- Scaffold handovers conducted with sign-off from the installer.
Outcome
The scaffold was completed on schedule, with no disruption to Watford FC’s operational calendar. The installation team from Milestone Communications was able to safely access the roof structure and successfully mount the antenna as planned. Feedback from the client was overwhelmingly positive, citing the scaffold’s stability, thoughtful design, and the professionalism of our site team.
“We were impressed with the precision and care taken during the scaffold installation at Watford FC. The team delivered a safe and effective solution that allowed us to complete our antenna works efficiently and without issue.”
Project Manager
Milestone Communications
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