In demanding industrial sites, scaffolding is not just a supporting tool. It is a prerequisite for work being carried out safely, on schedule, and to a high standard. Industrial shutdowns, for example, run on tight schedules and come with exceptionally high safety requirements. This is why a scaffolding system needs to offer more than fast installation — it must be documented as safe, suitable for complex structures, and approved by occupational safety authorities.
In Finland, specific guidance has been issued on combining scaffolding components from different manufacturers, primarily for occupational safety reasons. The Occupational Safety and Health Authority in Finland has taken a position on this:
“The occupational safety authority sees no obstacle to combining parts from different scaffolding manufacturers to assemble scaffolding intended for a construction site. This is not prohibited by legislation. A separate manual and structural design must be prepared for scaffolding assembled from parts of different scaffolding manufacturers. A separate structural design must be prepared when no manual for combining the parts has been drawn up, or when the manual for combining them is deviated from.”
rt.fi – Occupational Safety Authority Statement (PDF) FIN
Naturally, drawing up a separate manual and structural design for every single scaffold is not practical on industrial sites. This is why Kymsol relies solely on the approved Alblitz Modul scaffolding system, which has its own dedicated manual.
Alblitz Modul is a modular system approved by the German DIBt (Deutsches Institut für Bautechnik) that allows Layher Allround and Alfix Modul Multi scaffolding components to be used together within the same structure (DIBt: Z-8.22-913). DIBt acts as the approval authority for construction products in Germany and issues national technical approvals for scaffolding systems. The Alblitz Modul system enables the approved combined use of Layher Allround (K2000+ and Lightweight) together with Alfix Modul Multi and Alfix Modul Multi 4.0 components. The Alblitz Modul scaffolding system is approved in, among other countries, Germany, Finland, and Sweden.
What Industrial Sites Require from a Scaffolding System
Industrial scaffolding differs from construction scaffolding in terms of load requirements, site geometry, and duration of use. At a pulp mill, power plant, or LNG terminal, for instance, scaffolding is exposed to corrosion, temperature fluctuations, and mechanical stress. In these environments, the approval status of the scaffolding system, the compatibility of its components, and thorough documentation all play a central role.
Safety and Standards Requirements
All industrial scaffolding used in Finland must meet the requirements of the EN 12811 standard. In practice, this means:
- Components used must belong to an approved scaffolding system and must be used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Installation, dismantling, and modification work may only be carried out by qualified personnel.
- A risk assessment must be documented before installation begins.
- Technical fall-protection solutions are prioritized over personal protective equipment.
Efficiency Matters as Much as Safety
Industrial plant shutdowns are costly. And delays cost even more, through lost production. The installation speed, reusability, and suitability of a scaffolding system for tight or irregular spaces have a direct impact on schedules and overall project costs. A system that saves two days of installation time during a major shutdown can generate savings of tens of thousands of euros through a shorter production stoppage alone.
In line with its approval, the Alblitz Modul system allows Layher Allround and Alfix Modul Multi components to be combined. This means the most suitable components can be selected for each site without compromising on safety or approval compliance.
It is also essential that work can be carried out quickly and cost-effectively, so that structural designs are only prepared for particularly demanding scaffolding falling outside the scope of the manual.
Is Alblitz Modul Approved in Finland and Sweden?
DIBt approval Z-8.22-913 precisely defines which Layher Allround and Alfix Modul Multi components may be combined, and under what conditions. The DIBt approval is valid in Finland. In Sweden, RISE has additionally approved a statement covering the use of the same combination, which is frequently used in site safety and approval documentation.
Suitability for Demanding Sites
- Maintenance and shutdown projects at industrial plants
- Scaffolding built around piping and equipment
- Combined structures where the same setup serves multiple work phases
- Sites where approval documentation forms part of the site’s safety records
Components May Only Be Combined in an Approved Manner
As a general rule across Europe, scaffolding components from different manufacturers may not be combined without approval from the manufacturer or an approval authority. Connection geometries may appear compatible, but load values and safety margins are calculated specifically for the components of a single system.
Alblitz Modul is an exception in this regard, since DIBt approval Z-8.22-913 explicitly defines which Alfix Modul Multi and Layher Allround components may be used together, and under what structural conditions. Combining components from other manufacturers without a corresponding approval is not permitted. If you unsure, remember to ask for advice.
Scaffolding as Part of Industrial Maintenance
Scaffolding is not a standalone service. It is part of a broader maintenance and operational reliability picture, where schedules, safety, and the length of production stoppages are all closely intertwined.
What Professional Scaffolding Services Require
- Qualified personnel
- Documented risk assessment
- Use in compliance with approvals
- System expertise
Kymsol as a Scaffolding Contractor: Experience with Demanding Sites
Kymsol has operated in industry since 1982. Kymsol is one of the most experienced industrial scaffolding contractors in the Nordic countries. The company has hundreds of thousands of cubic meters of scaffolding equipment at its disposal, along with experience from major pulp, energy, mining, and petrochemical projects in Finland and internationally.
Kymsol’s scaffolding services cover:
- Construction scaffolding at industrial plants
- Shutdown and maintenance projects
- Special structures, protective structures, and Layher weather protection
- Scaffolding projects in demanding conditions, including internationally
- Scaffolding projects of up to 200,000 cubic meters
Get in touch when you need a safe scaffolding solution for your demanding site. Kymsol’s experts will assess your site’s requirements and recommend the most suitable scaffolding solution based on your project’s needs.
Written by: Kymsol Experts
Published: August 2026
