USC Stadium Systems Scaffolding, SC
Job: USC Football Stadium Systems Scaffolding
Location: Columbia, SC
Building: Stadium
Equipment Used: Systems Scaffolding
Need for Equipment: Gain access for upgrades to electrical, sound, and LED ribbon boards.
Case Study: USC Williams-Brice Stadium
A stadium that can fit nearly 80,000 people, The University of South Carolina’s (USC) Williams-Brice Stadium is a huge undertaking for any team. For Associated Scaffolding, this meant 275,000 lbs of scaffolding—all of which first had to be erected in a matter of days, and then dismantled just as quickly.
Long before we got there, though, the Wiliiams-Brice Stadium had established a reputation beginning in 1934, when it was constructed by the Works Project Administration as part of the New Deal. At the time it only held 17,600, but over the course of its life, it has seen a series of renovations and expansions that have helped it keep its title as one of the premiere stadiums in college football. From major renovations to additions in technology, Williams-Brice has changed with the times and to suit the needs of the university’s team and students.
The latest of those came right before the 2022-23 season, which kicked off with the home opener in which the South Carolina Gamecocks played the Georgia State Panthers. For this new season, USC wanted to upgrade the lighting, sound systems and more.
The Challenge
The most challenging aspect of this project was the time constraint. The 2022-23 football season start date was fast-approaching, and the client needed access to the existing lights and electrical systems in order to replace the lighting, sound systems, and ribbon boards with upgraded versions for a better experience for fans and athletes.
To get the trades teams in as soon as possible, we needed to have all hands on deck and carefully orchestrated site coordination. 9 full tractor-trailer loads of material were delivered, our Columbia Branch’s warehouse supervisor was there to keep the site organized, and our teams were informed of every detail of the site to ensure they were able to stay on schedule with each phase. Even after it was completed, our employees continued to serve the university with inspections every morning at 5:30 am for the entirety of the project.
Plus, the entire system had to be dismantled and removed in less than 10 days.
The Solution:
For both speed and accessibility, our team uses systems scaffolding to quickly erect the structure that would work for all of the teams that needed to be on site. This scaffolding is made up of individual steel components, which can then be connected and configured around the structure.
We provided scaffolding on the East, South, and West elevations at various heights for multiple trades. For the ribbon boards, we installed long runs of continuous scaffolding for uninterrupted work. The contractors needed deck heights on nearly all the upper levels, including rolling towers and baker scaffolding where system scaffolding wouldn’t fit. We were then asked to go back and build more scaffolding on the North side for access to the scoreboard LEDs as well.
There were 28 separate set-ups, some with multiple access points (some with 6-8). Every ladder access had a tag that needed to be signed by one of our team members before the sun had even come up!
Why did the customer need systems scaffold and how was it used?
The customer needed access to the existing lights and electrical to remove and upgrade the lighting, sound systems, and ribbon boards at Williams-Brice Stadium. We provided scaffolding on the East, South, and West elevations at various heights for multiple trades. For the ribbon boards, we installed long runs of continuous scaffolding for uninterrupted work. The contractors needed deck heights on nearly all the upper levels, including rolling towers and baker scaffolding where system scaffolding wouldn’t fit. We were then asked to go back and build more scaffolding on the North side for access to the scoreboard LEDs as well.
What challenges did the Associated Scaffolding team face on this job?
The university was under a major time constraint due to the start date of the 2022-23 football season. We needed to get the scaffolding built quickly so that all the trades could jump right in and do their work. We were all-hands-on-deck to get this job finished as scheduled.
Site coordination was key. This job required 9 full tractor-trailer loads of material. Personnel were on site to handle logistics and take the initial deliveries. Columbia Branch’s warehouse supervisor was there to keep the site organized. With great leadership on this job, our teams knew every detail of the site and were able to stay on schedule with each phase.
Once it was complete, ASC employees continued to service the university with inspections every morning at 5:30 am for the entirety of the project. There were 28 separate set-ups, some with multiple access points (some with 6-8). Every ladder access had a tag that needed signed by one of our team members before the sun had even come up!
What made this project unique?
Not only was this a major undertaking in terms of manpower and time constraints, but it was also a major undertaking in terms of size. This job required more than 275,000 lbs of scaffolding. It had to be erected in days, it had to be inspected at 5:30 am every day for 53 days, and it had to be completely dismantled and cleared out in under 10 days.
All the rush was so the USC fans and players could have an amazing experience on that opening night. Our teams are proud of the work done at the stadium to help the South Carolina Gamecocks host their home opener against the Georgia State Panthers.
Contact Associated Scaffolding Today
Looking for help with scaffolding on your next major building project? Contact us today or find us at one of our locations!
