Scaffolding - Construction

AKA work platforms

Scaffolding is a temporary framework used to support people and material in the construction or maintenance of buildings and other large structures. Usually a modular system of metal pipes, termed tubes in Britain, although it can be made out of other materials. Bamboo is still used frequently in Asia. The use of timber in the industry has rapidly diminished.

Those who do the task of putting up the scaffold are often called a scaffolding erector or scaffolder. The company is known as a scaffolding contractor.

In the UK requirements set out a British Standard (BS) 5973 - the Code of Practice for Access and Working Scafolds and Special Scafold Structures in Steel. The European Standard specifies performance requirements and methods of structural and general design for access and working scaffolds.

Materials
The basic materials are tubes, couplers and boards. Tubes are either steel or aluminium. If steel they are either 'black' or galvanised. The chief difference between the two types of tubes is the lower weight of aluminium tubes (1.7 kg/m as opposed to 4.4 kg/m) and also a greater flexibility and so less resistance to force.

Boards provide a working surface for users of the scaffold. They are seasoned wood and come in three thicknesses (38 mm (usual), 50 mm and 63 mm) are a standard width (225 mm) and are a maximum of 3.9 m long. The board ends are protected with metal plates called hoop irons or nail plates. As well as wood steel or aluminium decking is used or laminate boards. As well as boards for working platform there are sole boards placed beneath the scaffolding if the surface is soft or suspect. Although ordinary boards can be used, and meet specified requirements, they can be too long and tougher boards are necessary.

On construction work, scaffolds are only rarely independent structures. To ensure a constant and correct space between the structure and the scaffold ties are used to link the two.

Couplers are the fittings which hold the tubes together. The most common are called scaffold couplers, there are three basic types: right-angle couplers, putlog couplers and swivel couplers. To join tubes end-to-end joint pins (also called spigots) or sleeve couplers are used, or both together.

Other common materials lnclude base plates, ladders, ropes, anchor ties, reveal ties, gin wheels, sheeting.

Good foundations are essential. Often scaffold frameworks will require more than simple base plates to safely carry and spread a load.

As well as putlog couplers there are also putlog tubes, these have a flattened end or have been fitted with a blade. This feature allows the end of the tube to be within or rest upon the brickwork of the structure.

Tube and clamp scaffold

Tube and clamp scaffold (also called tube and coupler scaffold) is a versatile type of scaffold consisting of steel tubes and clamps. Vertical tubes are connected to horizontal tubes via right angle clamps. Diagonal tubes are periodically connected to a scaffold via swivel clamps in order to stabilize the scaffold. This type of scaffold is generally used where unlimited versatility is required. Horizontal tubes (and thus walking-decks) can be placed at any height along a vertical tube (as permitted by engineering constraints), and vertical tubes, or legs, can be spaced at any distance apart, up to the maximum distance allowed by engineering constraints.

Scaffold and Scaffold Tower

Some companies create ready to use systems that are like a ladder, for DIY use. Scaffold towers are often portable and can be carried, in sections, directly to their place of use.

Scaffold manufacturers

Much of this industry is overseas now. With import an important sector. Many businesses tend to manfacuture ladder and work platforms

Scaffolding software

There is now increasing use of software for complex work to design the layout of the Scaffold, and to aid rthe management of the business. There is demand to have the Leading Scaffold Design Tool. With software designed for the Scaffold Industry, with info on deliveries, Returns, invoicing, inventory management, Job, quotations, Plan and elevation views of the work.

National Access & Scaffolding Confederation: NASC - UK

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