54 SCAFFOLDING A scaffold is a temporary structure from which persons can gain access toa place of ‘work in order to earry out building operations. It includes any working platforms, ladders and guard rails. Basically there are two forms of scaffolding: = putlog scaffolds; f= independent seatfolds. I PUTLOG SCAFFOLDS ‘This form of scaffolding consists of a single row of uprights or standards set aay from the wall a a distance that will accommodate the required width of the ‘working platform, The standards are joined together with horizontal members called ledgers and are tied to the building with eross-members called putlogs. ‘The seaffold is erected as the building rises, and is used mostly for buildings of traditional brick construction (see Fig. 1.5.1), I INDEPENDENT SCAFFOLDS [An independent scaffold has two rows of standards, which are tied by eross-members called transoms. This form of seaffold does not rely upon the building for support and is therefore suitable for use in conjunction with framed structures (see Fig. 15.2) Every scaffold should be securely tied to the building at intervals of approximately 3.600 m vertically and 6.000 m horizontally. This can be achieved by using a horizontal tube called a bridle bearing on the inside of the wall and across a window ‘opening with eross-members connected to it (see Fig. 1.5.1); alternatively a tube with 1 reveal pin in the opening ean provide a connection point for the cross-members (see Fig. 15.2). I'suitable openings are not available then the scaffold should be strutted from the ground using raking tubes inclined towards the building.42 Site and temporary works 1 Wall under construction }— Guard | Mosh brick euars Intermediate guard ral Ladder by ropes or clips to top. ledger Standards at Figure 1.5.1. Typical tabula steel putlog scalfol (MH MATERIALS Scaffolding can be oft 1 tubular steel; © cubukar aluminium alloy; 1 cimber TUBULAR STEEL British Standard 1139 gives recommendations for both welded and seamless steel tubes of 48 mm outside diameter with a nominal 38 mm bore diameter. Steel tubes ‘can be obtained galvanised (1o guard against corrosion); ungalvanised tubes willScaffolding 43 ‘wall under construction 200, 56 t Guard rail o Mesh trick guard nner board \. Intermeciate guard rail Boarded ‘working plattorm Uieeon Ledger ‘esger [A .—aaier secures rose |{\\\" by cone or clipe brace 10 top ledger | ised \ , | stendarce tH seue 2.000 ee Transom ‘ Ledgor Sole 8 \ plate i g = ‘Sole [plate | Ladder}, ‘xing ZR P |, stake. A RES Note: Not more than 50% of Hes should be revea! tes Figure 152 Typical tubular stel independent scfTod require special care such as painting, varnishing or an oil bath after use, Steel tubes are nearly three times heavier than comparable aluminium alloy tubes, but are far stronger, and as their deflection is approximately one-third that of aluminium alloy tubes, longer spans can be used. ALUMINIUM ALLOY Seamless tubes of aluminium alloy with a 48 mm outside diameter are specified in BS 1139 for metal scaffolding, No protective treatment is required unless they are to be used in contact with materials such as damp lime, wet cement or seawater, which can cause corrasion of the aluminium alloy tubes. A suitable protective treatment would be to coat the tubes with bitumastie paint before use4 Site and temporary works Standard Standard Sing over Pivot 57 oor swing-over | bate | (S Leg Brace Swing-over Swing-over Hinged on it ie Dole Hinged bo ‘lamp. ube Double coupler ‘Swivel coup Standard Putlos Ledge Hinged tube clamp Puttog coupler Base plate a r 50 mm wd ‘Split Bled Seon punto seeing singe tee C Nate or — nig Scaffold] Lower 9°" awe a Soft jit pin revel sn putt end Figure 15.3 Typical set seaffold ings.Scaffolding 48 TIMBER "The use of timber as a temporary structure in the form ofa sealTald is now rarely encountered in the UK, although icis extensively used in the developing world. ‘The timber used! is structural-quality softwood in either putlog or independent format, The members are lashed together with wire or rope instead of the coupling, fittings used with metal scaffolds, SCAFFOLD BOARDS “Those are usually boards of softwood timber, complying with the recommendations of BS 2482, used to form the working platform at the required level. They should be formed out of specified softwoods of 225 mm x 38 mm section and not exceeding 4.800 m in length. ‘To prevent the ends from splitting they should be end bound ‘vith not les than 25 mm wide x 0,9 mim galvanised hoop ion extending atleast 130 mom along each edge and fixed with a minimum of two fixings to cach end. ‘The strength ofthe boards should be such that they can support a uniformly distributed load of 6.7 KN/m when supported at 1.200 m centres. SCAFFOLD FITTINGS Fittings of ether steel or aluminium alloy are covered by the same British Standard 1s quoted above for the tubes, ‘They can usually be used in conjunction with either tubular metal unless specified differently by the manufacturer. The major fitings used in metal scaffolding are: = Double coupler ‘The only real loadbearing fitting used in scaffolding; used to join ledgers to standards, = Swivel coupler Composed of two single couplers riveted together so that itis possible to rotate them and use them for connecting two scaffold tubes at any angle ‘= Putlog coupler Used solely for fixing putlogs or transoms to the horizontal ledgers. '= Base plate A square plate with a central locating spigot, used to distribute the load from the foot of a standard on to a sole plate or firm ground. Base plates can also be obtained with a threaded spigot and nut for use on sloping sites to make up variations in levels = Split joint pin A connection fitting used to joint seaffold tubes end to end A centre bolt expands the two segments, which grip on the bore of the tubes. = Reveal pin Fits into the end of a tube to form an adjustable strut wm Putlog end A fla plate that fits on the end ofa scaffold tube to convert a putlog. “Typical examples of the above fittings are shown in Fig. 1.5.3 MEM MOBILE ACCESS TOWER “Mobile access towers are temporary structures used for gaining access to buildings for maintenance and repair. They are preferred to conventional scaffolding for work 5846 Site and temporary works Guardrail Corner standard Close boarded platform (min. $200 % 200) wath hinged iocese for ladder 770 ¢ 350 min, Recommended ‘move roe standing height 8.000 fxternal. 12.000 Internal External times last lateral simension hea! ‘os board Saivel couplet Ladder tied to ‘rose Inside of tower, Bracing Inclined If spa permits Internal towers max 30 times | Not less Ledger than fast . [lateral Costors (min. 125, fia} wth Integr brake ond Tock Bottom rung 00 Figure 154 Section through seaffld ~assembled mobile access tower, (ofa relatively short duration and where a ladder would be inadequate. Access towers are also easily moved where work is continuous, e.g. painting building exteriors, or gutter renewal. “Mobile access andl working towers comply with the following: '= They are assembled from prefabricated components, either standard scaffold tube and fitings as showa in Fig. 1.54, or interconnecting “H’ shaped steel or aluminium eubular frames ‘They have a facility 10 be moved manually on firm, level ground. ‘They have dimensions to a predetermined design. ‘They are freestanding, with supplementary support optional. w= They have at least one platform to work from, i= They have at least four legs; normally each leg is ited with castors. A base plate ‘can be used at the bottom of each leg where mobility is not required. t= ‘The platform is accessed by a ladder or steps contained within the base dimensions of the tower. A ladder must be firmly attached to the tower;Scaffolding 47 inclined is preferred. A ladder should not touch the grounds the first rung is located not more than 400 mm above the ground, '= The working platform should have a hinged opening for adder access, adequate suard rails, and toeboards 60 STABILISERS, QUTRIGGERS OR DIAGONAL BRACING An optional attachment that can be adjusted to ensure ground contact where the surface is uneven, They should be attached securely to enable direct transfer of loads without slipping or rotating. ADDITIONAL SAFETY GUIDANCE = Constructed by competent persons. tw Height to base ratio: = 3:1 maximum indoors. = 25:1 maximum outdoors, ‘= Maximum height 12 m indoors, 8 m outdoors, Never moved with persons, equipment or materials on the platform or frame. im Access ladders fitted within the frame. = Castors fitted with a locking device and secured before access is permitted, = Stable ground essential = Components visually inspected for damage before assembly 1= Inspected by @ competent person before use and every 7 days if it remains in the same place. Inspected after any substantial alteration or period of exposure to bad weather ‘= Local authority Highways Department approval required prior to use on a public footpath or road. Licence or permit to be obtained, Barriers or warning tape used to prevent people walking into the tower. Where appropriate, illuminated. No work to be undertaken below a platform in use or Maximum of two persons working from the platform at any one time. Material storage on the platform to be minimal. Ladders or other means of additional access rust not be used from the platform lor any other part of the structure, the tower. Further details and additional reading on this topie can be obtained from, BS EN 1298: Mobile access and working towers and BS EN 12811-1: Temporary works equipment. Seafflis. Performance requirements and general design. (IM THE WORK AT HEIGHT REGULATIONS 2005 "This statutory instrument is designed to ensure that suitable and sufficient safe access to and egress from every place at which any person at any time works are provided and properly maintained. Seaffolds and ladders are covered by this document, which sets objective requirements for materials, maintenance, inspection48 Site and temporary works 61 Pastas oF Sintedte Sakdorde > fj — Ledgers fixed horizontal SPS ane 2 Sata boards stance to ae ae bevererior | | rwog or? “2 1000 Sigh incined J anegen tame“ x» i Seto boards [Putiog or transom —“|_1:500 max. 7 20 Seats board Jim 3 Pasig oF transom ‘Standards, putlogs and transoms — Working platform Piers of ios bricks z ‘Stabilty of seatfolde Close boarded br pleted working pection ‘dates to be documented ard fled Platforms, gangways and runs jis a Note: Patirm to extend see, overhang, 430 7. 1500 mm beyond end a ot working face — Boards evenly supported on at \aherever practicable least 3 supports per board length Boards in working platforms Figure 15.5. Seaffolds regulations ~ 1Close pase poreone orm Scaffolding 49 800 min (Widths of working platforms for putlog and independent scaffolds ( RH LPI XEXKKYXXEEE x Figure 1.5.6 Scaffold regulations —2 I Suggested prove Gp Tou || recommended) Secured sipping 6250 Site and temporary works and construction ofthese working places. The main constructional requirements of these regulations are illustrated in Figs 1.5.5 and 1.3.6. Supervision of scaffold 68 erection and progress/safety reports are undertaken bya suitably experienced and ‘waliied person. This normally occurs = within the preceding 7 days; w= after adverse weather conditions, which may have affected the seaffolu’s strength, or stability; ‘= whenever alterations or additions are made to the scaffold. Records of all such inspections must be kept in accordance with the regulations, and "must provide the following information: 1 location and description of scaffold; ww date of inspection; 1m result oF inspection, stating the condition of seaold 1 signature and office of the person making the inspection, ‘The importance of providing a safe and reliable scaffold from which to undertake building work cannot be overemphasised. Badly assembled and neglected scaffolds have been significant contributory factor to the high accident rate associated with the construction industry. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are promoting, instructional literature and training programmes for scaffold erectors a lack of formal training has been identified as the source of many site accidents.