SCAFFOLD ERECTION AND DISMANTLING
AND
SCAFFOLDING INSPECTOR COURSE
Prepared by
Dr. Bishnu Prasad jena
STANDARDS
Code of practice for steel tubular scaffolding IS : 4014 ( Part II ) - 1967
Safety code for scaffolds and ladders IS : 3696 ( Part I ) - 1987
ANSI – American National Standards Institute ANSI A10.8 (1998 or later)
B. S. Specification for Steel Tube BS 1139
B. S. Specification for Steel Couplers BS 1139
B. S. Specification for scaffold Boards BS 2482
B.S. Code of Practice for scaffold BS 5973
European Standard EN74
OSHA Safety Requirements (Scaffolding) OSHA 1910.28
OSHA Additional Requirements (Scaffolding) OSHA 1926.450
OSHA Scaffold use in the Construction Industry OSHA 3150
36” min.
DEFINITIONS
Anchorage: Component cast or fixed into the building or structure for the purpose of attaching
a scaffold or tie; it also means the holding down system for cantilevered beams when referring
to suspended scaffolding and cantilevered platforms.
Base plate: A metal plate with a spigot for distributing the load from a standard or raker or other
load-bearing tube. An adjustable base plate is a metal base plate embodying a screw jack.
Bay: The portion of a scaffold situated between two adjacent pairs of standards measured
longitudinally and extending the full height of the scaffold. The bay length is the longitudinal
distance between the two adjacent pairs of standards.
Brace: A member placed diagonally with respect to the vertical or horizontal members of a
scaffold and fixed to them to afford stability.
Castor: A swivelling wheel secured to the base of a vertical member of the scaffold for the
purpose of mobilising it.
Construction work: (a) Means any work in connection with the alteration, cleaning,
construction, demolition, dismantling, erection, installation, maintenance, painting, removal,
renewal, or repair of —
Coupler: A fitting used to fix scaffold tubes together.
Employee: Subject to section (3) of the Act, means a person employed by any other person to
do any work (other than residential work) for hire or reward; and, in relation to any employer,
means an employee of the employer.
Employer: Means a person who or that employs any other person to do any work for hire or
reward; and, in relation to any employee, means an employer of the employee.
Factor of safety: The ratio of the load that would cause failure of a member or structure to the
load that is imposed upon it in service, and, unless otherwise prescribed or directed, shall be a
minimum of 3.
Free-standing scaffold: A standing scaffold which is not attached to any other structure and is
stable against overturning on its own account or, if necessary, assisted by rakers and anchors.
Guardrail: A rail or barrier secured to standards or upright members, and erected along the
exposed sides and ends of working platforms to prevent persons from falling. A lower rail which
is fixed to standards midway between the guardrail and platform is termed a midrail.
Hanging scaffold: A working platform suspended by tubes, bolts, fixed rope slings or other
methods and not intended for raising or lowering while in use.
High: In relation to scaffolding, means the vertical height of the actual scaffold
Height: In relation to scaffolding or part of scaffolding, means the greatest vertical distance from
which any article may fall from the highest working platform of the scaffolding to the ground or
structure on which the scaffolding is supported or above which the scaffolding is suspended or
fixed, as the case may be. In determining the distance which an article may fall, no account
shall be taken of any obstruction which may delay or stop the fall unless there is no possibility of
the fall continuing after the obstruction is reached.
Ladder: Means a portable appliance consisting of two stiles joined by steps or rungs and
designed for the purpose of climbing and descending.
Ladder bracket: A bracket designed to be attached to at least two rungs of a ladder for the
purpose of supporting a plank for a person to work on.
Ledger: A horizontal member placed in the longitudinal direction between standards for the
purpose of supporting putlogs.
Lift: The assembly of ledgers and putlogs forming each horizontal level of a scaffold. The lift
height is the vertical distance between two lifts, measured centre to centre.
Live load: That portion of a load which does not include any part of the scaffolding or decking
supporting the load, and comprises the weight of workers and/or materials.
Outriggers (needles): Cantilevered beams from which a swinging stage is suspended.
Putlog (or bearer or transom): A horizontal member placed in the transverse direction
between ledgers, standards, or other supports and used to support a working platform.
Raker: An inclined load-bearing member.
Right-angle coupler: A coupler used to join tubes at right angles.
Registered engineer: An engineer registered under the Engineers Registration Act 1924.
Safe working load (SWL): The maximum load calculated in accordance with sound and
accepted engineering practice, which can be supported safely under normal working conditions.
Scaffolder: A scaffolder is a person skilled and experienced in the erection, altering and
dismantling of scaffolding. A scaffolder aspires to or holds a certificate of competency as a
scaffolder.
Scaffolding: (a) Means any advanced scaffolding, basic scaffolding, or suspended scaffolding
or any framework or structure, of a temporary nature, used or intended to be used —
(i) For the support or protection of persons carrying out construction work or work connected
with construction work, for the purpose of carrying out that work; or
(ii) For the support of materials used in connection with any such work; and
(b) Includes any scaffolding constructed as such and not dismantled, whether or not it is being
used as scaffolding; and
(c) Includes any coupling, device, fastening, fitting or plank used in connection with the
construction, erection, or use of scaffolding.
Scaffolding process: The planning for, design and erection of, inspection of, and use of any
scaffold.
Scaffold register: A written record of inspections carried out for scaffolding.
Standard: An upright member used for transmitting the weight of the load from the working
platforms to the base of the scaffolding.
Suspended scaffold: A working platform suspended from overhead and intended to be raised
or lowered while in use.
Swivel coupler: A coupler for joining tubes at an angle other than a right angle.
Sole plate: A timber, concrete or metal bearer used to distribute the load from a standard or
base plate to the ground.
Sound and accepted engineering practice: Means engineering practice generally regarded
as sound by those members of the engineering profession mainly concerned with the practice
and accepted as such by the Secretary of Labour.
Span: Means the distance measured along the member between the centre lines of adjacent
supports of the member.
Special scaffold: A scaffold which differs from the standard requirements for standing and
suspended scaffolds.
Standing scaffold: A scaffold which is supported wholly or partly from its base.
Tie: The attachment by which scaffolding is attatched to a structure; it also means “tie and
spreader” and includes the attachments used in conjunction with the spreader or putlog
extension to secure a scaffold to a building or structure to prevent movement.
Toeboard: An upstand or vertical barrier at the edge of a platform intended to prevent
materials, or workers’ from slipping off the platform.
Transom: A lube or beam spanning across ledgers to form the support for boards forming the
working platform or to connect the outer standards to the inner standards (see Putlog).
Working platform: That part of a scaffolding on which workers and/or materials are supported
for the purpose of carrying out construction work.
SCAFFOLD TERMINOLOGY
FOUNDATIONS
Scaffolding foundations must be adequate to carry the whole weight of the scaffold, including
the imposed loads, and must be maintained in a stable condition during the life of the scaffold.
Steel base plates must be used under all standards.
When scaffolds are supported on the ground, suitable sole plates must be used to spread the
load. The sole plates should preferably be long enough to support at least two standards. (See
fig. 4). Timber sole plates must be not less than 200 x 38 x 500 mm long. Bricks, blocks and
similar loose material are unsuitable as they are liable to fall over or split, and are easily driven
into the ground.
WORKING PLATFORMS
Working platforms are classified as light-duty, medium-duty, heavy-duty or special-duty.
LIGHT-DUTY PLATFORMS
For light-duty platforms, the maximum longitudinal standard spacing is 2.4 m and the maximum
standard spacing is 1.5 m.
MEDIUM- OR HEAVY-DUTY WORKING PLATFORMS
For medium- or heavy-duty working platforms, the following additional requirements must also
be complied with:
(a) Where the span exceeds 2.0 m, one intermediate putlog must be provided at mid-span to
support timber scaffold planks; this requirement does not apply to metal planks (fig. 5).
(b) When the live load is not evenly distributed over the platform, as in the case of a blocklayer’s
scaffold which has bricks or concrete blocks stacked on the outside edge of the platform, the
outside ledger which carries most of the load must be supported by an additional standard, with
intermediate putlog placed at mid-span (fig.5).
(c) When the total live load of 4.4 kN or 6.6 kN is not uniformly distributed but is concentrated at
mid-span, e.g. concrete blocks stacked on pallets, an additional pair of standards with
intermediate putlog must be provided at mid-span.
Additional standards at
mid-span
Additional
tandard
1.5 m max. between Intermediate putlogsat
standards. Note: End
toe board not shown for mid-span
clarity.
HEAVY-DUTY PLATFORMS
For heavy-duty platforms, the maximum longitudinal standard spacing is 1.8 m and the
maximum transverse standard spacing is 1.275 m.
SPECIAL-DUTY WORKING PLATFORMS
Special-duty working platforms are platforms that do not conform to the requirements of either a
light-duty or heavy-duty platform with respect to loading and/or dimensions. The platform must
be of adequate strength and stability. The health and safety inspector may require a registered
engineer's design certificate for a special-duty platform.
BRACING
Adequate bracing must be provided as follows:
PLAN BRACING
Where the horizontal tie spacings cannot be complied with, plan bracing shall be provided.
Even with this bracing provided, the maximum horizontal distance between tie points shall
not exceed 9.6 m.
Tied standard Tied standard
9.6 mor 4 standards max
TUBE SCAFFOLDING IN STEEL OR ALUMINIUM
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
The general requirements for metal tubes and fittings of steel or aluminium are:
(a) Metal tubes must be purpose made with outside diameters accurately gauged to fit
properly into the metal couplings and to allow complete interchangeability.
(b) Tubes in use on a scaffold must be in good condition, free from bends and defects that
might affect strength, reasonably free from corrosion and cut square at the ends.
Tubes which are 3 m and over in length should be reamed, if cut, to ensure safety
when using internal joiners.
(c) When the loss of metal by corrosion or other causes reduces any cross section of a
tube so that its corresponding weight is less than 90 percent of its original weight, the
affected length of tube is to be discarded and rendered unfit for further use in
scaffolding.
(d) Steel tubes must be hot-dipped galvanised or painted when used in scaffolds which
are exposed for prolonged periods to marine or corrosive atmospheres.
(e) Fittings and couplings must be specially made for the tubes in use and must be of a
satisfactory quality as to strength and performance.
(f) Fittings must be carefully maintained in good order and condition. They must not be
left lying around but stored in bags, boxes or bins, and kept well oiled and protected
from rusting.
Special attention must be given to the care and checking of screw threads and nuts;
worn or distorted parts must be discarded or replaced. Cracks or other flaws must
be watched for.
MATERIALS
STEEL TUBES
Steel tubes shall comply with AS 1576.3 or BS 1139 and meet the following requirements:
Minimum yield strength 200 MPa
Outside diameter 48.3 mm
Minimum wall thickness 4.0 mm
Where steel tubes complying with BS 6323 parts 1 to 4, and with a minimum outside
diameter and wall thickness 48.3 mm and 3.2 mm respectively are used for scaffolding, such
tubes shall be galvanised in accordance with Annex A of BS 1139 section 1.1.
BIOARD BEARER
ALUMINIUM TUBES BAY LENGTH
ST (INTERMEDIATE TRANSOM)
EA
LAluminium tubes shall comply
AT m. (4"
) [onwith
top AS 1576.3 or BS 1139 part 1.2 and meet the following
of ledger]
requirements:
m
100
Minimum yield strength 241 MPa
Outside diameterT 48.4 mm
AS )
Minimum wall (4"
LEthickness 4.47 mm
AT mm.
0
10 RUNNERS
(LEDGERS)
COUPLERS AND ACCESSORIES RUNNERS &
BEARERS
Couplers and accessories shall comply with AS 1576.2 or BS 1139 as appropriate INSTALLED
BEARERS
for scaffold system being c o n s i d e r e d . INSIDE POSTS
(TRANSOMS)
[on top of ledger] TYP.
POST
(STANDARD)
BASE PLATES
SILLS (SOLE
BOARDS) BASE LIFT
(KICKER LIFT)
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR STANDING SCAFFOLDS
STANDARDS
Standards must be pitched on base plates and set up vertically with spacings in
accordance with table 1. Joints in standards must be staggered and must not occur:
(a) In adjacent standards in the same lift, i.e. joints should be two bay lengths
apart; or
(b) In the same standard in adjacent vertical lifts, i.e. joints should be two vertical lift
heights apart.
Sleeve couplers or spigot fittings shall be used to connect standards.
LEDGERS
Ledgers must be:
(c) Continuous for the full length of the scaffold;
(d) ttached to both rows of standards at the level of each lift; and
(e) Horizontal and fixed with right-angle couplers to the inside of the standards.
Joints in ledgers shall be staggered and shall not be located in the middle third of the
distance between adjacent standards, or in horizontally or vertically adjacent ledgers in the
same bay.
Sleeve couplers or spigot fittings shall be used to connect ledgers. Ledger spacings
must conform to table 1.
PUTLOGS
Putlogs must be placed at each pair of standards for all scaffolds.
For a medium-duty scaffold, one intermediate putlog must also be provided in each bay to
support timber scaffold planks when the span exceeds 2 m.
For a heavy-duty scaffold, one intermediate putlog must be provided to each bay to
support timber scaffold planks when the span exceeds 1.6 m.
Putlogs may be connected to ledgers with either right-angle couplers or putlog couplers.
However, right-angle couplers only must be used when putlogs are required to transmit
forces, that is when:
(f) Putlogs are underslung from ledgers;
(g) Putlogs are used as ties and spreaders;
(h) Putlogs are placed adjacent to ties and spreaders;
(i) Putlogs are to be connected to
braces. Putlog spacings must comply with table 1.
TIES
Ties must be uniformly spaced over the face of the scaffolding in accordance with table 1.
BRACES
Braces comprising scaffold tubes must be connected as close as practicable to standard
ledger intersections.
Where required:
(j) Transverse diagonal bracing must be fixed at each lift, either to ledgers with right-
angle couplers or to standards with swivel couplers.
(k) Longitudinal diagonal bracing must be fixed to every standard with swivel couplers
and/or to extended putlogs on every lift with right- angle couplers.
Diagonal bracing must be continuous and be joined with sleeve couplers.
The detailed requirements for steel and aluminium tubular scaffolds are summarised in table
1.
TABLE 1: TUBULAR SCAFFOLDS IN STEEL AND ALUMINIUM
Member Light- Medium- Heavy-
Duty Duty Duty Notes
1. WorkingPlatforms (i) Maximumheight of scaffold must not exceed33
m.
Number per baythat maybeused (ii)Height of each lift must not exceed2.1 m,
except
at onetime, when for the first lift whichmaybeup to 3 m in height.
(a) height doesnot exceed33 m 2 1 1
(b)height doesnot exceed13.5 m 4 2 2
2. Scaffold Planks Whenthespanof a medium-duty platform decked
... with timber planks exceeds2.0 m,
oneintermediate
(a)Timber planks putlogmust beused.
(solid or laminated) 2.4 m 2.0 m 1.2 m One intermediate putlogmust beusedonheavy-d uty
(b)Metal planks platformsdecked with timber
planks. (steel or aluminium) 2.4 m 2.4 m 1.8 m
3. Standards (i) All members, includingbracing, guardrails and
(a) Longitudinal spacing 2.4 m (max) 1.8 m midrails, consist of either steel tubesfor steel
(b)Transversespacing 1.55 m (max) 1.27 m scaffolds, or aluminium tubesfor aluminiumscaffold
s.
Aluminium tubesandsteel tubesmust not bemixed
4. Ledgers unless it isa requirement of a special design.
(a)Horizontal spacing(between (ii)Putlogsare connected to ledgers at eachpair
of standards) 1.45 m standards.
(b)Vertical spacing(i.e. Iift height) 2.1 m (max) (iii)Guardrails andmidrails are fixedto the insideof
1.8 m (min) standards.
5. Putlogs (iv)All dimensionsare fromcentre to centre of
the Maximumspan 1.45 m 1.27 m respectivemembers.
6. Ties (i)One tie must beprovidedat or asnear as
(a)Horizontal spacing 4.8 m(i.e. onalternative practicable to the top-most workingplatform.
pair of standards) (ii) Thevertical tie spacingmaybe increasedto
(b)Vertical spacing 4.2 m(i.e. onalternative 8.4 mprovidedonesubstantial tie is placedat
the
lifts) top-most workingplatform and that
transversedogleg bracing is usedonalternate
pairs of standards.
(iii) Thehorizontal tie spacingmaybe increasedto
9.6 mprovidedthat substantial tiesare placedat
the endpairs of standardsand that planbracing is
placedat the level of the ties.
7. Bracing At eachendof standardsandat not more
thanevery
(a)Tranversediagonal tenth pair of standardsalong thescaffold. This is
not required whendoglegbracing is usedin
lieuof ties.
(b)Longitudinal diagonal Onediagonal for every 3 baysor less in length,
and3 lifts in height of scaffold, onouter face
andat approxi- mately 40o slope, arrangedeither
inazigzagpattern . frombottom to topor sloping
continuously from bottom to top(see fig. 13).
MATERIALS
STEEL TUBES
Steel tubes shall comply with AS 1576.3 or BS 1139 and meet the following requirements:
Minimum yield strength 200 MPa
Outside diameter 48.3 mm
Minimum wall thickness 4.0 mm
Where steel tubes complying with BS 6323 parts 1 to 4, and with a minimum outside
diameter and wall thickness 48.3 mm and 3.2 mm respectively are used for scaffolding, such
tubes shall be galvanised in accordance with Annex A of BS 1139 section 1.1.
ALUMINIUM TUBES
Aluminium tubes shall comply with AS 1576.3 or BS 1139 part 1.2 and meet the following
requirements:
Minimum yield strength 241 MPa
Outside diameter 48.4 mm
Minimum wall thickness 4.47 mm
COUPLERS AND ACCESSORIES
Couplers and accessories shall comply with AS 1576.2 or BS 1139 as appropriate
for scaffold system being considered.
TYPICAL TUBE & COUPLER SCAFFOLD
MOBILE SCAFFOLDS
DEFINITION
A mobile scaffold is a special type of free-standing scaffold supported on wheels,
castors or other devices for ease of movement on a firm level surface.
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
Design and construction must be in accordance with sound engineering
practice.
Scaffolds must be properly braced by cross-bracing or diagonal braces, or both, for
securing vertical members together laterally. Horizontal, diagonal or cross-bracing
must be provided immediately above the wheels or castors (see fig. 18).
Castors should be of the swivel type and have a minimum wheel diameter of 125
mm. Wheels or castors must be fixed to scaffold uprights, or be socketed into the
scaffold uprights, a minimum length of 150 mm, to avoid becoming dislodged
during movement on uneven floors.
TIMBER COVER FOR TOP RAIL
ACCESS HOLE (OR HINGED)
Horizontal diagonal braces asnear bottomaspossible
Horizontal diagonal MIDRAIL
braces asnear bottomaspossible
Base
TOEBOARD
(a) Mobile frame (a) Mobile tube
Fig. 18 Free-standing mobile scaffolds. WIRE LASHING
(TOP, MIDDLE &
BOTTOM)
PLAN BRACE
UNDER DECK
LADDER SHOULD
BE FIXED TO THE
NARROWER WIDTH
TRANSVERSE
(LEDGER) BRACING
PLAN BRACE LOCKING CASTERS
BOTTOM OF LADDER
SUPPORTED
When the scaffold is in use, the wheels or castors must be effectively locked and should
be turned outwards to increase base width.
A mobile scaffold must be used only on a firm level surface. Where the surface has a slight
cross-fall, the level of the wheels must be adjusted to bring the scaffold back to plumb.
Mobile scaffolds should not be used closer than 1 m to any slab edge or partition unless
the edge is protected to prevent the wheels and scaffold from falling.
Access between working platform and base must be provided by means of securely
fixed ladders or purpose-built rungs. Cross braces must not be used as a means of
access. Work platforms must be fully decked and be provided with guardrails and
toeboards in accordance with general requirements for scaffolding.
The force necessary to move a mobile scaffold must be applied near or as close to
the base as practicable and provision must be made to stabilise the tower during
movement from one location to another.
Do not ride on on a manually-propelled scaffold while it is being moved. Persons must
not ride on mechanically propelled scaffolds unless the following conditions are
satisfied:
(a) Operating controls for movement of the scaffold must be located on the working
platform.
(b) The ground surface must be level, smooth and free from pits, holes or obstructions.
(c) An effective braking system must be provided to prevent movement while in use.
(d) A warning or alarm system must be available to alert workers of each movement in
advance.
(e) Toeboards must be provided to the working platform to prevent tools and materials
from falling off.
(f) As a safety precaution, workers should be provided with a safety harness when
the scaffold is in motion; and
(g) The rate of movement must not exceed 1.5 km per hour (a very slow walking
pace).
(h) The scaffold must be purpose-designed to allow movement with persons on
SUSPENDED SCAFFOLDS
TYPES OF SUSPENDED SCAFFOLDS
The more usual suspended scaffolds are:
(a) Swinging stage (manual): This has two points of overhead suspension and is
raised or lowered by hand haulage on rope falls.
(b) Swinging stage (mechanical): This has two points of overhead suspension and is
raised or lowered by power-operated hoists controlled on the stage.
(c) Boatswain’s chair (manual): This has a single overhead suspension and is self-raised
or lowered by hand haulage on rope falls.
(d) Suspended safety chair (mechanical): This has a single overhead suspension and
is raised or lowered by a power-operated hoist controlled on the platform.
(e) Multi-point suspended platforms: These are platforms that have more than two
points of overhead suspension, with power- or manually-operated hoists.
NOTE: A boatswain’s chair and swinging stage (manual) must be raised or lowered from
the platform unless otherwise approved by the inspector.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
HAND HAULAGE
Fibre rope tackle used for hand haulage consists of not less than four parts of 18 mm
diameter natural fibre rope (to give a good hand grip) reeved through double and single
sheaves, with separate tackle for each support position.
Fibre rope must have a factor of safety of at least 6, when new. Any rope which is in a
doubtful condition must be replaced. Chemicals, detergents, solutions injurious to the rope
fibre, sand-blasting, burning off, or the use of an open flame may prohibit the use of fibre
ropes on scaffolds unless special precautions are taken.
Blocks for fibre rope must be of metal, or of wood strapped with metal, and must be not
less than 100 mm in diameter (trade measurement accepted).
Strapping on wooden blocks must extend from the top of the block down both sides and
brought together for the Beckett attachment. The bottom of the groove should be rounded
and wide enough so the rope fits loosely in it. The bottom blocks to which a stage is
fastened should each have a large deep swivel hook so that the downhaul part of the
tackle can be fastened to it with a suitable hitch. Otherwise, alternative means must be
provided on the stage or chair for securing the downhaul part.
MECHANICAL OPERATION
Electric and air-operated hoists, including cable climbing devices, must be controlled from
the stage platform. They must have a pushbutton or “dead- man” lever control that will stop
and automatically lock the motor and hoist when pressure on the control switch or lever is
removed. Hand-operated release to allow a faster descent than normal is not permitted.
Each control must be individually operated. On no account must controls be tied or
otherwise fixed in position. Ratchet and pawl manually-operated hoists must have a positive
locking device so arranged that the stage may be securely held at any level and that the
pawl automatically engages when released from hand control.
Wire ropes must be of suitable quality and of adequate strength and length. The factor
of safety for new wire rope must be not less than 10. Wires must feed on to drums
evenly and there must be sufficient space for all wire to be accommodated on the drum
below the flanges.
ANCHORAGES
Hoisting wires or tackle must be anchored to a secure part of the structure, to outriggers,
to specially designed brackets and parapet hooks, or directly to counterweights.
All structures, parapets, and other supports must be of such condition and design to
support the anchorage without danger of failure or distortion and to give a factor of safety
of at least 3 under the worst conditions. The employer may be required to supply a
registered engineer’s report on the suitability of the structure, parapet or support.
OUTRIGGERS (NEEDLES)
Design: It is sound and accepted engineering practice to use either steel or aluminium
outriggers to support mechanical powered swinging stages. For hand haulage, swinging
stages and boatswain’s chairs, either metal or timber outriggers may be used. The
structural design used for outriggers must be based on and conform to the appropriate
New Zealand Standard.
(a) For a swinging stage with two points of suspension, each outrigger must be
designed to carry half the dead load of the working platform including hoists, etc.
together with the full live load due to persons and materials as these loads are
capable of being positioned at either end of the stage (see example in Appendix
B2).
(b) For a swinging stage with more than two points of suspension, each interior
outrigger must be capable of carrying the full dead and live load for each section
between suspension points.
Unless specifically designed by a registered engineer, each outrigger for a mechanically-
operated swinging stage must be:
(a) At least equivalent in strength to a 152 mm x 89 mm x 17.09 kg/m rolled steel
joist when suspending a maximum load of 400 kg.
(b) At least 3.6 m in length when counterweighted.
(c) Located so as not to project more than 1.5 m beyond the outer point of support on the
building or structure.
The load exerted by an outrigger on a roof structure or parapet must be distributed by
providing adequate packing at its points of support, i.e. at the outer or fulcrum end, and
the inner or counterweighted end.
Stability and Counterweighting: Outriggers must be either counterweighted or secured to
the building or roof structure by bolts or other structural fixing.
Where an outrigger is stabilised by counterweights, the factor of safety against overturning
must be at least 3 (see Appendix B for a method of calculating counterweights required).
Where roof fixings are relied upon as the sole means of achieving stability, they must be
capable of providing a factor of safety of 3 against uplift.
Roof fixings shall be designed according to the stresses appropriate to the material.
No component in the system must be loaded to more than the manufacturer’s
recommendation.
Outriggers must be prevented from rolling over or moving laterally due to the end
movement of the stage. Where counterweights are used to provide stability, they must be
firmly attached to the outriggers by mechanical means so that they cannot become
accidentally dislodged due to any work or weather condition.
When strops are used, these must be positively secured to the outriggers which
must be provided with stop ends. Shackles must be moused.
Where counterweights are to be used behind parapets, etc. for direct securing to the top
block strop, there must be sufficient weight to prevent movement when the stage or chair
is subjected to shock-test loading. The weights should be positively secured one to
another and to the strop and should be of a suitable size in relation to the parapet.
Counterweights must be stamped or marked with their weight, be of a size to be readily
handled, be fitted with means to positively secure them on to another, be of uniform size,
regular shape, and of a heavy material. Sand and water may not be used.
BRACKETS AND PARAPET HOOKS
Brackets, parapet hooks and attachments must be designed by a registered engineer. A
minimum factor of safety of 3 is required on the combined dead and live loading of the
scaffold. All welding for these structural components must be done by a certificated
welder.
Parapet hooks and brackets may be used only if:
(c)The parapet is structurally sound;
(d)The hook fits the parapet snugly, and is so positioned that it cannot be dislodged; and
(e)The parapet is deep enough to allow at least 300 mm of hook down the inside.
WORKING PLATFORMS, GUARDRAILS, MIDRAILS AND TOEBOARDS
Platforms may be of any acceptable material provided that they are strong enough for the
purpose, and are designed, constructed and assembled according to sound and accepted
engineering practice.
Guardrails and midrails must be provided on both sides and both ends of swinging stages
where workers can stand, and on the outside and both ends of other suspended scaffolds.
Toeboards must be provided on all types of suspended scaffolds which carry tools and
materials, with the exception of boatswain’s chairs. Midrails may be omitted if the toeboards
are of a minimum height of 225 mm.
The platform, toeboard, midrail and guardrail must be securely fixed together to form a
complete unit.
Materials
• stands and links, tube 48,3 * 3,2 mm, material S355
• system braces, tube 48,3 * 2,9 mm, material S235
• loose tubes and tube-lock tubes 48,3 * 3,2 mm, material S235
• diagonals with loose links, tube 48,3 * 3,2 mm, material S235
• consoles and development support, tube 48,3 * 3,2 mm, material S235
• steel or aluminium lattice trusses, centre to centre. height 400 mm
• anchor tubes, tube 48,3 * 3,2 mm, material S235
• class B scaffolding connections (in accordance with NEN-EN 74)
• Floor components: - aluminium platforms should be used for scaffolding through load class
2.
- Steel parts should be used in all load classes (besides: 2,50m through class 5; 3,00m through
class 4).
- Wooden scaffolding parts are suitable for use in all load classes.
Load groups
When calculating the strength of scaffolding, the following load groups should be taken into
account:
• Tare weight
• Work load
• Wind load
• Particular loads
Tare weight
The tare weight of the components of the construction, or in the relevant cross-section, is
included in the calculations as described in paragraph 6.3.1, whereby:
Own weight tube = 3.9 kg/m
Own weight wood (50mm) = 6 kg/m; 30 kg/m2
Work load
The work load on the scaffolding depends on maximum allowed work load indicated on the
scaffolding drawing. This amounts to 1.50 kN/m2 (class 2) or 3.00 kN/m2 (class 4) where the
other work floors may not be loaded simultaneously with the upper work floor
Wind load
There are 2 wind loads which should be taken into account, the work wind (to wind force
8 Bft) and the maximum wind force.
The thrust value for the work wind amounts to 0.2 kN/m2 in accordance with NEN-EN 12811-1.
For the maximum wind the thrust value is indicated by the NAM and this amounts to 1.25 kN/m2
It is assumed that these thrust values are constant and therefore does not vary over the height
of the scaffolding construction.
Due to the temporary nature of the scaffolding construction the reduction factor for the extreme
value of the variable load for the wind amounts to (Vt) 0,57.
The wind load on the wind catching surface of the scaffolding construction is determined using
the following formula (NEN 6702):
Fwind = cdim x cindex x ceq x T1 x pw x A x Vt
where:
cdim = Factor that brings the dimensions of the construction works into account.
cindex = Wind form factors. In this case 1,2 of which 0,8 is pressure on the front side and 0.4
suction on the rear end.
ceq = pressure equalizing factor
T1 = Increasing factor that takes the dynamic influence on the wind in the wind direction on
construction works into account.
pw = Thrust.
A = Considered surface on which the wind load works.
Vt = Correction factor for the reference duration.
