SCAFFOLDING

CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY IV 1
 CONTENT
Introduction
Basic forms of Scaffolding
Other forms of Scaffolding
– Slung Scaffold
– Truss-out Scaffold
– Suspended Scaffold
– Mobile Tower Scaffold
– Birdcage Scaffold
– Gantries
– System Scaffold
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 INTRODUCTION
Definition:
Temporary erections, constructed to
support a number of platforms at different
heights to enable workmen to reach their
work and to permit the rising of materials.

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 FUNCTION
 As a working platform
- so that the worker can stand on the platform
do the work easily & safely
 As a platform for placing material & logistic
needed by the workers to carry out their job
 As a platform and walking passage
- scaffolding support the platform that been
used by the worker as their walking path to
transport the material & logistic
 Types
Tubular metal
Woods
Bamboo
Metal frame
 Bamboo Scaffolding
Use by Chinese (almost 5000 years!)
Is a slender structure of bamboo pieces
2 general types: single layered and double
layered
Single layered : working scaffolds, use for
light duty works
Double layered: finishing scaffold,
 STEEL SCAFFOLD
 Steel tubes are nearly 3 times heavier than
aluminium alloy tubes but are far stronger.
 Longer span can be used since it deflection is
approximately 1/3 of aluminium alloy tubes.
 There 2 types that is:
- Galvanized steel tubes
- Ungalvanized steel tubes that need special
care (painting, varnishing or oil bath after use)
Steel Scaffolding
 ALUMINIUM SCAFFOLDS
 Need protective treatment when they are to
be used in contact with materials such as
damp line, wet cement & sea water to
prevent corrosion to the tubes.
 Coating the tube with bitumastic paint
before using it would be a suitable
protective treatment.
                                                     

Aluminium Scaffolding
 TIMBER SCAFFOLD
 Extensively used in the developing country
 Members are lashed together with wire or
rope instead of the coupling fittings used
with metal scaffolds.
Timber Scaffold
 A Scaffold should:
Be stable
Have a firm base
Have properly constructed standards, ledgers,
transoms and bracers
Have a suitable working platform
Have guard rails in place
Be inspected where required
Be constructed so that the public are not put at
risk
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Cross-Section of Scaffolding

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Components of scaffolds
Base
Standards
Ledgers
Transoms
Bracing
Working platforms
Platform width
Toeboards and guard-rails
Brickguards
Means of access

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 DOUBLE
COUPLER

STANDARD

BASE PLATE
STANDARD
 Base Plate
A good base is essential and the ground
should be leveled and rammed to give a firm
surface. Timber sole plates, at least 219mm
wide and 35mm thick should be laid to support
the base plates for standards.

Wherever possible, a sole plate should support

at least two standards, to ensure that the load
carried by each standard is distributed over a
fairly large area.

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Base Plate

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Base Plate

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 Standards
The independent tied scaffold has two
vertical rows of standards. These are
an inner row about 325mm from the
building, - to give a working clearance
near the wall and an outer row in line
with the inner standards to provide a
platform of the width required. Any
joints necessary in standards to reach
the required height should be staggered
and occur near ledgers.

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 Ledgers

The standards in each row are kept equal

distance and strengthened by ledgers, fixed
horizontally on the inside of standards with
right angle couplers.

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 Ledgers

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 Transoms
Transoms, keeping the inner and outer rows of
standards evenly apart, are set on top of ledgers at
right angles to them and to the building. Horizontal
distance between transoms at working platform level
is determined by the thickness of boards to be used.

Ledgers and transoms should not protrude more

than is necessary beyond the general outline of the
scaffold. At lower level - danger to pedestrians or
passing vehicles and it is good practice to use
safety caps on the open ends.

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 Bracing
Bracing is essential to stiffen the structure.

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Bracing

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 Working Platforms
The minimum width of a working platform is 600mm.
The surface of the working platform should be even
to prevent anyone tripping. Each board should have
at least three supports unless its thickness or span
is enough to prevent any sagging under load.
All boards should be marked with their maximum
span. The maximum span should be 1.2m between
supports. All boards should be laid closely together
along their length. Standard boards are nominal
225mm wide x 38mm thick.

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 Platforms Width
Platforms should be wide enough to permit
freedom of movement and to
accommodate whatever materials need to
be stored for short periods.

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Toeboards and Guard-Rails
Toeboards and guard-rails are required at the
outsides and ends of all working platforms from
which men and materials can fall more than 2m.
Toeboards and guard-rails should be fitted on the
inside of standards to prevent outward movement.
Toeboards should rise at least 150mm and the main
guard-rail must be at least 910mm above the
working platform.
There must be an unprotected gap of more than
470mm in height in the means of protection against
a fall of a person from the working platform. In
practice therefore, either an intermediate guard-rail
or other form of effective barrier example
brickguard frames – must be filled.

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 Brickguards
Brick guards are constructed of wire mesh
with three hooks at the top that will be
hung over the top rail of the scaffold. The
lowest part then hands inside the toe
board and this prevents a person or
material from falling through the space
between the top handrail and the working
platform.

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 Means of Access
Access to the scaffold must be by the
use of a secure ladder. Under no
circumstances should a person be
allowed to climb up the scaffold tubes to
gain access. The safety issues in the
use of ladder have been covered in
previous note.

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 Connector
Double Coupler
- the only real loadbearing fitting used in
scaffolding
- used to join ledgers to standards
Swivel Coupler
- Composed of 2 single coupler riveted together
so that it is possible to rotate them & use them
for connecting 2 scaffold tubes at any angle.
Putlog Coupler
- use solely for fixing putlogs/transoms to the
horizontal ledgers.
Putlog Coupler
Double Coupler
Swivel Coupler
Base Plate For Scaffold
 SCAFFOLD TYPE AND SELECTION
Selecting a Scaffolding System
The safe and efficient use of scaffolding depends,
first of all, on choosing the right system for the job.
If the scaffold’s basic characteristics are unsuited to
the task, or if all the necessary components are not
available, proper erection and use is compromised.
Selection of scaffolding and related components
requires an understanding of site conditions and the
work to be undertaken. The employer must consider
the following:
Basic Considerations:
– the weight of workers, tools, materials and equipment to
be carried by the scaffold system (safe work load)
– site conditions (interior, exterior, backfill, concrete
floors, type and condition of walls, access for the
equipment, variations in elevation, anchorage points, etc)

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– height to which the scaffold may be erected
(overhead power lines, tie-backs)
– type of work that will be done from the scaffold
(masonry work, sandblasting, painting, metal
siding, mechanical installation, suspended ceiling
installation)
– duration of work
– weather conditions, including wind and ice build-up
– requirements for pedestrian traffic through and
under the scaffold area
– means of access to the scaffold
– configuration of the building or structure being
worked on
– special erection or dismantling circumstances.
– hoarding

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BASIC FORMS OF SCAFFOLD
Putlog Scaffold – single row of uprights
or standards set outside the perimeter of
the building & partly supported by the
structure
Independent Scaffold – two rows of
standards set outside the perimeter of
the building – not dependent on building
support.

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Putlog Scaffold

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INDEPENDENT SCAFFOLD

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INDEPENDENT SCAFFOLD

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OTHER FORMS OF SCAFFOLD
Slung Scaffolds:
– Suspended by means of wire ropes or
chains and are not provided with a means of
being raised or lowered by a lifting
appliances.
– Main use: for gaining access to high ceilings
or the underside of high roofs.

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 Slung Scaffolds
At least six evenly spaced suspensions
wire ropes/ chains should be used and
these should be adequately secured at
ends.
Working platform is similar to conventional
in access of 2.400 x 2.400 plan size.

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 Truss-out scaffolds:
A form of tied scaffold, which rely entirely
on the building for support.
Used where it is impossible to erect a
conventional scaffold from ground level.
The supporting scaffolding structure
which projects from the face of the
building is known as truss-out.

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TRUSS
OUT
SCAFFOLD

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 Suspended Scaffolds:
Consist of working platform suspended from
supports such as outriggers, which cantilever
over the upper edge of building.
As a temporary means of access to the face of a
building for the purpose of cleaning and light
maintenance work.
Cradles may be single units or grouped together
to form a continuous working platform; if
grouped, they are connected to one another at
their abutment ends with hinges which form a
gap n.e 25mm wide.

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Suspended Scaffolds

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 Mobile Tower Scaffolds:
Used mainly by painters and maintenance staff
to gain access to ceilings – can be easily &
readily moved to a new position.
A square tower constructed & mounted on
wheels and fitted with brakes.
Inclined ladders or vertical ladder fixed inside or
outside the tower - must be secured with wire
lashing & provided with bottom transom support.

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 Mobile Tower Scaffolds:
To ensure stability, the height to working
platform of the tower should not exceed
three and a half times its least base
dimension for internal work.
Three times its least base dimension is the
maximum for external work. The maximum
overall height is 9.6m, unless tied to the
structure.

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CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY IV 51
 Birdcage Scaffold:
Used to provide a complete working platform at
high level over a large area and consist basically
of a two-directional arrangement of standards,
ledgers and transom to support a close-boarded
working platform at the required height.
To ensure stability, standards should be placed
at not more than 2.400 centers in both directions
and the whole arrangement braced.

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Birdcage Scaffold

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 Gantries
Used primarily as elevated platforms over a
public footpath where the structure under
construction or repair is immediately adjacent to
the footpath.
Can served as a storage and accommodation
area as well as providing staging from which a
conventional independent scaffold to provide
access to the face of the building can be
erected.

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 System Scaffold
Based upon the traditional independent scaffold
– instead being connected by a series of loose
couplers & clips – used integral interlocking
connections.
Easy to erect, adaptable & can be assemble and
dismantle by a semi-skilled operatives.
Advantage – the elimination of internal cross
bracing, giving a clear walk through at all levels
even though facade – bracing is required.

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ERECTION NOTES COMMON TO
ALL SCAFFOLDS:
Foundation:
Ensure the ground is suitable – well compacted
and free from irregularities – caused the sole
board unstable.
Use base plate for – scaffold pitched on soil,
pavements, and floor surfaces- mosaic, marble.
Sole board to hard ground (min.); 219mm
square x 35mm thick.

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ERECTION NOTES COMMON TO
ALL SCAFFOLDS:
Ditto to medium ground; 219mm wide x 480mm
long x 35mm thick.
Ditto to soft ground; 219mm wide x 750mm long
x 35mm thick.
Good practice to use one length of board to
support two standards.
For heavy loads concentration or double
standards, double thickness boards or larger
timbers may be required.

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ERECTION NOTES COMMON TO
ALL SCAFFOLDS:
Basing Out:
The following maximum bay centers should not
be exceeded for independent, putlog or birdcage
scaffolds:

Very light Birdcage Light Duty General Heavy duty Heavy duty
duty scaffold Purpose (bkwk) (masonry)

2.7m 2.5m 2.4m 2.1m 2.0m 1.8m

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 ERECTION NOTES COMMON TO
ALL SCAFFOLDS:
+/-
+/-20mm
20mminin2m
2mlift
liftwith
withaa
maximum
Erection Tolerances:
maximumofof50mm
50mm
Maximum
Maximum deviation
deviation overfull
over fullheight.
height. Plumb and level all
1500mm
1500mmon on
lift height
lift height
standards and ledgers
progressively as erections
+/-
+/-20mm
20mminin2m
2mbay
bay
Maximum
Maximum with a maximum
with a maximum ofof of scaffold proceeds.
200mm
200mmon on 50mm
50mmdeviation
deviationover
over
bay length
bay length full
fulllength
length

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ERECTION NOTES COMMON TO
ALL SCAFFOLDS:
Lift Heights:
For base lifts where access under is
required, a maximum lift height of 2.7m
is allowable.
For general walkthrough access on
upper lifts, a maximum lift height of 2.0m
should be maintained.

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ERECTION NOTES COMMON TO
ALL SCAFFOLDS:
Ledgers:
Jointing should be made preferably with sleeve
couplers but where expanding joint pins are
used, they should be positioned as close to the
ledger/ standard connection as possible but
not more than 1/3rd.
All joints should be staggered in adjacent lifts.
Connect ledgers to standards with right angle
couplers.

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ERECTION NOTES COMMON TO
ALL SCAFFOLDS:
Transoms & Putlogs:
Should be fixed to the ledgers with right
angle or putlog couplers.
For unboarded lifts, transom should be
positioned within 300mm of the standard
and connected to the ledgers with right
angle couplers.

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ERECTION NOTES COMMON TO
ALL SCAFFOLDS:
– Standards:
All standards should be pitched on base plate.
Joints in standards should be made with sleeve
couplers or expanding joint pins staggered in
adjacent bays.
Where tension is developed in a standard then
the jointing should only be made with sleeve
couplers or parallel laps.

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ERECTION NOTES COMMON TO
ALL SCAFFOLDS:
Couplers:
Can be classified into two categories:

Load bearing Right angle couplers

couplers Swivel couplers
5KN Brace coupler
Sleeve coupler
Adjustable Fork Heads
Adjustable Base
Plate/jack
Non-load bearing Putlog couplers
couplers Expanding Joint Pine
Toe board clips
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ERECTION NOTES COMMON TO
ALL SCAFFOLDS:
Bracing:
Bracing should be remain in position at all
times for stability.
Types of bracing:
Ledger bracing:
Dog leg bracing fixed from ledger to ledger with right
angle or 5KN brace couplers, or from standard to
standard with swivel couplers at alternate pairs of
standards on every lift for full scaffold height.

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ERECTION NOTES COMMON TO
ALL SCAFFOLDS:
– One way bracing; fixed from ledger to ledger with
right angle or 5 KN braced couplers at alternate
pairs of standards on every lift for full scaffold
height.
– Where clear access is required on base lifts, ledger
bracing may be omitted on the base lift provided the
lift height does not exceed 2.7m.
– Where clear access is required on any working lift
bracing at every pair of standards may be inserted
from inside ledger to guardrail to increase clear
access way.

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 ONE-WAY BRACING
DOG LEG BRACING
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ERECTION NOTES COMMON TO
ALL SCAFFOLDS:
Facade Bracing:
All scaffolds should be façade braced
either with “zig-zag” bracing from bottom
to top or by continuous long bracing from
bottom to top, each brace assembly
must occur along the scaffold at intervals
not exceeding
30 m.

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ERECTION NOTES COMMON TO
ALL SCAFFOLDS:
Plan Bracing :
Not normally required on access scaffolds
unless there is a point or level on the scaffold
where some lateral loading may be applied,
such as loading platform or a lift where no ledger
bracing can be placed – plan bracing should be
placed under the ledger line and be connected
from standard to standard with right angle or
5KN brace couplers.

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ERECTION NOTES COMMON TO
ALL SCAFFOLDS:
Boarded Lifts:
•All boarded lifts should be closed boarded.

Thickness of Max. span Minimum Max. overhang

board between overhang
transoms

38mm 1.5m 50mm 150mm

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 SAFETY PRECAUTION
 Standard must be on the same level and
vertically straight on the base plate.
 The supporting platform wood must be
supported properly.
 Working platform must been equipped with
safety elements such as hand rail.
 Scaffold must be inspected at certain times.
 Use safety tools such as safety boots, safety
helmet and etc when using platform.
 Supervision of scaffold erection & progress
/safety reports are undertaken by a suitable
experience & qualified person that normally
occurs:
a) within the preceding 7 days
b) after adverse weather conditions that may
have affected the scaffold’s strength or
stability
c) whenever alterations / additions are made to
the scaffold
The report made after inspection must consist :
 Location & description of scaffold
 Date of inspection
 Result of inspection, stating the condition of
scaffold
 Signature & office of the person making
the inspection
Badly assembled & neglected scaffold have been
a significant contributory factor to the high
accident rate associated with the construction
industry.
PREVIOUS EXAM QUESTIONS
The Department of Occupational Safety and
Health (DOSH) has come out with a standard
guideline to ensure the performances and
safety of scaffold while installation being done.
Explain briefly these safety measures in
conjunction to the following aspects:
Foundation
Lift Heights
Erection tolerances

CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY IV 74
PREVIOUS EXAM QUESTIONS
Demolitions give rise to the need for
temporary support and to some extent cause
consequences to the adjacent
structure/building. Explain with the aid of
sketches, THREE (3) situations that may
justify the use of each of the following in
relation to demolition works. You are to make
necessary assumptions where appropriate.
– Shoring
– Scaffolding

CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY IV 75
PREVIOUS EXAM QUESTIONS
Explain FIVE (5) factors influencing the
choice of selection for the type of
scaffolding to be use.

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PREVIOUS EXAM QUESTIONS
(APRIL2005)
Scaffolding is a temporary structure which is
constructed to support workmen and materials to
be reach at different heights. List all the basic
components of scaffold and explain briefly with
the aid of sketches, the characteristics of two (2)
of these components to fulfill its functionality
adequately.
(15 marks)

CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY IV 77
PREVIOUS EXAM QUESTIONS
(NOV2005)
Scaffolding is a temporary structure
which is constructed to support workmen
and materials to be reach at different
heights. Explain briefly two (2) basic
forms of scaffolding:
Putlog Scaffold
Independent Scaffold
(15 marks)

CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY IV 78
 YOUR TASK

Please update the notes with

the required sketches/
drawings or photographs....

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