Seven Fundamental Parts of a Scaffold

The components that make up scaffolding vary widely based on the type of building, project requirements, and surrounding conditions of the construction. However, there are some fundamental scaffolding parts that form the basic structure of any scaffold.

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Continue reading to discover seven basic scaffolding parts.

Base Plates & Jacks

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Base plates, also referred to as sole plates, are the load-bearing base of a scaffold.

They&#;re used to distribute weight and support the vertical scaffolding poles known as standards. Connecting the base plates to standards ensures a strong scaffolding foundation.

Base jacks are usually made out of steel and are adjustable to various lengths. The adjustments are made based on the amount of weight it needs to bear. They can also be made in a variety of configurations, such as swivels that adjust to sloped ground.

For scaffolds that are built off other structures like steel beams, base plates can be replaced with shoring heads (U-heads, for example).

Standards (Uprights, Verticals, Legs)

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Standards, also known as uprights, verticals, or legs, are the long pipes or tubes that connect the whole scaffold to the ground.

Standards play a role in transferring the entire load of the scaffold to the ground. As mentioned above, they&#;re usually connected to base plates to ensure equal distribution of the load.

As standards are of fixed lengths, taller scaffolding requires that the pipes be connected so as to route the load directly through the structure. This is accomplished by using the &#;pin and socket&#; joint, which twists to lock successive pipes together.

As standards are of fixed lengths, taller scaffolding requires that the pipes be connected so as to route the load directly through the structure. This is accomplished by using the &#;pin and socket&#; joint, or a coupling pin, which twists to lock successive pipes together.

Standards are commonly made out of either painted steel, galvanized steel or aluminum, based on the requirements of the scaffold.

Ledgers (Runners)

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Also referred to as runners, ledgers are tubes that run horizontally along the length of the scaffold.

This component is used to support the working platform of the scaffold. Based on its placement, it determines the height at which the working planks (decks, boards) are staged.

Ledgers are placed in between each standard and structured parallel to the building&#;s wall. Multiple bays are connected with these ledgers both at the back and the front of the scaffold.

In some scaffolding systems, the same component fulfills both the ledger and transom function, in which case both may be referred to as ledgers.

The material used to create ledgers are either steel or aluminum.

Transoms (Bearers, Putlogs)

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Transoms, or bearers, are horizontal members that meet the ledgers at right angles.

The role of a transom depends on the type. Main transoms provide support for the standards and the working platform by holding them in position. Meanwhile, intermediate transoms provide additional board support when placed at intervals between the main transoms. Another variant is putlogs, a type of transom with a flat end at one side, which is attached directly into the building wall to support working platforms.

The main transoms are positioned right next to the standards, while the intermediate transoms are attached to the ledgers in between the main transoms. Both of these components are made out of either steel, or aluminum.

Boards (Decks, Battens, Planks)

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Boards, also known as decks or battens, are the planks that form the working platform on a scaffold.

They&#;re used as support for workers to stand on and place their tools when working on the scaffolding. Besides providing standing support, boards also ensure workers&#; safety when working at tall heights.

Boards are available in wood, aluminum, aluminum frame with plywood board, or hot-dip galvanized steel materials. Accessories such as guardrails and toeboards can be added for security against falls.

Couplers (Clamps, Fittings, Clips)

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Couplers, also known as clamps, fittings or clips, are what hold components of a scaffold together. They&#;re different from a scaffolding tie, which is used to connect the scaffold itself to other structures.

Couplers are mainly used to help connect structural elements of a scaffolding. But detailed utilization comes in several variants &#; Putlog Couplers, Swivel Couplers, and Right Angle Couplers. Putlog Couplers are used to connect a ledger to a transom when the connection is needed to support the working board. Right Angle Couplers are used to connect a ledger or transom to a standard, while Swivel Couplers are recommended for any other angle of connection between scaffold tubes, such as diagonal bracing.

Couplers are usually made out of drop-forged steel or pressed steel for durability and reliability. Some have a hot-dip galvanized finish to avoid corrosion.

Couplers are used extensively in tube and coupler scaffolds, whereas systems scaffolding drastically reduces the need for couplers through the built-in connections between nodes on the verticals and connectors on the ends of horizontal members.

Braces

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Braces are diagonal tubes that reinforce the scaffold&#;s rigidity.

Bracing provides strength by controlling the &#;unbraced length&#; of the scaffold leg. Besides that, it increases the scaffold&#;s stability by ensuring the scaffold leg doesn&#;t fall over.

There are several types of braces. Cross (transverse) braces run diagonally between ledgers and standards to increase a structure&#;s overall rigidity. Meanwhile, façade (longitudinal) braces are attached on the face of the scaffold, running diagonally along the length of the structure at every level. They help to prevent a structure from swaying. Braces are critical to keep scaffolds from twisting and ultimately collapsing due to loads as well as seismic, wind, and other external forces.

Braces are made from galvanized steel, an industry standard for heavy-duty support. In bamboo scaffolding, bamboo braces are used.

Standards:

A standard is the long pipe or tube running vertically that connects the mass of the scaffold directly to the ground. The base of each standard is connected to a base plate, or sill, which helps distribute the weight each standard bears. As standards are of fixed lengths, taller scaffolding requires that the pipes be connected so as to route the load directly through the structure. This is accomplished by way of a pin and socket joint which twists to lock successive pipes together.

Pairs of standards are placed at the back of the scaffolding (nearest the building) and at the front of the scaffold, the two pairs of standards forming a bay that has a width (back-to-front dimension) and length (side-to-side dimension).

The standards, also called uprights, are the vertical tubes that transfer the entire weight of the structure to the ground where they rest on a square base plate to spread the load.

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Tubes are usually made either of steel or aluminum; although there is composite scaffolding which uses filament-wound tubes of glass fiber in a nylon or polyester matrix, because of the high cost of composite tube, it is usually only used when there is a risk from overhead electric cables that cannot be isolated. If steel, they are either 'black' or galvanized. The tubes come in a variety of lengths and a standard outside diameter of 48.3 mm. (1.5 NPS pipe). The chief difference between the two types of metal tubes is the lower weight of aluminum tubes (1.7 kg/m as opposed to 4.4 kg/m). However they are more flexible and have a lower resistance to stress. Tubes are generally bought in 6.3 m lengths and can then be cut down to certain typical sizes. Most large companies will brand their tubes with their name and address in order to deter theft.

Galvanized steel scaffold tube is the main scaffolding part which creates the framework and the base for working platforms. Scaffold tubes are made from galvanized steel, are heavy duty and come in various lengths ranging from 5ft to 21ft and all have a different part to play.

In general 21 foot or 6.4 meter tubes are used as the upright standards and these are one of the main components that connects most of the scaffolding together. Standards are placed in a vertical position from the ground up on to a baseplate which is a scaffolding part that helps spread the weight.

For general scaffolding works e.g. painting and decorating, each upright standard should be placed a maximum of 2 meters apart. For heavy duty works where there is a heavy load going to be placed on the working platform then the standards should be a very maximum distance of 1.8 meters apart and this is generally called the bay length.

If you are looking to erect scaffolds higher than 21ft then the standards would need to be connected on top of one another using a joint pin scaffolding part which is inserted into the inner tube which then locks the uprights together.

To create a scaffolding bay you would need the following scaffolding parts, two pairs of standards, one should be close to the building and is usually referred to as the inside standard or upright. The next standards would be placed directly opposite the inside uprights and are usually called the outside standards which then creates the bay. The width and length dimensions of each bay may vary depending on what types of scaffold you require.

Thickness of tubes: measure the inside wall and regardless of the length most galvanized tube measures in at 4mm in thickness.

Scaffolding tubes diameter:  you need to measure the outside of the tube from edge to edge. You will find most type 4 tubes no matter what length they are have a diameter which is usually 48.3mm or 1.90 inches.

STANDARD-DIFFERENT TYPE OF DAMAGES

The galvanizing process: is pretty simple, when the poles are manufactured the metal is sealed from all corrosion and oxidation. The steel poles are hot dipped in to a bath of molten zinc at temperatures exceeding 800 degrees Fahrenheit adding a bonded coating to the steel for extra protection.

These poles have been put through the galvanizing process to ensure that they are environmentally friendly and also strong and hard wearing, resistant to rust and have an increased life span. Buying steel scaffold tube is slightly more expensive than other poles available and this is due to the galvanizing, however you will save your money in the long run as these steel tubes will require far less maintenance or replacing.

Every Scaffold and every member or component thereof shall be:

• Metal having adequate strength & Free from defects
• Suitable and safe for the purpose for which it is intended.
• Scaffold Supervisor shall carry out monthly inspection of all the materials required for scaffold and
• immediately replace the damaged materials, if any.
• HSE coordinator shall carry out quarterly audit of Scaffold Material along with Scaffold Supervisor.
• Scaffold Contractor has to change the Scaffold material if when asked by the HSE department.
• Flame cut tube, Cross cut tube, Mushroom Head Tube, Spilt End Tube, Bent Tube, Welded Tube, Rusted Tube, not consider as a scaffold tube. Refer to below image

Ledgers:

In between each standard, running horizontally along the length of the scaffold, is a ledger or runner or cross beam, which adds further support and weight distribution. Multiple bays are connected with these ledgers both at the back and the front of the scaffold. Placement of ledgers defines the height at which the worker platforms are staged (except for the lowest one which is placed near the ground).

Joints in ledgers should also be staggered, i.e. joints in adjacent ledgers should not occur in the same bay. These joints should be made with sleeve couplers and not be more than one-third distance away from a points in ledgers on the same lift and in adjacent lifts should not occur in the same bay unless there is unjointed guardrail (not to be removed) when joints in the ledgers above and below can be in the same bay.

The spacing of ledgers (lift heights) will be:

independent tied scaffolds &#; 2.0m

putlog scaffolds &#; 1.35m

Some types of system scaffold do not require ledger/cross bracing unless:

• ties cannot be located as required by the manufacturer or are liable to be removed; or
• the height of the scaffold is 4m or more above the last line of ties.

Where ledger bracing is installed for the above reasons, the loads on the adjacent ties will be increased. The system manufacturer&#;s instructions should be  consulted to determine whether ledger bracing is required.

Ledger bracing should be installed on tube and fitting scaffolds. Brace alternate pairs of tube and fitting standards, ensuring that the bracing forms a complete series of triangles from bottom to top of the scaffold. Install the bracing from ledger to ledger or from standard to standard. For tube and fitting scaffolds, brace each pair of standards where the bracing is installed from the inside ledger to the guard-rail of the lift below to allow access along a boarded lift.

When clear access is required on base lifts of tube and fitting scaffolds, the cross bracing may be omitted on the base lift provided the first lift does not exceed 2.7m, or the lift is knee braced. In either case, the loading capacity of the scaffold will be reduced.

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