Scaffolding Boards

       The elements for scaffolds are the transoms, ledgers and standards. The standards are also called the uprights and they are the vertical tubes that are used to transfer all the mass of the structure that is rested on the ground through a base plate that is shaped as a square and it is used to spread the full load. A shank is at the base plate's center so it can hold the tube. This is sometimes pinned to its sole board as well. Ledgers are the horizontal tubes that are connected between standards. A Transom is resting upon the ledger forming a right angle. The main transom is placed right next to the standards and they hold it in place while supporting the boards. The intermediate transoms are placed in between the two mains for extra supports for the boards.

Materials

The tubes are either as aluminum or steel but the composite scaffolding is using glass fibre filament wound tubes in a matrix of polyester or nylon. If the material used is still then it is either the galvanized one or black. The standard diameter for the tubes is 48.3 mm but they come in different lengths too. The main difference with the two types of tubes is with the weight of the aluminum tubes as well as the great flexibility and lesser resistance to force. The tubes are purchased at 6.3 m lengths and are just then cut to the typical sizes.

The boards add more working surface for workers using the scaffold. The boards are seasoned wood and they come in 3 variation of thickness at 38 mm which is the most common, 50 mm and also at 63 mm, 255 mm width is the standard and length of a maximum of 3.9 meters. The ends of the board are protected with metal plates called nail plates or hoop irons. In the UK, the timber scaffold boards comply with the BS 2482 requirements. Decking made of steel, aluminum or timber is used or for laminate boards. Aside from the working platform boards, sole boards are also placed underneath the scaffolding if the surface is soft or if the surface is suspected to be soft though you can also use an ordinary board for this. Scaffpad is another design that is made from rubber base that is moulded inside. These pads are great for use on uneven surfaces as they adapt to the ground in comparison to the sole boards that can split which would cost you a lot of money for replacement.

Scaffold Tube, Scaffolding Boards & Fittings

The independent scaffold is quite similar to the putlog scaffold. The tubes for the putlog are replaced w/ 5 feet length tubes and standards for the inside row along with the ledgers that are used for supporting the 5 feet of transom tubes. Inside standards must be placed near the building if the scaffold is to be used for accessing at a work level. If it's for bricklayers, the inside standards must be set at 12 inches far from the work surface to allow an inside board to be put in between the work face and the inside standard to prevent dropping of mortars and collection of brickworks. The scaffold could be at 5 boards or 4 boards wide on the main run and with an inside board.

Every 20 feet if possible, the scaffold must be tied to the building and ties must be connected using a double coupler. Hilti rings could also be used if there are no suitable reveals that are available for the scaffold.

Putlog Scaffold

It is not suitable to place a scaffold into the brickwork using tubes or putlogs if the workface is rendered with clad tubes remaining in the wall after the task is completed. A slot between the two bricks is left and putlogs are situated there. The bricklayers will leave putlog holes every 4 to 5 feet so there should be double holes that are left in order to allow for the board joints every 13 feet or so. Mortar is used for the holes after dismantling the scaffold. Below are short instructions on how to put up a putlog scaffold.

The scaffold should be put up on firm ground while the base plates must rest on the sole pads. To start putting it up, you must place the standard on each corner first while other standards are placed along the line with intervals of about 6 to 8 feet depending on the requirements for loading. These standards must be around 4 feet and 3 inches away from workface. They are then joined with ledger tubes together and are fitted with double couples. They should also be fixed with the required height for the lift or platform. This height would also be the height for the putlog holes. The ledger tubes' length can then be increased as you join the tubes together with the use of a sleeve coupler. The putlog tubes would then be located in the slots of the brickwork while the other end is fastened onto the ledger tubes using a single coupler or a putlog. When there is no available hole, you can rake out one when it is necessary.

Always remember that the scaffold boards need support every 4 to 5 feet while all of the board joints need to be supported on each end.

If there's a window or a doorway, you need a bridle tube or ledger tube inside the scaffold. This tube is linked between the putlog tubes that will enable the fittings of other putlog tubes where it is not possible as no slots are available. These must then be fitted with double couplers.

All standards must be plumb with leveled ledgers. Ledger joints must be staggered to the scaffold with the use of diagonal bracing and a handrail must be placed on each of the working lift then add the toe boards and brick guards. Safety is very important as with any scaffolding so it's necessary that it should be erected only by a competent person.

An advantage of using a putlog scaffold is that you need lesser materials to use as there's no inside ledgers or standards. Its disadvantage though is that if it is placed on a ground that dried out and shrunk slightly or when there's a heavy load placed on the scaffold, their ledgers and standards drop which results in the breakdown of the brickwork.