Scaffolding

Contents
 Introduction
 History
 Materials
 Conclusion
 Scaffolding Introduction
 Scaffolding, also called scaffold or staging, is a temporary structure used to support a work crew and
materials to aid in the construction, maintenance and repair of buildings, bridges and all other human-
made structures. Scaffolds are widely used on site to get access to heights and areas that would be
otherwise hard to get to. Unsafe scaffolding has the potential to result in death or serious injury.
Scaffolding is also used in adapted forms for formwork and shoring, grandstand seating, concert stages,
access/viewing towers, exhibition stands, ski ramps, half pipes and art projects.
 There are six main types of scaffolding used worldwide today:
1) tube and coupler (fitting) components,
2) prefabricated modular system scaffold components
3) H-frame / facade modular system scaffolds
4) suspended scaffolds
5) timber scaffolds
6) bamboo scaffolds
 History
 Scaffolding was erected by individual firms with wildly varying standards and sizes. The process was
revolutionized by Daniel Palmer Jones and David Henry Jones. Modern day scaffolding standards,
practices and processes can be attributed to these men and their companies: Rapid Scaffold Tie
Company Ltd, Tubular Scaffolding Company and Scaffolding Great Britain Ltd.
 David Henry Jones and Daniel Palmer Jones patented the "Scaffixer" in either 1907 or 1910, a coupling
device far more robust than rope which revolutionized scaffolding construction.
 Advancements in metallurgy throughout the early 20th century saw the introduction of tubular
steel water pipes (instead of timber poles) with standardized dimensions, allowing for the
industrial interchangeability of parts and improving the structural stability of the scaffold. The use of
diagonal bracings also helped to improve stability, especially on tall buildings. The first frame system
was brought to market by SGB in 1944 and was used extensively for the postwar reconstruction.
 Materials
 The purpose of a working scaffold is to provide a safe working platform and access suitable for work crews to
carry out their work. The European Standard sets out performance requirements for working scaffolds. These
are substantially independent of the materials of which the scaffold is made. The standard is intended to be used
as the basis for enquiry and design.
 Basic scaffolding
 The key elements of the scaffolding are the standard, ledger and transoms. 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. The base plate has a shank in its centre to hold the tube and is sometimes
pinned to a sole board. Ledgers are horizontal tubes which connect between the standards.
 The spacings of the basic elements in the scaffold are fairly standard. For a general purpose scaffold the
maximum bay length is 2.1 m, for heavier work the bay size is reduced to 2 or even 1.8 m while for inspection a
bay width of up to 2.7 m is allowed.
 The scaffolding width is determined by the width of the boards, the minimum width allowed[where?] is 600 mm but
a more typical four-board scaffold would be 870 mm wide from standard to standard. More heavy-duty
scaffolding can require 5, 6 or even up to 8 boards width. Often an inside board is added to reduce the gap
between the inner standard and the structure.
 The lift height, the spacing between ledgers, is 2 m, although the base lift can be up to 2.7 m.
 Bamboo Scaffolding
 Bamboo scaffolding is a type of scaffolding made from bamboo and widely used in construction work
for centuries. Many famous landmarks, notably The Great Wall of China, were built using bamboo
scaffolding, and its use continues today in some parts of the world.
 Bamboo scaffolding was first introduced into the building industry in Hong Kong immediately
after colonization in the 1800s.It was widely used in the building of houses and multi-story buildings
(up to four stories high) prior to the development of metal scaffolding.
 In many African countries, notably Nigeria, bamboo scaffolding is still used for small scale construction
in urban areas. In rural areas, the use of bamboo scaffolding for construction is common. In fact,
bamboo is an essential building and construction commodity in Nigeria; the bamboo materials are
transported on heavy trucks and trailers from rural areas (especially the tropical rain forest) to cities
and the northern part of Nigeria.
 Some of the structures in relaxation and recreation centers, both in urban and rural areas of Nigeria,
are put in place using bamboo materials. This is not for reasons of poverty (especially in the cities) but
to add more aesthetics to these centers. Bamboo materials are still used in the construction of
some bukas (local restaurants) in rural areas.
 Forms of bamboo scaffolding include
• Double-row Scaffold- Only double-row bamboo scaffold is allowed to be used for working at height.
• Nylon Mesh- The perimeter of bamboo scaffold should be covered by nylon mesh against falling objects. The lapping of
nylon mesh should be at least 100 mm wide.
• Access and Egress- Suitable means of access should be provided from the building or ground level to the scaffold such as
gangway, stairs and ladder etc.
• Catch Fan- Sloping catch fans shall be erected at a level close to the first floor and at no more than 15 meters, vertical
intervals should give a minimum horizontal protection coverage of 1500 mm. Large catch fans should be erected at specific
locations to protect the public and/or workers underneath.
• Platform of Catch Fan or Receptacle- A suitable receptacle, covered with galvanized zinc sheet, should be provided within
each catch-fan to trap falling objects.
• Steel Bracket- Steel brackets shall be provided for supporting the standard of scaffold at about six floor intervals. The
horizontal distance between steel brackets is about 3 meters..
• Working Platform- Every working platform must be at least 400 mm wide and closely boarded by planks. The edges of
working platforms should be protected by no less than 2 horizontal bamboo members of the scaffold, at intervals between
750 mm to 900 mm and suitable toe-boards no less than 200 mm high.
• Special Scaffold All scaffolds with a height excess of 15 meters shall be designed by an Engineer.
• Competent Examiner- They should complete a formal training in bamboo scaffolding work or hold a trade test certificate
on bamboo scaffolding and have at least 10 years of relevant experience.
• Trained Worker- They should complete formal training in bamboo scaffolding work or hold a trade test certificate on
 Speciality Scaffolding

 Putlog scaffold- These have a flattened end or have been fitted with a blade. This feature
allows the end of the tube to be inserted into or rest upon the brickwork of the structure.
 A putlog scaffold may also be called a bricklayer's scaffold. As such, the scaffold consists only
of a single row of standards with a single ledger. The putlogs are transoms - attached to the
ledger at one end but integrated into the bricks at the other.
 Pump-jack- A pump-jack is a type of portable scaffolding system. The scaffold rests on
supports attached to two or more vertical posts. The user raises the scaffolding by pumping
the foot pedals on the supports, like an automobile jack
 Baker staging- Baker staging is a metal scaffold which is easy to assemble. Rolling platforms
typically 740 millimeters (29 in) wide by 1.8 meters (6 ft) long and 1.8 meters (6 ft) tall
sections which can be stacked up to three high with the use of added outriggers. The work
platform height is adjustable.
 X-Deck ladder scaffolding- Low level scaffolding that is height adjustable. It is a hybrid
ladder scaffold work platform.
 Conclusion
 The widespread use of scaffolding systems, along with the profound importance that they earned
in modern applications such as civil engineering projects and temporary structures, led to the
definition of a series of standards covering a vast number of specific issues involving scaffolding..
 The purpose of a working scaffold is to provide a safe working platform and access suitable for
work crews to carry out their work. The European Standard sets out performance requirements
for working scaffolds. These are substantially independent of the materials of which the scaffold
is made. The standard is intended to be used as the basis for enquiry and design.