Scaffolding, its types and parts
Scaffolding is a most important component in a construction and maintenance industry. As a well-erected scaffolding provide us a temporary platform to access height with ease. Proper scaffolding erection, inspection, and maintenance are essential to prevent accidents and ensure compliance with regulations. Therefore in this blog post I will give you a comprehensive guide about scaffolding, types, it's parts and all other considerations.
By the end of this article, you'll have a deeper understanding of scaffolding and its applications, enabling you to make informed decisions and prioritize safety on your worksite."
Scaffolding:
A Scaffolding is a platform that is made for us so that we could work at height. First we will see what parts are used in making a Scaffolding. How many types are there and then we will discuss the important things related to its safety?
The Scaffolding structure includes the following:
1. Base plate:
The plate on which the Scaffolding is erected by placing a
standard.
2. Sole board:
A wooden plank placed under the base plate.
3. Standards:
Pipes fitted lengthwise from top to bottom.
4. Ledgers:
Right to left width pipes.
5. Bracing:
Diagonal pipes connected to standards.
6. Transom:
Pipes that connect from one ledger to another ledger. Planks are
placed on top of them.
7. Coupler/Clamp:
Used to connect pipes together. Four types of couplers are commonly used in Scaffolding
7.1. Right angle/Double/Fix clamp:
These three are three names of the same coupler. It is used where
a ledger is associated with a standard.
7.2. Single/Put-log clamp:
It is used to connect the ledger and transom together.
7.3. Swivel clamp:
It is used to attach bracing to standards.
7.4. Plank coupler:
It is used to fasten planks together.
8. Plank:
Cracks that are worked on standing up. These planks are
usually made up of wood as well as steel.
9. Guard rails:
Are placed around the working platform for safety.
Top rail, mid rail and toe board are called guard rails.
10. Ladder:
Ladder
11. Kicker lift:
At the very bottom of the Scaffolding, a structure called kicker
lift is formed by connecting standards and ledgers above the base plates.
A safety officer must have knowledge of these basic components of Scaffolding.
Along with this, it is important to have some basic knowledge about each
component of Scaffolding, such as a standard length of 6 meters at most. If it
is of standard aluminium, it will be 4 meters long. Many floors are made in Scaffolding.
There is a distance of two meters between them. When the bracing is attached to
the standard, the point of attachment should be within 300mm or 30cm of the
point of attachment of the standard and the ledger as this gives more strength.
If the ground is clay, there must be a sole board under the base plate. If the
bottom is concrete or a road, only the base plate is sufficient. The distance
between the planks should not be more than 25mm or 2.5cm. There should be a
maximum distance of 470mm or 47cm between guard rails. The ladder is attached
to the Scaffolding in at least two places so that it does not move. There
should be a hand rail along with the ladder. While climbing up, do not have any
equipment in your hand and don't have an equipment bag, but go up and pull the
bag up by means of a pulley. Similarly, stairs in Scaffolding floors should be
in zig zag direction. If the staircase in one floor is on the right side, it
should be on the left side in the other. Sometimes green mesh, a green cloth
has to be applied around the Scaffolding, for example, if sand blasting is to
be done at a height, then in this case, green mesh will be applied around the Scaffolding,
but it will also be applied upwards so that That the dust, mud, rust, etc. that
comes down should not spread around, but should fall there and be cleaned
later.
There are different types of Scaffolding depending on the weight they carry.
1. Light duty:
Which can bear up to 1.5kN/m² or 150kg/m². There can be a maximum
distance of 2.5 meters between its standards.
kN means kilo newton and 1kN = 100kg.
2. Medium duty:
Which can carry loads from 1.5 to 2kN/m² or 200kg/m². There can be
a maximum distance of 1.5m between the standards of the medium duty scaffolding.
3. Heavy duty:
Which can carry a load of 2 to 2.5kN/m² or 250kg/m². Its standards
can have a maximum distance of 1m.
For heavier weight there is special purpose scaf which is designed
according to the weight. In some places you may also find a difference in this
classification such as scaf up to 0.75kN/m² is called very light duty scaf.
Similarly, sometimes this division is called class A, class B, C
or D instead of very light, light, medium and heavy.
Now let's talk about the types of Scaffolding. You will find more
than fifteen different types of Scaffolding that are used all over the world.
There are some types that are more commonly used in certain areas, such as Scaffolding made of bamboo, which are more
commonly used in Hong Kong. So is ready made scaf. It is widely used in some
European countries where labour is very expensive. In this article we will
mention some of the most popular and commonly used types of Scaffolding.
1. Independent Scaf:
A Scaffolding that requires no structure to stand on. But also
when it is placed next to a structure, it is tied to that structure, but that
tying is only for more strength. This Scaffolding stands on four standards. If
the standards are more than four and are in a line, such Scaffolding folds also
called independent scaf.
2. Birdcage:
The Scaffolding in which the standards are more than four but not
in one line but more all-around then such Scaffolding is called birdcage.
Looking at its shape, you will recognize it as a cage.
3. Cantilever:
This is a Scaffolding that is built on top of an already standing Scaffolding
but protrudes outward and is supported by bracings from the Scaffolding below.
4. Hanging/Suspended:
Which has no support from below but is built from top to bottom
and is supported only on the top structure.
5. Mobile:
A Scaffolding under which
tires are placed to move. It is used for low height works. If it is indoor
work, then it can be used up to 8 meters high and if it is outdoor work, then
it can be used up to 6 meters.
6. Patented:
It is also called ready-made scaf. It is made of aluminium and is
light duty. It does not use clamps but has cup locks or pins that make it very
easy to connect and open.
In addition, there are many more types. You can turn to the
internet for them.
There are three types of tags applied to Scaffolding.
1. Red tag:
This means that this Scaffolding cannot be used.
2. Yellow/Orange tag:
This means that only Scafolders can use this Scaffolding General
workers are not allowed. Or in some places it also means that the use of safety
harness is necessary while working on it.
3. Green tag:
This means that this Scaffolding can be used.
In some situations, the Scaffolding becomes unusable despite the green tag, for example, if there is continuous heavy rain for three hours, it is necessary to re-inspect the Scaffolding , or if there is light rain that lasts for three consecutive days, then even in this case, the Scaffolding must be re-inspected. Re-inspection of is necessary. If there are live lines somewhere high up against Scaffolding, it is necessary to keep a distance of four meters from them. Similarly, if Scaffolding is to be erected somewhere near the excavation, then a distance of at least 2 meters is necessary.
Scaffold safety principles and standards
To install scaffolding, you should pay attention to the type of scaffolding, the conditions of the work environment and the load on the equipment. For this purpose, be sure to use skilled and qualified people to implement the scaffolding installation project. Make sure the connections are tight, especially the cable connection to the scaffolding, following the scaffolding safety guidelines. Be careful, in addition to its own weight, the scaffold structure must bear 4 to 6 times the desired weight. Be sure to use fall prevention systems. To avoid the risk of electric shock, make sure that electrical equipment is safe and equipped with a grounding wire. Be careful that if you use mobile scaffolding, you must make sure that the wheels and brakes of the scaffolding are working correctly and be sure to use balance jacks.
To implement the project according to the scaffolding instructions, consider the following scaffolding safety tips:
- The material of the pipe and scaffold joints should be of the type of seamed pipe with a diameter of 48 mm and a thickness between 2 and 3 mm.
- For the strength of the scaffold structure, the maximum distance of the standard pipes should be 2 meters.
- Scaffolding must be visible in a straight line.
- To keep vertical pipes stable and prevent horizontal pipes from bending, use short ledger pipes horizontally.
- If timber is used, their thickness should not be less than 5 cm and their width should not be less than 25 cm.
- Timbers should be placed in pairs next to each other with a distance of at least 30 cm from the support.
- To increase the safety of the scaffolding, use protective fences or protective fences at a height of 55 and 110 cm above the work platform.
- The distance between scaffolding and power lines less than 300 volts should be at least 1 meter, and 3 meters for high voltage lines above 300 volts up to 50 kV.
Hazards in scaffolding:
Scaffolding collapse
Bad planking/cracks in planks
Falling of material or tools
Loose soil
Excavations near the scaffolding
Incompetent Scaffolders
Passing vehicle could hit the scaffolding.
For safety, it is important that the Scaffolding tag is attached,
barricaded around it. Those working above must use a lanyard to prevent a tool
from falling down and injuring anyone. Guard rails are a must.
Hope you guys got useful information about Scaffolding from this
article. If any friend wants to add more information or correct any mistake,
please make a comment on this video of contact me through contact us page.
If you want to download scaffolding guide in pdf file you can click on the pdf viewer given below:
Thanks for visiting this blog.
This article is written by HSEWALA.
Regards: Rehan Waseem
