What is Scaffolding & How Does it Work?

Scaffolding, also called staging, is a temporary structure used to support people and material in the construction industry. Scaffolding has been used since ancient times. There are many kinds of prefabricated, modular system of metal tubes There are many different types of scaffold platforms with different support systems to accommodate the various job requirements. The purpose of a working scaffold is to provide a safe place of work with safe access suitable for the work being done. The Standard sets out performance requirements for working scaffolds. 

Types of scaffolding can be broadly divided into two types, Tube & Coupler and System Scaffolding. Scaffolding Tube & Coupler is made from loose tubes and couplers whereas the later type is made using pre-fabricated components with very little use of couplers. System scaffold are very quick to install and dismantle and requires lesser skill level compare to Tube & Coupler system.

The key elements of a scaffold are standards, ledgers, transoms and bracing. The standards are also called as uprights and they 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 center to hold the tube and is sometimes pinned to a sole board. Ledgers are horizontal tubes which connect between the standards. Transoms rest upon the ledgers at right angles. Main transoms are placed next to the standards, they hold the standards in place and provide support for boards; intermediate transoms are those placed between the main transoms to provide extra support for boards. Since scaffolding is a physical structure, it is possible to go in and come out of Scaffolding.

Different types of Scaffolding:

1.      Base Supported Scaffolding: Scaffolds build from solid base are called Base Supported Scaffolding. These scaffolding have multiple platformed levels / lifts in elevation which provide safe working platforms for material and manpower.

2.      Mobile Scaffolding: Scaffolds which have wheels at the base are called Mobile Scaffolding. As the name indicated mobile scaffolds can be moved from one location to another horizontally. These scaffolding also have multiple platformed levels / lifts at different elevations.

3.      Suspended Scaffolding: Suspended scaffolds (also called hanging scaffolds) are work platforms that hang from overhead support structures on roofs or building setbacks.