What Is Scaffolding? There Are Many Types of Scaffolding
Scaffolding is a temporary structure that is used to support the construction, repair, or maintenance of walls at a height greater than 1.5m.
As the work progresses, the scaffolding’s height is adjusted. As scaffolding grows in height with an increasing number of floors, it is important to take care of scaffolding for the outer walls. Guardrails should be installed on the platform to prevent workers from falling from heights greater than 2 meters.
Parts of Scaffolding
Here are some scaffolding parts:
Standards: These are vertical posts.
Ledgers: These horizontal members parallel the wall.
Braces: Diagonal Members Fixed on Standards
Putlogs: These horizontal members are perpendicular the walls. The wall supports one end of the putlog, while the ledger supports the other.
Transoms: When both ends of putlogs can be supported on ledgers they are called transoms.
Bridle: This member is used to bridge openings in walls and supports one side of the putlog.
Boarding: The planks upon which workers stand.
Toe board: These boards are placed parallel with the boarding at the wall to protect workers.
Guard rail: This is a railing that is installed at a height of 0.8-1.0 m from the working platform.
Sole plate, or base plate: These plates support the standards for the distribution of the load on the ground.
Types of Scaffolding
These are the types of scaffolding available:
Suspended Scaffolding:
This type of scaffolding allows for a platform to be suspended from the roof using ropes, wires, or chairs. When required, the platform can be moved horizontally or vertically. It is inexpensive and allows for the best work environment. The platform does not interfere with workers’ movements or materials. This scaffolding is used primarily for wall painting, whitewashing, and distempering.
Cantilever Scaffolding
This scaffolding is cantilevered to the wall. This type of scaffolding is used when the ground is too weak for the standards or when construction is taking place on the upper levels of multi-story buildings. This type of construction requires that the needle be well strutted and that there is no obstruction at ground level.
Trestle Scaffolding
It is composed of a mobile platform that can be built on tripods or ladders or mounted to wheels. This type can be used to maintain buildings up to 5 m high.
Materials for Scaffolding
For scaffolding, timber is a common material. Casuarinas poles can be used for standards, ledger, and putlogs. Bamboo and plants are commonly used for boardings. Casuarinas poles are replacing steel tubes. Ideal for scaffoldings, tubes with diameters between 40 and 50 mm can be easily assembled and taken down.
Double Scaffolding
It is also called mason’s scaffolding. It consists of two rows. The first row is 200-300 mm away from the wall, while the second row is 1 m away. It comes with bracers and rakers. This type of scaffolding, also known as independent scaffolding, is preferred for stonemasonry construction where it is impossible to leave holes in walls to receive one end of the putlogs.