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How Much Weight Can a Scaffold Hold?

Before you begin any construction work, it’s important to take a look at the scaffolding that will be required onsite. There are a series of questions that you should ask such as:

 

  •         What is the maximum intended load the scaffolding can hold?
  •         How high can the scaffolding go?
  •        What kind of ground material is the scaffolding sitting on, i.e. is it pavement, earth, concrete?
  •         Will the scaffolding affect pedestrians or neighbours?

 

Choosing and erecting scaffolding is a serious affair because you are dealing with the lives of people. In this blog, we’re going to take a closer look at the implications of weight on scaffolding.

Calculating the Safe Working Load

When you choose to hire scaffolding, the scaffold company that you’re hiring from will calculate the safe working load (SWL) for you. Their engineering team will give you the correct loads and weights that should be used on the scaffolding you’ve hired. You will be asked how many people you expect to use the scaffolding at any given time, what tools they’ll use, and what materials as well. All these are important in figuring out which scaffolding you should rent out, as the scaffolding must be able to withstand the pressure.

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Scaffolding classes according to Rated Load Capacity

There are three scaffolding classes if you will. Each class is designed to carry a specific maximum load, and this load should not be exceeded.

 

Scaffold Rated Load Capacity Maximum Load
Light Duty ‘Standard’ 11.33kg (25 pounds) per square foot
Medium Duty ‘Brick Masons’ 22.68kg (50 pounds) per square foot
Heavy Duty ‘Stone Setters’ 34.02kg (75 pounds) per square foot

The maximum weights that the engineering team will come up with will be calculated based on the information supplied by the manufacturer of the scaffolding.

Things to be aware of when setting up and working on scaffolding

1.     Electrical cables and overheads

If scaffolding is going to be erected in a place where electrical lines are, these cables will need to be properly insulated or de-energized while work is on-going. You’ll have to obtain the necessary clearances for tools and the equipment you’ll be using in the area close to these power lines. For more information regarding these clearances, you can read this article.

2.    Permissible working conditions

Workers are forbidden to work on scaffolds that are covered in ice, mud, snow or any other slippery agent. It is also prohibited to work on scaffolds when there are high winds and during storms. Scaffolds should feature fall arrest systems and windscreens to prevent workers from falling overboard.  

3.     Scaffolds should be inspected regularly

Prior to commencing any work, the designated scaffold inspector needs to routinely check the integrity of the structure to ensure that it’s solid and sound. Should there be any damage to any parts of the scaffold, or there has been a disturbance at the foundational level, the scaffolding will need to be repaired before any work can resume.

Where to hire scaffolding in Sydney

Transom Scaffolding is a leading scaffolding supplier in Sydney. If you need helping to calculate the maximum load bearing capacities or even the right type of scaffolding for your construction project, give us a call on 1 300 77 1300, or send us an email at [email protected]

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How to Erect a Aluminum Scaffolding Tower

A Scaffolding tower is the most suitable application of scaffold when working at a certain height. To erect a scaffolding tower, the advance guardrail system and Through-The-Trap (3T) should be considered as a safe method of work. Erecting a scaffolding tower should be done by fitting the base frames and amp, horizontal braces, and with the support of a steel tube into the vertical upright and double couplers on towers above 4m. This is so that the erect scaffolding tower may be built in continuous diagonal braces.

The following steps explain how to erect a mobile scaffolding tower in sequence:

  1. Fix castors into a base frame and locked castors by attaching the brace to the vertical tube
  2. Attach the end of the braces to the horizontal brace
  3. Adjust the four diagonal braces and make the sure the level of legs are equally placed and balanced.
  4. Insert the riser frames into the taps of the base frames.
  5. Attach the guardrail frame to erect scaffolding.
  6. Attach one to one diagonal brace from the top of the guardrail down.
  7. Attach the ladder to the scaffold.
  8. Place the toe boards on the ground to give scaffold a base.
  9.  At this stage, single width scaffold fitted with external and outrigger ties?
  10. Lastly, erect mobile scaffold tower with all four wheels locked

A scaffolding tower provides access to places that ladders can’t go in complex construction environments. Multiple working decks in a scaffolding tower allow for tradesmen to complete their required work in no time! Even if you’re planning on painting the eaves on your home, it would be helpful for you to consider that they are at least 5 meters up in the air. By the time you set up a ladder, climb up and down over and over again and have it placed in different positions to reach the spot needing work, it will take three times the effort and energy to complete – compared to using a simple and effective scaffolding tower. A scaffolding tower for your hard-to-reach DIY jobs saves money, time, and safety – on a business level, it’s a winning choice!

Mobile Scaffolding Tower
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Who Can Erect Mobile Scaffolds That Are Hired?

Mobile scaffolding is a temporary structure used for construction purposes. It supports the work crew during the development of various types of home maintenance and remedial works carried out on a property or project, whether residential or commercial. Mobile scaffolding is the best alternative to a ladder and can be used by both tradesmen and home DIY-doers for safety and protection in the work environment. Mobile scaffolding is most popular when needed to gain access to viewing towers, ski ramps, grandstand seating, concert stages, forms of shoring and art projects.

Mobile scaffolding is used in accordance with the Australian manufacturer’s Instructions and standards. Transom Scaffolding is the go-to Australian company that provides instructions and direction for the safe erection of mobile scaffolding as outlined in the points below:

  1. Fit castors in the base-frames
  2. Secondly, a horizontal brace is attached to a vertical tube of the base frame.
  3. Thirdly, the spare end of the brace attaches with another base frame. (Remember the second step horizontal brace will have a similar position on the base frame.)
  4. Next, the plan brace attaches diagonally into a direction of the horizontal place supported to the base frames.
  5. After that, attach diagonal braces to the base unit.
  6. Insert riser frames of the base frame.
  7. Insert working platforms.
  8. After that, the two horizontals must be clipped with a required platform level.
  9. Repeat step six and eight unless the work crew reaches the top of the working platform.
  10. Two diagonals fit at the top platform level.
  11. Fit toe boards and ladders accordingly at each level.
  12. Examine properly and make sure that all wheels are locked.
  13. Before using any tower, ensure that scaffolding is built correctly.
  14. Finally, make sure the safety compliance sticker is clearly visible to ensure a safe working environment.

These steps are required to erect scaffolding safely and execute work at any site properly.

However, unsafe or carelessly erected scaffolding may result in severe injury or death. Erecting scaffolding is dangerous work, therefore only licensed or qualified professionals may erect and dismantle scaffolding. An Australian Standard AS/NZS 4576 governs the advanced certificates of dismantling and erecting scaffolding. The only exception is if the mobile tower does not exceed 4 meters in height and 1 standard 1.8 or 2.4 bay in width. In this case, it may be assembled by the hirer.

How to Erect Scaffolding Safely?

Scaffolding is an integral part in the building of homes and many types of maintenance work. It is widely regarded as the preferred option due to the many benefits it offers in assisting tradespeople to safely and easily access heights that would otherwise be highly difficult to access. Any oversight during the process of erecting the scaffolding structure can be extremely dangerous and potentially lead to severe accidents.

A scaffolding structure is built over a mud sills base plate to ensure footing is solid, stable and unmovable. In order to ensure scaffolding is secure pressure needs to be placed upon the scaffolding level and secured to the ground. If you are on uneven ground you may need to make the surface level with the highest point, or, if there is a significant slope, use leg extensions.

If your work requires you to move the scaffolding to various places, make use of the casters which will help you to move the scaffolding freely.

Make sure that scaffolding is secure and does not move. Lift the planks through the scaffolding bars and reassemble as needed. The secure scaffolding edges should be reused during the preparation of scaffolding.

Utilise secure ladders for reaching a certain height while on the scaffolding structure. Guardrails are an essential part in the scaffolding assembly process to ensure one’s safety. Also, consider using tie offs and other fall protection.

Scaffolding should constantly be thoroughly inspected during the period of use to ensure all pieces are safe and secure. Reinspect the scaffolding structure each time you leave and return to the site to ensure it is safe and secure.

Safety Measures When using scaffolding, there are many safety measures that need to be taken into account. Materials to be used for building any scaffolding structure should be of the highest quality. Low-quality material may result in errors and safety issues.

Hire Scaffolding Scaffolding is an essential part in the building construction process. Using scaffolding not only enhances the work efficiency of the tradesmen but also reduces the time it takes for the project to be completed.

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