Planning and Designing Scaffolds

Planning and designing of scaffolding comes prior to starting the actual scaffolding work. The basic premise of a full proof planning is to ensure that the scaffolding does not collapse or fall or break during the placement of the scaffolding, after the placement-during the use of a scaffolding. A collapse or sudden accidental dismantling of the scaffold can lead to a significant injury or even death of workers or passers-by. It can even lead to damage of structure.

Choosing a scaffold

A primary thing is to decide what kind of scaffolding will be safest and will suit the job best. Based on the nature of the job, there are various kinds of scaffolding structures available. This decision will highlight the use of the scaffold at the workplace, the associated risks and their management.

Designing the scaffold

Once the structure or the specific type of scaffolding has been identified for the work, the next step is designing the scaffolding. Designing the scaffold is important to ensure that identified risks can be controlled at the design stage. Thus, a good design will ensure that the associated risks are eliminated.

Before coming up with a specific design for the scaffold installation the main thing which the scaffold designer shall consider is the intended purpose of the scaffold, associated dangers, vulnerability in the structure and hazards for people who would be erecting the scaffolding. Likewise, the designer would also consider similar risks involved in dismantling. Additionally, they will take into account probable security issues when the scaffolding is in use, for the workers who are using the structure and also those who are near the scaffold.

During designing, another parameter which they will take into consideration are to ensure strong foundations including ground conditions, which will depend partially on the load bearing capacity.

The scaffolding surface which will bear the load will also need good engineering application. For suspended scaffolding, the designer will have to consider both dead and live load. Dead load is the weight of the scaffolding, while live load is the load of man and material. Again environmental load like tying, bracing and anchoring also are taken into account while designing.

Anchors are an important component of any scaffolding structure and the designers decide the anchoring points, types of anchors and the anchoring structures to be used in the scaffolding design.

During designing of scaffolding another important component is the supporting structures. There should be supporting structures to prevent falls and falling of objects. Also edge protection also provides protection against falls in a scaffolding structure.

To achieve improved scaffold stability, the designer may tie the scaffold to a supporting structure, or even can try guying to a supporting structure. Another structural solution is to increase the dead load by secure attachment of counterweights at the base. Also the base dimensions can be increased by addition of bays.

It is important that the scaffolds are designed by someone who is competent and has a relevant scaffolding high risk work licence. The main task of a scaffolding designer is to plan a scaffold which is safe at manufacturing, assembling and through the use.

Australia based New Bridge Services is a licensed manufacturer and direct supplier of a wide range of industrial and construction- support products. These include skip bins, hook lift bins, and scaffolding equipment.