Scaffolding and Its Components

Scaffolding is probably the most common term used in the construction industry and the term is also referred to as staging or scaffold. Scaffold is essentially a provisional structure that provides support to the work team and aids in easier access to materials used in the maintenance, repairs and construction of buildings. The term building here denotes residential as well as commercial structures inclusive of bridges and any type of man-made structure. Let us look at some of the essential components of scaffolding:

Standards: these are also called uprights and are perpendicular tubes. These are used to shift the entire weight of the constructed structure to the ground. This is done when the standards are leaned on a square base plate, which scatters its weight across the ground.

Ledgers: this term refers to the flat tubes which appear as joints between the standards in the scaffolding structure.

Transoms: are structures which support the standards and they do so by leaning at the right angles on the ledgers. To provide support to the standards that are in place, the main transoms are posited next to the standards and thus, the boards are also supported by the transoms. In addition, intermediate transoms are used to provide extra support to the boards by placing them between the main transoms.

These are the main basic components of scaffolding, but there are other vital components also to a scaffold. Let us look at them:

Scaffold Tubes: These scaffold tubes are commonly made from steel or aluminium. But these days composite scaffolding is also available, which is made from fibril-wound tubes of glass fibre in a polyester. However, due to high costs of composite tube, instead of polyester, nylon matrix is also used in the composition. Also, this is used in conditions when there is a danger from overhead electric cables and they cannot be removed.

Scaffold Couplers: These couplers are used to hold tubes together. There are three basic types of these fittings, namely, Right angle couplers, Putlog couplers and swivel couplers. Though commonly, these fittings are referred to as scaffold couplers only.

Adjustable Base Plates: There are a variety of different height-adjustable base plates available. These base plates are provided with strong and self cleaning round threads which aids in adjustment to the ground. Also, they are available with notch markings and colour to provide the scaffolding structure with a safeguard against over-winding.

Diagonal Braces: These fittings are diagonal braces with wedge locks, which are used to provide additional support to a construction structure that comprises of ledgers and vertical standards.

Toe Boards: These are placed between vertical standards and are made from wood, aluminium or steel. These provide a safeguard against fire by lowering the fire hazard risk and lasting long.

Decks: These are also referred to as scaffolding planks, which are made from aluminium, or hot dip galvanised steel or aluminium frame with plywood board. These structural components are used to prevent the use of ledgers at the deck level, thus saving cost and weight.

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.