Scaffolding FAQs

• Q. What is a scaffold?
  • A scaffold or staging is an elevated and a temporary structure i.e. platform built to support the original structure as well as workmen, and materials to aid in the construction, maintenance, and repair of buildings, bridges, and all other man-made structures.
    
    A Scaffold is used in construction work for the safety of workers and the materials used under the process when work cannot be done at ground level or on a finished floor.
    
    Types of scaffold vary with the type of construction work. A scaffold is made up of timber or steel. It should be stable and strong to support workmen and other construction material placed on it.
• Q. What is scaffolding?
  • Scaffolding is the individual components or specific materials, or equipment used in building a temporary structure/platform i.e. scaffold. For example, Pipes & Tubes, Cuplock Systems, Ringlock Systems, Tube and Fittings, Scaffolding Steel Boards/Plank, Ladder & Lattice Beams, couplers or frames, scaffold metal deck, etc.
• Q. What is scaffolding work?
  • Scaffolding work is the services provided by the scaffolding company for erecting, altering, or dismantling a temporary platform/ scaffolds built to support construction work at the site.
• Q. What are the three basic types of scaffolds?
  • There are many types of scaffold but main as the followings:
    Supported scaffolds: These scaffolds consist of one or more platforms supported by rigid, load-bearing members, such as poles, legs, frames, outriggers, etc.
    Suspended scaffolds: These scaffolds are one or more platforms suspended by ropes or other non-rigid, overhead support.
    Mobile scaffolds: These scaffolds, such as aerial lifts, personnel hoists, etc. which are sometimes thought of as vehicles or machinery, are regarded as mobile scaffolds.
    
• Q.What is the most commonly used type of scaffold?
  • A supported scaffold is the most commonly used form of scaffold i.e. temporary platform. It is the type of scaffold that can be seen mostly at construction sites and on most other forms of work where elevation is required.
• Q. Are all controlled scaffolds look the same and fit one another?
  • No, one type of controlled scaffolds cannot intermix and fit with another type in the same way and for the same purpose. They may have different resistance, thicknesses, and the rigidity between the components can also vary.
• Q. Are there different types of scaffolds used in construction work?
  • There are different types of Scaffolds used in construction work depending on the nature of the project, for example:
    
    Single scaffold,
    Double scaffold,
    Cantilever scaffold,
    Suspended scaffold,
    Trestle scaffold,
    Steel scaffold,
    Patented scaffold.
    
• Q. What is a single scaffold?
  • A single scaffold is mostly used in brick masonry work and is also called a brick layer’s scaffold. It consists of standards, ledgers, putlogs, etc. that are parallel to the wall at a distance of about 1.2 m. The gap between the standards is about 2 to 2.5 m. Ledgers connect the standards at a vertical interval of 1.2 to 1.5 m. Putlogs are taken out from the hole of the wall to one end of the ledgers. Putlogs are placed at an interval of 1.2 to 1.5 m.
• Q. What is a double scaffold?
  • Double Scaffold is mostly used for stone masonry so, it is also called mason’s scaffold. In stone walls, it is hard to make holes in the wall to support putlogs. So, two rows of the scaffold are constructed to make it strong. The first row is 20 – 30 cm away from the wall and the other one is 1m away from the first row. Then putlogs are placed which are supported by both frames. To make it more strong rakers and cross braces are provided. This is also called an independent scaffold.
• Q. What is a cantilever scaffold?
  • A cantilever scaffold is a temporary single frame platform supported on series of needles and these needles are taken out through holes in the wall. However, in the other type of scaffold needles are strutted inside the floors through the openings and this is called independent or double frame type scaffold. In general, cantilever scaffolds are used under different conditions like:
    
    When the ground cannot support standards,
    When the Ground near the wall is to be free from traffic,
    When the upper part of the wall is under construction.
    
• Q. What is a suspended scaffold?
  • A suspended scaffold is a temporary working platform suspended from roofs with the help of wire ropes or chains, etc. A suspended scaffold is a convenient platform that can be raised or lowered to the required level for reaching the exact height. It is mostly used for repair works, pointing, paintings, etc.
• Q. What is a trestle scaffold?
  • Trestle scaffold is a temporary working structure/platform supported on movable tripods or ladders. This is mostly used for work inside the room like paintings, repairs, etc. up to a height of 5m.
• Q. What is a steel scaffold?
  • A steel scaffold is a temporary platform constructed by steel tubes. These steel tubes are fixed together by steel couplers or fittings. The steel scaffold is very easy to construct or dismantle. It has greater strength, durability, and higher fire resistance. It is not economical but will give more safety to workers. So, it is used extensively nowadays in building construction high budget project.
• Q. What is a patented scaffold?
  • Patented scaffolds are ready-made scaffolds available in the market. These scaffolds are made up of steel and equipped with special couplings and frames, etc. This is a type of scaffold in which the working platform is arranged on brackets that can be adjustable to our required level.