It is a requirement of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 that your scaffolding needs to be assembled to a generally recognised standard configuration and designed using bespoke calculation ensuring adequate strength, rigidity and stability while it is erected, used and dismantled.

When starting the planning process you should supply our team with relevant information to ensure your scaffold is properly designed to your project specification.

This information should include –

• The location of your site
• Period of time the scaffold is required to be in place
• What the scaffold will be used for
• Height and length plus any critical dimensions that may affect the scaffold
• Number of boarded lifts
• The maximum working loads to be imposed and a maximum number of people using the scaffold at any one time.
• Type of access onto the scaffold, for example – staircase, ladder bay or external ladders
• Any requirement for sheeting, netting or brickguards
• Provisions for pedestrian walkways, any restrictions on tie locations, inclusion/provision for mechanical handling plant e.g. hoist
• The nature of the ground conditions or supporting structure
• Information on the structure or building the scaffold will be erected against plus any relevant dimensions and drawings
• Restrictions that may affect the erection, alteration or dismantling of scaffold

Information We Provide Pre-Installation

Before installation of your scaffold Network Scaffold will be able to provide the following information, including –
• The type of scaffold required
• Maximum bay lengths
• Maximum lift heights
• Arrangement of platform boarding and number of boarded lifts that can be used at any one time
• Safe working load/load class
• Maximum leg loads
• Maximum tie spacing both horizontal, vertical and tie duty
• Details of additional elements such as beamed bridges, fans and loading bays
• The information included in relevant drawings if appropriate to your project
• Any other relevant design or installation information, use of the scaffold reference number to enable recording, referencing and checking
All scaffolding must be erected, dismantled and altered in a safe manner, following the guidance by the NASC in document SG4 ‘Preventing falls in scaffolding’ for tube and fitting scaffolds. Otherwise, you can follow similar guidance provided by the manufacturers of scaffolding.
For scaffolds that fall outside the generally recognised standard configuration, the design must adhere to safety erection and dismantling techniques. For stability on more complex scaffolds, we will produce drawings and where necessary provide specific instructions.

Bespoke Scaffold Design

Here are some examples of scaffold structures that require bespoke design –
• All shoring scaffolds (dead, raking, flying)
• Cantilevered scaffolds
• Truss-out Scaffolds
• Façade retention
• Access scaffolds with more than the 2 working lifts
• Buttressed free-standing scaffolds
• Temporary roofs and temporary buildings
• Support scaffolds
• Complex loading bays
• Mobile and static towers
• Freestanding scaffolds
• Temporary ramps and elevated roadways
• Staircases and fire escapes (unless covered by manufacturer’s instructions)
• Spectator terraces and seating stands
• Bridge scaffolds
• Towers requiring guys or ground anchors
• Offshore scaffolds
• Pedestrian footbridges or walkways
• Slung and suspended scaffolds
• Protection fans
• Pavement gantries
• Marine scaffolds
• Boiler scaffolds
• Power line crossings
• Lifting gantries and towers
• Steeple scaffolds
• Radial / splayed scaffolds on contoured facades
• System scaffolds outside manufacturers guidance
• Signboard supports
• Sealing end structures (such as temporary screens)
• Temporary storage on site
• Masts, lighting towers and transmission towers
• Advertising hoardings/banners
• Rubbish chute
• Any scaffold structure not mentioned above that falls outside the ‘compliant scaffold’ criteria in TG20 or similar guidance from manufacturers of system scaffolds.

Got Any Questions about Scaffold Design? Get in Touch!

If you have any questions about how Network Scaffold design scaffolding, please contact us today.