In many of our previous blogs, we have touched on the various, integral components of scaffolding structures. If you are, or if you know someone who is in the scaffolding business, you might think nothing of flippantly using scaffolding jargon in everyday conversations. However, the names of various components might seem rather confusing. 

While we do get asked questions about our safety decking as well as our plastic hoarding service, it seems apparent that it is the different technical names of components which causes the confusion. 

In fact, we have noticed that certain terms keep popping up more than others. Potentially the three most common are; ledgers, standards and transoms. It seems quite fitting because these three components all fit together, and they are all quite integral to the overall structure. 

Because there seems to be an element of confusion, and because we are an experienced company who provide scaffolding in Derbyshire, we thought it might be appropriate to detail the differences between these three components. 

Ledgers 

The term which causes the most confusion is the word ledgers. As such, we have decided to look at this term first. 

The term ledger is often associated with accounting. The word usually refers to a collection of kept financial records, however, in scaffolding it means something completely different. Ledgers are the horizontal beams that are used to support scaffolding. 

The fitting usually ensures that scaffolders have a safe and sturdy working platform as well as safely distributing weight across the structure. Without ledgers, the structure could very easily become unsafe and start to wobble. 

Standards 

Standards are quintessential to the safety and sturdiness of the structure. Sometimes called uprights, standards are the vertical tubes which help to transfer the entire weight of the structure to the ground. 

They usually rest on square base plates. The plates’ main purpose is to help to spread the sometimes significant load. This is only helped by the fact that the plates are commonly fixed and screwed into holes in the ground in order to secure their sturdiness. 

Transoms

For those of you familiar with architecture, the word transoms might not sound completely foreign. In architecture, a transom is a transverse horizontal bar, or beam, which separates a door from a window. While transoms have a slightly different meaning in the world of scaffolding, it provides us with a decent indication as to what they are and what they are used for. 

Transoms are typically horizontal tubes which span across the ledgers. They are normally at right angles and they are usually positioned to face a building. Much like ledgers and standards, they are essential when it comes to the safety and strength of the scaffolding structure. 

High Quality Scaffolding Company 

We are a highly regarded and well established scaffolding company. We are experienced in scaffold erecting in Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire, Derbyshire and many other locations. So, if you require high quality scaffold services, please do not hesitate to contact us today.