Increasing the height of the Scaffold

The person or persons (erectors) carrying out this procedure should hold a current scaffold certificate as outlined in "Who can erect scaffold equipment" and be properly trained and supervised. During the erection or dismantling process the erectors must observe and adhere to the following key points.

1. When working aloft erectors must work off fully planked out bays of scaffolding - (temporary working platforms).
2. They must place a single guardrail 1 metre above the temporary working platform as soon as is practicable during the erection process. This handrail must be left in position for the lifetime of the scaffold.
3. They must access each temporary working platform from a properly constructed access tower.
4. They must raise and lower materials using a "Rope & Wheel" or by the manual handling method known as "handballing". Whichever method is used, erectors must at all times work from a minimum of a fully planked temporary working platform which has fall protection on all sides.

The recommended, and maximum, lift height for each and every lift above the "first lift" is 2 metres.

The maximum height is stipulated so as to guarantee that the standards are capable of supporting the maximum safe working load of the scaffold which is 650kg per bay (Heavy Duty). Additionally each 2 metre lift is a potential working platform along which the average size person has sufficient headroom to walk without stooping.

In the "Basing Out" procedure, the suggested size for the "outside standards" was 3000 and the suggested height for the "first lift" was 1.5 metres. The "splice" in a standard is the joint where two standards are connected. Using this method the height of the splice will never be more than 1.3 metres above the temporary working platforms, provided that all lifts are of the recommended height of 2 metres. If adopted, this configuration will eliminate the occurrence of a "high splice" in the standards. This in turn makes the erection process easier and contributes to the safety of the erectors.

The procedure is as follows.

5. "Splice" a 2 metre standard on top of all existing standards in the scaffold. If it is intended to extend the height of the scaffold more than one 2 metre lift, it is recommended that 3 metre standards are used.
6. Fix ledgers and transoms in the 'V" pressings 2 metres above the existing working platform to create the next 2 metre lift.
7. A diagonal cross brace should be fixed to each end of the scaffold between the "Outside" and "Inside" standards and on the access tower. End braces should run continuously from the bottom "v" pressing on a standard to the top working lift of the scaffold.
8. Diagonal face braces should be fixed to the end bay of the scaffold and at least every third bay along the scaffold including the access tower. Face braces should also run continuously from the bottom "v" pressing on a standard to the top working lift of the scaffold.
9. The scaffold should now be fixed to the building or structure using tube and double couplers to create a series of "Positive Ties".

The correct placement of bracing and positive ties is critical to ensuring the stability and strength of any scaffold and consequently the safety of persons using it. Work should not proceed on the scaffold until the bracing and ties are securely in position.

As soon as the ties and bracing are located, the steel planks can be raised to the newly created lift. This phase of the erection process contains an element of risk. It should therefore only be carried out by experienced scaffolders who have been appropriately trained and supervised, and are the holders of an advanced scaffold certificate.

1. Working from the existing working platform, place a full set of steel planks in the newly created lift in the end bay furthest from the access tower.
2. Working from the end bay, and backwards towards the access tower, the existing working platform can be raised to the lift immediately above.
3. The placement of the extra set of steel planks in the bay ensures that the scaffolder always has a full set of planks on which to work. The planks are removed from their existing position by rolling the outside plank onto the adjacent plank and sliding it back into the bay in which ~he scaffolder is standing. Two people should move the "last plank" in each bay. One of the two will have only the steel frame of the scaffold on which to stand and should therefore be equipped with a suitable safety harness and lanyard with which to connect themselves to the scaffold.
4. Sufficient ledgers, planks and if necessary standards, are raised at the access towers to fix the handrails and toe boards on the newly created temporary working platform.

The first priority in the next phase of the erection procedure is to provide a handrail for the erectors as previously stipulated.

The process by which this is achieved is as follows.

5. Working from the access tower out along the temporary working platform, place a standard (if necessary) in the first standard point. A ledger is then fixed to the second "v" pressing up from the working platform,. (a height of 1 metre).
6. The process is repeated in each individual bay until there is a s ingle handrail to the outside standards of each bay of scaffold and at the·ends. In certain circumstances it may also be necessary to place a handrail on the inside standards.
7. If the temporary platform is to be used as a working platform, a double handrail and toe board should be fitted .
8. The landing in the access tower is to be completed by fixing the ladder, steel planks and toe boards into place.

If the height of the scaffold is to be further extended, repeat this procedure, always ensuring that bracing and ties are secured at the appropriate phase of the erection process.

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