How To Set Up Scaffolding

How to Work with Scaffolding Safely

Updated: Jun. 02, 2022

How to rent, setup and employ scaffolding when you lot have to work on your roof, siding or chimney.

FH02OCT_SCAFFP_01-2 Family unit Handyman

Working from scaffolding is much easier and safer than working from a ladder. Information technology's stable, forms a wide work platform and provides a wide attain. Yous'll practice a better job in half the time by not having to constantly move a ladder. Nosotros show you how to set it up and then information technology's safe and secure.

You might too similar: TBD

Time
Complexity
Price

Step 1: Rent scaffolding for those loftier jobs

The next time you have to work up high, consider renting scaffolding rather than struggling with ladders. Scaffolding provides a large, stable work platform where you can stack materials and set up your tools. With scaffolding, you can easily reach all areas of the repair to do a better chore in one-half the fourth dimension. And you'll save tons of fourth dimension and energy by not constantly climbing upwardly and downwardly to reposition your ladder.

Guardrails attached to the meridian of the scaffold frames allow you to concentrate on the task at hand without worrying about falling. We'll prove you how to set up up your rented scaffolding and so it's safe and secure and so show you a few of the dwelling house-repair jobs where scaffolding actually shines.

The frame scaffolds we're using (sometimes referred to as "pipe scaffold") are perfect for exterior piece of work and are available at most full-service rental centers. Also cheque the Yellow Pages under "Scaffolds, Rental" for businesses that specialize in scaffolding rental and sales. You'll usually get lower rates and proficient advice from these specialists.

The setup we bear witness is ideal for about projects effectually the home. It consists of 5-ft. standard end frames and cross braces to make a 7-ft. long scaffold. In addition to base plates and a guardrail arrangement, the main components of a scaffolding system are the frames and cross braces that you stack and combine stop to end to brand larger scaffolds. The most common frame size is 5 ft. broad and v ft. tall, simply other sizes are available depending on your needs.

The distance between frames is determined by the length of the cantankerous braces, 7- and 10-ft being the most common and economic. Rent adjusting screws and base plates for piece of cake leveling on uneven ground (Photo one). Hire casters if you plan to move the scaffolding. Meridian the frames with three 7-ft. planks and a guardrail system.

Measure to determine the ideal platform height for your job. Go along in listen that your working elevation is about iv to 6 ft. higher up the scaffold planks. The rental salesperson will help yous choose the correct size and way of scaffold for your chore.

I'd recommend limiting the height to two sections. After that, stability becomes an outcome and you have to take special precautions. Once the height exceeds three times the minimum width of the belfry, you must tie the scaffolding to the edifice at specific intervals. A five ft. wide scaffolding needs to be tied in when it exceeds fifteen ft. loftier. We won't comprehend scaffold tie-ins in this commodity. Ask your scaffold-rental specialist for specifics on tie-ins, if necessary.

Most rental centers volition evangelize and pick upwards rented scaffold for an additional fee. Otherwise you lot'll need a pickup truck or trailer.

Pace 2: Assemble the frame and base

Photo 1: Get together the base of operations parts

Begin assembly by laying two finish frames nearly 7 ft. apart, near your worksite. Slide on the adjusting screws and base plates or casters at present then you lot don't have to lift the entire scaffolding later to put them in.

Photo 2: Secure the connections

Secure the base plates (or optional casters) to the adjusting screws with the special pigtails or toggle pins supplied. These pigtails are designed to lock in identify. Use the aforementioned connectors to secure the guardrail posts to the scaffold frame and connect stacked scaffold frames where they join.

Close-up of pigtail pin

Pigtails are ane blazon of securing pin

Photo 3: Install cantankerous braces

Stand one terminate frame and slide the crossbar ends over the pins. Rest the cantankerous brace on the ground to temporarily support the first finish frame while y'all motion the other ane into position. Tip the 2d frame upwardly and slip the opposite end of the cross brace over the pins in the 2nd scaffold frame. Consummate the frame setup past attaching the second cross caryatid on the reverse side.

Photo iv: Position and level the scaffold

Slide the scaffold into position and slip two×10 lengths of lumber under each base plate. On sloping ground, level the blocks by shimming under ane side as shown. Level the scaffolding with the adjusting screws

Even though the basic setup process is the aforementioned, scaffold hardware varies slightly from ane manufacturer to the next. Inquire for manufacturer's instructions if your scaffold looks different from that shown here. Photos 1-5 testify yous how to set up the frame and install the planks.

The key to condom scaffolding is a solid foundation. If the base of operations plates or casters balance on dirt, grass, asphalt or other soft material, put them on top of lengths of 2×10 lumber to prevent them from sinking in (Photograph 4). We shimmed the woods pads to level them (Photo 4) considering nosotros didn't want to damage the lawn past digging level spots. But a better method is to level a spot with a shovel before placing the ii×10 blocks. Never set the scaffolding on loose fill, snow or next to holes or ditches.

Adjusting screws make leveling the scaffolding easy and safe. Never stack bricks, physical blocks or scraps of wood nether the frame to level it. If your ground slopes more than almost a foot over an eight-ft. distance, rent leg extensions. Extreme slopes may require the addition of a short scaffold section nether one end of the scaffolding.

Step 3: Add planks and guardrails

Photo 5: Claw on the planks

Elevator the rented scaffold planks from the middle and angle them upwards through the frames until both ends are above the frame. Then lower the plank until the ends hook over the frames. Secure the plank with the swivel catches.

Photo 6: Install the guardrails

Foreclose falls by installing a guardrail organization. Slide the guardrail posts over the top of each frame and secure them with a pigtail, toggle pin or bolt, depending on what was provided with your scaffold components. Install top and bottom rails betwixt the posts.

Don't be tempted to salvage coin by using your own ordinary forest planks for the work surface—they aren't strong enough. Rent special scaffold planks to embrace the frames from side to side. Then install the guardrail posts and track. Rails aren't required on the side of the scaffolding that faces the building as long equally the scaffolding is within xiv in. of the building.

Our scaffolding didn't require them, but if you lot're working where people might walk below the scaffold structure, wire on two×4 toe boards to prevent tools and materials from falling and injuring someone. Rest the 2×four boards upright around the perimeter of the scaffold planks, spiral or nail the corners together and attach them to the base of the guardrail posts with No. 10 wire.

Once the scaffolding is assembled and in place, double-check that it's level and resting securely on all four base plates or casters. If it rocks, readjust one of the screws to stabilize the scaffolding. Apply the built-in ladders to climb the scaffolding. Don't climb on the cross braces. Recruit a helper to hand materials and tools up to the platform. If yous can't achieve, use a rope and bucket to pull tools to the top.

Footstep four: Scaffolding accessories and tips

Photo 7: Prepare up a workstation

Speed up your work by setting up a workstation on your scaffolding. Pull materials and tools upwardly with a bucket and rope. Major repairs like tuckpointing a chimney are much easier from a scaffold than a ladder.

Photograph 8: Ideal platform for working roof edges

Complete the first seven or 8 rows of shingles from a scaffold to avoid having to work from a ladder or lean precariously over the roof border. Then blast roof brackets along the eve and install toe boards before climbing onto the roof. Use locking casters on the scaffolding and then you tin curlicue along the entire roof edge.

Casters allow yous to move the scaffolding easily without taking information technology autonomously, just take a few extra precautions:

Install a special horizontal brace diagonally between the two out side frames to keep them square. Enquire your supplier most this.
Never scroll the scaffolding with tools, materials or passengers on the planks.
Lock the casters earlier climbing the scaffolding.
Avoid overhead wires when moving the scaffolding. Y'all could exist electrocuted if y'all bump ability lines.
Don't roll the scaffolding on steep slopes or about ditches or holes.

Photos 6-8 show a few of the jobs where scaffold rental really pays off. If you take an old house that needs tons of repairs, it might be cheaper in the long run to purchase a bones scaffold setup. Make sure the scaffolding y'all purchase is compatible with scaffold from the local rental shop in case y'all have to rent additional parts.

CAUTION: Stay abroad from power lines!

Don't work around electrical power lines. Watch overhead when moving rolling scaffolding to avert running into a power line.

Required Tools for this Projection

Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up earlier you start—you'll relieve fourth dimension and frustration.

Required Materials for this Projection

Avoid last-infinitesimal shopping trips by having all your materials set ahead of time. Here'south a list.

Originally Published: June xx, 2022

Source: https://www.familyhandyman.com/project/how-to-work-with-scaffolding-safely/