Scaffold Design Calculations
Scaffold design calculations are clear, precise and accurate. They are completed in accordance with current British and European Codes of Practice including BS EN 12811-1 (often using the guidance in NASC TG20:08 when completing scaffold designs using tube & fittings), BS 5975:2008 and Eurocode 1. The design calculations are cross-referenced to the design drawings and design risk assessment so that they can be easily followed and interpreted.
Where appropriate structural analysis software is used to assess the scaffold under applied load cases; this is either a 2D or 3D frame with characterised members, nodes and supports. Analysis software is never used in isolation – always as part of a wider calculation package.
A selection of the most common codes of practice we use to complete our designs are:
BS 1139* Metal scaffolding
BS 2482 Timber scaffold boards
BS 5950-1:1990* Structural Steelwork
BS 5973: 1993* Access and working scaffolds and special scaffold structures in steel
BS 5974:1990 Temporarily installed suspended scaffolds and access equipment
BS 5975: 2008 Code of practice for temporary works procedures and the permissible stress design of falsework.
BS 6399: Pt 2: 1997* Code of practice for wind loads
BS 6399: Pt 3: 1988* Loading for buildings - imposed roof loads (snow loading)
BS 8118 Part 1: 1991* Structural Use of Aluminium - Code of Practice for Design
BS EN 12810-1:2003 Façade scaffolds made of prefabricated components - products specifications
BS EN 12811-1:2003 Temporary works equipment: Scaffolds - Performance requirements and general design
BS EN 13374:2004 Temporary Edge Protection Systems - Product Specification, test methods
BS EN 1991 Part 1-4:2005 Eurocode 1: Actions on structures - General Actions - Wind Actions
BS EN 1991-2:2003 Eurocode 1: Actions on structures - Part 2: Traffic loads on bridges
BS EN 39: 2001 Loose steel tubes for tube and coupler scaffolds - Technical delivery conditions
* Codes of practice have been withdrawn, however still used for reference.
We have left the full Eurocode series off this list for ease (and space!)
A selection of the industry guides we use to complete our scaffold designs are:
HSG 33: 1999 Health & Safety in Roof Work
SG28:09 Safe System of Work for Scaffolding associated with Timber Frame Building Construction
SG4:10 The use of Fall Arrest Equipment Whilst Erecting, Altering & Dismantling Scaffolding
TG4:11 Anchoring systems for scaffolding
TG20:08 NASC Technical Guidance on the use of BS EN 12811-1
TGN(E) 190: 2004 Design and use of temporary scaffold guards
All Design Documents
All the design documents produced by 48.3 Scaffold Design are customer branded and customer owned. Electronic documents are digitally encrypted for client security and password protected if required.
Scaffold design documents are typically supplied in controlled .pdf format to a client specified distribution list under 48.3 document control procedures. All colour prints are sent first class to a nominated person for internal distribution.
