How to Install 5X5 Rental Scaffolding

A scaffold system can take you to greater heights and allow you to work with greater safety.

Work at elevated levels, such as for construction, painting, papering or putting up siding, is much safer, more productive and more comfortable when scaffolding is used. Compared to using a ladder, the scaffold has a larger work platform with more room for the materials you need to access. Scaffolding also provides easier access to the work without constantly having to move a ladder every few inches. Follow a few basic rules to set up rental scaffolding and to help you work safely and securely.

Things You'll Need

• Scaffolding end frames (2 per section)
• Adjustable screw jacks (4)
• Steel base plates (4)
• Casters (if desired)
• Toggle pins or pigtails
• Cross braces (4 per section)
• 2-by-10 wood base supports (4)
• Wood screws
• Planks to cover the deck (7 to 10 feet in length)
• Level
• String line
• Guard rails (required above 10 feet)
• Toe-boards (a minimum of 4 inches high)
• No. 10 wire
• Scaffold ladder or stair
• Ladder brackets
• Shims

Instructions

Preparation

1. Rent the proper scaffolding. The standard end frames are 5 feet wide by 5 feet tall. The working height is about 4 to 6 feet above the planks on the scaffold. A limit of two section heights of scaffolding will retain a secure and stable work surface.

2. Provide a stable and firm foundation. Level the ground or area where the legs of the platform will stand, making it free of loose objects or mud. Never use stacks of blocks, bricks or wood to level uneven ground. Use steel base plates or adjustable screw jacks placed onto wide wood base supports under the first frame sets.

3. Place two end frames about 7 feet apart on a place near your work site. Before assembling the scaffolding, insert the adjustable screw jacks in the bottom of the frames.

4. Secure the base plates or casters to the adjustable screw jacks with special toggle pins or pigtails supplied with the plates or casters.

Conecting the Frame

1. 

   Cross bar braces help stabilize the scaffolding and keep it from swaying back and forth.

   Stand one end of side frame up on its feet. Slide the ends of the crossbar braces over the pins on the top and bottom of one side. Raise the other side frame up and slip the opposite ends of the cross braces over the pins on the second frame. Install the cross bracing in the same manner on the remaining side.

2. Slide 2-by-10 lengths of lumber under the base plates. Screw the base plates into the 2-by-10 pieces with the wood screws. This provides a flat surface for the foundation.

3. 

   Assure a safer work foundation by keeping the platform level.

   Level the sections with the level and a string line. Loosen or tighten the adjustable screw bases as needed.

4. Fit and lock each frame into the coupling pins in the lower level if stacking higher levels. Each working level must have planks fully across the platform with no gaps greater than 1 inch between them. Special scaffolding planks are available for rent that hook over the end frames and secure the planks.

5. 

   Use only plank-grade lumber. Aluminum or plywood planks last longer and are safer.

   Secure the planks with the swivel catches on the ends of the base.

Safety Measures

1. Slide the guardrail posts over the top of each frame and secure them with a toggle bolt, bolt or pigtail that comes with the scaffolding. Rails are not required on the side facing the building as long as the scaffolding is located within 14 inches of the building.

2. Install toe boards. These 2-by-4 boards prevent tools and materials from falling from the deck of scaffolding and hitting the workers below. Place them around the perimeter of the planks and screw or nail the corners together. Secure the toe boards to the base of the guardrail posts with No. 10 wire.

3. 

   Taller scaffolding may topple if not secured to the building.

   Secure scaffolding to the building at specific intervals if the height of scaffolding is three or more times the minimum width of the platform. For example, a 5-foot-wide scaffolding will need to be secured if it exceeds 15 feet in height.

4. Check the scaffolding for levelness and security after assembly. Adjust it with the adjusting screws or shim up the ends as needed.

5. 

   Scaffold frames are designed for support only, not as a way to climb to the work platform. Use a ladder.

   Use a scaffolding access ladder to reach the platform of the scaffold. These come in 3-, 5- and 6-foot lengths. Choose the ladder size according to the height of the work platform. Attach the brackets to the scaffolding frame with brackets and then attach the ladder to the brackets. You normally need one scaffolding ladder bracket for each scaffolding ladder section, plus one extra scaffolding ladder bracket to be used as a starter bracket. An alternative prefabricated 5-by-6-foot-by-4-inch stair made for scaffolding use inside the scaffolding frame could also be installed.

Tips & Warnings

• Base plates give a solid foundation and keep the ends of the scaffolding from poking through the base surface material.

• Casters are very useful when moving the scaffolding, but never move it with people, tools or material resting on its deck.

• Be sure to lock the casters before climbing on to the scaffolding.

• Watch for overhead wires when moving scaffolding.

• Platforms higher than 10 feet (7 feet in California) must have two guardrails placed at about 19 inches and 42 inches above the platform deck to prevent falls.

References

• Tools of the Trade.net: Guidelines for Assembling Scaffolding
• The Family Handyman.com: How to Work with Scaffolding Safely

Resources

• Mastery Technologies.com: Scaffolds: Supported Scaffolding Safety