How to Erect & Dismantle Various Types of Scaffolds
Erecting and dismantling scaffolding is a crucial part of construction project safety. Placement and removal of all project scaffolds should be carried out by a person, or persons, with proper training and experience. Training, skill and experience are necessary to ensure that scaffolding meets specifications and building and safety requirements.
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Things You'll Need
- Manufacturer’s specifications and drawings
- Material hoisting equipment
- Scaffold base plates (leg supports)
- Standards (vertical scaffold frames)
- Ledgers (horizontal standard connectors)
- Cross braces
- Guard rails
- Toe boards
- Coupling devices
- Stacking pins
- Scaffold grade platform planks, free of cracks
- Scaffold ladders
- Scaffold ties
Instructions
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Erecting Scaffolds
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1
Install fall protection equipment for scaffold installers before beginning erection. Observe worker safety precautions closely. Study the drawings and specifications thoroughly before beginning scaffold erection. Deliver scaffold components as close as possible to the point of use. Arrange all components in the order they will be used as the scaffolding is erected. Examine all parts to eliminate defective scaffold units. Provide hoisting and rigging equipment to eliminate manual handling of materials.
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2
Prepare the scaffold base areas. Wet down, tamp and compact the area before leveling to receive the scaffold sections. Support every vertical section of scaffold with plank-grade lumber. Place supports so that all feet of the vertical sections are centered and bearing evenly on the base supports.
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3
Install the first scaffold level. Stand two vertical sections at specified distances and connect them with ledger connector sections. Install diagonal cross braces to keep the scaffolding square and true. Join all braces and frames with proper coupling devices and stacking pins. Place first-level scaffold planks. The working platform must be fully planked with no gaps greater than 1 inch.
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4
Install guard rails if the scaffold is taller than 10 feet high. The top rail must be 38 to 45 inches above the working platform surface. Midrails are required. Install toe boards or screens if there is a possibility of falling objects. Install and secure ladders for access to the first working level. Tie each level of scaffold to the structure at 12-foot intervals using a tie method recommended by the scaffold manufacturer.
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5
Repeat steps 1 through 4 until the first level of scaffold is complete. Raise scaffold sections for the next level of scaffolding into place using a material hoist. Connect the vertical sections to the lower sections with coupling devices and pins. Install braces and cross braces. Place platform grade planks for the second level of scaffold. Install guard rails and toe boards as noted in step 4. Complete each level in this manner until the full scaffold height for the building is achieved. Tie each level of scaffold to the building structure at 12-foot intervals using a tie method recommended by the scaffold manufacturer.
Dismantling Scaffolds
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6
Prepare temporary space at ground level for sorting and inspecting dismantled scaffold components. Tag damaged sections, and set them aside for repair or discarding.
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7
Install fall protection equipment for scaffold dismantlers before beginning dismantling. Set up material hoisting rigs for lowering dismantled sections to the ground. Work in a horizontal direction, dismantling one section at a time.
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8
Remove ties from the building first. Remove guard rails and midrails. Remove connectors and diagonal cross braces. Bundle the rails and lower them to the ground. Bundle and lower plank sections and toe boards to the ground. Take down and lower each vertical section to the ground. Repeat this work order until a complete horizontal tier of scaffold is dismantled and lowered to ground level with a hoisting rig.
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9
Move down to the next level and repeat Step 3 until the next tier is dismantled. Dismantle horizontally before moving to each lower section until the entire scaffold is dismantled.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not erect or use scaffolds during adverse weather conditions.
Do not allow ladders on scaffolds to increase working heights.
Do not move or alter scaffolds while workers are using the scaffolds.
References
Resources
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