CODE OF PRACTICE FOR ACCESS AND WORKING SCAFFOLDS

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Code of Practice for Access and Working Scaffolds Where reveal ties are used, a greater number of ties are required. Where practicable, no more than 50% reveal ties should be used unless they are supplemented by permanent bolted or cast-in anchorages and a high level of maintenance. Reveal ties are not suitable for use on sheeted scaffolds. 3.3.2.4. Returns Where a system scaffold is continually and correctly returned around the corner of a building, it can be regarded as being equal to a tie to the first pair of standards in each direction from the quoin (e.g. the ties can commence from the second pair of standards back from the return). It should be noted that if a correct and continuous return is not in place, then each elevation should be regarded as separate and must then be tied at each end. Plan bracing of ledgers would be required to provide tying to adjacent standards. Returns of tube and fitting scaffolds may be regarded as providing attachment of the scaffold to the faade for a 3m length measured from the end of the building. 3.3.2.5. Structurally Designed Buttresses Structurally designed buttresses provide tying to those system scaffolding standards directly connected to the buttresses. Plan bracing is required to provide tying to adjacent system standards. Buttresses connected to tube and fitting scaffolding may be regarded as providing attachment of the scaffold to the facade for a 3m length measured from each side of the buttress. 3.3.2.6. Single Unjointed Raking Tubes Single unjointed raking tubes coupled to the scaffold at 6m intervals and tied back to the scaffold at the foot may be considered as providing adequate stability in the direction of the raker for scaffolds up to 6m high. The tube should be at an angle of not more than 2 vertical to 1 horizontal and not more than 6m in length. Plan bracing is required to provide tying to adjacent system standards between the rakers.

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Health and Safety Authority

Code of Practice for Access and Working Scaffolds

Figure 11: Stabilising a Scaffold Less than 6m High Raking Tubes (refer to manufacturers instructions)

3.3.3. Tie Spacing The spacing of ties is determined mainly by the loading and layout of the scaffold. As the loading, height, number of working platforms or number of boarded platforms or the wind loading increases, so does the number of ties required. The system manufacturers instructions for tie spacing should be followed; for tube and fitting scaffolds, the spacing of the ties determined by the designer must be followed.

3.3.3.1. System Scaffold Ties Each type of system scaffold has a characteristic tying pattern recommended by the manufacturer. These patterns should be followed unless structural design calculations show any proposed variations to be safe. The system scaffolding manufacturers recommended tying arrangements should be available to the scaffolders. The recommended tying arrangements should also be provided to the persons responsible for inspecting the system scaffold during use.

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Health and Safety Authority