When working with scaffolding, you are certain to encounter some new terms. These make communication on the worksite easier and, to a certain extent, fun. Knowing these terms is essential if you are looking to start or work with scaffolding. Some of the terminologies used when working with scaffolding are;
Scaffolding Glossary of Terms
| Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Access platform | This is a platform that provides access to construction personnel going to and from their specific areas of work. This, however, does not include a working platform. |
| Aluminium scaffold | An aluminium scaffold is a temporary structure used to provide additional support to construction workers and materials when working on building constructions and repairs. It is a modular system made of aluminium pipes and tubes. |
| Bearer (putlog) | A horizontal transverse scaffold member is used to join scaffold poles, posts, uprights, and upon which the platform of the tower rests. |
| Birdcage scaffold | A type of self-supporting scaffolding which consists of two or more rows of standards which are connected by transoms and ledgers in both directions. |
| Body harness | A strap can be secured around the employee in a way in which the fall arrest forces are distributed over at least the waist, shoulders, pelvis, and chest. It should be attached to another component of a personal fall arrest system. |
| Brace | A brace holds a scaffold member in place for the building or structure under construction. |
| Bricklayers scaffold | A scaffolding structure with one end attached to the ledger on one end and integrated into the structure under construction on the other end. |
| Catch platform | A platform used to contain debris falling from the work platform above by being attached to the scaffold. |
| Crawling board | Commonly used for sloping surfaces, this is supported scaffolding made up of a plank with cleats secured safely to provide support. |
| Double Roped Suspended Scaffold | A scaffold with two hoists and suspension ropes at each support point to hold the cradle. |
| Hoist | An automated or manual mechanical device is used to raise or lower suspended scaffolding. |
| Hydrostatic pressure | When under vibration, wet concrete behaves like a liquid. The pressure exerted by the formwork increases as the concrete gets deeper. |
| Ledgers | Horizontal members are supported by standards where transoms are laid in coupler and tube work. Ledgers are used as guardrails and handrail supports. They also make the standards stiff and maintain the required bay widths. |
| Modular scaffolding | A system of scaffolding whereby prefabricated sections are used to make up modules of a standard size. |
| Roof bracket scaffold | A scaffold supported from the rooftop consists of a platform which rests on angular-shaped supports. |
| Shoring | This is the use of shores to provide support to an unsafe building, new construction, or provide temporary support to adjacent buildings. |
| Sole plates | Timber which acts as the base of rows of props and shoring systems of formwork. |
| Toe boards | Steel or timber boards are fitted onto a work platform to prevent people or construction materials from slipping off the platform. |
| Transom truss | A beam which spans a wider Space between standards than regular. This is done to provide access to vehicles and materials at ground level. |
| Wall formwork | The different methods used for wall formwork can vary from a steel frame with either aluminium ply or timber. |
| Bamboo scaffolding | This is a form of scaffolding that is made by tying bamboo poles together. This method is slowly being wiped from use and is less common in recent years. It is a method predominantly used in third-world countries. |
| Van | A scaffolding van is used to transport tubes and poles. A very popular option in UK for small scaffolders. Whiles larger companies used trucks |
With an idea of the common terminologies used when working with scaffolding, it is much easier to manoeuvre the work area. Familiarise yourself with the surroundings and personnel to have a much better work experience.