Scaffold Capacity Confusion: How Do You Determine It Safely and Accurately?

Once, I had the opportunity to inspect a scaffold, but I am still confused about how to determine the capacity of a scaffold.

I may be able to help you. However, before I write anything, I prefer to know "to what level the answer should be."

Competency in Scaffold Inspection

If you got an opportunity to inspect a scaffold, you should be a competent scaffold inspector or a structural engineer dealing with scaffolds. If you get confused about deciding on the capacity of the scaffold you inspect, your competency as a scaffold inspector will be questioned.

So please explain how you got that opportunity to inspect that scaffold. What is your level of scaffold training? Any other information that may be of help to give a convincing answer would be appreciated.

Regards,
Kesava Pillai

I hope you are new to this forum, and thank you very much for coming up with your thread. Can you please respond to what Mr. Kesava Pillai has written to you? If you manage to do so, the idea of starting this thread will be fulfilled. I am looking forward to hearing from you and your active participation in the forum in the days to come.

@ Kesava Pillai,

Sir, thank you for the thought-provoking inputs to the thread starter. I request you to continue participating in the forum discussions and share your expertise with us.

Regards.

You have already received two good responses above, asking you to provide more details. In general, to start the discussion on scaffolding, there are two basic things you need to know. I am not an expert in scaffolding but can share with you the following information:

Base to Height Ratio
If the base unit is one, then the height will be four times that.

Load Aspects
Generally, three classes are referred to:
- LIGHT: Below 120 Kg / Sq M
- MEDIUM: Up to 240 Kg / Sq M
- HEAVY: Above 240 Kg / Sq M.

Scaffolding details have been discussed many times in Cite HR. You may type SCAFFOLDING into the box that reads "WHAT DO YOU NEED?" (This box can be found in the title bar above the threads.) You can then press the "research" button. You will get plenty of information. All the above can be useful to add to your knowledge. Before you take any practical steps in the field, please seek the advice of an expert.

Regards,
V. Raghunathan