Scaffolding is a temporary structure used in construction, maintenance, and repair of various structures, designed to provide safe access and support for workers and materials. There are several types of scaffolding, including bamboo and putlog scaffolding, each with specific applications and safety standards. The document outlines the history, evolution, materials, and modern safety standards associated with scaffolding, emphasizing its significance in civil engineering and construction.

1. Scaffolding

2. Contents
 Introduction
 History
 Materials
 Conclusion

3. Scaffolding Introduction
 Scaffolding, also called scaffold or staging, is a temporary structure used to support a work crew and
materials to aid in the construction, maintenance and repair of buildings, bridges and all other human-made
structures. Scaffolds are widely used on site to get access to heights and areas that would be otherwise hard
to get to. Unsafe scaffolding has the potential to result in death or serious injury. Scaffolding is also used in
adapted forms for formwork and shoring, grandstand seating, concert stages, access/viewing towers,
exhibition stands, ski ramps, half pipes and art projects.
 There are six main types of scaffolding used worldwide today:
1) tube and coupler (fitting) components,
2) prefabricated modular system scaffold components
3) H-frame / facade modular system scaffolds
4) suspended scaffolds
5) timber scaffolds
6) bamboo scaffolds

4. History
 Scaffolding was erected by individual firms with wildly varying standards and sizes. The process was
revolutionized by Daniel Palmer Jones and David Henry Jones. Modern day scaffolding standards, practices
and processes can be attributed to these men and their companies: Rapid Scaffold Tie Company Ltd, Tubular
Scaffolding Company and Scaffolding Great Britain Ltd.
 David Henry Jones and Daniel Palmer Jones patented the "Scaffixer" in either 1907 or 1910, a coupling device
far more robust than rope which revolutionized scaffolding construction.
 Advancements in metallurgy throughout the early 20th century saw the introduction of tubular steel water
pipes (instead of timber poles) with standardized dimensions, allowing for the industrial interchangeability
of parts and improving the structural stability of the scaffold. The use of diagonal bracings also helped to
improve stability, especially on tall buildings. The first frame system was brought to market by SGB in 1944
and was used extensively for the postwar reconstruction.

5. Materials
 The purpose of a working scaffold is to provide a safe working platform and access suitable for work crews to carry out
their work. The European Standard sets out performance requirements for working scaffolds. These are substantially
independent of the materials of which the scaffold is made. The standard is intended to be used as the basis for enquiry
and design.
 Basic scaffolding
 The key elements of the scaffolding are the standard, ledger and transoms. The standards, also called uprights, are the
vertical tubes that transfer the entire weight of the structure to the ground where they rest on a square base plate to
spread the load. The base plate has a shank in its centre to hold the tube and is sometimes pinned to a sole board.
Ledgers are horizontal tubes which connect between the standards.
 The spacings of the basic elements in the scaffold are fairly standard. For a general purpose scaffold the maximum bay
length is 2.1 m, for heavier work the bay size is reduced to 2 or even 1.8 m while for inspection a bay width of up to 2.7 m
is allowed.
 The scaffolding width is determined by the width of the boards, the minimum width allowed[where?]
is 600 mm but a more
typical four-board scaffold would be 870 mm wide from standard to standard. More heavy-duty scaffolding can require
5, 6 or even up to 8 boards width. Often an inside board is added to reduce the gap between the inner standard and the
structure.
 The lift height, the spacing between ledgers, is 2 m, although the base lift can be up to 2.7 m.

6. Bamboo Scaffolding
 Bamboo scaffolding is a type of scaffolding made from bamboo and widely used in construction work for
centuries. Many famous landmarks, notably The Great Wall of China, were built using bamboo
scaffolding, and its use continues today in some parts of the world.
 Bamboo scaffolding was first introduced into the building industry in Hong Kong immediately
after colonization in the 1800s.It was widely used in the building of houses and multi-story buildings (up to
four stories high) prior to the development of metal scaffolding.
 In many African countries, notably Nigeria, bamboo scaffolding is still used for small scale construction in
urban areas. In rural areas, the use of bamboo scaffolding for construction is common. In fact, bamboo is an
essential building and construction commodity in Nigeria; the bamboo materials are transported on heavy
trucks and trailers from rural areas (especially the tropical rain forest) to cities and the northern part of
Nigeria.
 Some of the structures in relaxation and recreation centers, both in urban and rural areas of Nigeria, are put
in place using bamboo materials. This is not for reasons of poverty (especially in the cities) but to add
more aesthetics to these centers. Bamboo materials are still used in the construction of some bukas (local
restaurants) in rural areas.

7. Forms of bamboo scaffolding include
• Double-row Scaffold- Only double-row bamboo scaffold is allowed to be used for working at height.
• Nylon Mesh- The perimeter of bamboo scaffold should be covered by nylon mesh against falling objects. The lapping of nylon mesh
should be at least 100 mm wide.
• Access and Egress- Suitable means of access should be provided from the building or ground level to the scaffold such as gangway,
stairs and ladder etc.
• Catch Fan- Sloping catch fans shall be erected at a level close to the first floor and at no more than 15 meters, vertical intervals should
give a minimum horizontal protection coverage of 1500 mm. Large catch fans should be erected at specific locations to protect the public
and/or workers underneath.
• Platform of Catch Fan or Receptacle- A suitable receptacle, covered with galvanized zinc sheet, should be provided within each catch-
fan to trap falling objects.
• Steel Bracket- Steel brackets shall be provided for supporting the standard of scaffold at about six floor intervals. The horizontal
distance between steel brackets is about 3 meters..
• Working Platform- Every working platform must be at least 400 mm wide and closely boarded by planks. The edges of working
platforms should be protected by no less than 2 horizontal bamboo members of the scaffold, at intervals between 750 mm to 900 mm
and suitable toe-boards no less than 200 mm high.
• Special Scaffold All scaffolds with a height excess of 15 meters shall be designed by an Engineer.
• Competent Examiner- They should complete a formal training in bamboo scaffolding work or hold a trade test certificate on bamboo
scaffolding and have at least 10 years of relevant experience.
• Trained Worker- They should complete formal training in bamboo scaffolding work or hold a trade test certificate on bamboo
scaffolding and have at least 3 years of relevant experience.

8. Speciality Scaffolding
 Putlog scaffold- These have a flattened end or have been fitted with a blade. This feature allows the
end of the tube to be inserted into or rest upon the brickwork of the structure.
 A putlog scaffold may also be called a bricklayer's scaffold. As such, the scaffold consists only of a
single row of standards with a single ledger. The putlogs are transoms - attached to the ledger at one
end but integrated into the bricks at the other.
 Pump-jack- A pump-jack is a type of portable scaffolding system. The scaffold rests on supports
attached to two or more vertical posts. The user raises the scaffolding by pumping the foot pedals on
the supports, like an automobile jack
 Baker staging- Baker staging is a metal scaffold which is easy to assemble. Rolling platforms typically
740 millimeters (29 in) wide by 1.8 meters (6 ft) long and 1.8 meters (6 ft) tall sections which can be
stacked up to three high with the use of added outriggers. The work platform height is adjustable.
 X-Deck ladder scaffolding- Low level scaffolding that is height adjustable. It is a hybrid ladder
scaffold work platform.

9. Conclusion
 The widespread use of scaffolding systems, along with the profound importance that they earned in
modern applications such as civil engineering projects and temporary structures, led to the definition
of a series of standards covering a vast number of specific issues involving scaffolding..
 The purpose of a working scaffold is to provide a safe working platform and access suitable for work
crews to carry out their work. The European Standard sets out performance requirements for
working scaffolds. These are substantially independent of the materials of which the scaffold is made.
The standard is intended to be used as the basis for enquiry and design.