Posted By mivys Tubes should be manufactured and tested in accordance with BS 1139. Common lengths are 6.3m (21 ft), 1.5m (5 ft) and 1.8m (6 ft). The 3 main types are: black steel, galvanised steel and aluminium alloy. Black and galvanised steel tubes usually weigh 4.37kg/m (2.9lb/ft), whereas aluminium tubes usually weigh 1.67 kg/m (1.12lb/ft). Taken from HSE website btw...

Posted By Safe System All the above is correct. In regards to design scaffold the below was also taken from the HSE website. Scaffold structures that need to be designed 1. Dead Shores 2. Flying shores 3. Raking shores 4. Cantilevered scaffolds 5. Truss-out Scaffolds 6. Access Birdcages 7. Façade retention 8. Access scaffolds with more than the 2 working lifts allowed with TG20 'Basic Scaffolds' 9. Buttressed free-standing scaffolds 10. Temporary roofs and temporary buildings 11. Support scaffolds 12. Loading Bays founded on the ground 13. Mobile and static towers outside base/height limitations 14. Free standing scaffolds outside base/height Limitations 15. Temporary ramps and elevated roadways 16. Staircases and fire escapes 17. Spectator Terraces and Seating Stands 18. Bridge scaffolds 19. Towers requiring guys or ground anchors 20. Offshore scaffolds outside Offshore Contractors Association (OCA) handbook 21. Pedestrian footbridges or walkways 22. Slung and Suspended scaffolds 23. Protection fans, Nets and Pavement Frames 24. Marine scaffolds 25. Boiler scaffolds 26. Power line crossings 27. Lifting gantries and towers 28. Steeple scaffolds 29. System scaffolds outside users guide parameters 30. Sign board supports 31. Sealing end structures 32. Temporary Storage on Site 33. Masts, Lighting Towers and Transmission Towers 34. Advertising hoardings/banners 35. Any scaffold structure subject to: * Vibration * High Loading * Long term duration * High risk areas * Loading from passenger/goods hoists Note: The above list is not exhaustive and any scaffold that does not comply with manufacturers guidelines as published in handbooks will require a specific design produced by a competent person.

Posted By IOSH Moderator There is useful information on the HSE website, but it is a breach of copyright to copy the text of it to this forum. You can post links, or you can go the whole mile and get yourself a licence from the HSE to reproduce their material. Jane Blunt

Posted By Safe System Personally... i find Janes comment fairly rude. Ok - http://www.hse.gov.uk/co...tion/scaffoldinginfo.htm that is the above link that tells you everything you need to know.