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Tying Down of Scaffold Boards: General

This document provides guidance on tying down scaffold boards to prevent movement. It discusses that boards less than 2.13m long should be fixed down, and boards less than 1.6m long may require support on two transoms. Various proprietary fixing methods are described such as clamps, couplers, and ropes that pass over and between boards. Overlapping boards should generally be avoided, but there are clamp options described if needed. Risk assessment should determine the appropriate securing method based on board length and conditions.

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348 views4 pages

Tying Down of Scaffold Boards: General

This document provides guidance on tying down scaffold boards to prevent movement. It discusses that boards less than 2.13m long should be fixed down, and boards less than 1.6m long may require support on two transoms. Various proprietary fixing methods are described such as clamps, couplers, and ropes that pass over and between boards. Overlapping boards should generally be avoided, but there are clamp options described if needed. Risk assessment should determine the appropriate securing method based on board length and conditions.

Uploaded by

Jithin
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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TG12:17

Tying down of scaffold boards

GENERAL

Boards, which are nominally 38mm thick, are the most commonly used boards and are supplied in lengths of
up to 3.9m. All boards, regardless of their length, could be vulnerable to normal wind uplift forces and any
decision in relation to the securing of the boards should be determined by risk assessment. Shorter boards,
however, may require fixing to prevent movement. TG20 recommends boards which are nominally 38mm thick
and less than 2.13m long, should not be used unless they are fixed down to prevent tipping. Boards which are
less than 1.6m long may be supported on two transoms but should be fixed down at both ends. Such boards
occur adjacent to ladder openings and provision should be made to prevent them from moving under impact
and vibration.

The overhang of the boards of any thickness should not exceed four times their thickness and should not be
less than 50mm.

FIXING METHODS

Proprietary products

There are various products available which will satisfactorily hold down scaffold boards to prevent movement.
Users should satisfy themselves that any proprietary system meets their requirements. Refer to Figures 1 to 7.

The following examples show some products that are available for securing scaffold boards and toeboards,
but this list is not exhaustive.

Scaffold board coupler Limpet clamp

Figure 1 Figure 2

NASC 1 of 4 August 2017


Putlog coupler securing inside board Putlog coupler securing a Toeboard Toe board clip

Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5

Toe board clip Toe board stop end

Figure 6 Figure 7

Small diameter ropes

A small diameter steel bond or polypropylene rope will provide an effective method for holding down a scaffold
board. The method of installation is critical if the system is to perform in a satisfactory manner under all
conditions. The rope should pass over and between each board in turn and then return over the adjacent
board. See Figure 8.

NASC
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Small diameter rope

Nylon or wire rope lashings

Figure 8

If the rope is only installed over the top of the deck, this could eventually slacken off and become a tripping
hazard.

The one disadvantage of this type of installation is that it is very labour intensive.

Other methods

There are numerous proprietary products that help to secure boards. See Figure 9.

Figure 9

Overlapping boards

Where reasonably practicable, overlapping boards should be avoided other than at the returns of scaffolds.
For details of how to secure overlapping boards refer to Figure 10.

NASC
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Lap board clamp

Figure 10

Over-tube system

This application can be used as a temporary measure on a scaffolders working platform or as a temporary
measure in an emergency where rope or proprietary products are not available.

A tube is placed over the boards and fixed to the inner and outer standards. If the tubes are used at each end
of the boards, these will provide a firm restraint. The main disadvantage is that the over tube can form a
tripping hazard. Consideration should be given to marking the tube with hazard warning tape.

Note:
When selecting proprietary equipment to tie down scaffold boards, consideration must be given to the
introduction of gaps between the boards, which may result in falling items of debris/dust.

Whilst every effort has been made to provide reliable and accurate information, we would welcome any corrections to information provided by the Writer which
may not be entirely accurate, therefore and for this reason, the NASC or indeed the Writer, cannot accept responsibility for any misinformation posted.

NASC NASC, 4TH FLOOR, 12 BRIDEWELL PLACE, LONDON EC4V 6AP


TEL: 020 7822 7400 FAX: 020 7822 7401
[email protected] www.nasc.org.uk
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