Does Scaffolding Need to be Attached to the Building?

26 Nov 2020 Scaffolding

Scaffolding is one of the most useful ways to access jobs at heights; however, if set up or used improperly, it can be a major safety hazard. Whether you are working on a home project or a construction site, having a professional scaffolding rental company consult on the safety of your scaffolding or install the entire setup can ensure that you and anyone else working on the project are kept as safe as possible. At United Scaffold Supply, we know that one of the important factors that needs to be considered when setting up scaffolding is whether or not the scaffolding needs to be attached to the building being worked on.

When Does Scaffolding Need to be Attached to a Building?

There are many different types of access scaffolds and these scaffolding systems have various requirements to be set up securely. While some types and sizes of scaffolds will need to be firmly anchored to the ground or side of a building, others rest on casters and can be moved freely around a home or jobsite. These types of scaffolds are especially useful for jobs such as painting that require limited access to all parts of a building. Other jobs, such as large-scale renovations, might require that the scaffold be secured to the side of the building to prevent shifting. An engineer will determine whether or not scaffolding needs to be attached to a building by inspecting the following factors:

Location

The location of a scaffold will make a big difference in whether or not it needs to be secured to a building. The type of ground the scaffolding rests on, the surrounding environment, and how easy it is for anyone to access it who is not part of the project will all be part of what determines if it should be secured to the side of a building.

Type of Job

The type of work that the scaffolding is being used for will play a role in how the scaffolding is set up. The loads being supported, the number of people using it, and many other details about the kind of job being performed will all be taken into account.

Duration of Scaffolding Use

If scaffolding is being used for an extended period, the likelihood that it will need to be anchored to the side of a building increases.

Height of Scaffold

If a scaffold is tall enough, it will need to be anchored to something, such as the side of a building. The height of the scaffold will be compared with other factors to determine its stability.

Type of Scaffold Being Used

Some types of scaffolding are more secure than others when left freestanding. Many types of scaffolding will need to be secured to the side of the building while others can be worked on without requiring any additional anchoring.

If you would like to learn more about whether or not scaffolding needs to be attached to the building for the job you are working on, feel free to reach out to the scaffolding experts at United Scaffold Supply.