Sourcing Industrial Equipment

Your choice of scaffolding isn't just about finding the right type of scaffold for your needs. You should also spend time thinking about load weights. Scaffolding has to bear different types of weight at different times, and it's important to buy products that are strong enough to match these needs.

Which load weights should you think about before you order new scaffolding?

Dead Load

The dead load weight of a scaffold is the weight of the scaffolding itself. You need to know this weight to work out how the structure will work on your site and on your jobs. For example, your scaffolding needs a sound and secure base. If you put a heavy scaffold on soft ground, then it might not be stable enough to be safe. It might move out of position or sink into the ground.

So, you might need to factor in a supporting base for the scaffold before you use it. You might also need to attach it to walls or to secure it in other ways. Plus, environmental conditions can also add to a dead load. If rain, ice or snow collect on the scaffolding, they add to this weight.

Remember that if you buy modular scaffolding rather than a pre-built unit, then your dead load weight changes every time you configure the scaffolding. A smaller build will have a lower dead weight than a higher one.

Live Load

A scaffold's live load is the weight you put on the structure when it is fully built and you use it. So, for example, any workers who use the scaffolding to do their jobs are part of its live load.

You also have to factor in materials here. Their weight typically varies according to the work you do. So, if you're using the scaffold to take down and replace guttering, then any guttering you store on the structure during the job contributes to the live load.

This weight measure becomes more important if you're working with heavy materials or supplies. A load of timber adds more to a live load than a few pots of paint. A pile of bricks will be even heavier.

Environmental Load

Weather conditions around scaffolding sometimes create an additional environmental load. For example, if your scaffold is up in high winds, then wind can affect the scaffolding's stability. It can also affect the weight spread of any materials you store on the structure.

To get more advice on how load weight affects your choice of scaffold, contact scaffolding services specialists.

Reach out to a scaffolding service today for more information.