Roofing and Building Center

A Guide to Scaffold Boards

Posted on October 13, 2010 by Samuel Cheeseman ----- Advertisement

When using scaffolding to gain access to structures which cannot be worked on from ground level a worker needs a firm platform which will support his weight along with the weight of any building materials he may be using. Scaffold boards are used to create this platform. There are various kinds of scaffold boards for sale which can be purchased new or used.

Types of Board

Boards an be produced steel or aluminium but the vast majority are made from timber. Whitewoods and redwoods are often used and many of the old scaffolding boards still in use are produced from these kinds of timber. It is important for the boards to be structurally solid with no weak points. In order to ensure this each board will be checked before it is put on the market so that no knots, cracks or other imperfections that could comprise the strength of the board are present. If you are purchasing second hand scaffolding boards you should also attempt to check them visually for signs of damage. Many modern scaffold board designs are now produced using treated plywood which has been laminated and layered for increased strength.

Timber scaffolding boards have a thickness which typically measures between 40 and 65 millimetres. They will usually be no longer than 4 meters. Metal plates are fixed to the ends of the boards to protect them from damage. In the UK all scaffolding equipment must comply with the various requirements set out in different parts of British Standard. BS 2482 covers timber scaffold boards. Where timber boards are not used then aluminium or steel boards often will be. Alternatively recyclable plastic materials can also be used in the production of some scaffolding board designs.

Sole boards are another type of design which is used when scaffolding needs to be erected on surfaces which are not quite solid enough to safely support the structure. These are placed underneath the scaffolding and have direct contact with the ground. Regular scaffolding boards can be used but there are scaffolding pads with rubber bases which are designed specifically to be used as sole boards.

Pricing

You can buy scaffolding boards for sale at relatively low prices. Standard timber boards will begin at around £5 or $8 each for the small boards with the larger options generally costing up to twice as much. The metal boards will be similarly priced. Used scaffold boards can be purchased at lower prices from many builders merchants or scaffolding companies that are investing in new equipment. If you are going to buy scaffold boards which have been used previously you should be sure to check for excessive wear or any signs of damage. It will not be worth compromising your safety in order to lower expenses. You should find out why any seller is attempting to offload their used scaffolding boards. Are they simply no longer required, or are they now unsafe due to the wear they have already received? If you are going to purchase old scaffold boards you may want to have an experienced scaffolder with you who will agree to check that they still meet safety requirements.