Scaffolding basics

Whether you want to hire scaffolding company or get hold of the parts to put up a scaffold yourself, you'll need to know the terminology involved. Our guide to the basics will set you off on the right track.

Batten: These wood boards are placed between the horizontal poles or transoms of the scaffolding to create a working platform.

Bay length: the distance between the main vertical poles of the scaffolding across the width of the structure. It ranges from 1.8 m to 2.7 m.

Couplers: right angle and putlog couplers connect the main horizontal poles (ledgers and transoms) of the scaffolding to the vertical poles (the standards or uprights).

Cross braces: fitted to the main vertical scaffolding poles, these play an important part in making the structure more stable.

Fitting bins: often designed to stack together, these are used to hold the various parts required to build the scaffolding.

Friction clamps: used to erect scaffolding onto or around tubular structures, such as pipes. They are secured using a high-tension chain.

Kwikstage (kwikform): one of the two most commonly used scaffolding systems in the Australia. The other is Scaf-lok, which is more expensive, mainly because it's galvanised and doesn't rust.

Ledgers: a key element of the scaffolding structure, these horizontal tubes fit between the main vertical poles.

Lift height: the distance between the horizontal ledgers. The standard is 2 m.

Toe boards: for safety purposes, these planks are slotted into brackets around each platform. They also prevent items rolling off the edge.

Standards: the vertical poles or uprights that form the basic structure of the scaffolding and carry its weight. They rest on square base plates, which help to spread the load.

Ties: every inside vertical pole must be tied at intervals to help it carry the weight of the scaffolding structure. There are a number of different ways of doing this, including the reveal or friction tie, ring tie, anchor tie, box tie and lip tie.

Transoms: a key element of the scaffolding's structure, these rest on the main horizontal tubes or ledgers and support the boards of the platforms.

Tubeclamps: with names such as Short Tee, 3 Way Through Corner and 90 Degree Elbow, these are an essential part of the scaffolding structure. The scaffold poles or tubes simply slot into them, no nuts and bolts required.

Tubes: the term used for the steel or aluminium scaffolding poles.

'V' pressing: a connection point that secures the vertical poles to the horizontal.

Scaffolding