Scaffold Board Types – Your Questions Answered — Wade Building ...

Scaffolding is a key part of many construction projects, from small domestic porch extensions to large commercial developments. Scaffold boards can help deliver safe access for working at height, and have many other uses too.

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Scaffold board types are fairly standard in that they are required to deliver safety, stability, and reliability in all sorts of weather. The dimensions, width, length, thickness, and weight do not vary by much, the most popular boards being 13 and 10 feet long (3.9 & 3m).

Selecting the right scaffold board is easy and inexpensive and can save time and money getting a job done safely.

How Wide is a Scaffold Board?

Wade’s scaffold boards come in a standard width of 210mm, which makes it easy to comply with the UK’s Working at Height regulations. Three boards will deliver the minimum width working platform of 600mm.

• As a rule of thumb, most main contractors will specify a requirement for five boards to deliver a minimum width working platform, with three boards for access only.

• If more than one person is required to work on a scaffold, you need to think about whether two people will be able to pass each other, or there is room for tools and materials.

• However, some projects will have space restrictions, requiring careful risk assessment if a project is notifiable.

How Thick is a Scaffold Board?

Scaffold boards have to support the weight of workers and their materials without bending or deforming. The standard thickness supplied by Wade is 35mm. When properly supported by tube and fitting scaffold, or trestles, these boards will not distort under load.

It’s common for adjacent scaffold platforms to overlap rather than have boards butt jointed. While this does make having to cut boards less likely, there will be a small 35mm step between levels, that it is good to be aware of.

How Long is a Scaffold Board?

Unbanded scaffold boards can be supplied in any length from 2 feet, up to thirteen feet long (3.9 metres) in foot-by-foot increments. On a smaller project, where the exact dimensions of a scaffold are clear before the job starts, ordering bespoke cut lengths can be a good way to save time and money.

• However, an advantage of unbanded boards is that you can easily cut them to any bespoke length you require on site.

• While it’s better not to cut banded boards to length, you still can, but it’s a good idea to remove the band and re-attach it to the longer remaining board.

• Thirteen foot and ten foot (just over 3 metres) are the most often used scaffold board length that you will find on building sites.

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How Heavy is a Scaffold Board?

A standard 13 foot scaffold board will weigh in at 19 kg, less than a bag of cement, while a 10 foot board comes in at almost 14.5 kg.

If a board has been exposed to a lot of wet weather, it may have absorbed some moisture, which can add to the weight.

When scaffold boards are used for access directly on the ground, exposure to mud and water can also make them harder to handle.

What are Scaffold Boards Made From?

The least expensive, and most used type of scaffold board is made from wood. The most common timber used for scaffold boards is European Whitewood. At Wade, both our banded, and unbanded scaffold boards are responsibly sourced.

Plastic or galvanised steel scaffold boards are available for specialist scaffolding requirements where an access platform may be exposed to particular risks, i.e. chemical exposure, heavy loading, or wide spans.

Why do Some Scaffold Boards Have Metal Bands?

The metal bands on scaffold boards are there to deliver end protection. Board ends can split, or be damaged during handling, or while in position on a busy working platform.

A metal band on a scaffold board will often have information embossed on it telling the user the board's origin, the British Standard to which it conforms, and the weight limit per 1.2 metres that it is designed to carry.

Main contractors may reject unbanded scaffold boards as they will not have either end protection, or compliant information attached.

Who is Responsible for Scaffolding Safety?

Scaffolding should be inspected after installation and before first use to confirm that it is safe to use. You don’t have to be a scaffolder to do so. A competent person who has attended and passed a scaffold inspection course can carry out an inspection.

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A scaffold should be inspected every seven days, and following any adverse weather conditions, such as high winds.

Complex, or engineer-designed scaffolds will require specialist, regular weekly inspections by a suitably qualified individual.

What Else Can I Use Scaffold Boards For?

Apart from the obvious, scaffolding platforms, scaffold planks are a popular choice for landscape gardeners. Scaffold planks can be used alongside garden sleepers to create retaining walls, steps, raised beds, benches, or any other carpentry-based garden feature.

• Scaffold planks have also been used as industrial style shelving by interior designers. New boards can be planed, sanded and finished, the bands retained, to deliver that engineered look.

• Use them for workshop shelving due to their thickness, and suitability for supporting heavy items.

• Scaffold planks are great for shelving for heavy items that would damage metal shelves, i.e. engine blocks.

• If you are using scaffold boards for decking, or other garden feature, you can increase their longevity, and weather resistance by treating them with a proprietary preservative.

Choosing Your Scaffold Board

When identifying the proper scaffold plank size, you will need to consider the type of work you’ll be doing. You’ll also need to be aware of the distance between frames. Here are some tips to consider for your scaffold board:

OSHA Requirements

OSHA requires a minimum of 6 in. of overlap on either side of the scaffolding frames. This means that your scaffold boards need to be a minimum of 1 ft. longer than the span between the frames. Also, when creating a long platform that connects multiple spans of frames, the board overlap must not be less than 12 in. This is true unless the boards or platforms are secured to reduce movement.

Scaffold Plank Sizes

The size of scaffold boards should be chosen based on the dimensions of the scaffolding system and the requirements of your building project. Ensure that the boards are long enough to overlap scaffold supports by a minimum required distance, providing stability and preventing tipping. Here are some of the most common scaffold plank sizes that are commonly used for building:

• 16 ft. scaffold planks: Contractors typically use 16 ft. for masonry and stucco applications. A 16 ft. plank size covers two 7-ft. spans.
• 12 ft. scaffold boards: Use a 12 ft. scaffold plank size for either a single 10-ft. span or two 5-ft. spans.
• 9 ft. scaffold planks: The 9 ft. scaffold plank size is appropriate for a 7-ft. span to create long platforms.
• 8 ft. scaffold boards: For 8 ft. scaffold boards, use for a single 7-ft. or 5-ft. span. Good for long platforms with 5-ft. spans.
• 80.5 in. scaffold planks: Lastly, this is a unique cut board used for applications such as non-stop scaffolding.

If you have any questions about scaffold plank sizing, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team for help.

Load Capacity

We’ve alluded to this already, but make sure that you choose the right scaffold board to accommodate your load capacity. Your scaffold boards should be able to handle the combined weight of workers, tools, and materials. The strength and thickness of the board will determine its load-bearing capacity.

It’s essential to ensure that the boards you select can safely bear the maximum anticipated load. Whatever load capacity you choose, ensure it adheres to quality standards set by OSHA or ANSI.

Materials

The most common materials used for scaffold boards are timber and metal (often steel or aluminum). Timber boards, such as those made from pine, are traditional and offer good grip, especially in wet conditions. However, they require regular inspections for cracks, warps, or other damages. Timber scaffold boards are often treated to enhance their durability and resistance to the elements, fungal decay, and insect attack.

On the other hand, metal boards are more durable and resistant to wear and tear but can become slippery when wet. Having a non-slip surface can prevent many accidents. Some scaffold boards even come with a built-in anti-slip surface, while others might require the addition of non-slip mats or covers to help ensure safety during use.

Other Notes on Scaffold Boards

How many scaffold planks do I need for my project? To determine the number of scaffold planks you will need for your project, you should consider the:

1. width of the scaffolding frame, and
2. the length of the platform.

Also, another question you may have is “how can I recognize board wear?” If you are using older scaffold planks, you may notice some wear and tear. Some signs that it’s time to invest in new scaffold boards include the presence of: end splits, warping of the board, narrow face splits, face breaks, saw kerfs (or saw cuts), decaying of the wood, and drilled holes or dents in the surface of the wood. Read more here for understanding board wear and how to prevent it.

Our Products

You will find that scaffold planks are available online in a number of different load limits. At Badger Ladder, we make the process of choosing your scaffold board a straightforward one! In fact, we provide two different types of quality scaffold planks to make it simple, each with different lengths and weight capacities. This includes our aluminum with plywood top scaffold plank and also our all-aluminum scaffold plank.

Choosing the Right Scaffold Boards FAQs

What are scaffold boards made from?

When choosing scaffold boards, you’ll find that they’re typically made from two main materials: timber and metal. Timber is a traditional choice and offers a natural grip, especially in damp or wet conditions. It provides a warm and non-conductive surface, making it comfortable for workers in various weather conditions. On the other hand, metal scaffold boards, typically made of steel or aluminum, offer enhanced durability and resistance to wear and tear. Metal boards are often chosen for projects where longevity and low maintenance are prioritized, although they can become slippery when wet.

How thick are scaffold boards?

The thickness of scaffold boards can vary based on their intended use, material, and manufacturing standards. While there are thicker options available for specific heavy-duty applications, the standard for many boards is around 38mm. Metal scaffold boards can also vary in thickness, but they are often designed to provide equivalent strength and load-bearing capacity as their timber counterparts.

What wood are scaffold boards made from?

Timber scaffold boards are predominantly made from softwood species due to their flexibility, affordability, and availability. The most commonly used woods for scaffold boards include spruce pine. These woods are chosen for their strength, durability, and resistance to environmental factors when appropriately treated. To enhance their lifespan and ensure safety, these wooden scaffold boards are often treated against fungal decay, insect attack, and other potential damages.

Where to buy scaffold boards?

Scaffold boards can be purchased from a variety of sources. Specialized construction supply stores often carry both timber and metal scaffold boards. Many larger home improvement stores or builders’ merchants will also stock them. Additionally, for those looking for bulk orders or specific types, manufacturers and wholesalers can be a good option. It’s always essential to ensure that any supplier meets both safety and quality standards. Purchasing from a reputable dealer like Badger Ladder guarantees that the boards adhere to the necessary standards, ensuring safety and reliability for your construction project.

Guide to Scaffold Boards: In Conclusion

Ultimately, choosing the right scaffold board for your building project is critical for the safety of your workers and the overall efficiency of your project. Before purchasing your scaffold planks or beginning any work, always consider the size and load limits of the planks. And, of course, always be sure you are purchasing from a company who sells products in compliance with OSHA standards.

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