Basic system scaffold

Basic System Scaffold
KNOWLEDGE BASED
SOLUTIONS

PROPRIETARY SCAFFOLDING
Ring scaffold node or connection point Kwikstage scaffold node

PROPRIETARY SCAFFOLDING
Rapid scaffold node or connection point Cuplok scaffold node or connection point

Strong winds tore a sheeted scaffolding system from this building.

The Cuplok Scaffold System is a
fully galvanized multi purpose steel
scaffold for general access and
supporting vertical loads.

The principal feature of the cuplok
modular system is the unique
method of connecting ledgers &
transoms to the standard.
In one single action without the use
of any loose component such as
nuts, bolts, wedges.

INSPECTION
Before commencing the erection of any Cuplok Scaffold, great care
should be taken to see that the ground is suitable.
On soft or made-up ground the scaffold should be erected on timber sole
plates of appropriate size. Bricks or blocks should not be used.
The scaffold should be started on the highest part of the ground – this will
make levelling easier as the scaffolding progresses horizontally.
Always check whether or not an inside board platform of one, two or three
boards will be required. If so this will determine the distance of the
scaffold from the building.

SCAFFOLD STABILITY
The scaffold must be suitably tied to a sound structure, all ties must be inserted
as each required level and spacing is reached.
Attachment must be to the components specified. The scaffolder can attach, in
order of preference:
At any position along a fully fastened ledger above head level.
At any position along a fully fastened guardrail at waist level where the scaffold
extends at least one lift above the level at which the scaffolder is working.
At any position along a fully fastened ledger supporting the platform on which
the scaffolder is working (only recommended when it is not possible to attach
above head or waist level)
To transoms, in the lift above which are fixed at both ends.

NEVER CLIP TO:
• Cuplok Standards (Verticals)
• Transoms below foot level
• Ledgers or Transoms which have not been fully fastened.
• Weak anchoring points

STRENGTH
Cuplok independent tied access scaffolds built up to 2.5m bays have a
capability of 3kN (300kg) per square meter.
For other applications, such as birdcage, mobile towers and staircases the
loadings may vary, and advice should be sought from the MIM
(manufacturers instruction manual)

PLATFORM LOADINGS - WORKING LIFTS
2m lift access scaffolds: 1.5kN/m2
1.5m bricklayers scaffold
for 1 platform: 3.0kN/m2
or 2 platforms: 1 at 3.0kN/m2
& 1 at 1.5kN/m2

ASSEMBLY
Layout out the ledger and transoms for the
first bay in their approximate positions.
Then insert an adjustable base jack into
each of the first pair of standards.

ASSEMBLY CONT.…
Connect the standards with a transom in
the lowest cup joint by inserting the blades
into the cups.
Level the transom.
Always start the scaffold with a three meter
standard on the outside and a two meter
standard on the inside.
joints are staggered.

ASSEMBLY CONT.….
With one person still holding the first pair of
standards, the second person inserts a
jack into the third standard and connects it
to the first pair with a ledger.
The upper cup can then be dropped
temporarily into the locking position.
The structure is now self supporting and
the fourth standard can now be connected
by a further ledger and transom and the
bay levelled.
Once the base lift has been completely
levelled, your spirit level will no longer be
required.

USING THE OMEGA BATTEN SYSTEM
The same erection procedure is adopted for the Omega Batten System as for
the Scaffold Board System, except that the Omega top hat type transom Is
used in place of the tubular transom.
No intermediate board supports will be required.
The first bay of Cuplok is completed by locating the upper ledgers and
transoms.
It is now a simple matter to extend the scaffold structure by connecting
ledgers, transoms and standards to the existing bay.
The top fixing cups can now be secured with a hammer. The scaffold should

USING THE OMEGA BATTEN SYSTEM CONT.….
Now be secured by the ties/anchors or
equivalent methods at the earliest
opportunity

The working platform can now be constructed.
To ensure safe erection, alteration and dismantling of the scaffolding it is
important that the procedures outlined in the Guidance Note SG4:10 is
followed.
In summary, a minimum of three boards should be placed from below for
erectors and single guard rails should be installed as work progresses along
each lift (double guard rails and toe boards will be required to complete).
Scaffolders' should safely clip on to ledgers or guard rails at any height or
above, Full body harnesses should be worn and lanyards attached.

Intermediate transoms are secured at
strategic points (1.2m and 1.5m support
frequency) across the ledgers to support
38mm scaffold boards.
The scaffold boards and toe boards can
now be positioned.
Two standard ledgers can be located 0.5
and 1.0 meters above the working platform
to form the double guardrails.

Additional lifts can now be constructed
simply by adding further standards on to
the spigots of the lower lift, and connecting
them with ledgers and transoms.
When swivel face braces are used, these
are located at the cup joints and should
span from lift level to lift level (see face
bracing overleaf).

CUPLOK COMPONENTS
Standards
Cuplok Standards are made from a high
grade steel tube and are identified by a red
flash at the bottom.
Top cups have 4 lugs.
Earlier stocks were made from a different
grade steel and carry slightly less load.
For all normal access scaffold either type is
suitable.

LEDGERS/TRANSOMS
Cuplok tubular ledgers are also used for transoms or guardrails and are fully
interchangeable.
Cuplok tubular ledgers are used with standard boards.
Omega transoms are used with timber or steel battens.
Intermediate Transoms used to provide intermediate support to scaffold boards.
Also used at board ends.
They are fitted with a wedge operated lock to prevent accidental sliding in use.

BASE JACKS
Cuplok Universal jacks must always be
used in conjunction with Head/Base plates,
Sitting on scaffold board or other suitable
sole plates as in normal scaffolding
practice.
The jack must always be fitted so that the
unthreaded portion is inside the standard to
prevent the minimum overlap in the tube
being reduced.

SCAFFOLD BOARDS
All standard scaffold boards are suitable for
use with Cuplok when laid over tubular
transoms.
They safely span distances between 1.2m
and 1.5m for most types, but care must be
taken to check the embossed bands at the
end to determine the max permissible
span.
Intermediate transoms must be used to
limit the span and also to give support to
the ends.

SCAFFOLD BOARDS
Cuplok Battens, both steel and timber, are
suitable for spans up to 2.5m without
intermediate support for loadings of up to
3kN/m2.
Toe boards, Can be provided by scaffold
boards, timber or steel battens using the
appropriate clips from the Cuplok range.

The broad principles applied to tubular
scaffolding also apply to the use of
Cuplok with scaffold boards:
Provided adequate number of transoms
supporting Scaffolding Boards
SCAFFOLD BOARDS

GUARDRAILS
The standard heights for guard rails
(approx. 0.5m to 1.0m) are predetermined
by the Cuplok System.
Brick guard panels may be used with
Cuplok.
Double guard rails and toe boards must
always be provided.

SPIGOT PINS
Only required where resistance to uplift is
required and would be required when
scaffold projects above last tie, or when
using hop-up brackets, or with crane
handled assemblies.
Spigot pins should be used to lock the
standards against uplift at all joints down to
the last tied lift below the hop-ups.
On a scaffold where the brackets will be
moved, spigot pins should be used
throughout at time of erection to minimize
risk of omission during modifying of
platform levels.

CORNERS AND RETURNS
Rigid corners are formed in Cuplok by
using a 1.3m square corner bay.
For scaffolds with scaffold boards, check
the Cuplok return devices (or tube and
fittings) are used to connect the two runs at
each level.
For scaffolds fitted with battens an Omega
Return Transom is used. In both cases
attention must be given to providing proper
toe boards and this may involve cutting
boards to suit the various dimensions of
the corners.
Further information is contained in the
Cuplok Users Manual.

HOP-UP BRACKETS
The maximum permitted loading on hop-up
brackets is as follows:
1 board: 3kN/m2
2 board: 1.5kN/m2
3 board: 0.75kN/m2

DIAGONAL BRACING
Face Bracing
• One bay of bracing to the full height is required every 8 bays (20m).
• On short runs up to 4 bays (10m), one braced bay should be provided.
• Over 10m at least two bays of bracing are required.
•As only one blade can be located at each node point, parallel bracing is
used.
•Braces must go from platform level to platform level.
•Note that the bottom brace is always fitted in a 1.0 or 1.5m lift and
should be of the appropriate size.

LEDGER BRACE AND PLAN BRACING
The Cuplok node connection is extremely rigid and ledger bracing is not normally
required.
On very high scaffolds it may be specified to increase the load capacity but all
such work should be referred to an BS/EN design standard.
Plan bracing is also uncommon and should be the subject of consideration by
the design.
When the hop-up level occurs between tied levels, ledger bracing must be used
at each lift down to the next tie.

SG4:05 ‘PREVENTING FALLS IN SCAFFOLDING’
The publication of the NASC Guidance Note, “Preventing falls in Scaffolding
and False work” (SG4:05-2006), was an important move forward in preventing
falls by scaffolds.
However, the scope of the document extends to steel tube and fittings
scaffolds, and not to system scaffolds in respect of anchor points.
The document (commended by the Health and safety Executive) recommends
that one should follow the System Scaffold Manufacturers advice as to suitable
anchor points for safety harness lanyards.

FALLS FROM HEIGHT
Falls account for more than half of the fatal accidents in construction.
The aim of the Regulations is to prevent falls from any height, but
there are specific steps to be taken for work over 2-4 meters high.
Above this height, where work cannot be done safely from the ground, the first
objective is to provide physical safeguards to prevent falls.
Where possible, means of access and working places should be of sound
construction and capable of safely supporting both people and the materials
needed for the work.
Guard rails and toe boards or an equivalent standard of protection should be
provided at any edge from which people could fall.

FALLING OBJECTS
Where necessary to protect people at work and others, take steps to prevent
materials or objects from falling;
Where it is not reasonably practicable to prevent falling materials, take
precautions to prevent people from being struck, e.g. covered walkways.
Do not throw any materials or objects down from a height if they could strike
someone.
Store materials and equipment safely.

SAFETY COMPLIANCE
All Access Scaffolds must comply with the general requirements of the following:
Construction (Health, Safety & Welfare) Regulations 1996
Code of Practice BSEN12811 (new guidelines)
Code of Practice BS5973 (withdrawn June 2004)
However, Cuplok, as a proprietary system, is not based upon scaffold tube and
fittings, and certain requirements in BS5973 may not be relevant. In these cases,
if there is conflict, MIM or Cuplok user guide should be used.

Basic system scaffold

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