Scaffolding
Hi everyone. Since we are approaching hurricane season, I am reaching out to see if anybody has any hurricane preparation plans with literature about scaffolding. We have a multistory scaffold around a 30 story building and want to know what is the right way to prepare whether it is dismantling all the decks or double securing the decks to the scaffold. Any help is much appreciated.
Comments (3)
I live on the shore of Lake Michigan 200 miles north of Chicago. We very very seldom have to even worry about tornadoes as the Lake moderates our air temperatures. Our oldest daughter and her family lived in Parkland, FL for a few years. We got caught once in a baby hurricane! We were thinking about Florida as a move at the time to nearer to our grandkids. The hurricane thing cured that idea! I would rather deal with 10 blizzards then one of those! So you can keep them!
Good thing a year later and Covid hit! Son in-law lost his job and they moved to Salt Lake City (his home town) by way of being here in WI for year. They LOVE Utah!
I was just teasing a bit and hope you get a serious answer.
If it is over 125 feet, that answer needs to come from the registered PE who designed the system who should inform you in combination with the manufacturer's specifications they should be working with. I would say that's the answer even if it's less than 125 feet in your situation. When you are dealing with multi-story buildings, it's just a safe bet. I would bring the stake holders together to broach the question. Even at less than 125 feet, many local jurisdictions have their requirements for safety from local fire departments to city inspectors. That's how I would start on this one. When you are dealing with this level risk because of height and potential storms, get the brain trust together. No one builds a multi-story scaffolding these days without a lengthy plan and it's associate math, specifications, etc....at least I hope not...haha. Scaffolds over 125 feet (38.0 meters) in height above their base plates must be designed by a registered professional engineer according to 29 CFR 1926.452 (6)1. Additionally, if supported scaffolds exceed fifteen meters (approximately 49 feet) in height above their base support, or if they are constructed of a tube and clamp system and exceed ten meters (approximately 33 feet) in height above their base support, they also require engineering design2. Ensuring proper engineering oversight is crucial for safety when working at significant heights on scaffolding.