Hi - can anyone direct me to where I can locate guidance on depths a main contractor should provide for a sound base on a housing scaffold? On a housing job and they are skimping by putting maybe 75mm of small stone and the scaffold is sinking on this inadequate base - by putting 750mm sole boards will not help - the base needs to be deeper and more compact throughout - just need a bit of official ammo for a meeting ! Can anyone help?
Depths for prepared ground for new housing scaffold
- Thread starter shed
- Start date
HatterScaff
Well-known member
Not sure I have every noted a depth been quoted, only that it should be of sufficient depth to prevent deflection/sinkage. It will be dependent upon the soil type
If you are concerned don't base out on it, as the PC will then say you have accepted the surface as OK, and it will be a devils own job trying to get paid for putting it right.
Ask them to stone it up and roll it first, or you wont take responibility for sinkage
I was sure that going back a couple of years a site agent was quoting depths at us - I agree but the scaffold is up, seemed to be just ok when it went up but now we have had rain its sinking! I was hoping there were guidlines on actual depths that we could quote to get it corrected without it costing us - AGAIN!
HatterScaff
Well-known member
Another tip for the future Shed, in your risk assessment and method staTement, put in a note that the PC must be responsible for providing and maintaing (HEY AMIN WHERES THE SPELLCHECKER GONE?) suitable base for supporting the scaffold and subsequent imposed loads:idea:
R
ragscaff
Guest
Should state sound & level base to erect the scaffold off.
If you are not sure place a 450mm sole board down with base plate then get a 21 & bang it down if it keeps sinking don't base out!!
If you want to be picky use the heel of your boot, if it is too soft ask for chippings to be compacted on the base out area covering at least two foot past the outside standard!
Ragscaff
If you are not sure place a 450mm sole board down with base plate then get a 21 & bang it down if it keeps sinking don't base out!!
If you want to be picky use the heel of your boot, if it is too soft ask for chippings to be compacted on the base out area covering at least two foot past the outside standard!
Ragscaff
We always put something in the T's&C's of the quote along the lines of...
'Client to ensure that the pavement/base will safely support without deflection the load of our structure and any loads applied thereon'
numbnuts
Well-known member
i did some site work for one chap from isle of man,told him i wanted the ground around the houses,level,stoned up and wackered,with 8 x4 sheets ontop,he did it,was most easy base out i ever had.dint sink,everyone happy.tell them what you need.
I am sure that when basing out on unstable ground you have to use a base/sole board across both inside and outside standard using a normal width scaffold board to distribute the weight, on firmer ground you can use single boards. I don't think there is a "soil compaction" guide/ruling but all main contractors should provide a firm and level base for the scaffold to be sited.
You are well within your rights regardless of what the main contractor says to refuse to erect the scaffold unless you have good access and egress to the work place and you have a firm and level base.
Don't take a chance these people all expect a Rolls Royce job for bicycle money, get them to put it in writing to you that the ground's ok ,then when it sinks and you have to put it right you can charge them.
---------- Post added at 08:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:39 PM ----------
I am sure that when basing out on unstable ground you have to use a base/sole board across both inside and outside standard using a normal width scaffold board to distribute the weight, on firmer ground you can use single boards. I don't think there is a "soil compaction" guide/ruling but all main contractors should provide a firm and level base for the scaffold to be sited.
You are well within your rights regardless of what the main contractor says to refuse to erect the scaffold unless you have good access and egress to the work place and you have a firm and level base.
Don't take a chance these people all expect a Rolls Royce job for bicycle money, get them to put it in writing to you that the ground's ok ,then when it sinks and you have to put it right you can charge them.
R
ragscaff
Guest
I've put it on the handover if I feel the ground is not quite right & reduced the loadings then if it goes wrong you can charge to put it right!