I. Ringlock Scaffolding for Formwork Support Structures
In formwork support systems, the height of the scaffold should generally not exceed 24 meters. If the height must exceed 24 meters, a separate special design is required.
Note: While exceeding 24 meters is generally not advised, the 48-series single upright of ringlock scaffolding can actually support up to 10 tons. Therefore, safety is not compromised for heights over 24 meters, provided a specific design is implemented.
For full-area formwork support scaffolds with a height less than 8 meters, the lift height (vertical spacing between ledgers) should not exceed 1.5 meters.
For formwork support scaffolds with a height greater than 8 meters, vertical diagonal braces must be installed across the entire elevation. The ledger spacing must not exceed 1.5 meters. Horizontal diagonal braces or coupler-style steel tube cross bracing should be installed at intervals of 4 to 6 standard lifts. Where adjacent structures exist, the scaffold should be reliably tied to them.
When the formwork support scaffold is erected as an independent tower-like structure without lateral ties, vertical diagonal braces must be installed at every lift on each face of the structure.
For long, narrow high-formwork supports, the ratio of the total scaffold height (H) to its width (B) should not exceed 3.
For high-formwork supports, the ledger spacing at the very top of the scaffold should be reduced by one ring spacing compared to the standard lift height.
The exposed length of the screw in the adjustable base must not exceed 300 mm. The bottom-most ledger, acting as the base lift, should be no more than 550 mm from the ground.
When creating a pedestrian passageway through a formwork support scaffold, if the passageway width matches the length of a single standard ledger, the first-level ledger and diagonal braces can be omitted locally. However, the uprights on both sides of the passageway must be braced with vertical diagonals. If the passageway width differs from the standard ledger length, a support beam must be installed above the passageway.
The top of any such opening must be covered with solid protective planking, and safety nets must be installed on both sides. For openings intended for vehicle traffic, safety warnings and anti-collision measures are mandatory.
II. Ringlock Scaffolding for Double-Layer Scaffolds
When using ringlock scaffolding to erect double-layer scaffolds (independent tied scaffolds), the height should not exceed 24 meters. The scaffold's geometric dimensions can be selected based on usage requirements. Common parameters are: a standard lift height of 2 meters, upright spacings (along the wall) of 1.5 meters or 1.8 meters (and not greater than 2.1 meters), and upright bay lengths (face width) of 0.9 meters or 1.2 meters.
The first lift of the scaffold must use uprights of different lengths arranged in a staggered pattern. The vertical offset between these staggered upright connections must be at least 500 mm. The bottom of all uprights must be fitted with an adjustable base.
When creating a pedestrian passageway in a double-layer scaffold, a support beam must be installed above the passageway, and additional diagonal braces must be added to the uprights on both sides. The opening must be covered with solid protective planking and have safety nets installed at the sides. Safety warnings and anti-collision measures are mandatory for vehicle access openings.
On each ledger level of a double-layer scaffold, if steel hook-on scaffold boards are not used to enhance the in-plane stiffness of the level, a horizontal diagonal brace must be installed at every 5th bay.
Tie-ins must be perpendicular to both the scaffold face and the wall. All tie-ins on the same level must be in the same plane. The maximum horizontal spacing between tie-ins should not exceed 3 bays. The distance from the tie-in to the main structure should not exceed 300 mm. Tie-ins should be located adjacent to a ringlock node where a ledger is present, and the connection point should be within 300 mm of the node. If steel couplers are used for the tie-in member, a right-angle coupler should connect it to the ringlock standard.
The working platforms on a double-layer scaffold must be fully planked. Guardrails must be installed on the outside edge. The external face of the scaffold must be fully clad with fine-mesh safety netting. Guardrails are typically installed at heights of 500 mm and 1000 mm above the platform level.
Before commencing any ringlock scaffolding work, a specific ringlock scaffolding construction method statement must be developed. This method statement must be prepared in strict accordance with the relevant ringlock scaffolding erection codes and standards. Only by being thoroughly familiar with and adhering to the key points of these standards can project safety and smooth progress be ensured. Have you now understood the structural requirements for ringlock scaffolding in these two main applications: formwork support structures and double-layer scaffolds? Compliance with ringlock scaffolding erection standards must be maintained throughout the entire construction process to ensure the safety of all scaffolding operations.
Post time: 2026-02-24 10:16:41