Scaffolding Design Requirements

[tft2001]

Project in NYS with an interior scaffolding system that will be utilized for large vehicle maintenance activities. This system will be mobile with select portions that are non-mobile.

This is not a temporary structure. Any thoughts/direction regarding:

1. Seismic design requirements.
2. Scaffolding design manuals/resources.

Thanks,
Tom

 

[BAretired]

1. As it is a permanent structure, I would think the local building code seismic provisions would govern.

2. One resource would be OSHA fall protection provisions for workers using the scaffold.

BA

 

[tft2001]

Thanks. I was planning on checking into both of those responses anyway. To make things even more interesting is that the mobile portion is on rails recessed within the floor slab...kind of makes it difficult to control movement and implement seismic design criteria short of tethering, etc.

 

[csd72]

due to the long term movement and vibration, i would not think that traditional scaffolding would be appropriate.

 

[tft2001]

Exactly. This system will be fully welded tube/angle members and from a visual standpoint looks like a scaffolding system. This is a rather unique structure which is the concern with addressing the necessary code requirements. Another thought was to contact the main NYS Building Code office for review and commenting.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

We make these kinds of structures out of regular scaffolding materials all the time assuming you do not have any very heavy load requirements.

Check "OSHA 1926.450 Subpart L - Scaffolds" and of course any local codes

Seismic - structure is usually too light to be affected - but check for overturning if the scaffold is not tied off. Or move it w/o anyone on it, lock and chock the wheels and tie it off.

There are some very reputable scaffold companies out there - Brand and Safway are two that come to mind. They could help you.
Both have pretty good web sites and local support.

 

[tft2001]

Great. Thanks for all of the comments.

 

[csd72]

scaffold connections have a great deal of reliance on the tightness of the friction clamps - these are not appropriate for long term loads as they have a tendency to eventually come loose. You can provide check couplers but these would be subject to the same limitations.

 

[IFRs]

I've designed and built some possibly similar structures for working on rail cars in a very long shop. They were made from welded tube and had adjustable elevation working surfaces. We called them "adjustable work platforms", designed them for basic dead + UBC live loads, checked also the expected man and equipment loads and used the basic UBC load combinations including seismic. I also designed long rolling platforms but not for seismic since they were rolling and when they were not rolling they were mechanically tied to the structures being accessed.