Layout and quantities
Scaffold boards per lift and in total
- where
- boards wide
- platform width (mm)
- board width (mm)
- boards along the run
- run length of the boarded lift (m)
- board length (m)
- board overlap at joints (mm)
- boards per lift
- boards in total
- number of boarded lifts
- total weight of boards (kg)
- mass of one board (kg)
Explain this equation
Counts scaffold boards for each boarded lift and for the job, and gives their total weight for loading and handling.
The platform width divided by the board width, rounded up, gives boards side by side (five 225 mm boards make the common 1125 mm platform). Along the run each board covers its length less any overlap, so dividing the run by that and rounding up gives boards per row. Multiplying gives boards per lift, then per job, then weight.
Area coverage in whole boards, counted across and along.
Sense check: a 21 m run, five boards wide with 3.9 m boards, needs 30 boards a lift; two lifts is 60 boards, about 1.2 tonnes.
Watch out: board joints need to land on transoms, so real layouts often need a few extra boards or shorter lengths.
Counts the boards needed to deck each boarded lift and for the whole job, with the weight to load and carry.
Enter your values to see the result.
Good to know
A standard timber board to BS 2482 is 225 mm wide and 38 mm thick; a 3.9 m board weighs about 20 kg and a 3.0 m board about 15 kg. Five boards (1125 mm) is a common working platform width, four boards for light access. Board ends must land on transoms with the right overhang, so match board lengths to the bay and transom layout; mixed lengths may give a better fit than this count assumes. Add toe boards separately.
Common mistake
Ordering by plan area alone. Boards come in fixed lengths and must end on a transom, so the real number is set by the bay layout and is often higher.
Limits
Straight runs, one board length throughout. Ignores inside boards, hop-ups, corners and splits for ties and standards. For planning and estimating only. This does not replace TG20:21 compliance (a TG20 compliance sheet or eGuide output) or a scaffold design by a competent person.
Sources
- Properties of scaffold (steel tube 48.3 × 4.0 mm, 4.37 kg/m; 38 mm board 225 mm wide, 6 kg/m, 25 kg/m², 1.2 m max span; coupler safe working loads)
- Speedy Hire, Timber scaffold board 3.9 m (225 × 38 mm, 20 kg, supported at 1.2 m centres)
- NASC TG20:21 Good practice guidance for tube and fitting scaffolding (Operational Guide, Design Guide, User Guide and eGuide compliance sheets)
- BS EN 12811-1:2003 Temporary works equipment. Scaffolds. Performance requirements and general design (Table 3 load classes; 5.5 side protection; Annex A cladding force coefficients)
Results are calculations from the published methods and figures shown, and depend on the data you enter. For planning and checking only. Scaffolds must be erected to NASC TG20 or a bespoke design by competent persons, and lifting operations planned under LOLER by a competent person. Never rely on these results instead of a design, a lift plan or manufacturer ratings.