Scaffold types
What is a independent tied scaffold?
An independent tied scaffold stands on its own two rows of standards and is tied to the building for stability, rather than taking any support from it.
Use this diagram+
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<img src="https://scaffoldoptix.co.uk/glossary/independent-tied-scaffold/diagram.svg" alt="independent tied scaffold — scaffold diagram from ScaffoldOptix" width="880" height="620" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>
<a href="https://scaffoldoptix.co.uk/glossary/independent-tied-scaffold">What is a independent tied scaffold?</a> — diagram by
<a href="https://scaffoldoptix.co.uk">ScaffoldOptix</a>
</figcaption>
</figure>This is the default scaffold in the UK. Two rows of standards, inner and outer, carrying the whole load to the ground, with ties holding the structure to the building so it cannot move away from or into the face.
Independent means the building carries none of the vertical load. Tied means it resists the horizontal. Both halves of the name matter, and a scaffold that is independent but inadequately tied is not the structure that was designed.
The contrast is a putlog scaffold, where the inner ends of the horizontal members are built into the wall and the building does carry load.
What goes wrong on site
- Treated as free-standing because it stands up on its own during erection.
- Ties omitted or removed on the assumption that the structure is independent.
- Sheeted without revisiting the tie pattern.