Assembly Instructions

ScaffoldMart.com’s Steel-Frame Scaffold Tower Erection and Assembly Instructions

If you do not require stack pins, skip steps 1 & 2.

  1. If there are no silver stack pins in your frames, locate and insert stack pins at the top of vertical tubes by compressing spring rivet tits so that pin will fit in tube.
  2. Make sure tits of spring rivets lock into position by aligning the holes in the stack pin with the holes in the vertical tubing. *Before beginning erection, an important note. During assembly, make sure that all parts are properly attached and secured by appropriate means (pigtail, span pin, tube clamp, etc.) before continuing erection.
  3. Secure footing materials (base plates, wheels or jacks) in bottom of vertical tubing of initial set at this point. For base plates and wheels (in conjunction with jacks or otherwise) this includes securing with pigtails, jacks are secured by gravity and for this stage should be set to lowest setting. *If using wheels – Make sure all locks are properly functioning and in the locked positioning before going further.
  4. To assemble initial set of frames (foundational set if assembling a multi-leveled tower) stand one frame in or near desired position.
  5. Braces attach to studs on the frames and secure by either a c-lock or gravity flip lock. C-locks work by raising lock to expose attachment stud and placing brace end over tab and allowing lock to fall back in place, securing end. Flip locks work by straightening tab to allow brace to slide on, then letting tab fall to block end of brace from disconnection.
  6. Attach one end of a cross brace at either connection point (high or low), then secure the second connection point on same end of same brace, this will allow you to securely lean frame and brace on ground if necessary (working lone) or allows second man to simply align frame with the already positioned brace ends.
  7. Secure opposite end of first cross brace to second frame, rendering what amounts to three sides of a set. A set will stand like this, but is not safe to climb on or leave idle for any period of time.
  8. Secure opposite cross brace by aligning connection points and making connections; this should be simple as connection points are already in position.
  9. When you complete this foundational set, we advise the use of a carpenter’s level to ensure that the tower is level both horizontally and vertically. Before continuing erection
  10. If you are building a tower, attach and secure all safety equipment possible during erection when attachment becomes possible.
    • If you have just assembled the first set of a 26’ tower, go ahead and attach outriggers at this point for maximum safety and security.
  11. The simplest way to erect higher levels is to assemble a platform at that level and to either pass frames and braces up or raise them with our pulley-wheel system.
  12. Assemble platforms by placing desired amount (1, 2 or 3) of walkboards next to one another by laying two hooks over one main horizontal tube and remaining two over the opposite. Secure aluminum plywood boards by sliding a nail or running wire through our “nail hole” on each hook. Secure our all aluminum model by way of wind latch at the bottom and on the end of the board.
  13. Frames will stand temporarily on their own (FOR ERECTION PURPOSES ONLY) if placed solely on stack pins protruding from the tops of the set below. This will allow erector to assemble the next set without having to balance frames. Make sure to secure frame via pigtails before continuing. At no point should anyone lean themselves or anything else on these frames during this process, as they will bear no load.
  14. Attach cross braces at connection points and continue in this manner until all levels are complete.
  15. Whenever working at height, be it during erection or otherwise, it is advisable to attach securely safety equipment and to wear an approved safety harness. To attach safety equipment:
    • If female safety poles, slide receiving end over stack pins and secure with pig tails.
    • If male safety poles, slide attachment end down into receiving vertical tube of frame, and secure with pig tails.
    • Two safety rails will be secured between each pole around the perimeter of tower, one mid-way up and one at the top. This is accomplished by use of a gravity flip lock, which will allow you to straighten to attach rail then lay perpendicular to mount so that end is secure.

If Deluxe

Deluxe safety equipment works nearly the same as the budget system, there are two receivers on the panel that secure to stack pins in the same manner a female safety pole would. 7’ safety rails are replaced by 7’ double safety rail, which is the same two rails welded together by way of two ribs for a more secure assembly – all with same attachment configuration.

Important Note

When going to height with scaffolding, it is important that the scaffold is secure during from the erection process to disassembly. This can be accomplished by use of outriggers, as described below, but also by use of tie bars and safety wires. Please make sure you are up to code based on your local regulations. It is important to note that at height one of the three is necessary.

Grouser Bars:

  • Grouser bars are used to keep a rolling towers shape, they are secured on inside of tower by attaching to one main vertical tube and its diagonal opposite.
  • Towers should utilize one grouser bar for every 15’ of tower and grouser bars should never be more than 15’ apart.
  • All rolling towers ought to have a grouser placed near the wheels at the base, as this is where the most shifts will occur. Working up, grousers should be placed so that they meet the minimum one per 15’ rule.

Outriggers:

  • Outriggers add stability to towers that would otherwise have an unsafe height to base area ratio.
  • Scaffolding tower rules vary depending on regulations for a given area. Always check with OSHA to ensure your base area to tower height ratio is met, which is accomplished by use of outriggers.
  • Outriggers should be secured at all connection points, where they connect to the frames by tube clamps, bolts should be securely tightened with proper tools.
  • Also secure whatever footing materials are used (base plates, wheels and jacks) the same as if they were a main vertical of the frame. Check to ensure the outriggers are bearing load, and not hanging freely or only resting near the ground.

Internal Stair Units:

  1. If tower includes internal stair unit, a start bar must be placed at the base of the bottom set, between bottom of frame and jacks.
  2. Start bars are placed with the extended end of the vertical tubes towards the ground, this will render the configuration such that it is as if the lower hooks are resting on the top of a lower frame.
  3. Accomplish attachment by running stem of jack up through receiver in start bar and into main vertical tube of frame. Start bar will increase slightly the height of one side of the tower. Adjust jacks to keep opposite side heights level.
  4. Internal stair units should be erected and secured at each level of a tower as the tower is built.
  5. Stair units are installed by passing the high end of the unit through the middle of the tower up over the main horizontals, allowing the low end’s hooks to be maneuvered over where they will rest on the start bar.
  6. Rest the low hooks at their position on start bar first, and then allow top hooks to lie down over high horizontal tubing of opposite frame.
  7. If available, secure our internal stair clamps with proper tools and tighten scurely.
  8. Handrails may be set in place at this point and bolts tightened securely at receivers.
  9. Place 28” wide internal stair platform at highest point and continuing to erect by carefully passing stairs up to next level and repeating the erection process with two minor differences.
    • No start bar as low hooks will now rest on the next lowest frames highest horizontal tube.
    • Hooks will be placed opposite where they will eventually be secured, because that is where platform will allow erector to work. Once hooks are laid over tubes at both high and low points, stairs can be slid into place, secured the same way by internal stair clamp, and the process repeated.
  10. When highest stair unit is secure, pass ledger bar and accompanying safety components to height. Ledger bar will be set and secured in place via tightened tube clamps just between the highest stair unit’s inner-most hook and the 28” platform, with the male attachment points protruding upwards, perpendicular to the ground.
  11. Attach female safety poles to ledger by sliding receiving end down over vertical attachment points and secure with a pigtail.
  12. Attach short safety rails horizontally parallel to the ground by connecting at attachment points on female safety poles.
  13. Check connection points and stair clamps to make sure everything is secure.

For additional information on available accessories such as end brackets, safety guard rails or panels, or DI-65 lumber please make a detailed request to your sales associate.

Pictures of parts and towers available online at www.scaffoldmart.com, someone is available to answer your questions Monday – Friday most weeks out of the year, 8 AM to 5 PM.