Editing Scaffolding (section)

===Materials===
The basic components of scaffolding are tubes, couplers and boards.
[[File:Cincinnati-scaffolding.jpg|thumb|left|Extensive scaffolding on a building in downtown [[Cincinnati, Ohio]]. This type of scaffolding is called pipe staging.]]
[[File:CantileverScaffold.jpg|thumb|left|Assembly of bamboo scaffolding cantilevered over a Hong Kong street]]
The basic lightweight tube scaffolding that became the standard and revolutionised scaffolding, becoming the baseline for decades, was invented and marketed in the mid-1950s.  With one basic 24 pound unit a scaffold of various sizes and heights could be assembled easily by a couple of labourers without the nuts or bolts previously needed.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Nt8DAAAAMBAJ&dq=1954+Popular+Mechanics&pg=PA103 "Light Weight Scaffolding Goes Together Without Nuts or Bolts."] ''Popular Mechanics'', February 1954, p. 103.</ref>

Tubes are usually made either of [[steel]] or [[aluminium]]. [[Composite material|Composite]] scaffolding uses filament-wound tubes of [[glass fibre]] in a [[nylon]] or [[polyester]] matrix. Because of the high cost of composite tube, it is usually only used when there is a risk from overhead electric cables that cannot be isolated. Steel tubes are either 'black' or galvanised. The tubes come in a variety of lengths and a standard outside [[diameter]] of 48.3&nbsp;mm. (1.5 [[Nominal Pipe Size|NPS]] [[Pipe (material)|pipe]]). The chief difference between the two types of metal tubes is the lower weight of aluminium tubes (1.7&nbsp;kg/m as opposed to 4.4&nbsp;kg/m). Aluminium tube is more flexible and has a lower resistance to stress. Tubes are generally bought in 6.3 m lengths and can then be cut down to certain typical sizes. Most large companies will brand their tubes with their name and address in order to deter theft.

Boards provide a working surface for scaffold users. They are seasoned [[wood]] and come in three thicknesses (38&nbsp;mm (usual), 50&nbsp;mm and 63&nbsp;mm) are a standard width (225&nbsp;mm) and are a maximum of 3.9 m long. The board ends are protected either by metal plates called hoop irons or sometimes nail plates, which often have the company name stamped into them. Timber scaffold boards in the UK should comply with the requirements of BS 2482. As well as timber, steel or aluminium decking is used, as well as [[laminate]] boards. In addition to the boards for the working platform, there are sole boards which are placed beneath the scaffolding if the surface is soft or otherwise suspect, although ordinary boards can also be used. Another solution, called a scaffpad, is made from a rubber base with a base plate moulded inside; these are desirable for use on uneven ground since they adapt, whereas sole boards may split and have to be replaced.

[[File:Scaffold Pole Section.jpg|thumb|A short section of steel scaffold tube]]
Couplers are the fittings which hold the tubes together. The most common are called scaffold couplers, and there are three basic types: ''right-angle couplers'', ''putlog couplers'' and ''swivel couplers''. To join tubes end-to-end ''joint pins'' (also called spigots) or ''sleeve couplers'' are used. Only right angle couplers and swivel couplers can be used to fix tube in a 'load-bearing connection'. Single couplers are not load-bearing couplers and have no design capacity.

Other common scaffolding components include base plates, [[ladder]]s, [[rope]]s, anchor ties, reveal ties, gin wheels, sheeting, etc.
Most companies will adopt a specific colour to paint the scaffolding with, in order that quick visual identification can be made in case of theft. All components that are made from metal can be painted but items that are wooden should never be painted as this could hide defects.
Despite the metric measurements given, many scaffolders measure tubes and boards in imperial units, with tubes from 21 feet down and boards from 13&nbsp;ft down.

[[Bamboo scaffolding]] is widely used in [[Hong Kong]] and [[Macau]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Knight |first=Joshua |date=2023-09-05 |title=The Craft of Bamboo Scaffolding |url=https://altascaffolding.com.au/history-of-bamboo-scaffolding/ |access-date=2023-10-29 |website=ALTA Scaffolding |language=en-AU}}</ref> with [[nylon]] straps tied into knots as couplers.<ref name=bd-gov-hk-1>{{cite web|title=Guidelines on the Design and Construction of Bamboo Scaffolds|url=http://www.bd.gov.hk/english/documents/code/GDCBS.pdf|website=www.bd.gov.hk|publisher=Hong Kong Buildings Department|access-date=12 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150212095050/http://www.bd.gov.hk/english/documents/code/GDCBS.pdf|archive-date=2015-02-12|url-status = dead}}</ref> In India, bamboo or other wooden scaffolding is also mostly used, with poles being lashed together using ropes made from coconut hair ([[coir]]).