Double guard rail
A welded component that combines the top guard rail and the intermediate rail in one part, saving handling time on every bay.
Also called: twin guard rail, guard rail frame, double rail, combined handrail and mid-rail
The double guard rail combines two parts of the side protection: the top rail and the intermediate rail. Instead of hooking in two separate tubes, the scaffolder places one component. That saves movements and ensures the intermediate rail is never forgotten. On a long facade with many bays and lifts, the time saved quickly adds up.
On frame scaffolds the double guard rail also connects the frames lengthwise, just like a single guard rail. Add a toe board and the three-part side protection is complete. It is typically used on the outer face of facade scaffolds where every bay needs the same protection. Crews that erect and strike often, roofers or painting contractors moving between sites, also like it because fewer loose parts lie around and less goes missing during loading.
Design and sizes
Two parallel tubes are welded together with vertical or diagonal webs into a ladder-like frame. The spacing is chosen so that, once fitted, the upper tube ends up 1.0 m or more over the platform and the lower one halves the opening beneath. At the ends are the connections of the system, such as holes for tilting pins or sockets for wedges.
Double guard rails exist in steel and aluminium. Lengths follow the bays, often from 1.57 m to 3.07 m and in steel up to 4.14 m in some systems. Aluminium versions are considerably lighter, which you notice when passing them up several lifts.
Single or double?
Both give the same protection. The double rail is faster to fit, but heavier and bulkier to transport and stack. Single rails are more flexible because they also fit where only one rail is needed. Many contractors therefore keep both in the yard.
Fitting
Place and secure the frames or posts of the lift. Lift the double rail with both hands, top rail upwards, offer it up from the deck side and hook in one end, then the other. Close tilting pins or strike wedges at both ends and check that the rail sits snugly against the standards without twisting. Then insert the toe board. On dismantling, hand the part down in a controlled way; because of its weight, do not pull it overhead with one hand.
What to check
- Webs and welds: a cracked web turns the frame into two loose tubes. Reject it.
- Distortion: a rail that has fallen or been overloaded is often twisted. Lay it on a flat surface; it must lie flat.
- It is not a ladder, even if the webs look like rungs.
- The length must match the bay. Forced in, it strains the frames.
- On used aluminium rails, look additionally for dents in the tubes.
Used double rails are listed with the guard rails.