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Sole board (base support)

A timber board or pad laid under base jacks to spread the leg load over soft or uncertain ground so the scaffold cannot settle.

Also called: sole plate, base board, timber sole, load-spreading pad, ground pad

A base jack has a footprint barely larger than a beer mat, and several tonnes may stand on it. On concrete or asphalt that is no problem. On lawn, freshly backfilled ground or soaked clay the jack presses in, unevenly and often only after a few days. The scaffold leans, ties are forced, and in the worst case a leg gives way. The sole board increases the bearing area and spreads the leg load until the ground can carry it. It is not an official system component, yet it belongs on every site just like the jack itself.

When is one needed?

Many instructions give a rule of thumb: the ground is firm enough if a car can drive over it without leaving ruts. Paving, asphalt and concrete normally pass, compacted hardcore usually does too. Grass, topsoil, sand, loose gravel, flower beds and backfilled trenches do not. Take care over basement light wells, inspection covers, thin patio slabs on grit and voids under paving.

Types of support

  • Timber boards: the classic. A strong board runs lengthwise under several jacks, or across under the inner and outer leg of one frame; for a 1.09 m bricklaying scaffold the cross board must be correspondingly longer than for a 0.73 m one.
  • Single pads: timber, plastic or steel plates under each leg. Plastic pads are light, do not rot and stack well.
  • Bearers and sleepers: for heavier loads or to span uneven spots.
  • Wedges: create a level seat for the jack on sloping ground.

Unsuitable are loose bricks, hollow blocks, paving stones, roof tiles and pallets. They crack, tip or give way without warning.

Laying them out

Clear turf, leaves and loose stones so the support beds down fully. Lay out the soles on the bay grid, starting at the highest point, and check that none rocks. On slopes, secure them against sliding with wedges, stop battens or pegs; steeper ground needs a separate check of the load path. Stand the base jack in the middle of the board, never at its edge, or the board will tip under load.

Inspection and typical errors

Foundations are part of every statutory inspection, such as the inspection before first use and at least every 7 days under the UK Work at Height Regulations 2005. Recheck the feet after heavy rain, frost or thaw. Downpipes discharging into the soil next to the scaffold soften the ground, so lead the water away. Split, rotten or decayed boards no longer carry; discarded deck boards are fine as soles only if they are still solid. When you plan a package with the scaffolding calculator, allow one sole or pad per leg wherever the ground is soft. More in our guide to scaffolding inspection.

Frequently asked questions

Can a scaffold stand directly on grass?
No. Grass and topsoil give way under load, so every base jack needs a sole board there, for example a strong timber board or a load-spreading pad.
May I put bricks under a base jack?
No. Loose bricks, hollow blocks or roof tiles can break or tip. Use timber boards, bearers or purpose-made pads.
How can I tell whether the ground is firm enough?
A common rule of thumb: if a car can drive over it without leaving ruts, it is usually firm enough. When in doubt, always use a sole board.

Looking for scaffolding or formwork? Our team advises you free of charge and sends you a quotation including freight to your site.

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