How high does my scaffold need to be?
The top working deck can sit about 2 m below the highest point you need to reach, because you work comfortably up to roughly 2 m above the deck. For roof work, the top deck sits just below the eaves with roof edge protection above it. Measure at the highest point of the facade, usually the gable.
Which load class do I need?
Load class 1 suits inspection only, class 2 (1.50 kN/m²) painting and repairs, and class 3 (2.00 kN/m²) render, insulation and light masonry. Heavy brickwork and natural stone need class 4 or higher; what counts is how much material lies on the deck at once.
What do width classes W06 and W09 mean?
They state how wide the usable deck must be at least: 0.6 m for W06, 0.9 m for W09. Frame scaffolds of 0.73 m system width reach W06, those of 1.09 m reach W09.
Do I need a permit for a scaffold?
On your own land, a working scaffold often needs no permit, but rules vary by country and municipality. On the pavement or road you normally need a licence from the highway authority; in the UK this is the scaffold licence from the local highway authority.
Frame or modular scaffolding: which suits me?
Frame scaffolding is ideal for straight facades with few projections: quick to erect, few component types. Modular scaffolding is more flexible around bay windows, curves, stairwells and interiors but needs more planning.
How much scaffold does a detached house need?
A house of 9 × 14 m has a perimeter of 46 m plus corners; at 7 m height that is roughly 340 m². Most two-storey houses need 200–350 m².
What gap is allowed between deck and wall?
As a rule the gap should not exceed about 300 mm. Larger gaps, for instance because of a plinth or planned insulation, need inside brackets or a guard rail on the wall side, sized for the wall as it will be once finished.
What should I check about the ground?
The ground must carry the loads from the base jacks safely. On soil, lawn or block paving, put a sole board under every jack; voids, light wells, fresh backfill and slopes need special solutions.
Can the scaffold stand on my neighbour's land?
Only with the owner's consent, best recorded in writing. England and Wales have a fallback, the Access to Neighbouring Land Act 1992, under which a court can be asked for an access order, though that is rare; in other countries a signed agreement with the neighbour is the usual basis.
Can I erect a scaffold on my own house?
In many countries a homeowner may erect a scaffold on their own property, but then carries the responsibility for a safe structure built to the instructions. Without experience, involve a competent person at least for planning and checking.
How long does erection take on a house?
A practised crew of three often scaffolds a simple detached house in one working day. First-timers should allow two to three days, depending on weather and facade.
How many people are needed to erect a scaffold?
At least two, preferably three: one passes material from the ground, one receives it on the lift and one fits it. A facade scaffold cannot be erected safely by one person.
How often must the scaffold be tied?
The tie pattern is in the manufacturer's instructions and depends on system, height, cladding and exposure. Netting and sheeting need a closer pattern, and ties go in lift by lift as the scaffold rises.
What is advance guard rail protection?
With an advance guard rail, the guard rail for the next lift is fitted from the protected lift below. The scaffolder only steps onto the new lift once a rail is already there; many systems have dedicated components for this.
May I mix parts from different scaffold systems?
Only where the instructions or a separate verification permit it. Parts that look alike can differ in wall thickness, material or connection dimensions, so stay with one system if in doubt.
How far may a base jack be extended?
The permitted extension is stated in the instructions and depends on the jack type. Where more height has to be taken up, for example on a slope, use compensation frames or a stepped base.
In what order is a scaffold dismantled?
In reverse order of erection, lift by lift from the top down. Ties are removed only once the lifts above them have been dismantled, and material is passed down or lowered, never thrown.
What does complete side protection consist of?
A top guard rail at about 1 m, an intermediate rail and a toe board, fitted on the outside and the ends of every working lift. Exact heights depend on the standard and national rules; where the wall gap is too wide, protection is also needed on the inside.
Who has to inspect the scaffold?
A competent person inspects the scaffold after erection and before use, and again at the intervals and after the events your national rules set. Every contractor whose people use the scaffold should also check that it suits their work.
What belongs on the scaffold tag?
Usually the erecting company, load class, width class, inspection date and any restrictions. A tag hangs at every access point, and an incomplete scaffold is marked as not to be used.
At what wind speed must work on the scaffold stop?
There is no single universal limit; the site risk assessment and the instructions decide. In practice, work stops in strong, gusty wind and immediately when a thunderstorm approaches.
Do I need a harness on the scaffold?
On a scaffold with complete side protection, normal work needs no personal fall protection. It may be needed during erection without advance guard rails or for work beyond the scaffold, and users must be trained.
Does debris netting replace guard rails?
No. Nets and sheeting hold back dust, splashes and small parts but do not stop a person falling. Full side protection is always required.
May I store material on the scaffold?
Yes, within the load class and without blocking the walkway. Heavy loads such as pallets of blocks go only on lifts designed for them, and loose material is cleared before storms and at the end of the day.
How do I keep children and intruders off the scaffold?
Remove or lock the bottom ladder after work, close off the first lift with fencing panels and move anything climbable away. A warning sign supports these measures but does not replace them.
Must the scaffold be inspected again after a storm?
Yes. After high winds, heavy snow, impact or alterations, the scaffold is inspected before anyone uses it again.
Is buying a scaffold worth it?
Buying pays when you need scaffolding repeatedly or for a long time, for several buildings or as a business. For a single short job, hire from a local scaffolding firm can be cheaper.
What does a scaffold cost?
It depends on system, material, quantity, condition and accessories. As a rough guide for October 2026, complete used frame packages run at €30–40 per m², VAT not included. For your own building, the online calculator works out quantities and an approximate price.
What do new CETRAC systems cost?
Indicatively, new CETRAC SPEED frame scaffolding costs about €33–40 per m² and the new MODUX and MGS-A systems about €48–62 per m², all plus VAT (October 2026).
Which new scaffolding does CETRAC offer?
SPEED frame scaffolding can be ordered and has German approval (DIBt). The modular MODUX and the MGS system are available from 2027; the approval procedure has not yet been completed.
How do I pay CETRAC?
Payment is made before loading. The accepted methods and further details are on the delivery and payment page.
Does CETRAC sell new and used scaffolding?
Yes, both, and it also buys used scaffolding. Hire is not part of the offer.
Can I extend a scaffold package later?
Yes, if you stay within the same system: add frames, decks, guard rails and ties as needed. Note the system name from the start and buy marked parts of that system.
Can I exchange my frame scaffolding for a new system?
Yes, for MGS-A. Each frame handed in counts against one standard and each guard rail against one guard rail, while two diagonals or two toe boards earn one; the first 25 companies swap every part one for one and pay only for extra components.
Are scaffold purchases tax-deductible?
That depends on your country, your business and the project. Ask your accountant; rules differ widely and change over time.
Does CETRAC buy my used scaffolding?
Yes. A rough estimate of what you have is enough; the price per piece is fixed before collection, and you are paid for what actually goes onto the truck. Complete businesses can be taken over as well.
What is the Rebuy scheme?
A buy-back commitment for CETRAC customers: within five years of purchase, technically faultless material from CETRAC goes back at list price less 15 %.
What should I look for in used scaffolding?
Check every part for deformation, cracks, corrosion and a legible manufacturer stamp. The material should be system-pure, belonging to one system with valid approval and instructions.
How does CETRAC check used scaffolding?
Every used part is checked on five points: valid approval, a stamp you can read, no deformation, no harmful corrosion and a single system. The quality page explains the details.
Why does the stamp on scaffold parts matter?
It shows the manufacturer and often the year of manufacture and links the part to an approved system. Without legible marking, nobody can show that the part matches the system's approval and instructions.
Is white rust on galvanised parts dangerous?
White rust forms when freshly galvanised parts are stored damp and poorly ventilated. It is usually cosmetic; red rust, by contrast, shows that the zinc layer has been breached and calls for a closer look.
How old may used scaffolding be?
There is no fixed age limit. Condition, marking and membership of a system with valid documentation decide, and a well-kept older scaffold can be better than a younger one that was mistreated.
Can I straighten bent scaffold parts?
No. Bent load-bearing parts are replaced, not straightened, because straightening can cause hidden material damage. This applies especially to frames, braces, ledgers and decks.
Are used timber boards still usable?
Yes, if they were stored dry and show no splits, rot, severe warping or damaged end bands. Timber ages faster than steel or aluminium, so inspect it carefully and discard doubtful boards.
Used or new: which makes more sense?
Inspected used material costs less and is perfectly adequate for most work. New material offers uniform condition and a full service life from day one; many businesses combine both.
How heavy is a scaffold for a house?
It depends on area, system and material; steel is considerably heavier than aluminium. A complete house package quickly reaches several tonnes.
Which vehicle do I need?
A car trailer is rarely enough for a complete facade scaffold, which usually needs a truck. Small quantities can go on a trailer if payload and gross weight limits are respected.
How do I secure scaffold parts on the vehicle?
Load parts in stillages or bundles and strap them against movement forwards, backwards and sideways. Long parts may only overhang as far as road rules allow and must be marked; small parts go in boxes.
Does CETRAC deliver?
Yes, or you collect. Orders leave Leipzig ex works; lorries serve European sites, and overseas buyers receive sea containers (20 ft or 40 ft) shipped from a European port.
What about VAT on international orders?
Business buyers elsewhere in the EU pay no German VAT if they provide a valid VAT ID. For non-EU destinations the invoice is also free of German VAT, and import charges are paid locally.
Can scaffolding be stored outdoors?
Steel and aluminium parts tolerate outdoor storage on bearers, with water able to drain and air reaching the material. Timber boards, nets and small parts belong under cover.
Should I clean scaffolding before storing it?
Yes. Remove mortar and render while still soft, because crusts hide damage and make the next erection harder. Let the material dry before stacking it tightly.
When is a mobile tower the better choice?
When the work position changes often and the ground is level and firm, such as in halls, on ceilings or on short sections of facade. For long facades over several storeys, a facade scaffold is usually safer and more economical.
How high may a mobile tower be?
EN 1004 covers mobile towers up to 12 m platform height indoors and 8 m outdoors. The permitted height and ballast for a particular tower are stated in its instructions.
May I move a mobile tower with people on it?
No. Everyone gets off and loose material is cleared before the tower is moved slowly on level ground; then the castors are locked again.
What are outriggers and ballast for?
Outriggers widen the base of the tower and ballast lowers its centre of gravity. Both prevent overturning when someone leans out or the wind picks up; the instructions set number and position.
May I use a ladder on a tower platform to gain height?
No. Ladders, boxes or other aids on the platform are not permitted because they raise the centre of gravity and bypass the guard rails. If more height is needed, the tower is extended as the instructions allow.
Does a mobile tower need inspecting?
Yes. After each erection it is checked for completeness and correct assembly, and before each use castors, outriggers, decks and guard rails get a quick check.