Where to find answers ...Part 2

[Justin T. Wittwer]

This is part 2 of I don't really know how many parts as I search to define the answers to the questions I get asked constantly. Todays topic will be manufacturer guidelines. I think this is probably the most overlooked items on the internet, in the local branch offices and on the back shelf under that book about how to sell stuff on e-bay. The manufacturers guidelines, also called Safety Rules, Technical manuals and or other literature about the specific system you are using I would be willing to be are available from a number of sources including on this site. If you move your cursor over the "main" tab above it will show a sub page of "links". There are the links to Safway's site for literature and to Harsco's site for Safety rules. You do need to make sure that you have the right guide for the product that you are using, like you can't use a Cuplok guide for Systems rules and you can't use the Systems guide for QES. If you cant figure out who the manufacturer is you can get the information from your supplier or rental house. If you really can figure it out send me a picture of it and I will help you figure it out.

Once you have your safety rules, or technical manual, in hand and if you still have questions you can usually call the manufacturer, or manufacturer representative and speak to their engineering department. They usually will answer simple questions over the phone without too much hassle, but if you ask the to design a scaffold for free, you might get some push back from them. Also remember that engineers do not generally answer vague questions with a simple yes or no. If it is a specific component, or piece question like "how much will your 5' horizontal hold at a single point mid-span" you will probably get a specific answer but if you ask something really general like " how much does an aluminum joist hold?" you will probably get some probing questions or some re-direction to another source at another level who can answer your question. Also when calling an engineer, keep in mind most of the scaffold company engineers I have ever dealt with, are extremely busy so please show them some respect and have your questions defined before calling. We build the scaffold with our arms they build them with a pencil but either way we need each other so be respectful. I speak from experience when I tell you these things as I once referred to a drawing done by great scaffold engineer as a "cartoon" Thats all for today.....Please post any replies, feedback or other general information as you see fit. Thansk for reading the blog.

Cheers,

JW