Storing scaffolding correctly - keeping your material ready to use and holding its value
A scaffold only earns money when it is ready for use. Incorrect storage costs you twice: through corrosion and damaged decks - and through time wasted searching when systems are jumbled together. With a few basic rules your material retains its value for years; especially with second-hand brand scaffolding, storage determines the later resale value (keyword: rebuy).
The 6 rules for value-preserving scaffolding storage
- Plan the space: As a rule of thumb, 100 m² of scaffolding needs approx. 15 - 25 m² of storage space (stack width approx. 1 m). Frames upright in racks or lying on squared timbers - never directly on the ground.
- Keep systems separate: Layher with Layher, Plettac with Plettac - mixed stacks cost search time on every job and provoke impermissible combinations.
- Avoid corrosion: Galvanised steel copes with rain, but trapped moisture is poison: store on supports, tilt stacks slightly and ensure air circulation. Parts with white rust on fresh galvanising should be stored dry.
- Protect timber and plastic parts: Store timber scaffolding planks and toe boards dry and ventilated, protect plastic decks from permanent UV exposure - otherwise load-bearing capacity suffers.
- Organise small parts: Couplers, base jacks and bolts in mesh boxes or on pallets, labelled by system and size. Lost small parts are the most common reason for repeat purchases.
- Inspect before storing: Sort out damaged parts immediately - what the quality check for second-hand scaffolding does at purchase also applies to your own yard. When a part needs replacing, see the guide on our stock and the wear article.
Too much material in storage? CETRAC buys back inspected scaffolding - sell your scaffold with the rebuy option. And to find out how many tonnes are actually sitting in your yard, use the scaffolding weight calculator.