Tube & Coupler

Scaffold Post Spacing

This is a bulletin to notify affected departments of a safety hazard involving tube
and coupler scaffolds constructed of locally manufactured steel tubing.

The Problem: If installed using currently allowed distances between scaffold

posts (also called standards), most locally manufactured scaffold
tubing is too weak to achieve the safety factor required by the
current GI 8.001, Safety Requirements for Scaffolding (Section
6.1.8) and Construction Safety Manual (Section II-9.4.1.1).
Bulletin
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Safety Hazard: A scaffold constructed of weaker steel tubing is more susceptible

to collapse unless the distance between scaffold posts (standards)
is reduced to compensate for the weaker tubing.

The Solution: The weaker the tubing, the closer the scaffold posts (standards)
need to be spaced to maintain Saudi Aramco’s required safety
factor. Effective immediately, use the post spacing in the table
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below when erecting new tube and coupler scaffolds. “Stronger

tubing” refers to tubing manufactured to a Saudi Aramco-
approved pipe fabrication specification: ASTM A500 (Grade B),
ASTM A53 (Grade B), or BS 1139. For identification purposes,
“stronger tubing” is embossed with the approved specification.
“Weaker tubing” isn’t embossed with a Saudi Aramco-approved
specification.

Maximum Allowable Post Spacing — Light and Medium Duty Tube & Coupler Scaffolds
Light Duty Medium Duty
120 kg/sq.m. (25 psf) 240 kg/sq.m. (50 psf)

Transverse Longitudinal Transverse Longitudinal

Safety

Post Spacing Post Spacing Post Spacing Post Spacing

(Bearer/Transom (Runner/Ledger (Bearer/Transom (Runner/Ledger
Span) Span) Span) Span)
Safet

Weaker Tubing Don’t use tubing that isn’t

Not embossed with embossed with ASTM A500 (Grade
ASTM A500 (Grade B),
1.2 m 1.8 m B), ASTM A53 (Grade B), or BS 1139
ASTM A53 (Grade B), (4.0 ft) (6.0 ft) in scaffolds intended or rated for
or BS 1139 Medium Duty or heavier loads.

Stronger Tubing
Embossed with
ASTM A500 (Grade B), 1.2 m 2.4 m 1.2 m 1.8 m
ASTM A53 (Grade B), (4.0 ft) (8.0 ft) (4.0 ft) (6.0 ft)
or BS 1139

Some variations of the above requirements are permitted. If you have questions or
need more information, please contact your Area Loss Prevention Office.

Issued by Saudi Aramco Loss Prevention Date: 02/27/01