Running lights across scaffolding

[impish15]

Hi,

I have run some outside lighting for a customer in Hi-tuff cable. He now wants 2 additional lights run across scaffolding which has been put up.

Slightly hesitant running the cable across the scaffolding using the Hi-tuff as I feel it can easily get damaged with the other trades using the scaffolding. Plus he wants the light attached to the scaffold board which I’m alittle hesitate to do also as I feel the boards can easily be moved.

Maybe I am overthinking this. Any advice welcome please.

Many thanks in advance

 

[nicebutdim]

Generally with temporary site lighting we'd run it in SWA and fix lights to the structure, not scaffolding. Certainly there's potential for damage on scaffold and high potential for it to become a trip hazard as scaffolding is moved as work progresses.

Often some sections of cabling won't be recoverable and this is a cost contractors need to accept. It seems as though this may be why they want you to run it on scaffolding.

I'm not certain if any regulation secifically prohibits cable runs on scaffolding, but there are a number of issues pertaining to the practicaltity of doing so - especially in tuff sheath cable.

 

[impish15]

Generally with temporary site lighting we'd run it in SWA and fix lights to the structure, not scaffolding. Certainly there's potential for damage on scaffold and high potential for it to become a trip hazard as scaffolding is moved as work progresses.

Often some sections of cabling won't be recoverable and this is a cost contractors need to accept. It seems as though this may be why they want you to run it on scaffolding.

I'm not certain that if any regulation secifically prohibits cable runs on scaffolding, but there are a number of issues pertaining to the practicaltity of doing so - especially in tuff sheath cable.

Many thanks for responding. Something just didn’t sit right with me regarding the way the client wants it instead. I’ll go back to him with other preferred options

 

[nicebutdim]

Many thanks for responding. Something just didn’t sit right with me regarding the way the client wants it instead. I’ll go back to him with other preferred options

I've only posted my thoughts, but I'm sure others will be along with detail on what is (and more importantly, isn't) acceptable.

 

[westward10]

You need to speak to the company who erected the scaffold. It is highly unlikely they would approve this.

 

[newfutile]

I have always wondered if there Is a need to consider scaffold an extraneous conductive part once lighting and security devices get Installed on it

 

[SJD]

I have always wondered if there Is a need to consider scaffold an extraneous conductive part once lighting and security devices get Installed on it

To add to this, I'm not that familiar with scaffold installation, but have the vague idea the vertical poles are perhaps stood on some kind of timber boards. However, should one pole end up poking in the ground (intentionally or accidentally) then I'd wonder if the scaffolding installation might well need bonding?

 

[Mikegh]

Presumably as said above the installer won't allow it for insurance reasons anyhow

 

[snowhead]

I'm pretty sure any lighting on the scaffold would have to be 110v.

I had my house fully scaffolded before Xmas and in the VERY comprehensive contract I signed there was no mention of not having lighting or other electrical power on it.
All the vertical tubes stood on wood blocks (old scaffold board pieces)

 

[Mikegh]

Would be 110v cte for sure but there's also the trip hazard as previously mentioned
Wouldn't that be more of a concern than the electrics

 

[R-fur]

A Woman was killed in Glasgow a few years ago, a street lighting cable got pinched in scaffolding that was erected on a footpath.

 

[R-fur]

Woman and dogs killed by electric shock​

12th January 1994
HERALD AND TIMES ARCHIVE
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A WOMAN and her three dogs were killed yesterday when they were
electrocuted while she attempting to release the dogs from scaffolding
which came in contact with a live source.
An off-duty nurse tried to resuscitate Janice Clelland as she lay on
the ground outside the tenement building in Glasgow's West End.
However, Ms Clelland, 35, of Thornwood Avenue, Glasgow, died shortly
after arriving at Western Infirmary.
An investigation was immediately launched by officials of the Health
and Safety Executive, ScottishPower, and the police to determine what
caused the scaffolding, which had been erected outside a three-storey
building at 602 Dumbarton Road, Partick, to become live.
Chief Inspector Tom Lundie said last night they were making inquiries
about the source of the power. He said the scaffolding had been erected
earlier in the day to allow workmen to repair guttering.
''It is understood they had finished the work and left the scene when

this tragedy occurred,'' he said.
''This street is always very busy with shoppers and pedestrians and
this tragedy could have been much worse.''
It is believed Ms Clelland tied the two alsatians and a mongrel to the
scaffolding shortly before 2.40pm to allow her to go into several of the
local shops.
Eyewitnesses said that within a couple of minutes the
animals started barking and appeared to be fighting among themselves.
Hearing the noise, Ms Clelland left the shops and attempted to release
their metal leads.
She received an electric shock which sent her sprawling to the ground.
Several passers-by came to her aid while the emergency services were
called.
Local shopworker John Malone, 32, said: ''I heard the dogs barking but
didn't really pay much attention to it. They then seemed to start
fighting and the lassie went out to stop them.
''Seconds later she was lying on the ground, screaming in agony. There
was total confusion and people didn't seem to know what was going on.
''People continued to walk under the scaffolding while this was all
happening, totally unaware that it had a live current going through
it,'' Mr Malone added.
''Fortunately the police arrived on the scene very quickly and sorted
things out before there was another tragic accident.''
Engineers from ScottishPower took more than an hour to locate and
neutralise the power source. It is understood that the building belongs
to the Meadowside and Thornwood Housing Association.



HERALD AND TIMES ARCHIVE

 

[MDJ]

Hi,

I have run some outside lighting for a customer in Hi-tuff cable. He now wants 2 additional lights run across scaffolding which has been put up.

Slightly hesitant running the cable across the scaffolding using the Hi-tuff as I feel it can easily get damaged with the other trades using the scaffolding. Plus he wants the light attached to the scaffold board which I’m alittle hesitate to do also as I feel the boards can easily be moved.

Maybe I am overthinking this. Any advice welcome please.

Many thanks in advance

I suggest you leave well alone and get a competent electrician to look at it for you, I feel with great respect to you, your out of your depth and I don't believe you should be involved with this potential can of worms

 

[impish15]

I suggest you leave well alone and get a competent electrician to look at it for you, I feel with great respect to you, your out of your depth and I don't believe you should be involved with this potential can of worms

Yes agreed this is definitely out of my comfort zone and it was from the start. Connecting the lights on to scaffold just had me on edge.

So the update I discussed it with him yesterday already and we agreed the additional lights won’t be going up on the scaffold. I’ll just add additional lights further along the side of the property (i.e on to brick wall) not on the scaffold and if he wants it on the scaffold later he’ll have to speak with someone else on this as I don’t feel comfortable