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32 Barry’s Advanced Construction of Buildings
Photograph 2.9 Through tie. Scaffold penetrates the window and is braced against the
inner wall.
Birdcage scaffolding
Birdcage scaffolds provide a stage with a large surface area, usually providing access to the
whole ceiling area. The birdcage scaffold, with its large working platform, is suited to highlevel
work on ornate or complex ceiling structures, intricate decorative finishes to ceilings
and restoration works. Birdcages stand on the floor without being tied to walls and are
therefore considered to be a type of independent scaffold system.
The scaffold comprises rows of standards placed at regular intervals in a grid formation
connected by ledgers. The ledgers and braces run in both directions connecting and linking all
of the standards to form a cage-like scaffold. The decking of the platform at the top of the cage
is usually boarded out with two layers of scaffold planks. Each layer of planks runs at 90° to
each other. The boards are laid and trapped, ensuring that there are no loose ends or gaps that
would present a hazard. Polythene sheeting or dust mats are placed below the scaffold,
preventing dust or small objects from falling onto those working below the cage. Birdcage scaffolds
have only one working deck, which is fully boarded, and are only suitable for light work.