POWERCLAD®scaffold sheeting & fence sheeting.
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Vented scaffold sheeting technical information
INTRODUCTION
Vented scaffold sheeting provides an improved working environment and significant environmental and safety benefits.
This technical briefing is designed to increase the awareness of the relevant standards and guidelines applicable to vented scaffold sheeting. Many construction sites continue to use non-compliant materials that increase risk and compromise safety.
Powerclad® Vented Scaffold Sheeting is produced by Industrial Textiles & Plastics (ITP), which has more than 30 years’ experience in developing and manufacturing specialist protective materials for the construction industry, with particular expertise in fire retardant technology.
APPLICATION
Scaffold sheeting provides a temporary containment and weather protection enclosure system. Its usage minimises weather-induced delays to a project, enhances site safety by preventing debris and small objects from falling, and reduces the risk of people falling from scaffold platforms.
Scaffold sheeting improves the working area by containing dust and pollutants. Environmental impact is thus minimised. Vented scaffold sheeting provides an air permeable solution which reduces the excessive forces of high winds on the scaffold structure which can lead to its collapse if sheeting is not air permeable.
RISK ASSESSMENT
Prior to installation, a thorough safety review and risk assessment of the scaffold design should be undertaken to ensure that the structure will withstand the additional forces caused by installing sheeting on the scaffold.
This should include the consequences of installing sheeting close to unusual suction forces (such as motorways, bridges, tunnels and railway tracks) and the risks to surrounding buildings and areas, the public, and pedestrian and vehicular traffic in case of an accidental collapse.
Vented scaffold sheeting safety: BS 7955 Compliance for Performance and Flame Retardancy
Containment nets and sheets on construction works. Specification for performance and test methods
This is the principal British standard for scaffold sheeting. “BS 7955” must be printed on the sheeting’s packaging to confirm compliancy. Note: some products are offered as “compliant to BS 8410”; this is misleading as BS 8410 refers to a method of installation rather than a measure of performance
Vented scaffold sheeting safety: Flame Retardancy third party approvals
Warrington Certifire Certification
Warrington Certifire provides internationally recognised certification in support of fire safety and security. Certifire for manufacturers and suppliers is a scheme that assures performance, quality reliability and traceability of fire protection products and systems. The Certifire brand is recognised by many regulatory authorities worldwide as an international mark of fire safety. Certifire approved products are listed online at WarringtonCertification.com.
Note: Materials that have third party approval must display the appropriate logo (LPCB or Certifire), certificate number and compliance to BS7955 printed on the sheeting at regular intervals. If this does not appear on the sheeting, it does not have accredited third party approval, regardless of what is claimed by the manufacturer.
Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB)
LPCB offers third party approval confirming that products and services have met and will continue to meet these standards. LPCB is a registered trademark of BRE Global.
FIRE PREVENTION ON CONSTRUCTION SITES
The Joint Code of Practice, 9th edition, published October 2015 by the Construction Confederation and The Fire Protection Association, with the support of The Association of British Insurers, The Chief Fire Officers Association and the London Fire Brigade.
The scope of this Code applies to project with an original contract value of
£2.5million or above, and applies equally to smaller value contracts where these are part of a large project. A large project is one with a value of £20million and above. There may be exceptional circumstances, such as in the case of high fire risk sites, where these thresholds are reduced. In cases where the construction contract or the insurance contract does not require this Code to apply, this Code shall serve as ‘best practice’’. All parties must always check with their insurance providers on each project.
PRODUCT COMPLIANCE SUMMARY
Contract Value | £2.5million
Risk assessment shows flame retardant sheeting not required |
£2.5million | £2.5million |
---|---|---|---|
Compliant to BS 7955 | yes | yes | yes |
Flame retardancy third party approval | not applicable | yes |

Safety: Installation and Maintenance
BS 8410:2007
Code of practice for lightweight temporary cladding for weather protection and containment on construction works
BS 8410:2007 gives guidance and recommendations on the application and use of lightweight temporary cladding systems on construction and similar sites where weather protection and/or containment of dust and debris is required. Among the requirements is the specification that a minimum of one scaffold sheet fixing should be used per metre of material in any direction.
BEST PRACTICE
- Sheeting and debris netting should be installed strictly to the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
- For safety considerations, sheeting and netting should never be installed during windy conditions and whenever elastic fastening ties are used, appropriate eye protection should be worn when installing ties.
- It should be noted that where scaffold sheeting is installed on the inside of scaffolds, it is unable to detach whenever suction forces are experienced. This may put excessive forces on the scaffold structure leading to its collapse.
- In windy conditions, an inadequate number of fastening ties will inevitably result in the sheeting detaching prematurely and too many ties may put excessive forces on the scaffold structure leading to its collapse. Vented scaffold sheeting provides an air permeable solution which reduces this risk.
- In high winds, the sheeting should be regarded as sacrificial in order to maintain the integrity of the scaffold structure.
Sheeting and netting should be inspected at regular intervals (or immediately after windy conditions) to ensure that it is securely tied. Any broken ties or torn sheeting should be replaced as further damage and tearing will inevitably result if it is allowed to flap unnecessarily.
PRODUCT DATA
PRODUCT | Flame Retardant | Colour | Weight
EN 695 |
Tensile Strength BS 7955 Newtons |
Fastening Strength
BS 7955 |
Conforms to | Temperature Range
°C |
Air Permeability | Aerodynamic Coefficient
EN ISO 9237 |
Sizes
Metres |
Roll Weight
kg |
Pallet Quantity |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Powerclad FTFR Flame Retardant Filter Sheeting | BS 476 Part 12C | Blue | 140 | MD 1000 XD 1000 |
>630 | BS 7955 | -40 to +70 | 6% | 1.0 | 3.12 x 50 | 22 | 23 |
Powerclad VSFR Flame Retardant Vented Sheeting | BS 476 Part 12C | White | 100 | MD >630 XD >630 |
>500 | BS 7955 | -40 to +70 | 11% (Windbreak 89% EN ISO 9237) |
NT | 2.0 x 45 | 9.5 | 39 |
Powerclad VS Vented Sheeting | NA | White | 100 | MD >630 XD >630 |
>500 | BS 7955 | -40 to +70 | 11% (Windbreak 89% EN ISO 9237) |
NT | 2.0 x 45 | 9.5 | 39 |
Powerclad Vented Sheeting Projects
ITP supplies dual solution for historic restoration
ITP supplies dual solution for historic restoration
ITP sheeting brought on board for boat building project
ITP's high-performance keder sheeting has been used in the construction of a temporary structure to facilitate a boat building project in the heart of Whitby harbour.
Powerclad wraps complex scaffold design at Regent Street refurb
ITP’s Powerclad FR flame-retardant scaffold sheeting has been used as part of a complex scaffold solution for a refurbishment project delivering high-end office space in London’s famous Regent Street.
Powerclad facilitates the art of restoration at London gallery
ITP’s Powerclad FR flame-retardant scaffold sheeting has been used to support a refurbishment project in London, at the home of one of the UK’s leading art galleries for cutting-edge contemporary fine art.