Scaffolding guides
Straight answers to the questions we get asked most before a scaffold goes up.
Do I need a licence for scaffolding on a pavement or road in Cornwall?
Yes, if any part of the scaffold stands on or over the public highway, including the pavement, you need a scaffold licence from Cornwall Council before it goes up. Your scaffolding contractor normally applies for it, because the licence carries conditions about how the scaffold is built, lit and protected.
How long can scaffolding stay up?
A scaffold can stay up as long as you need it, provided it is inspected at least every seven days and after bad weather. What changes is the cost: the quote covers an initial hire period, and every week after that is charged as an extension.
What is TG20:21?
TG20:21 is the scaffolding industry's guidance for building standard tube and fitting scaffolds safely without a bespoke design. If your scaffold fits inside its limits you should get a TG20:21 compliance sheet; if it does not, it needs a design with drawings and calculations.
What scaffolding do you need for solar panels?
A solar PV installation needs a scaffold with full edge protection at the eaves, a safe working platform along the length of the roof, and a way to get panels up without carrying them up a ladder. It is usually only needed for a short time, so the timing matters as much as the build.
How to choose a scaffolding contractor in Cornwall
Ask any scaffolding contractor to show you their insurance, their scaffolders' CISRS cards, and the TG20:21 compliance sheet or design they will build to. A firm that is happy to show you all three, and to hand over inspection records throughout the job, is a firm that is doing the job properly.