Working scaffolds in accordance with DIN EN 12811‑1 serve as auxiliary equipment for reaching parts of the structure that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to access in order to perform work there. Most working scaffolds are created from prefabricated components or from tubes and couplers. Some examples are independent tied scaffolds, mobile tower scaffolds and birdcage scaffolds.

Service scaffolds in accordance with DIN 4420-1 serve to protect people from falling from great heights (scaffold edge or roof edge protection function) or protect people, machines, devices etc. in the vicinity of the construction site from falling objects (protective canopy function).

Regulatory framework

Scaffolds are temporary works equipment and therefore do not fall under the Construction Products Regulation (Regulation (EU) No 305/2011). In Germany (with the exception of Bavaria), scaffolds are considered to be structural works in accordance with the Building Codes of the federal states (Landesbauordnungen).

DIBt grants national technical approvals (abZ) for corresponding products and/or general construction technique permits (aBG) for applications where they deviate significantly from the applicable Technical Building Rules, cf. in particular MVV TB, Sections A 1.2.8 and C 2.16.15. This is the case, for instance, if design assisted by testing is used to determine characteristic values in order to come to a more economical design solution for the scaffolding systems or if tests for verification of sufficient robustness are required.