Temporary working platforms in building — name the system What is the term for the temporary, rigid framework with platforms that enables masons and workers to operate safely at various heights during construction?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: scaffolding

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Temporary works are vital to construction safety and productivity. Among these, scaffolding provides access and working platforms along building facades or inside structures so trades can perform masonry, plastering, painting, and installation tasks safely.



Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Requirement: safe elevated working platform with guardrails and access.
  • System must be temporary and rigid enough to support workers and materials.
  • Common temporary works terms are provided as options.


Concept / Approach:
Scaffolding is a modular, temporary structure of standards, ledgers, transoms, and decks (planks) with toe boards and guardrails. Dead and raking shores are temporary supports used to carry loads during alterations or to shore up walls; underpinning strengthens or replaces foundations. Only scaffolding satisfies the function of providing elevated working platforms.



Step-by-Step Solution:

Identify required function: working platform at height.Map to terminology: scaffolding provides platforms, access, and edge protection.Exclude shores/underpinning: those are for temporary support, not platforms.


Verification / Alternative check:
Construction safety codes specify scaffold classes (tube-and-coupler, system scaffold, suspended, mobile towers) precisely for this purpose.



Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • dead shore: vertical props for temporary support, no working platforms.
  • raking shore: inclined props bracing walls, not walkable decks.
  • underpinning: foundation strengthening, unrelated to access.
  • none of these: incorrect because scaffolding is exactly the described system.


Common Pitfalls:
Confusing shoring (support) with scaffolding (access) due to similar temporary nature on site.



Final Answer:
scaffolding

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