Scaffold Load Class Calculator

Work out scaffold load class instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Scaffold Load Class Calculator

Scaffold load classes define a permitted uniformly distributed load per square metre of platform: 75 kg/m² for inspection access, 200 for general trades, 450 for masonry. Dividing the actual load, materials plus workers with their tools, by the bay area shows which class the scaffold must be designed and tagged to.

Formulas

Platform load

kg/m² = (material load + workers x mass per worker) / bay area

Class thresholds

75, 150, 200, 300, 450 and 600 kg/m² for classes 1 to 6

Worked example

With the default values below, Scaffold Load Class Calculator returns Distributed load on the platform of 83.33. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Platform bay areaminimum 0.1 m²: 6 m²
Materials stored on the bayminimum 0 kg: 300 kg
Workers on the bayminimum 0: 2
Mass per worker including toolsminimum 20 kg: 100 kg

Results

Distributed load on the platform: 83.33 kg/m²
Scaffold load class required: Class 2 — light duty, 150 kg/m²
Total load on the bay: 500.0 kg
Permitted load at class 3: 1,200.0 kg

Step by step

1Values used
2Platform load
3Class thresholds
4Distributed load on the platform= 83.33 kg/m²
5Scaffold load class required= Class 2 — light duty, 150 kg/m²
6Total load on the bay= 500.0 kg
7Permitted load at class 3= 1,200.0 kg

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax or compounding frequency into account.
Figures are rounded for display to 2 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
Preliminary estimate only. Scaffold design, load class and tagging must be established by a competent scaffold designer to the applicable standard.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Preliminary estimate only. Scaffold design, load class and tagging must be established by a competent scaffold designer to the applicable standard.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the Scaffold Load Class figure worked out?

kg/m² = (material load + workers x mass per worker) / bay area. Scaffold load classes define a permitted uniformly distributed load per square metre of platform: 75 kg/m² for inspection access, 200 for general trades, 450 for masonry.

Can materials be stacked on any platform?

No. The scaffold tag states the load class, and stacking bricks or blocks on a light duty platform is a common cause of scaffold collapse. Loading must match the tag.

What values do I need to enter?

This calculator takes 4 inputs: Platform bay area, Materials stored on the bay, Workers on the bay, Mass per worker including tools. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic worked example — replace them with your own site or project figures.