Galvanized Steel Ringlock Scaffolding System: Specifications, Parameters, and Applications

Introduction to Galvanized Steel Ringlock Scaffolding System

The Galvanized Steel Ringlock Scaffolding System is a high-performance, modular scaffolding solution designed for versatility, safety, and efficiency in construction, industrial, and infrastructure projects. Characterized by its unique rosette connection system, this scaffolding type allows for rapid assembly, exceptional load-bearing capacity, and adaptability to complex structural geometries. Constructed from high-strength steel and treated with hot-dip galvanization, the system offers superior corrosion resistance, ensuring durability and a long service life even in harsh environmental conditions. Its modular design, comprising standardized components such as standards, ledgers, diagonal braces, and planks, simplifies assembly and disassembly, reducing labor costs and enhancing worksite productivity.

The Ringlock system is widely adopted in applications ranging from residential and commercial construction to heavy-duty industrial projects, including bridge construction, oil refineries, and shipbuilding. Its ability to support high loads—up to 75 lbs per square foot—and its compliance with international standards like EN 12810, EN 12811, and ANSI/SSFI SC100-5/05 make it a trusted choice for projects requiring safety and reliability. This comprehensive document explores the system’s specifications, detailed parameters, components, applications, safety features, and comparisons with other scaffolding systems, providing engineers, contractors, and project managers with critical insights for effective implementation.

Overview of the Ringlock Scaffolding System

The Ringlock Scaffolding System is a modular, multi-directional scaffolding solution that uses a rosette-based connection mechanism. The core component, the standard (or vertical), features rosettes welded at 500 mm intervals, each with eight punched holes (four small and four large) to accommodate up to eight connections for ledgers, diagonal braces, and other components. This design enables angular flexibility, allowing the system to adapt to circular, curved, rectangular, or irregularly shaped structures. The system’s components are prefabricated, ensuring precise dimensions and high-strength connections that simplify assembly and enhance structural stability.

Made from high-strength steel grades such as Q235 or Q355, the system is finished with hot-dip galvanization to EN/ISO 1461 standards, providing robust corrosion protection for outdoor and marine environments. The galvanization process involves immersing steel components in a molten zinc bath at approximately 860°F (460°C), creating a durable zinc coating (typically 60-80 microns) that extends the system’s lifespan to 10-25 years, depending on environmental conditions. The modular nature of the system, combined with its lightweight yet robust components, allows for rapid erection and dismantling, making it ideal for projects with tight schedules or complex requirements.

The system’s versatility is enhanced by a wide range of accessories, including base jacks, steel planks, toe boards, ladders, and shoring heads, which enable customization for specific project needs. Its high load-bearing capacity, stability, and safety features make it suitable for applications such as high-rise construction, bridge engineering, and industrial maintenance. The system’s compliance with international safety standards ensures that it meets rigorous quality and performance requirements, providing a reliable and cost-effective solution for construction professionals worldwide.

Key Components of the Ringlock Scaffolding System

The Ringlock Scaffolding System comprises several key components, each designed to fulfill specific structural and functional roles. These components are engineered for compatibility, ensuring seamless integration and robust connections. Below is a detailed description of the primary components:

• Standards (Verticals): Vertical tubes with rosettes welded at 500 mm intervals, serving as the primary load-bearing elements. Available in lengths from 0.5 m to 3.0 m, with outer diameters of 48.3 mm (normal duty) or 60.3 mm (heavy duty).
• Ledgers (Horizontals): Horizontal members that connect standards, providing structural support and serving as guardrails or plank supports. Equipped with cast steel ledger heads and wedge pins for secure rosette connections.
• Diagonal Braces: Diagonal members that form triangular structures with standards and ledgers, enhancing stability against lateral forces. Available in various lengths to suit different bay sizes.
• Base Jacks: Adjustable bases that provide a stable foundation on uneven surfaces, with a typical adjustment range of 15-30 inches.
• Base Collars: Connection components placed between base jacks and the first standard, ensuring proper alignment and load transfer.
• Steel Planks: Perforated platforms for worker access, equipped with anti-slip surfaces and hooks for secure attachment to ledgers.
• Toe Boards: Protective barriers installed along platform edges to prevent objects from falling and enhance worker safety.
• Stair Stringers and Steps: Components for safe vertical access, featuring anti-slip treads and robust connections to ledgers.
• Truss Ledgers and Lattice Girders: Reinforced horizontal members for spanning large gaps or supporting heavy loads in shoring applications.
• Side Brackets: Extensions for widening platforms, providing additional workspace or support for cantilevered structures.

Each component is manufactured from high-strength steel (Q235 or Q355) and finished with hot-dip galvanization, ensuring durability and resistance to corrosion. The modular design allows for easy customization, enabling the system to meet diverse project requirements, from simple facades to complex industrial structures.

Detailed Specifications and Parameters

The Galvanized Steel Ringlock Scaffolding System is engineered to meet stringent international standards, ensuring safety, reliability, and performance. The following tables provide detailed specifications for key components, including dimensions, materials, and load capacities.

Standards (Verticals) Specifications

Note: Rosettes are welded at 500 mm intervals, with 8 attachment holes (4 small at 90°, 4 large in between) for multi-directional connections. Load capacities are tested per EN 12810 standards.

Ledgers (Horizontals) Specifications

Note: Ledgers feature cast steel ledger heads with wedge pins for secure rosette connections. Truss ledgers and lattice girders are designed for large spans and heavy loads.

Diagonal Braces Specifications

Note: Diagonal braces form triangular structures for enhanced stability, with lengths tailored to bay size and height requirements.

Steel Planks Specifications

Note: Planks feature perforated surfaces for anti-slip performance and welded hooks for secure attachment to ledgers.

Base Jacks and Collars Specifications

Note: Base jacks include fixed or swivel base plates for stability on uneven surfaces. Base collars ensure proper alignment with standards.

Material and Surface Treatment

The Ringlock Scaffolding System is manufactured from high-strength low-alloy steel, typically Q235 or Q355 grades, with yield strengths of 235 MPa and 355 MPa, respectively. Q355 steel is preferred for heavy-duty applications due to its higher strength and toughness. The system’s components are subjected to hot-dip galvanization, a process that applies a protective zinc coating (60-80 microns) to prevent corrosion. This treatment, conforming to EN/ISO 1461, involves immersing steel in a molten zinc bath at 860°F (460°C), ensuring long-term durability in outdoor and marine environments.

Alternative surface treatments, such as powder coating or painting, are available for aesthetic or specific environmental requirements. Powder coating involves applying a fine resin-based powder, cured at 300-450°F (150-232°C), to create a durable, colorful finish. However, hot-dip galvanization is the standard for its superior corrosion resistance, ensuring a lifespan of 10-25 years with minimal maintenance. The galvanization process is self-maintaining, reducing long-term costs compared to painted systems, which may require periodic recoating.

Welding quality is critical, with rosettes and ledger heads welded using gas-shielded arc welding to achieve an effective weld height of at least 3.5 mm, per JGJ231-2010 standards. Components undergo rigorous testing, including tensile, yield, elongation, and weld penetration tests, to ensure compliance with EN 12810 and ISO 3834 standards. Galvanization thickness is tested to verify adherence and uniformity, ensuring consistent protection across all components.

Surface treatment:Hot dipped galvanized

Dimensions: Φ60*3.25mm

Effective length: 500/ 1000/ 1500/ 2000/ 2500/ 3000 mm

 

Ringlock standard/ vertical with spigot

Material :Q355 Steel

Surface treatment:Hot dipped galvanized

Dimensions: Φ48.3*3.25mm

 

 

 

Item No.	Effective Length	Theoretic Weight
YFRS48 050	0.5 m / 1’7”	3.2 kg / 7.04 Ibs
YFRS48 100	1.0 m / 3’ 3”	5.5 kg / 12.1 lbs
YFRS48 150	1.5 m / 4’11”	7.8 kg / 17.16 lbs
YFRS48 200	2.0 m / 6′ 6″	10.1 kg / 22.22 lbs
YFRS48 250	2.5 m / 8′ 2”	12.4 kg / 27.28 lbs
YFRS48 300	3.0 m / 9′ 9”	14.6 kg /32.12lbs

 

Ringlock ledger/ horizontal

Material :Q235 Steel

Surface treatment:Hot dipped galvanized

Dimensions: Φ48.3*2.75 mm or customized by customer

Popular Sizes for European market

 

Item No.	Effective Length	Theoretic Weight
YFRL48 039	0.39 m / 1′ 3″	1.9 kg / 4.18 lbs
YFRL48 050	0.50 m / 1′ 7″	2.2 kg / 4.84 lbs
YFRL48 073	0.732 m / 2′ 5″	2.9 kg / 6.38 lbs
YFRL48 109	1.088 m / 3′ 7″	4.0 kg / 8.8 lbs
YFRL48 129	1.286 m / 4′ 3″	4.6 kg / 10.12 lbs
YFRL48 140	1.40 m /4′ 7″	5.0 kg / 11.00 lbs
YFRL48 157	1.572 m / 5′ 2″	5.5 kg / 12.10 lbs
YFRL48 207	2.072 m / 6′ 9″	7.0 kg / 15.40 lbs
YFRL48 257	2.572 m / 8′ 5″	8.5 kg / 18.70 lbs
YFRL48 307	3.07 m / 10′ 1″	10.1 kg / 22.22 lbs

 

 

Popular Sizes for South East Asia and Africa market.

Item No.	Effective Length
YFRL48 060	0.6 m / 1′ 11″
YFRL48 090	0.9 m / 2′ 11″
YFRL48 120	1.2 m / 3′ 11″
YFRL48 150	1.5 m / 4′ 11″
YFRL48 180	1.8 m / 5′ 11″
YFRL48 210	2.1 m / 6′ 6″
YFRL48 240	2.4 m / 7′ 10″

 

Popular Sizes for Singapore market

 

Popular Sizes for Singapore market

Item No.	Effective Length
YFRL48 061	0.61 m / 2′
YFRL48 091	0.914 m / 3′
YFRL48 121	1.219 m / 4′
YFRL48 152	1.524 m / 5′
YFRL48 182	1.829 m / 6′
YFRL48 213	2.134 m / 7′
YFRL48 243	2.438 m / 8′
YFRL48 304	3.048 m / 10′

 

 

Ringlock diagonal brace / Bay braces

Material : Q195 Steel / Surface treatment:Hot dipped galvanized

Dimensions: Φ48.3*2.75  or customized by customer

Item No.	Bay length	Bay width	Theoretic Weight
YFDB48 060	0.6 m	1.5 m	3.92 kg
YFDB48 090	0.9 m	1.5 m	4.1 kg
YFDB48 120	1.2 m	1.5 m	4.4 kg
YFDB48 065	0.65 m / 2′ 2″	2.07 m	7.35 kg / 16.2 lbs
YFDB48 088	0.88 m / 2′ 10″	2.15 m	7.99 kg / 17.58 lbs
YFDB48 115	1.15 m / 3′ 10″	2.26 m	8.53 kg / 18.79 lbs
YFDB48 157	1.57 m / 8′ 2″	2.48 m	9.25 kg /20.35 lbs

 

 

Double / Truss / bridge /Reinforce ledger

Material :Q235 Steel / Surface treatment:Hot dipped galvanized

Dimensions: Φ48.3*2.75 mm or customized by customer

Item No.	Length	weight
YFTL48 157	1.57 m / 5’2 ”	10.1 kg / 22.26 lbs
YFTL48 213	2.13 m / 7’	16.1 kg / 35.43 lbs
YFTL48 305	2.13 m /10’	24 kg / 52.79 lbs

 

 

Intermediate Transom

Q235 Hot dip galvanized 48.3*3 mm

Item No.	Length	weight
YFIT48 115	1.15 m / 3’10 ”	5.36 kg / 11.78 lbs
YFIT48 213	2.13 m / 7’	8.91 kg / 19.6 lbs
YFIT48 305	3.05 m / 10’	12.2 kg / 26.85 lbs

 

Trussed Beam/ Lattice Girder

Q235 Hot dip galvanized 48.3*3 mm

Item No.	Length	weight
YFTB48 517	5.17 m / 17’	70.47 kg / 115.03 lbs
YFTB48 614	6.14 m / 20’2”	82.63 kg / 181.79 lbs
YFTB48 771	7.71 m / 25’3’	103.76 kg / 228.26 lbs

 

 

Side bracket / board bracket

Finshed : Hot dipped galvanized

Dimension: 48.3*3 mm

Material:Q235

Item No.	Length	weight
YFSB48 065	0.65 m / 2’2 ”	6.61 kg / 14.54 lbs
YFSB48 088	0.88 m / 2’10 ”	8.62 kg / 18.96 lbs

 

 

Base collar

Surface treatment : Hot dipped galvanized

Item No.	Dimension	Length
YFBC48 024	Q235,φ48.3*3mm	0.24 m / 9.4 ”
YFBC48 030	Q235,φ48.3*3mm	0.30 m / 11.8 ”
YFBC48 028	Q345,φ57*3.5 mm	0.28 m / 11 ”
YFBC48 037	Q345,φ70*3.5mm	0.37 m / 14.57 ”

 

 

Ringlock accessories

 

Applications of Galvanized Steel Ringlock Scaffolding

The Galvanized Steel Ringlock Scaffolding System is highly versatile, supporting a wide range of applications across multiple industries. Its modular design, high load capacity, and adaptability make it suitable for complex and demanding projects. Key applications include:

• Construction: Used in residential, commercial, and high-rise building projects for facade access, formwork support, and shoring. The system’s ability to handle loads up to 75 lbs/ft² supports multiple workers and heavy equipment.
• Bridge and Tunnel Engineering: Ideal for large-span structures and cantilevered configurations, providing stable support for concrete pouring and formwork in viaducts and tunnels.
• Industrial Maintenance: Employed in oil refineries, power plants, and chemical plants for maintenance access, leveraging its corrosion resistance in harsh environments.
• Shipbuilding and Offshore: Used in shipyards and offshore platforms, where galvanization ensures durability against seawater corrosion.
• Event and Staging: Supports temporary structures like concert stages, grandstands, and exhibition stands, with quick assembly and aesthetic appeal.
• Infrastructure Projects: Applied in water towers, chimneys, and storage facilities, where its high load capacity and flexibility accommodate complex geometries.
• Interior and Exterior Decoration: Facilitates safe access for painting, cladding, and finishing work in residential and commercial buildings.

The system’s ability to form circular, curved, or straight configurations makes it ideal for projects with irregular shapes, such as curved facades or rounded storage tanks. Its compliance with safety standards like OSHA and EN 12810 ensures reliability in high-risk applications, while its modular design reduces material waste and labor costs, enhancing project efficiency.

Safety Features and Standards Compliance

Safety is a cornerstone of the Ringlock Scaffolding System, with features designed to minimize risks and ensure worker protection. The system’s interlocking rosette connections eliminate loose bolts or clips, reducing the risk of dislodgement and ensuring a wobble-free structure. Integral guardrails and toe boards provide fall protection, while anti-slip steel planks with perforated surfaces prevent slipping, even in wet or icy conditions. Diagonal braces enhance stability against lateral forces, ensuring structural integrity under heavy loads or environmental stresses like wind.

The system complies with international safety standards, including:

• • EN 12810/12811: European standards for prefabricated scaffolding systems, ensuring load capacity and structural stability.
  • ANSI/SSFI SC100-5/05: American standards for scaffolding safety and performance.
  • AS/NZS 1576: Australian/New Zealand standards for scaffolding design and testing.
  • JGJ231-2010: Chinese technical specification for socket-type ringlock scaffolding, detailing welding and quality requirements.
  • ISO 3834: Quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic materials.
  • EN/ISO 1461: Standards for hot-dip galvanization, ensuring corrosion resistance.

Components undergo rigorous testing, including load capacity tests (up to 4 times the recommended load per OSHA), weld penetration tests, and galvanization thickness tests. Third-party inspections by organizations like SGS or BV are available to verify compliance. The system’s design allows for easy inspection of connections, ensuring all ledgers, braces, and joints are securely locked before use. Workers must use personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow manufacturer guidelines for erection and dismantling to maintain safety.

Comparison with Other Scaffolding Systems

The Ringlock Scaffolding System offers distinct advantages over other modular systems like Cuplock and Kwikstage, as well as traditional tube-and-clamp scaffolding. The table below compares key features:

Ringlock’s rosette connection allows for greater angular flexibility and faster assembly compared to Cuplock and Kwikstage, making it ideal for complex geometries. Its higher load capacity and standardized components reduce material usage compared to tube-and-clamp systems, which are labor-intensive and less adaptable. While Cuplock is quick to install, it lacks the multi-directional flexibility of Ringlock, and Kwikstage is less versatile for irregular structures. Ringlock’s hot-dip galvanization ensures superior corrosion resistance, making it the preferred choice for long-term, high-risk projects.

Manufacturing and Quality Control

The manufacturing process for the Ringlock Scaffolding System involves precision engineering to ensure component compatibility and structural integrity. Standards and ledgers are made from high-strength steel tubes (Q235 or Q355), cut to precise lengths and welded with rosettes or ledger heads using gas-shielded arc welding. The welding process adheres to ISO 3834 standards, with a minimum weld height of 3.5 mm to ensure strong connections. Rosettes are stamped or forged from steel plates (minimum thickness 8 mm for cast steel, 10 mm for stamped steel), with dimensional tolerances of ±0.5 mm.

Quality control includes multiple testing stages:

• • • Material Testing: Tensile, yield, and elongation tests for steel tubes to verify Q235/Q355 properties.
    • Weld Testing: Penetration and shear strength tests for rosettes, ledger heads, and wedge pins.
    • Load Testing: Tower load tests per EN 12810 to verify safe working loads and ultimate loads.
    • Galvanization Testing: Adherence and thickness tests (60-80 microns) per EN/ISO 1461.

Components are inspected by in-house quality control teams and third-party agencies (e.g., SGS, BV) to ensure compliance with international standards. Packaging in steel stillages, timber racks, or wooden crates facilitates safe transportation and storage, minimizing damage during shipping. The system’s modular design and standardized components reduce the risk of manufacturing defects, ensuring consistent performance across projects.

Assembly and Installation Process

The Ringlock Scaffolding System is designed for rapid and straightforward assembly, minimizing labor costs and construction time. The process involves the following steps:

• • 1. Site Preparation: Ensure a level foundation or use base jacks to adjust for uneven surfaces.
    2. Base Installation: Place base jacks and base collars to establish a stable foundation.
    3. Standard Erection: Install vertical standards with rosettes, connecting them with spigots (bolted or crimped) for stacking.
    4. Ledger and Brace Installation: Attach ledgers and diagonal braces to rosettes using wedge pins, securing with a hammer for a firm connection.
    5. Platform Installation: Fix steel planks to ledgers, ensuring anti-slip surfaces and wind-latches are engaged.
    6. Safety Features: Install guardrails and toe boards to provide fall protection.
    7. Access Installation: Add stair stringers and steps for safe vertical access.
    8. Inspection: Verify all connections are secure and conduct a final safety check before use.

The system’s wedge-pin connections require only a hammer, eliminating the need for specialized tools or ratchets, unlike traditional tube-and-clamp systems. The rosette’s eight-hole design allows for multi-directional configurations, enabling rapid adaptation to complex structures. Assembly by trained personnel is recommended to ensure compliance with safety guidelines, such as those outlined by OSHA and EN 12810.

Advantages of Galvanized Steel Ringlock Scaffolding

The Ringlock Scaffolding System offers numerous advantages, making it a preferred choice for modern construction projects:

• • • High Load Capacity: Supports up to 75 lbs/ft², allowing multiple workers and heavy equipment on platforms.
    • Angular Flexibility: Rosette connections enable configurations at various angles, ideal for complex geometries.
    • Rapid Assembly: Wedge-pin connections and prefabricated components reduce erection and dismantling time.
    • Corrosion Resistance: Hot-dip galvanization ensures durability in harsh environments, with a lifespan of 10-25 years.
    • Safety: Integral guardrails, toe boards, and anti-slip planks minimize accident risks.
    • Cost Efficiency: Reusable components and minimal maintenance reduce long-term costs.
    • Versatility: Suitable for construction, industrial, infrastructure, and event applications.

These advantages make the system a cost-effective and reliable solution for projects requiring safety, efficiency, and adaptability.

Recent Developments and Innovations

Recent advancements in Ringlock Scaffolding Systems have focused on enhancing performance and safety. Research from 2024 highlights improvements in galvanization techniques, achieving uniform zinc coatings of up to 80 microns, extending component lifespan by 10-15%. Innovations in lightweight Q355 steel alloys have reduced component weight by 5-10% without compromising strength, improving transport and assembly efficiency. Advanced welding technologies, such as automated gas-shielded arc welding, have increased weld consistency, reducing defects by 20%.

Digital tools, such as 3D modeling software, allow contractors to visualize and optimize scaffolding configurations before erection, reducing material waste and improving safety. Some manufacturers offer aluminum Ringlock components for specific applications, providing further weight reduction while maintaining load capacity. Anti-slip coatings and perforated plank designs have improved worker safety, particularly in wet or icy conditions. These developments ensure that the Ringlock system remains at the forefront of scaffolding technology, meeting the evolving needs of modern construction.

Conclusion

The Galvanized Steel Ringlock Scaffolding System is a state-of-the-art solution for construction, industrial, and infrastructure projects, offering unmatched versatility, safety, and efficiency. Its modular design, high-strength steel construction, and hot-dip galvanization ensure durability, corrosion resistance, and a long service life. With a load capacity of up to 75 lbs/ft², rapid assembly, and compliance with international standards like EN 12810 and ANSI/SSFI SC100-5/05, the system meets the demands of complex and high-risk applications, from bridge construction to industrial maintenance. Its multi-directional rosette connections, standardized components, and extensive accessory range enable customization for diverse project requirements, while safety features like guardrails and anti-slip planks prioritize worker protection. Ongoing innovations in materials, manufacturing, and design continue to enhance the system’s performance, making it a cost-effective and reliable choice for construction professionals worldwide.