Scaffold Shrink Wrap Materials

Considering buying scaffold shrink wrap materials and equipment for the first time? This page explores the essential materials and equipment you will need to get started providing shrink wrapped temporary weather protection that will not cause problems by blowing off from the scaffolding. This page explores what you should look out for and how to negotiate the best deal from your supplier.

Supplied as a 7m wide x 15m long roll, (105 square metres per roll), weighing around 30Kg. The shrink wrap sheeting is generally folded down on to a roll that is 1.8m long for transport. Shrink wrap for scaffolds is generally supplied in white but your supplier may be able to provide a scaffold shrink wrap in clear if you require. Although a 7 metre wide shrink wrap film has become the most common size for scaffolds, you may see a 12 metre wide scaffold shrink wrap film offered by some suppliers. Whilst a 12 metre wide shrink wrap can be useful for some applications (such as temporary roofs) the extra roll weight (nearly 55Kg) makes it more awkward to handle on site and it may not be as easy to shrink as tightly as a 7 metre wide wrap.

Flame retardant shrink wrap has become the standard for scaffold sheeting applications. Your sheeting should be accredited flame retardant to EN13501 as standard but some construction sites will require that any temporary protection materials are certified flame retardant to the more extensive LPS1207 and LPS1215 flame retardant standard. Using a shrink wrap film that is not flame retardant to the requirements laid down by a construction site might lead to the insurance cover being invalid in the event of a fire.

The most common shrink wrap roll size for wrapping scaffolds is a 7 metres wide x 15 metres long roll. Although it is quite possible to purchase shrink wrap films that open out to a 12 metre width, these rolls are not popular for scaffold wrapping because;

As standard, shrink wrap sheeting for scaffolding is flame retardant. There are two flame retardant standards which apply to scaffold shrink wrapping in the UK. The most basic is EN13501 which is the European standard and called up by building regulations. Some sites however call for the more advanced LPS certification. LPS1207 refers to scaffold sheeting and 1215 refers to internal sheeting.

Although there are specialist contractors who provide a full ‘supply and fix’ shrink wrapping service, many scaffolders and construction contractors also buy scaffold shrink wrap materials to install using their own teams.