Do we always need a scaffold designer when using shrink wrap?

If the wrap will be exposed to wind – especially on tall façades, roofs or coastal/urban sites – you should treat it as part of the temporary works design. That usually means involving a scaffold designer to consider extra bracing, tie patterns and load paths under BS EN 1991-1-4 wind actions, not just hanging wrap on a standard frame.

How do we choose the right shrink-wrap thickness and FR grade?

Start with the exposure, programme length and fire requirements. More exposed, long-programme façades typically warrant thicker, higher-tension films and a defined FR classification, while short-term, sheltered screens may allow lighter grades. Always match film choice to the project’s fire strategy and keep the spec and certificates on file.

How should we manage repairs after storms?

Start with a visual inspection of all elevations, edges and openings. Small tears can often be repaired with heat-welded patches; larger failures may require cutting out and re-wrapping a bay. If you see bent standards, loose ties or deformation, stop and get the scaffold designer involved before rewrapping – the frame may have taken more load than expected.

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Technical Insights

Practical insights for safer, smarter shrink-wrap installations.

We break down the technical details behind scaffold encapsulation, modular protection and shrink-wrap performance – from film grades and FR classifications to wind loads, weld layouts and QA checks. Use these articles to brief scaffold designers, installers and project teams so wrapped structures stay safe, tidy and on-programme in real UK conditions.

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Technical quick guide to scaffold shrink-wrap installation

Start with design, not just film.

Treat wrap as part of the scaffold design, not decoration. Confirm wind exposure using BS EN 1991-1-4 categories (open, coastal, town centre, etc.) and consult a scaffold designer on extra bracing before choosing any film grade.

Control openings and penetrations.

Doors, hatchways and tie-ins are common failure points. Use reinforced doorways, double-welded patches around ties and pre-planned access points instead of cutting ad-hoc holes once the wrap is up.

Specify the right FR film grade.

Match thickness and flame performance to the job – for example façade works that need FR classification vs simple dust screens in sheltered areas. Keep data sheets and certificates with the site paperwork.

Build in QA and inspection.

Photograph welds, corners and doorways at handover. Log film batch numbers, installer names and date of installation. After severe weather, carry out visual checks and log any repairs.

Plan weld layout and battening.

Aim for a continuous envelope with perimeter battens and vertical welds at sensible centres (often ≤ 2.0 m on exposed façades). Avoid long, unbroken edges at roof level where uplift and leeward suction are highest.

Train crews on shrink-wrap specifics.

Installing wrap is not the same as hanging sheet. Dedicated shrink-wrap training improves weld quality, reduces waste and cuts re-visit costs after storms.

Technical FAQs –
design, wind loads & installation practice

FAQs

Shrink wrap doesn’t remove wind loads – they still need to be calculated and designed for. It does change how forces are transferred: instead of multiple point loads at eyelets, a drum-tight membrane spreads loads across welded battens and the scaffold frame. The result is fewer flapping panels and less progressive damage when the weather turns, provided the design and installation are done properly.