max span for plank to walk on

[Don777]

Hi All

Have done alot of searching, but cann't seam to find
anything about, size / span for a working plank ie for building/ painting /access etc, as I need to get onto the patio roof,
Polycab sheet over oregon (mainly 6"x2") to do do some painting on the windows.
I had an idea to mount a treated pine plank above the roof
say 190 x 35 would this span 2.4 metres with me standing on it
( me = 90kg )
giving perminant access to windows for cleaning ( the other half ), painting and pruning the trees.

Cheers
Don

[Tools]

A proper scaffold plank can only span a max of 2m, so a bit of everyday treated pine should not be used to span 2.4m

Tools

[Jacksin]

I'm only guessing here, but would an aluminium plank span longer?

[Make it work]

Don, why not test it for yourself, set it up 6 inches from the ground at what ever spacing you think will hold up. Hop on and jump up and down in the centre. If it works there it will work higher up.

[pawnhead]

A 190 x 35 , over 2.4 metres, with 90kg dumped in the middle, would be a pretty bouncy ride I'd reckon. Mind you, I've ridden worse, and it adds a bit of excitement to your life.

It just depends how game you are. (but I'd get the apprentice to stand under you, so you'll have a nice soft landing if something goes awry )

[Don777]

I will see if i can kept the span down to under 2m and go up to 190 x 45
i might be alright ??, the reason for treated pine is I want to paint it and bolt it down so it is sitting 50mm above the ploycarb roof, allowing permiment access.

I might go and buy one 2m length of 190 x 45 and support at each end 50mm off the ground and jump up and down and see what happens

Cheers Don

[Pusser]

if you are going to make it permanent why not put a stiffener underneath so it is a T shape with a very short upright Would stiffen and strengthen it.
Pusser

[MrFixIt]

Hi

I will see if i can kept the span down to under 2m and go up to 190 x 45
i might be alright ??, the reason for treated pine is I want to paint it and bolt it down so it is sitting 50mm above the ploycarb roof, allowing permiment access.

I might go and buy one 2m length of 190 x 45 and support at each end 50mm off the ground and jump up and down and see what happens

Cheers Don

Use Jarrah and you won't have any problems

[pawnhead]

If they're polycarb sheets, then you don't want to look at a plank over them do you?
I'd just glue a bit of carpet on one side of a 190x35, and drop it over the batten screws each time you wanted to go up there. You'd need good balance because it may rock a bit so take a broom to steady you.
Or put two lengths of 90x35, with carpet attached, over adjacent battens, and use a few 190x35 cross members on top of them, across the gap. You'd have a reasonable working scaffold then.
A sheet of ply on top would make it even safer, but that's a bit to lug up there if you're just cleaning windows.

[Don777]

Thanks All

I think i will go with Pusser Idea of a "T" beam

Cheers ( with a glass of Red )

Don