Temporary Works
What are temporary works?
Temporary works are structures required to enable construction of a project but are then removed at the end of the construction period. This covers:
Temporary structures which are needed to give stability or support to the permanent structure during construction until the permanent structure can support itself. (Falsework and formwork for concrete and arch centering, facade retention, needling, propping, bracing to provide temporary torsional rigidity and so on)
Temporary structures needed to construct the works but do not support the permanent works. (Hoardings, excavation support, cofferdams, foundations and support platforms for heavy plant, haul roads, temporary road restraint systems.)
Temporary stresses within, and temporary stability states of the permanent works, stresses locked into the permanent works because of the construction method or sequence.
Parts of the permanent works that are used for temporary purposes. (Steel/concrete composite structures often using the permanent steel as a part of the falsework)
Handling and transport of elements constructed off-site.
The majority of the expertise in temporary works engineering in the UK lies within technical groupings, which are found in well-established client bodies, Principal Contractors’ engineering teams, specialist suppliers’ design teams (in particular suppliers of plant and equipment, excavation and demolition specialists and structural frame construction companies) and a range of small, specialist consultants.
BS5975 and the control of temporary works
BS5975 is the “Code of practice for temporary works procedures and the permissible stress design of falsework”. It applies to all aspects of temporary works within the UK construction industry. The procedures in BS5975 are based on the recommendations of the Bragg Report (1974) and the requirements of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. The current version of BS5975 was published in June 2019. BS5975 is considered by the HSE to be the standard against which the execution of temporary works should be measured.
BS5975 makes specific reference to the procedures of Clients, Designers (Principal Designers, Permanent Works Designers and Temporary Works Designers), Contractors (Principal Contractors, Contractors and Sub-contractors), Suppliers and Manufacturers of temporary works equipment
To BS5975, every organisation involved in temporary works (including Clients and Permanent Works Designers) should have a Designated Individual responsible for ensuring that (briefly):
PAS 8811 Temporary works – Major infrastructure client procedures – Code of practice, was drafted for HS2 by a BSI steering group with input from Temporary Works Forum. This PAS complements, and was intended to be used in conjunction with, BS 5975.
Other procedures exist for the control of design that can be applied to the design and checking of temporary works (Highways England CG300; Network Rail NR/L2/CIV/003). However, these do not cover the procedural management of temporary works and are not a substitute for the application of BS5975
Temporary Works Forum
The Temporary Works Forum (TWf) aims to encourage open discussion of any matter related to temporary works. The TWf is a not for profit company established for the benefit of the construction industry. The forum is subscription-based and open to any organisation within the industry - large or small - sharing this intent; whether client, permanent works designer, principal contractor, temporary works designer, proprietary equipment supplier, specialist, industry body or academia. The TWf welcomes engagement with client organisations, permanent works designers, operators, and maintainers.
The TWf's primary objectives with respect to temporary works are to:
To assist Clients, Architects and Permanent Works Designers the TWf has published a guidance document on constructability and suggestions on formal constructability reviews. This can be found at: TWf constructability
Temporary works are structures required to enable construction of a project but are then removed at the end of the construction period. This covers:
Temporary structures which are needed to give stability or support to the permanent structure during construction until the permanent structure can support itself. (Falsework and formwork for concrete and arch centering, facade retention, needling, propping, bracing to provide temporary torsional rigidity and so on)
Temporary structures needed to construct the works but do not support the permanent works. (Hoardings, excavation support, cofferdams, foundations and support platforms for heavy plant, haul roads, temporary road restraint systems.)
Temporary stresses within, and temporary stability states of the permanent works, stresses locked into the permanent works because of the construction method or sequence.
Parts of the permanent works that are used for temporary purposes. (Steel/concrete composite structures often using the permanent steel as a part of the falsework)
Handling and transport of elements constructed off-site.
The majority of the expertise in temporary works engineering in the UK lies within technical groupings, which are found in well-established client bodies, Principal Contractors’ engineering teams, specialist suppliers’ design teams (in particular suppliers of plant and equipment, excavation and demolition specialists and structural frame construction companies) and a range of small, specialist consultants.
BS5975 and the control of temporary works
BS5975 is the “Code of practice for temporary works procedures and the permissible stress design of falsework”. It applies to all aspects of temporary works within the UK construction industry. The procedures in BS5975 are based on the recommendations of the Bragg Report (1974) and the requirements of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. The current version of BS5975 was published in June 2019. BS5975 is considered by the HSE to be the standard against which the execution of temporary works should be measured.
BS5975 makes specific reference to the procedures of Clients, Designers (Principal Designers, Permanent Works Designers and Temporary Works Designers), Contractors (Principal Contractors, Contractors and Sub-contractors), Suppliers and Manufacturers of temporary works equipment
To BS5975, every organisation involved in temporary works (including Clients and Permanent Works Designers) should have a Designated Individual responsible for ensuring that (briefly):
- the organization has a procedure for the control of temporary works it is involved with and
- there are sufficient competent resources to carry out the work
- implementing the Temporary Works Procedure
- establishing a Temporary Works Register
- preparing the Temporary Works Brief
- obtaining a certified design for the Temporary Works (including all drawings, method statements and risk assessments necessary)
- obtaining a certified check for the Temporary Works design
- ensuring that the Temporary Works is constructed in accordance with the checked design
- inspecting the Temporary Works before bringing into operation
- inspecting the Temporary Works before taking out of operation
PAS 8811 Temporary works – Major infrastructure client procedures – Code of practice, was drafted for HS2 by a BSI steering group with input from Temporary Works Forum. This PAS complements, and was intended to be used in conjunction with, BS 5975.
Other procedures exist for the control of design that can be applied to the design and checking of temporary works (Highways England CG300; Network Rail NR/L2/CIV/003). However, these do not cover the procedural management of temporary works and are not a substitute for the application of BS5975
Temporary Works Forum
The Temporary Works Forum (TWf) aims to encourage open discussion of any matter related to temporary works. The TWf is a not for profit company established for the benefit of the construction industry. The forum is subscription-based and open to any organisation within the industry - large or small - sharing this intent; whether client, permanent works designer, principal contractor, temporary works designer, proprietary equipment supplier, specialist, industry body or academia. The TWf welcomes engagement with client organisations, permanent works designers, operators, and maintainers.
The TWf's primary objectives with respect to temporary works are to:
- Give authoritative guidance and when required professional leadership to the industry;
- Consider aspects of permanent works and interfaces between permanent works and temporary works as are relevant;
- Consider both current practice and likely development;
- Be aware of trends and innovations in design, construction and use.
- Consider whether risk exists or might arise in the future and, if believed so, to give warning to relevant bodies.
- Consider whether further research and development appears desirable.
- Encourage others to avoid duplicating work in hand elsewhere.
- Keep a watching brief on international issues.
To assist Clients, Architects and Permanent Works Designers the TWf has published a guidance document on constructability and suggestions on formal constructability reviews. This can be found at: TWf constructability
| twf_report_following_national_highways_pdwg_meeting_on_thursday_9_may_2024.pdf |
| tw21.043_twf_guidance_with_links_15.3.21.pdf |
| twf_pdwg_25.3.21.pdf |
| mgf_presentation_17.09.20.pptx |
| constructability_jt_model__2_.pdf |
| tw20.026_twf_wg25_constructability_workshop_presentation_short.pdf |
| 6.3_twf_wg25_constructability_update_for_pdwg.pptx |
| twf_presentation.pdf |
| 3.1_temporary_works_flyer.pdf |
| 3._temp_works_-_principal_designers_presentation_-_version_for_issue.pptx |