BSI or 'Kitemarked' boards: These are boards that fully comply with all aspects of BS 2482:1981.  The boards can either be visually or machine or machine strength graded.  To apply the kitemark the company must be assessed by the British Standards Institution.  The end band or scaff plate (or board) must carry specific information - the license number from the BSI, with VG or MG to determine the method of grading and the maximum recommended support centre - 1.5m.

 

NASC - The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation have their own guide lines.  These are visual only grading rules designed for 1.5m support span board.

 

MSG 1.5M, MSG 1.2M and Grade 'A'. These are a combination of company and generic industry standard boards.

 

MSG 1.5: A machine graded board designed for a 1.5m support span.  The settings for this board are determined by the manufacturing company.

 

MSG 1.2: A machine graded board designed for a 1.2m support span.  The settings for this board are determined by the manufacturing company.

 

Grade 'A': A board either visually graded or machine graded to a 1.2m support span.  The grade is determined by the supplying company.  This is the most widely used board in the industry - a generic industry standard board.  However the quality of timber, quality and method of grading from supplier to supplier is wide - this can have vital health and safety implications.