Lift height or ledger spacing is the distance between each ledger. This measurement is taken up the face of the scaffold.

Aluminium scaffold tube shares the same outside diameter as steel tubes but are slightly thicker and much lighter. Aluminium tubes are more flexible than steel tubes are more flexible then steel tubes but not as strong, for this reason aluminium tubes should not be used with steel tubes on the same lift. However the lighter aluminium tubes can be placed on top of the steel tubes for tall scaffold structures.

The base lift (or first lift) is the first lift above ground level.

To stop a scaffold from a swaying a facade or sway brace is used. This is a tube fixed at an angle of between 35° and 55° to the face of the scaffold. The facade or sway brace must be fixed at the base and at every lift level, either to the standards or transom ends.
Facade or sway bracing should also be fitted at least every five bays along the scaffold.