Short answer
Temporary works are the structures that hold a building up while permanent work is carried out — propping, needling, shoring, façade retention, excavation support, formwork and falsework. They are designed structures in their own right and carry real risk: many construction incidents occur during temporary conditions rather than in the finished building. Design covers the loads at each stage, the capacity of the props and needles, the ground or floor they bear onto, stability, and the sequence in which everything is installed and removed.
Branded guidance note, prepared for project records and circulation to your team.
Common temporary works
- Propping and needling for wall removal and beam installation
- Shoring and façade retention during major refurbishment
- Excavation support adjacent to existing foundations
- Falsework and formwork support for concrete
- Temporary stability bracing during steel erection
What a design addresses
- Loads at every construction stage, not just the final one
- Prop capacity, spacing, verticality and restraint
- The surface the props bear onto — floors are often the weak link
- Installation and removal sequence, clearly stated
How BES is typically involved
- BES prepares temporary works designs and sketches for contractors undertaking alterations and demolition.
- Sequencing is described step by step so site teams can follow it.
- Where a contractor proposes an alternative, BES reviews it.
Typical process
- 01Establish the construction sequence
- 02Assess loads at each stage
- 03Design props, needles and supports
- 04Issue drawings and sequence notes
- 05Review of installation where required
Common misconceptions
Commonly assumed
“Propping is the builder's business and needs no design.”
In practice
Temporary works are designed structures. Inadequate propping is a recognised cause of collapse.
Commonly assumed
“Acrow props can be placed anywhere.”
In practice
Props concentrate load. What they bear onto matters as much as the props themselves.
Related tools and services
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Disclaimer
Indicative result only. The calculation depends on the assumptions and information entered and does not constitute structural design or professional advice. Do not use the result for construction, procurement, Building Regulations submissions or safety-critical decisions. All results must be independently verified by a suitably qualified structural engineer before being used for design, construction or regulatory purposes. Bebbington Engineering Studio Ltd accepts no responsibility for reliance placed on unverified results.