Notre Dame still at risk from tons of fire-damaged scaffolding

ADVERTISEMENT

Experts have said the Notre Dame cathedral is still at risk from the fire-damaged scaffolding that hangs above it.

Over 550 tons of fused and melted scaffold is currently hanging in the balance over the Paris monument’s roof that was destroyed in a huge fire six months ago.

French authorities have said that the tangled mess of scaffolding poses the biggest challenge to efforts to ensure that Notre Dame’s vaulted ceiling doesen’t collapse.

The scaffold needs to be dismantled without pieces falling into the building, says Christophe-Charles Rousselot, the head of the Notre-Dame Foundation.

ScaffMag understands that it will take several months to remove the fire-damaged scaffold. Another scaffold will be built above it, where workers will rappel down to carefully cut and remove the tubes one by one.

Image Credit: STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN/AFP/Getty Images

Boarding will also be installed above and below the vaulted ceiling for protection and to study in more detail what state it’s in.

The huge fire in April started on the roof, which was partly covered with the scaffolding as restoration work was underway.

 

 

Most popular ↑

£4.5m scaffolding framework opens for contractors in North East and Yorkshire

Beyond Housing has opened bidding for a £4.5m scaffolding framework covering planned and reactive works across Redcar and Cleveland and parts of North Yorkshire.

£260k Newcastle Cathedral scaffolding contract opens for bids

Newcastle City Council has opened a £260,000 scaffolding tender to provide specialist access for conservation repairs to Newcastle Cathedral’s historic 15th-century Lantern Tower.

Australia steps up push for scaffolding to gain skilled-trade status

Scaffolding Association Australia has taken its campaign for formal trade recognition and a structured apprenticeship pathway to federal decision-makers in Canberra.

Robot inspection removes need for scaffold access on 70m Cemex kiln

A wall-climbing robot has completed ultrasonic testing across a 70m rotary kiln at Cemex’s Rugby cement plant, removing the need for personnel to work at height and avoiding a conventional scaffold or rope-access operation.

NASC calls for HSE funding boost and national scaffolding training network

The NASC has called for increased HSE funding, a nationwide network of scaffolding training providers and stronger protections for contractors as it launches its updated 2026 manifesto.

Latest news

£500k scaffolding package opens on major North Somerset campus

A £500,000 scaffolding package is among a series of opportunities being brought to market for Epic Systems’ new European headquarters near Bristol, with local contractors being urged to register their interest.
- Advertisement -
More from

Major fire hits scaffolding yard in Mitcham

Around 125 firefighters were deployed to a major fire in Mitcham that affected a scaffolding yard, workshop and nearby property, with investigators now examining the cause of the blaze.

£260k Newcastle Cathedral scaffolding contract opens for bids

Newcastle City Council has opened a £260,000 scaffolding tender to provide specialist access for conservation repairs to Newcastle Cathedral’s historic 15th-century Lantern Tower.

NASC calls for HSE funding boost and national scaffolding training network

The NASC has called for increased HSE funding, a nationwide network of scaffolding training providers and stronger protections for contractors as it launches its updated 2026 manifesto.

£4.5m scaffolding framework opens for contractors in North East and Yorkshire

Beyond Housing has opened bidding for a £4.5m scaffolding framework covering planned and reactive works across Redcar and Cleveland and parts of North Yorkshire.
Latest articles