Chapter 14 Ladders

Introduction Ladders provide access to elevated or below-grade locations. Solid wood beams Truss-type beams High-strength aluminium New design technology continued to meet ladder needs Ladders can be used for many purposes. 14.2

Ladder Terminology A structure consisting of two long sides crossed by parallel rungs, used to climb up and down A means of ascent and descent 14.3

Parts of a Ladder Parts might have multiple names. Common terminology Glossary of ladder parts 14.4

(A) Straight ladder terminology (A) Straight ladder terminology. (B) Steel spurs on a ladder of truss construction. (C) Swivel shoes with pads and spikes. 14.5

Ladder Companies Apparatus that carry ladders, devices, tools, and personnel to upper levels Tower ladders and boom ladders Responsible for tasks associated with entry 14.6

Ground (or Portable) Ladders Complement of ground ladders Common types Straight Extension Various specialized ladders Folding Roof or hook A-frame combination ladder 14.7

Straight wall ladders. 14.8

Extension ladder terminology. 14.9

A hook ladder, with retracted hooks, being used as a straight ladder. 14.10

(A) (B) Folding ladder (also called a suitcase or attic ladder). (A) Folded. (B) Opened. 14.11

(A) (B) Combination A-frame ladder. (A) Used as a short extension ladder. (B) In the A-frame stepladder mode. 14.12

Use and Care Care must be employed to prevent damage NFPA Standard 1931 14.13

Ground Ladder Tips

Maintenance, Cleaning, and Inspection Regular intervals Certification label Ladders needing repair are removed from service Use of trained technicians 14.15

General Inspection Guidelines 14.16

Extension Ladder Inspection Guidelines 14.17

Cleaning Ladders Dirt and caustic substances Warm soapy detergent and scrub brush Manufacturer’s recommendations 14.18

Ladder Uses Primarily climbing Shoring tool Fence Hold back loose debris Chute to channel water 14.19

Ladder Uses (cont.) Access Rescue Salvage operations Stability Ventilation Bridging Elevated streams Elevated work position 14.20

Ladder Selection Once target identified Additional considerations What length of ladder is necessary? What will be done with the ladder? Will ladder be used at several locations? Is a straight or extension ladder needed? Additional considerations Ground condition Accessibility of location Available personnel 14.21

Butt Section Ground slopes Proper climbing angle is 75 degrees. Placed under the target Butt should be carried in the direction of the target. 14.22

Fly Section Tip of fly dictates how ladder will be used. Placement of tip will be important. Windows Roof level Fire escapes 14.23

(A) (B) (A) Ladder placed with the tip below the windowsill. (B) Ladder placed with the tip at the top of the windowsill to either side. 14.24

Special Uses Can be used as tools or as portable stairs Ladder integrity not compromised 14.25

Removal of Numerous Victims Method Raise ladder Ascend and secure victim Descend escorting victim For several victims, use two or more ladders. One “supply” ladder can service many escape ladders. 14.26

Multiple ladder rescue technique. 14.27

Chute with a Tarp Prevent water damage Ladder with salvage cover, plastic sheet, or tarp can be used as a makeshift chute to direct water out a window. 14.28

Over a Fence Two short ladders tied together in an A-frame can be used to climb over fences. There are times a fence cannot be cut. 14.29

Elevated Hose Streams Locations that could not be approached conventionally Basic safety practices Firefighter and hose secured to ladder Ladder must be stabilized at base or tip. 14.30

A handline can be used off a ground ladder for difficult-to-reach areas. Note the use of a ladder belt. 14.31

Portable Pool Three or four ladders can be tied together to form a crib and lined with a tarp. Filled with water Used to capture runoff 14.32

Barrier Secure dangerous areas Provides a positive visual deterrent . 14.33

Support With ropes, a ladder can be secured to substantial objects. Only as an emergency structural stabilizer Should be replaced as soon as possible with tools designed for the situation 14.34

Hoist Point A-frame hoist Pulley and rope are attached. Ladder weight limits 14.35

A-frame hoist. 14.36

Ventilation Fan Supports Short ladder spanning an opening Innovation tempered with safety 14.37

Safety Common sense Gloves Correct ladder Overhead wires must be considered “live.” When on a ladder, firefighter should keep three limbs in contact. 14.38

Overhead Obstructions Injury potential Tree limbs, structural overhangs Television and telephone wires Overhead electrical lines A ladder can make an electrical connection to ground. 14.39

Climbing Path Passageway a firefighter climbs through while ascending ladder Obstructed paths Firefighter is required to alter normal climbing angle. Squeeze through a tight space. Breathing apparatus must be considered. 14.40

“Climbing path” pass-through area. 14.41

Ground Considerations Ladder must be stable. Ground must be level. Dangerous lateral lean Uneven ground effect is magnified as the ladder increases in height. 14.42

Ladder Load Number of people permitted on ladder Load capacity Recommended maximum load label 14.43

Ladders must be positioned properly and not overloaded. 14.44

Working Off a Ladder Firefighter secured to ladder Ladder belts Safety harness Leg lock Leg lock. 14.45

Ladder Storage More than two support points Flat surface Avoid the same contact points when storing. Apparatus ladder storage Stored under cover in compartments De-icing products 14.46

Ladder Apparatus Parking Park ladder apparatus at an angle to the fire building to ensure ladder access Leave room for removal of ladders. 14.47

Ladder Painting Should never be painted as a means of maintenance Small areas should be painted. Identification Visibility Quick reference Hoist points 14.48

Certification and Testing Procedures NFPA Standard 1931 When ladder model is designed, rigid testing is needed. Ladder label 14.49

Ladder Skills Common terminology and technique Commands Common sense 14.50

Carrying Ladders Techniques used for carrying ladders: Suitcase carry Shoulder carry Flat carry Firefighter can carry a small ladder. Victims 14.51

Raising Ladders Several considerations Heel of ladder distance from building Climbing angle about 75 degrees Number of firefighters needed to raise a ladder will vary. Most situations call for two firefighters. 14.52

The working length is the distance from the ground to the point where the ladder contacts the building. The ladder is placed at a point approximately one-quarter of the working length from the building.

Rung and Beam Raises Two methods of raising a ladder: Two-person rung raise Two-person beam raise Raising an extension ladder: Fly extension raise Three-person raise Four-person ladder raise safer than three-person raise 14.54

(A) Beam raise. (B) Rung raise. 14.55

Leg Lock Secure firefighter to ladder Both hands needed Ladder belt Second alternate leg lock known as hyper-extended leg lock 14.56

Carrying Tools When carrying tools, security is sacrificed. Tools should be passed up. Tools can be hung on an upper rung and climbed to. Tools can ride up the rails of an aerial ladder. 14.57

Mounting and Dismounting Getting on and off a ladder is the most difficult action for the uninitiated. Height increases. If ladder is not secured by rope, it should be heeled. When climbing into a window from a ladder, two methods are used. Special care should be observed when mounting or dismounting ladder from ornamental works. 14.58

Roof and Ladder Deployment Raised to the eave of the roof directly Hook ladder 14.59

Hoisting Ladders by Rope Need to use ladder from elevated When lowering ladder, procedure is reversed 14.60

Types of Truck-Mounted Ladders Many types of ladder trucks are used today. Each designed to serve a particular function Aerial ladder Tower ladder Articulating boom ladder 14.61

Aerial ladder raising mechanisms as seen from under a raised bed ladder. 14.62

Ladder positioning terminology. 14.63

Tower ladder. 14.64

A snorkel basket can reach places not possible with other types of apparatus. 14.65

Lessons Learned Ladders have many applications. Different types of ladders are designed for a specific use. Ladder use is packed with additional dangers that each firefighter must respect. 14.66