1. Chapter 14 Ladders

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

3. Ladder Terminology Defined as: –“A structure consisting of two long sides crossed by parallel rungs, used to climb up and down” –“A means of ascent and descent” Many different types of ladders 14.3

4. Parts of a Ladder Many parts to a ladder Different parts of the ladder might have multiple names Common terminology usage will reduce miscommunication Glossary of ladder parts on page 417 14.4

5. 14.5 Figure 14-1 (A) Straight ladder terminology. (B) Steel spurs on a ladder of truss construction. (C) Swivel shoes with pads and spikes. (A) (B) (C)

6. Ladder Companies Apparatus that carry ladders, devices, tools, and personnel to upper levels Tower ladders and boom ladders are included in this category Ladder companies are also responsible for tasks associated with entry 14.6

7. Grounded (or Portable) Ladders Complement of ground ladders, sometimes called portable ladders Common types: –Straight –Extension –Various specialized ladders 14.7

8. Straight Ladder Also referred to as wall ladder Fixed length ladder Found in lengths between 12 and 20 feet Generally light Departments without ladder companies carry ladders on pumping engines 14.8

9. 14.9 Figure 14-2 Straight wall ladders.

10. Extension Ladder Consists of two or more ladders Bed ladder acts as a nest Fly ladder is movable and slides in channels Halyard – rope used to extend ladder Each section locked into place 14.10

11. 14.11 Figure 14-4 Extension ladder terminology.

12. Roof or Hook Ladder A straight wall ladder with set of retractable hooks at the tip end Used on a sloped roof Can be used as a standard straight wall ladder Not designed to be used as a hanging ladder 14.12

13. 14.13 Figure 14-6 A hook ladder, with retracted hooks, being used as a straight ladder.

14. Folding Ladder Known by many names Available in lengths from 8 to 16 feet Provide access to attic spaces Very portable Used to remove occupants from elevator car 14.14

15. 14.15 Figure 14-7 Folding ladder (also called a suitcase or attic ladder). (A) Folded. (B) Opened. (A) (B)

16. A-Frame Combination Ladder Combination ladder used in various configurations Acts as a mini-extension ladder When fully articulated and extended, can be a full fixed straight ladder Can become a step ladder Used in tight places 14.16

17. 14.17 Figure 14-8 Combination A-frame ladder. (A) Used as a short extension ladder. (B) Being converted from an extension ladder to an A-frame stepladder. (A)(B)

18. Figure 14-8 (cont’d.) Combination A-frame ladder. (C) In the A-frame stepladder mode. (C) 14.18

19. Use and Care Care must be employed to prevent ladder damage NFPA Standard 1932 covers use, maintenance, and service testing of ground ladders 14.19

20. 14.20 Table 14-1 Ground Ladder Tips

21. Maintenance, Cleaning, and Inspection Ladders should be inspected at regular intervals Certification label must be affixed Ladders needing repair are removed from service Work beyond general maintenance performed by trained technicians 14.21

22. 14.22 Table 14-2 General Inspection Guidelines

23. 14.23 Table 14-3 Extension Ladder Inspection Guidelines

24. Cleaning Ladders Dirt and caustic substances act as an abrasive Warm soapy detergent and scrub brush will remove most dirt Manufacturer’s recommendations should be consulted 14.24

25. Ladder Uses Primarily used for climbing Used for many purposes: –Shoring tool –Fence –Hold back loose debris –Chute to channel water 14.25

26. Access Most obvious use Provides a path otherwise inaccessible Can be used to descend into an opening 14.26

27. Rescue Extracting a victim Use of ladders that is employed least often 14.27

28. Salvage Operations Used as a tool to support salvage covers Protect hoselines from falling glass 14.28

29. Stability Hook or roof ladder Provides footing for firefighters on sloped roofs 14.29

30. Ventilation Can take place in two ways –Firefighter can use ladder to remove glass with a tool from elevated position –Ladder itself can be used as the tool Safety must be paramount 14.30

31. Bridging Ladder can be an effective bridge between two points Supports weight over a weakened floor Bedded extension ladder is safest 14.31

32. Elevated Streams Ground ladders are still an option to provide water from an exterior location Used when no other approach to fire is available 14.32

33. Elevated Work Position Serve as exterior work platform Need to remove something or check for heat during overhauling 14.33

34. Ladder Selection Once target is identified, ask these questions: –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? Some additional considerations: –Ground condition –Accessibility of location –Available personnel 14.34

35. Butt Section If ground slopes, raising a ladder might be impossible 75 degrees is the proper climbing angle Placed directly under the target Butt should be carried in the direction of the target 14.35

36. Fly Section Tip of fly dictates how ladder will be used Several specific locations where placement of tip will be important: –Windows –Roof level –Fire escapes 14.36

37. 14.37 Figure 14-9 (A) Ladder placed with the tip below the windowsill. (B) Ladder placed with the tip at the top of the windowsill to either side. (A)(B)

38. Special Uses Can be used as tools or as portable stairs Ladder integrity must not be compromised 14.38

39. Removal of Numerous Victims Method: –Raise ladder –Ascend and secure victim onto ladder –Descend escorting victim For several victims, use two or more ladders One “supply” ladder can service many escape ladders 14.39

40. 14.40 Figure 14-11 Multiple ladder rescue technique.

41. Chute with a Tarp Prevent water damage Ladder with tarp used as a makeshift chute to direct water out a window 14.41 Figure 14-12 Ladder with salvage cover, plastic sheet, or tarpaulin used as a chute to divert and discharge water.

42. 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 14.42 Figure 14-13 Ladders can be used to climb over a high fence.

43. Elevated Hose Streams Used in locations that could not be approached conventionally Basic safety practices must be employed: –Firefighter and hose must be secured to ladder –Ladder must be stabilized at base or tip 14.43

44. 14.44 Figure 14-14 A handline can be used off a ground ladder for difficult-to-reach areas. Note the use of a ladder belt.

45. 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 14.45 Figure 14-15 Ladders can be turned into an emergency water pool or collection area.

46. Barrier Tied off to secure dangerous areas Provides a positive visual deterrent as well as a physical mechanism to prevent passing 14.46 Figure 14-16 A ladder can be used as a barrier.

47. Support With ropes a ladder can secure objects as an emergency structural stabilizer Should be replaced as soon as possible with tools designed for the situation 14.47 Figure 14-17 Ladder used as a shoring tool. A ladder secured to substantial objects by ropes can assist in stabilizing a structural defect as an emergency measure.

48. Hoist Point Set of ladders tied off at tip and at base into an A-frame Pulley and rope are attached to apex Ladder weight limits should not be exceeded 14.48 Figure 14-18 A-frame hoist.

49. Ventilation Fan Supports Short ladder spanning an opening can support a ventilation fan or blower Innovation must be tempered with safety 14.49 Figure 14-19 A ladder can be used to support a fan in a doorway.

50. Safety Equated with common sense Use gloves Use correct ladder Overhead wires must be considered “live” When moving on a ladder, firefighter should keep three limbs in contact 14.50

51. Overhead Obstructions Carry injury potential: –Tree limbs, structural overhangs –Television and telephone wires –Overhead electrical lines 14.51 Figure 14-20 A ladder can make an electrical connection to ground.

52. Climbing Path Imaginary passageway a firefighter climbs through while ascending ladder Obstructed climbing paths: –Firefighter is required to alter normal climbing angle –Squeeze through a tight space Breathing apparatus must be considered when estimating space 14.52

53. 14.53 Figure 14-21 “Climbing path” pass-through area.

54. Ground Considerations Ladder must be stable, ground must be level Cannot create a dangerous lateral lean 14.54 Figure 14-22 Uneven ground effect is magnified as the ladder increases in height.

55. Ladder Load Number of people permitted on ladder at one time will vary Load capacity based on weight Recommended maximum load found on label affixed to ladder 14.55

56. 14.56 Figure 14-23 Ladders must be positioned properly and not overloaded.

57. Working Off a Ladder Firefighter secured to ladder –Ladder belts –Safety harness –Leg lock 14.57 Figure 14-25 Leg lock.

58. Ladder Storage Supported by more than two support points Should be stored on a flat surface Avoid using the same contact points when storing ladder 14.58

59. Apparatus Ladder Storage Should be stored under cover in compartments De-icing products on ladders during inclement weather 14.59

60. Ladder Apparatus Parking Place ladder apparatus at an angle to the fire building Ladders need to be easily accessible and removed 14.60 Figure 14-27 (A) It is important to leave room to remove portable ground ladders. (B) Parking apparatus can impede ladder access: parking on an angle can be a simple solution. (A) (B)

61. Ladder Painting Should never be painted as a means of maintenance Only small areas should be painted: –Identification –Visibility –Quick reference –Hoist points 14.61

62. Certification and Testing Procedures NFPA Standard 1931 outlines specific procedures for ladder testing and certification When ladder model is designed, rigid testing is needed Ladder label attests that ladder is in compliance with NFPA and OSHA guidelines 14.62

63. Ladder Skills Without common terminology and technique, the moving and positioning of ladders can be chaotic Commands should be established by local department policy Basic commands relying on common sense should be the norm 14.63

64. Carrying Ladders Several techniques used for carrying ladders: –Suitcase carry –Shoulder carry –Flat carry Single firefighter can carry a small ladder individually Many types of techniques used when dealing with a victim on a ladder 14.64

65. Raising Ladders Several considerations must be weighed: –Heel of ladder must be a calculated distance from building –Ideally, climbing angle should be about 75 degrees Number of firefighters needed to raise a ladder will vary Most situations call for two firefighters 14.65

66. 14.66 Figure 14-29 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.

67. 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 –One firefighter should never bring down a ladder 14.67

68. 14.68 Figure 14-30 (A) Beam raise. (B) Rung raise. (A) (B)

69. Leg Lock Used to secure firefighter to ladder Both hands are needed to perform a task Ladder belt is not available Second alternate leg lock known as hyper-extended leg lock 14.69

70. Carrying Tools When carrying tools, security is sacrificed Tools should be passed up to another firefighter first Tools can be hung on an upper rung and climbed to Tools can ride up the rails of an aerial ladder 14.70

71. Mounting and Dismounting Getting on and off a ladder is the most difficult action for the uninitiated –As height increases so does fear of falling –If ladder is not secured by rope, it should be heeled by another firefighter –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 14.71

72. Roof and Ladder Deployment Raised to the eave of the roof directly under desired access point Hook ladder is raised alongside pre- positioned ladder using beam-raise method 14.72

73. Hoisting Ladders by Rope Need to use ladder from elevated location might arise –Hoisting ladder by rope When lowering ladder, procedure is reversed 14.73

74. Types of Truck-Mounted Ladders Many types of ladder trucks are used today Each designed to serve a particular function 14.74

75. Aerial Ladder Apparatus-mounted ladder capable of reaching heights of 100 feet Various sections slide out from one another to produce greater reach Ladder’s reach achieved through use of cables and pulleys 14.75

76. 14.76 Figure 14-38 Aerial ladder raising mechanisms as seen from under a raised bed ladder.

77. 14.77 Figure 14-39 Ladder positioning terminology.

78. Tower Ladder Standard piece of equipment in moderate to large departments Telescopic boom with mounted basket Affords people who suffer from a fear of heights Takes slightly longer to place into operation 14.78

79. 14.79 Figure 14-41 Tower ladder.

80. Articulating Boom Ladder Also called snorkel ladder Among the first designs for elevated platform use Uses several articulating booms Can also be used as an elevated water application platform or observation point 14.80

81. 14.81 Figure 14-42 A snorkel basket can reach places not possible with other types of apparatus.

82. 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 14.82