1. Chapter 14
Ladders

2. 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

3. 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

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

5. (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

6. 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

7. 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

8. Straight wall ladders.
14.8

9. Extension ladder terminology.
14.9

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

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

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

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

14. Ground Ladder Tips

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

16. General Inspection Guidelines
14.16

17. Extension Ladder Inspection Guidelines
14.17

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

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

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

21. 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

22. 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

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

24. (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

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

26. 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

27. Multiple ladder rescue technique.
14.27

28. 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

29. 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

30. 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

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

32. 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

33. Barrier Secure dangerous areas Provides a positive visual deterrent .
14.33

34. 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

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

36. A-frame hoist.
14.36

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

38. 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

39. 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

40. 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

41. “Climbing path” pass-through area.
14.41

42. 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

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

44. Ladders must be positioned properly and not overloaded.
14.44

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

46. 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

47. 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

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

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

50. Ladder Skills Common terminology and technique Commands Common sense
14.50

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

52. 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

53. 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.

54. 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

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

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

57. 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

58. 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

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

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

61. 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

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

63. Ladder positioning terminology.
14.63

64. Tower ladder.
14.64

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

66. 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