1. Fire Service Ladders
Firefighter II

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3. Fire Service Ladders Part I
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4. Ladder Components Beam Butt, heel, or base Butt spurs
Heat sensor label
Hooks
Rails
Rungs
Truss block
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5. Ladder Components (continued)
Bed/base/main section
Dogs, locks, pawls
Fly section
Footpads/shoes
Halyard
Protection plates
Pulley
Tip/top
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6. Ladder Components (continued)
Stops on the Bed and Fly Sections
of an Extension Ladder
Tie Rods on a
Wooden Ladder
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7. Ladder Types Single Ladders
Consist of one fixed length section
Identified by their overall length
6 to 32 feet
Most common lengths range from 12 to 24 feet
Also called wall ladders and straight (wall) ladders
Used for quick access to windows and roofs on one- and two-story buildings
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8. Ladder Types Single Ladders (continued)
Roof ladders
Have folding hooks that can anchor over the ridge of pitched roofs
Lie flat on the roof’s surface
Distributes the weight of the firefighter and helps prevent slipping
Can be used as single wall ladders
Range from 12 to 24 feet in length
 Folding ladders (Attic ladders)
Single ladders that are most often used to access attics
Have hinged rungs that allow the beams to rest against each other while the ladder is closed
Folding ladders range from 8 to 16 feet in length
The most common length is 10 feet
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9. Ladder Types Extension ladders
Have a bed or base section and one or more fly sections that extend the ladder’s length
Are adjustable to the length needed to access roofs and windows
Range in length from 12 to 39 feet
Pole ladders (Bangor ladders)
Have poles attached to swivels at the top of the bed section that add leverage and stability when they are being raised
Must be equipped with staypoles if 40 feet or longer (NFPA 1931)
Constructed with two to four sections
Most are 50 feet or less
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10. Ladder Types Extension ladders (continued)
Combination ladders
Are designed to be a self-supporting step ladder (A-frame), a single ladder, or an extension ladder
Range from 8 to 14 feet in length
The most popular length is 10 feet
Must be equipped with positive locking devices to secure the ladder when in the open position
Pompier ladders (scaling ladders)
Single beam ladders with rungs extending through the beam, and projecting from both sides
Have a large metal “gooseneck” that is used to hook onto window sills or other openings
Used to climb from floor to floor, through the use of exterior windows or openings
Range from 10 to 16 feet in length
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11. Ladder Types
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12. Ladder Construction Metal
Good conductor of heat, cold, and electricity
Easy to repair
May fail suddenly when exposed to heat or flame
Widest range of sizes
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13. Ladder Construction (continued)
Wood
Most expensive and heaviest
Retain strength when exposed to heat or flame
Very durable
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14. Ladder Construction (continued)
Fiberglass
Poor conductors of electricity
May suddenly crack or fail when overloaded
May burn when exposed to flame
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15. Ladder Inspection and Maintenance
NFPA 1931
Certification label applied by the manufacturer
Maintenance – “keeping in a state of usefulness or readiness”
Repair – “restore or replace what is damaged or worn out”
Ladders must be serviced and tested
Before being put in service
Annually
After exposure to high heat
After exposure to rough treatment
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16. Ladder Inspection and Maintenance (continued)
General maintenance requirements
Keep ladders free from moisture
Do not expose ladders to vehicle exhaust or engine heat
Do not store ladders where they will be exposed to the elements
Do not paint ladders, except for the top and bottom 18 inches of the beams for the purpose of identification or visibility
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17. Cleaning Ladders
Dirt and debris on ladders can cause them to malfunction
Use a soft bristle brush and running water
Tar, oil, and greasy residue should be removed with mild soap and water, or solvents that are safe for the environment
Always wipe wet ladders dry
Inspect while cleaning and follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Apply lubricants properly
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18. Inspection and Service Testing Ladders
NFPA 1932 requires ladders to be inspected monthly, and after each use
By approved testing organizations or fire service personnel
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19. Inspection and Service Testing Ladders (continued)
Inspections should include:
Verification of heat sensing labels (look for a change in color, indicating heat exposure)
Rungs for damage and wear
Rungs for tightness
Bolts and rivets for tightness
Welds for cracks and/or defects
Beams and rungs for cracks, splintering, breaks, gouges, checks, wavy conditions, or deformation
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20. Inspection and Service Testing Ladders (continued)
For wooden ladders and ladders with wooden components, look for
Ladder finishes that are chafed or scraped
Darkened varnish (indicates exposure to heat)
Dark streaks in the wood (indicates deterioration of wood)
Marred, worn, cracked, or splintered parts
Rounded or smooth shoes
Water damage
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21. Inspection and Service Testing Ladders (continued)
Roof ladders
Make sure the roof hook assemblies operate smoothly
Look for signs of rust
Deformed hooks
Parts firmly attached with no signs of being loose
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22. Inspection and Service Testing Ladders (continued)
Extension ladders
Check the following:
Pawl assemblies (hooks and fingers
should move in and out freely)
Halyard should be replaced if damaged
Halyard cables should be taut when the
ladder is bedded
Make sure the pulleys spin freely
Make sure the ladder guides are in place,
and that the ladder can move freely
Staypole toggles and the mechanism used for detachable staypoles should be checked to make sure that they move and operate freely
Remove ladders that need to be repaired and tested
Destroy ladders that cannot be repaired, or scrap them for parts
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23. NFPA Requirements
NFPA 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus, specifies the minimum length and types of ladders to be carried on pumpers/engine companies:
1 roof ladder
1 extension ladder (recommended to be 35-foot in areas where no ladder trucks are in service)
1 attic ladder
NFPA 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus, specifies that aerial ladders must carry the following:
One 10-foot or longer attic ladder
Two roof ladders that are at least 16 feet long
One combination ladder at least 14 feet long
One 24-foot or longer extension ladder
One 35-foot extension ladder
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24. Fire Service Ladders Part II
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25. Ladder Safety Choose the proper ladder for the job
Wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Use your leg muscles when lifting ladders below the waist
Do not raise ladders within 10 feet of electrical lines
Place the ladder at the proper climbing angle (75 degrees)
Do not overload the ladder (one firefighter every 10 feet, or one per section)
Tie in with a leg lock or a ladder belt when working
Use ladders for their intended purposes
Inspect ladders for damage or wear after each use
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26. Ladder Selection
Residential stories are about 10 feet with 3 feet between the floor and the window
Commercial stories are about 12 feet with 4 feet between the floor and the windowsill
The base of the ladder should be able to be placed 1/4 of the vertical distance from the ground to where the ladder comes in contact with the wall
The optimum climbing angle is about 75 degrees
Ladders should extend three to five rungs beyond the roof edge to provide safe footing and handholds to step off the ladder
The tip of the ladder should be placed even with the top of the window on the windward side (upwind), to gain access to narrow windows or to ventilate
The ladder tip should be placed just below the windowsill to facilitate rescues
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27. Proper Ladder Lifting and Lowering Methods
Have the proper number of personnel for the job
When raising a ladder bend your knees, keeping your back as straight as possible, and lift with your legs
When 2 or more firefighters are lifting, the firefighter at the butt end should give the ladder commands
When lowering a ladder use your leg muscles
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28. Ladder Carries One Firefighter Low-Shoulder Carry
Rest the ladder’s upper beam on your shoulder, while your arm goes between two rungs (Single or Roof Ladder)
Carry the butt end of the ladder in front, slightly lowered
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29. Ladder Carries (continued)
Two Firefighter Low-Shoulder Carry
Most commonly used for 24-, 28-, and 35-foot extension ladders
Allows for excellent control of the ladder
The forward firefighter (at the butt) places his or her free hand over the upper butt spur to prevent injury if there is a collision while the ladder is being carried
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30. Ladder Carries (continued)
Three Firefighter Flat-Shoulder Carry
Usually used on extension ladders up to 35 feet in length
Two firefighters on one side of the ladder (one on each end)
A single firefighter on the opposite side of the ladder in the middle
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31. Ladder Carries (continued)
Four Firefighter Flat-Shoulder Carry
The ladder is carried on the flat, as in the three firefighter flat-shoulder carry, except for the positioning
There are two firefighters on each end of the ladder, opposite each other
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32. Ladder Carries (continued)
Two Firefighter Arm’s Length On-Edge Carry
Best performed with lightweight ladders
The firefighters are positioned on the bed-section of the ladder while the ladder is in a vertical position (on-edge)
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33. Ladder Carries (continued)
Special Procedures for Carrying Roof Ladders
A firefighter may have to carry a roof ladder tip forward
Intends on climbing another ground ladder
Allows him or her to place the roof ladder, with the hooks deployed, on a sloped roof
Use the low-shoulder method with the hooks/tip forward
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34. Positioning Ground Ladders
Responsibility for positioning
Officers usually choose the general location
Personnel carrying the ladder usually decide the exact location
The firefighter at the butt end makes the decision
If there are two firefighters at the butt end, the firefighter on the right side is responsible
This procedure changes from department to department
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35. Positioning Ground Ladders (continued)
Place ladders at a minimum of two points on different sides of the building to allow for emergency egress if necessary
Take advantage of the building’s construction when placing a ladder (such as the corners)
Raise the ladder directly in front of the window if you are going to use the ladder to support a smoke ejector. Place the ladder tip on the wall directly above the window opening.
Try not to place ladders on uneven terrain
Avoid placing ladders in avenues of egress; attempt to place ladders to the side of the opening where firefighters need to gain entry, or where evacuation may occur
Avoid heat and flames whenever possible
Don’t place ladders on top of trapdoors, grates, or manholes that are located on sidewalks or streets
The desired angle of inclination is approximately 75 degrees
Proper distance between the heel of the ladder and the building can be determined by dividing the length of the ladder used by 4
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36. Positioning Ground Ladders (continued)
Don’t place a ladder where there are overhead obstructions.
Try not to place ladders over openings to avoid exposure to heat and flame.
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37. Securing the Ladder On extension ladders
Make sure the ladder locks are locked
Tie the halyard with a clove hitch and an overhand safety knot
Prevent movement of the ladder by tying the ladder in, or by heeling the ladder
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38. Heeling the Ladder Underneath the ladder method
Stand beneath the ladder with feet shoulder’s width apart, and one foot slightly in front of the other
Grasp the beams at about eye level and then pull backward, pulling the ladder against the building
Wear head and eye protection
Do not look up as someone climbs the ladder
Grasp the beams and not the rungs
Be aware of the potential for falling objects
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39. Heeling the Ladder (continued)
Outside the ladder method
Stand on the outside of the ladder and chock or secure the ladder with one foot placed against the beam at the butt, or on the bottom rung
Grasp the beams with your hands and press the ladder against the building
Stay alert for firefighters coming down the ladder
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40. Heeling the Ladder (continued)
Tying in
Tie the ladder securely to an object whenever possible, to prevent it from slipping or pulling away from the building
Use a hose, rope, tool, or strap to secure it
This frees you from having to stay with the ladder to secure it
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41. Fire Service Ladders Part III
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42. Climbing and Descending Ladders
Climb smoothly by keeping your knees bent
Keep your balanced (body perpendicular to the ground)
Keep your eyes focused forward (look at the tip of the ladder occasionally)
Keep your arms straight (horizontal) during the climb to keep your body away from the ladder and allow for freedom of movement
Keep your hands on the rungs (palms down with thumbs under the rung)
Grasp alternate rungs while climbing
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43. Climbing and Descending Ladders (continued)
Coordinate your hand and foot movements with your opposing hand and foot on the ladder
Use your leg muscles to push yourself upward
Do not reach your arms and hands above your head
Develop form as you practice; speed comes with repetition
When carrying equipment
Slide your free hand under a beam as you climb, maintaining constant contact with the ladder
Hoist tools and equipment whenever possible
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44. Working From a Ladder
Firefighters must work with both hands while working from a ladder
Use a ladder belt or leg lock to make sure both hands are free to work
If a ladder belt is used, it should be securely tightened around the waist and attached to a rung
A leg lock can be used to secure a firefighter to a ladder, with the leg opposite the side of the ladder your hands are working on
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45. Assisting Victims Down Ladders
Ladder placement
Rescue from a window requires the ladder to be placed just below the sill
To bring victims down a ladder, at least four firefighters are needed
Two inside the building
One or two on the ladder
One heeling the ladder
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46. Assisting Victims Down Ladders
Conscious victims can be lowered feet first (facing the building) onto the ladder
An unconscious victim can be held on the ladder the same way as a conscious victim, with the victim’s weight resting on the rescuer’s knee
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47. Assisting Victims Down Ladders (continued)
The victim’s feet are placed outside the rails
The rescuer must grasp the rungs to provide a secure hold on the ladder, and to help prevent the victim’s head from hitting the ladder
The unconscious victim can also be turned around, facing the rescuer to reduce the chance of the victim’s limbs catching on the rungs
The victim’s weight is supported at the crotch by one of the rescuer’s arms and at the chest by the other arm
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48. Assisting Victims Down Ladders (continued)
Extraordinarily heavy victims will require two rescuers
Two ground ladders are placed side-by-side
One rescuer supports the victim’s waist and legs
The second rescuer supports the victims head and upper torso
Small children may be brought down a ladder as they are cradled across the rescuer’s arms
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49. Resources
, Introduction to Fire Protection (3rd Edition), Klinoff, Robert
, Essentials of Firefighting (5thEdition), International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA)
Images used with permission from IFSTA.
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