Chapter 14 Ladders Introduction Ladders provide access to

Chapter 14 Ladders

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 14. 2 purposes

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

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

(B) (A) (C) Figure 14 -1 (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 are included in this category • Ladder companies are also responsible for tasks associated with entry 14. 6

Grounded (or Portable) Ladders • Complement of ground ladders, sometimes called portable ladders • Common types: – Straight – Extension – Various specialized ladders 14. 7

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

Figure 14 -2 Straight wall ladders. 14. 9

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

Figure 14 -4 Extension ladder terminology. 14. 11

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

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

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

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

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

(A) (B) 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. 14. 17

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

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

Table 14 -1 Ground Ladder Tips 14. 20

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

Table 14 -2 General Inspection Guidelines 14. 22

Table 14 -3 Extension Ladder Inspection Guidelines 14. 23

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

Ladder Uses • Primarily used for climbing • Used for many purposes: – – Shoring tool Fence Hold back loose debris Chute to channel water 14. 25

Access • Most obvious use • Provides a path otherwise inaccessible • Can be used to descend into an opening 14. 26

Rescue • Extracting a victim • Use of ladders that is employed least often 14. 27

Salvage Operations • Used as a tool to support salvage covers • Protect hoselines from falling glass 14. 28

Stability • Hook or roof ladder • Provides footing for firefighters on sloped roofs 14. 29

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

Bridging • Ladder can be an effective bridge between two points • Supports weight over a weakened floor • Bedded extension ladder is safest 14. 31

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

Elevated Work Position • Serve as exterior work platform • Need to remove something or check for heat during overhauling 14. 33

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

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

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

(A) (B) 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. 14. 37

Special Uses • Can be used as tools or as portable stairs • Ladder integrity must not be compromised 14. 38

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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. 14. 47

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Apparatus Ladder Storage • Should be stored under cover in compartments • De-icing products on ladders during inclement weather 14. 59

Ladder Apparatus Parking • Place ladder apparatus at an angle to the fire building • Ladders need to be easily accessible and removed (A) (B) 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. 14. 60

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

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

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

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

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

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. 14. 66

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

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

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

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

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

Roof and Ladder Deployment • Raised to the eave of the roof directly under desired access point • Hook ladder is raised alongside prepositioned ladder using beamraise method 14. 72

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

Types of Truck-Mounted Ladders • Many types of ladder trucks are used today • Each designed to serve a particular function 14. 74

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

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

Figure 14 -39 Ladder positioning terminology. 14. 77

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

Figure 14 -41 Tower ladder. 14. 79

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

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

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