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

purposes14.2

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

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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)

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

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14.9

Figure 14-2 Straight wall ladders.

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

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14.11

Figure 14-4 Extension ladder terminology.

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

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14.13

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

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

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14.15

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

(A) (B)

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

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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)

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

(C)

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

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14.20

Table 14-1 Ground Ladder Tips

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

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14.22

Table 14-2 General Inspection Guidelines

14.23

Table 14-3 Extension Ladder Inspection Guidelines

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

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)

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

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14.40

Figure 14-11 Multiple ladder rescue technique.

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.

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.

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

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

14.51

Figure 14-20 A ladder can make an electrical connection to ground.

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

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

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.

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

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14.56

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

Working Off a Ladder

• Firefighter secured to ladder– Ladder belts– Safety harness– Leg lock

14.57

Figure 14-25 Leg lock.

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

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)

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 andTesting 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

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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.

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

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14.68

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

(A)

(B)

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 pre-positioned ladder using beam-raise 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

14.76

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

14.77

Figure 14-39 Ladder positioning terminology.

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

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14.79

Figure 14-41 Tower ladder.

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

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14.81

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

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