Read the instructions for usecarefully before using(pic. 1) picture 1

Aluminium ladders and stepsManufactured at ALVE spol. s r.o.

INSTRUCTION FOR USE

1. The main reasons for accidents occurring during use of ladders

a) Loss of stability• Incorrectpositioning(leaningtheladderattheincorrectangle,openingastepladderincompletely)• Whenthebottomoftheladderslips(thebottomoftheladderisnotsecuredandslipsawayfromthewall)• Slippingtotheside,fallingtothesideandoverturningthetopoftheladder(theladderdoesnotreachhighenoughovertheuppercontactsurfaceoranunstableuppercontactsurface)

• Laddercondition(missinganti-slipfeet)• Comingdownaladderthatisnotsecuredatthetop• Terrainconditions(unstablesoftsoil,slopingterrain,slipperysurfacesorsoiledsolidsurfaces)• Unfavourableweatherconditions(windyweather)• Collisionwiththeladder(doororavehicle)• Unsuitableselectionofaladder(tooshort,unsuitableactivities)

b) Manipulation• Carryingtheladdertotheworksite(theladderfallingfromaverticalposition)• Assemblinganddisassemblingtheladder(theladderfallingfromaverticalpositionduringincorrectmanipu-lation,havingfingerspinchedbyanotherperson)

• Carryingitemsupordowntheladder(heavyorlargeitems,lossofstability)

c) The user slipping or falling• Unsuitablefootwear• Dirtyrungsorsteps• Theuser’sdangerousactions(climbingtheladdertworungsatatime,slidingdown

theside-rails)

d) Structural defect in the ladder• Conditionoftheladder(damagedside-rails,wear)• Over-loadingtheladder

e) Danger posed by electrical current• Unavoidableworkundervoltage(contactwhenestablishingadefect)• Positioningtheladderimmediatelynexttoelectricalequipmentundervoltage(elect-

ricalmainsabovetheuser’shead)• Laddersdamagingelectricalequipment(coversorprotectiveinsulation)• Incorrectselectionofthetypeofladderforelectricalwork

a)

b)

c)

d)

e)

f)g)h)i)

2. Instructions for use

2.1 Before use

2.2 Situating and positioning the ladder

a)

b)c)d)

e)f)

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h)i)

picture 2j) Please remove and discard white protective bungs to fi t stabiliser bar. DO NOT use ladder with white protective bungs fi tted!

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2.3 Using the ladder – general rules

a) Donotexceedthemaximumloadingcapacityofthespecifictypeofladder.Max.150kg(pic.11).b) Donotleanout;duringtheiractivitiesusersshouldkeepthecentreoftheirbody(stomach)betweentheside-

railsandboththeirfeetonthesamestep/rung(pic.12)c) Donotstepfromaladderleaningagainstawalltoahigherlevelwithoutsufficientlysecuringit,forexampleby

lashingorusingasuitablestabilisingelement(pic.13)d) Donotusestepladderstoaccessanotherlevel(ahigherstorey).e) Donotstandontheupperthreesteps/rungsofaladderleaningagainstawall.f) Donotstandontheuppertwosteps/rungsofstepladderswithoutaplatformandwithoutahandle/railing(pic.

14)g) Donotstandontheupperfourrungsofthree-pieceladderswiththenarrowpartextendedintheuppersecti-

on.h) Laddersshouldonlybeusedforlightandshort-termworki) Useladdersthatarenotconductiveforunavoidableelectricalworkundervoltage.j) Donotusetheladderoutsideduringunfavourableweatherconditions,forinstanceduringstrongwinds(pic.

15)k) Takesecuritymeasurestopreventchildrenfromplayingonladders.l) Ifpossiblesecuredoors (notemergencyexitdoors)andwindows in theworkareatoprevent falls fromthe

ladderastheresultofacollisionbetweentheladderanddoor.

m)Whengettingonandgettingofftheladder,alwaysfacetheladder(pic.16).n) Whengettingonandgettingofftheladderholdontotheladdersecurely.o) Donotusetheladderasabridge(pic.17)p) Usesuitablefootwear.q) Avoidexcessivelateralforce,forexampledrillingintobricksorconcretewhenworkingonladdersleaningaga-

instawallandstepladders.r) Whenworkingonaladderdonotusechainsawsandotherdangerousequipment,whichcouldcauseserious

injuries.s) Donotstayontheladdertoolongwithoutregularbreaks(wearinessisarisk)t) Non-selfsupportingladdersshouldreachoverthesiteofcontactbyatleast1.1m(pic18)foraccesstoahigher

storeyu) Whencarryingoutworkperformedfromaladder,holdontothehandle;takeadditionalsafetymeasuresifthis

isnotpossible.v) Whenhandlingtallladderstheirweightandtheriskoftheladderfallingfromaverticalpositionmustbetaken

intoconsideration.w) Portableladdersmustbesecuredagainstslippingbysecuringtheside-railsatthetoporbottomusinganti-slip

elements,orothermeasuresthatareequallyeffective.Foldingandextendingladdersmustbeusedsothattheindividualpartsaresecuredagainstmovement.

x) Onlyoneindividualispermittedtoworkontheladder(pic.19;20).

TheFORTE(8xxx)ladderseriesisintendedforprofessionaluse,theEUROSTYL(7xxx)seriesisintendedforhouse-holduse,forstandardmaintenancework.However,bothseriescomplywiththerequirementsofstandardEN131,theonlydifferenceisintheservicelifeoftheladderifusedfrequently.Afterdeliverycheckthattheladderhasnotbeendamagedduringtransport,thischieflyconcernstheside-railsandrungs.Removethepackagingandcheckthattheladderiscomplete.Deliverthepackagingtoawastecollectionfacilityforrecycling.

1. One-part (simple) ladderOne-partladderswithrungsaresuppliedasaconsignmentwithnoadditionalassemblynecessary,theladdercanbeusedafterremovalofthepackagingbypositioningtheladderinthecorrectposition.

2.3.1 Using ALVE ladders

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picture 202. Double extension ladderDoubleextensionladdersaremadeupoftwoindividualparts,whichcanalsobeusedindividuallyassimplelad-ders.Procedureforworkwiththistypeofladder:a) Removethepackagingb) Laytheladderonthegroundc) Releasethesecuredcatch(pic.21)d) Extendtheladdertotherequiredlength(pic.22)e) Securethecatchf ) Leantheladderagainstthewallwhileadheringtotheabovementionedrulessothatthenarrowerpartisfacing

towardstheuser3. Double extension ladder with ropeDoubleextensionladderswitharopearesuppliedasasingleunit.Becausethisconcernsaseriescomprisinglongerladders(2x14to2x24rungs),theladderscanbeextendedthroughapulleywithlessstrengthnecessary,whichischieflysuitableforladdersforprofessionaluse.Procedure for work with this type of ladder:a) Removethepackaging.b) Leantheladderagainstawall,duringwhichtimethenarrowerpartmustfacetheuser.c) Takeholdoftheropeontheright-handsideandpullthenarrowpartoftheladderintotherequiredposition.

Tolocktheladder,stoppullingontheropeandreleaseitbymovingitapproximately20cmback,duringwhichtimethecatchesintheropemechanismwillrestagainstarungandtheladderisautomaticallysecuredagainstretracting(pic.23).

d) Ifyouneedtoretractanextendedladder,extendthenarrowerpartanothertwentycentimetresupwardswi-thoutreleasingandpullthetensionedropetowardsyou,duringwhichtimethesystemofcatchesjoinedwitha

4. Two-piece combination ladder

Procedure for work with this type of ladder:

Non-self supporting extension ladder mode (pic. 26)

A-frame (stepladder) mode, self-supporting (pic. 27)

picture 21 picture 22 picture 23 picture 24

b) Remove and discard white protective bungs to fi t stabiliser bar. DO NOT use ladder with white protective bungs fi tted!

Self-supporting A-frame (stepladder) mode on two surfaces of different heights (for example steps) (pic. 28)

5. Three-piece combination ladder

Procedure for work with this type of ladder:

Single non-self supporting ladder mode.

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picture 29 picture 26 picture 27 picture 28

b) Remove and discard white protective bungs to fi t stabiliser bar. DO NOT use ladder with white protective bungs fi tted!

Non-self-supporting extension ladder mode (pic. 31)a) Laytheladderontheground.b) Releasethesecuredcatch.Extendthethirdpartfromthesecondladdertotherequiredlengthandsecurethe

catch.c) Releasethesecuredcatch.Extendthesecondpartfromthefirstladdertotherequiredlengthandsecurethe

catch.Wheninsertingthehookintotherungyoumusttakecaretopreventpinchinganddamagingthestrap.d) Leantheladderagainstawallwhilefollowingtheabove-mentionedrules,sothatthenarrowerpartisfacingthe

user.Self-supporting A-frame mode (pic. 27)a) Laythecompleteladderontheground.b) Releasethecatchonthenarrowpartandextendthepartfromtheunitandremoveit.c) Standtheladderupandopenitlikeastepladdertothemaximumangle(thestrapsarestretchedtight,pic.4).Self-supporting A-frame with extension ladder mode (pic. 32)a) Standthecompleteladderupandopenit likeastepladdertothemaximumangle(thestrapsarestretched

tight,pic.4).b) Extendthenarrowparttotherequiredlength,securethecatchonthenarrowpart.Self-supporting A-frame with extension ladder mode on a surface of two different heights (for example steps) (pic. 33)Thismodeisonlypossibleontypes7807,7808,7809,7810and7811,whichhavebeenadaptedforthispurpose.a) Extendthefoldedladdertotherequireddifferenceinheights(themax.possibleoverlapistworungs)andopen

theladderontheleveloftherunglikeastepladdersothattheguide-railsareseatedontheappropriaterung.Warning!Whenopeningtheladderkeepitparallelanddonottwistit.Whenopeningtheladderresttherungsymmetricallyontheedgesofbothguide-rails,otherwisetheguide-railsandtherungprofilescanbedama-ged.

b) Extendthenarrowparttotherequiredlength,securethecatchonthenarrowpart.c) Theendoftheextendedladdermustnotextendoverthewidthoftheunfoldedpartoftheladder(pic.34).d) Thesetheightmustbeselectedsothattheextendedpartoftheladdercreatesanangleof75°withthefloor.

6. Single-sided and double-sided stepladdersThisconcernssingle-sidedordouble-sidedstepladderswithstepsintendedforprofessionaluseorinhouseholdsdependingonindividualdesign.Thesecanbeusedonlevelsolidsurfaces(notinthegardenonsoftterrain).Euro-style91xand92xseriesstepladdersarenotsuitableforprofessionaluse;onthecontrary93xxand94xxseriesareintendedforprofessionaluse.Procedure for work with this type of stepladder:a) Removepackaging.b) Standthestepsupandopenthemtothemaximumangle(thestrapsarestretchedtight,pic.4),strapsareused

fromtype915onsingle-sidedsteps).c) Theplatformwithcut-outsegmentsonsingle-sidedstepsmustbeseatedontothetoppipeofthesupporting

sectioninthefinalphaseofopening.Thereisnogrooveintheplatformontype93xx,thestepsonlyneedtobe

openedtothemaximumpossibledegree.Whenfoldingthestepstheplatformmustbeliftedatthebackandthestepsfolded.

d) Donotsteponthepipeortheprofileofthesupportingsectionofsingle-sidedsteps(pic.35)e) Carefully check the condition of the straps, which are there to prevent the steps from opening toomuch

(pic.36)

7. Articulated ladderAcombinationladderwithrungs,manufacturedintwosizes:4x3and4x4rungs.Sixjointsenableuseoftheladderinseveralmodes(pic.37):1) Non-selfsupportingladder2) Non-self-supportingarticulatedladder3) A-frame(stepladder)4) Platform(onlytype4410–floorplatformnecessary).

Type 4410 is supplied as the following unit: Ladder4x3rungs 1item Stabiliser 2items Connectingmaterialforattachingstab. 2itemsType 4413 is supplied as the following unit: Ladder4x4rungs 1item Stabiliser 1item Connectingmaterialforattachingstab. 1item

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picture 30 picture 31 picture 32 picture 33 picture 34

This ladder is valued for its smalldimensionswhen folded, so it canbe transported insideapassengervehiclewithouthavingtoinstallaroof-carrier.

Procedure for work with this type of ladder:a) Removepackaging.b) Attachstabilisers(onlyonestabiliserontype4413)c) Opentheladdertotherequiredpositions.Inspecificplacesawedge-shapedcatchwillfallintothegroovein

thejointinposition“C”(thiscanbeseenoneachjointfromtheside,pic.38),atthistimethejointislockedanditcannotbemoved.Ifyouneedtoreleasethejoint,movetheleversonbothsidesinthedirectionawayfromtheprofile(pic.39);thecatcheswillmoveintoposition“O”andwillremainreleaseduntiltheyaremovedtoanotherposition.Beforeclimbinganymodeofthearticulatedladderyoumustcheckthatallthecatchesaremovedtoposition“C”andthejointsarelocked.

Theladderjointsarereliablemechanisms,madeupofseveralmovingpartsconnectedwiththeside-railsothattheycannotbedismantled.Therefore,thejointsmustbekeptclean(removesand,concreteandmortar).Beforeandaftertheseasonalljointsshouldbelubricatedwithoilandtheladderstoredinadryplace.

8. Work platform 8507Thismulti-purposeworkplatformisintendedforhouseholduseandcanbeusedinseveralmodesasaplatformandalsoasacombinationladder.Theloadingcapacityisupto150kg.

Type 8507 is supplied dismantled:Dismantlingcombinationladder,2x7rungs 1itemStabiliser8507P(withnarrowerholespacing) 1itemStabiliser8507S(withwiderholespacing) 1itemConnectingmaterialforstabilisers 2itemsPlatform 1itemRodZT-06 4itemsSetofconnectingmaterialforscaffolding8507 1item

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WORK PLATFORM 8507 – modes of use

Before use you must:a) Removethepackaging.b) Installthestabilisers(withtheexceptionofthenarrowpartindoubleextensionladdermode),soastoprevent

damagetounprotectedprofilesorthefloor.This multi-purpose product can be used in the following modes (pic. 40):

1) Single-unit non-self supporting ladder (2 items)Leantheindividualladderpartsagainstasolidwall,youcanusethemastwosimpleindividualladders.

2) A-frame ladder with extensionDuringusethestabilisermustberemovedfromthenarrowerpartoftheladder.Insertthenarrowerpartoftheladderintothewiderpart,releasethecatchandgraduallyextend(orretract)totherequiredlength,alwaysso that the rungsof the individualpartsareona leveloppositeeachother.After thehooksareseatedon theselected rung, secure thecatchagain.Themaximum length the laddercanbeextendeddependsonthestoprolleronthenarrowerpart.Leanthe ladderagainstawall,duringwhichtimethenarrowerpartmustalwaysfacetheuser.

3) Work platform for work on a level surfaceStandboththepartsoftheladderoppositeeachotherandplacetheplatformattherequiredheight(onlyonthefourthorfifthrungfromthetopoftheladderonbothparts)sothattheaperturesintheplatformside-railsareseatedontherungsoftheindividual ladderparts.Thensecureallfourcatches.Securetheplatformadditionallyagainstopeningbyattachingthefourwind-bracerodssothatoneachsideoneendofeachrodisscrewedtotheplatformside-railandoneendtotheladderside-railusingascrewwithaplastichead.

4) Work platform for work on stepsStandbothpartsoftheladderoppositeeachotherwiththerequireddifferenceinheight(themax.possibleoverlapisbyonerung)andplacetheplatformattherequiredheight(onlyonthefourthorfifthrungfromthetopoftheladderontheindividualparts)sothattheaperturesintheplatformside-railsareseatedontherungsoftheindividualladderparts.Thensecureallfourcatches.Securetheplatformadditionallyaga-instopeningbyattachingthefourwind-bracerodssothatoneachsideoneendofeachrodisscrewedtotheplatformside-railandoneendtotheladderside-railusingascrewwithaplastichead.

The following applies for modes 3) and 4):Only one person may work on the work platform and the total load must not exceed a weight of 150 kg! The platform is not constructed for climbing the actual structure, therefore you must use other safe means for ascending.The platform must not be used without the stabilisers attached. The platform is not equipped or structu-rally designed for work at a height above one meter, consequently use above the specified height limit is forbidden.

Youmaycleantheproductsusingstandarddetergentsoralcohol.Iftheproductissplatteredbypaintwhenpain-ting,youcancleantheproductsusingtheappropriatesolventsintendedforthinningthepaintsyouareworkingwith.

2.4 Cleaning ladders and steps.

2.5 Ladder storage

3.1 Periodic inspections

1) Storetheladdersinadryairyareahorizontally,supportedintwoorthreeplaces(dependingonladdersize)orhungontheirsidesontwoorthreehooks.

2) Laddersshouldnotbesubjecttothedirecteffectsofweatherforextendedperiods.Inparticular,ultraviolet(solar)radiationhasanegativeimpactonthelifeofstrapsandplasticparts3) Donotstoretheladdersinaverticalposition,particularlyiftheladderisnotsecuredagainstfailingandifthere

isariskofchildrenaccessingtheladder.4) Beforestoringtheladder,lubricatethemovingparts(catches,joints)withoil.

Ifusedprofessionally,theuserisrequiredensureperiodicannualinspectionsofladdersandsteps.Theinspectioniscarriedoutbythemanufacturer,ALVEspol.s.r.o.,oratechnicallycompetentemployee,whoiscapableofassessingtheconditionoftheladder.The following must be inspected on every ladder:SparsCheckthatthesparsarenotdented,theedgesarenotcrushed,bentorotherwisedeformed.Checkthatnodamagehasoccurredduringweldingorgrindingusingahand-heldgrinder/sander.Ifyouarenotsurethatthesparsretainsufficient strength, requesta strength testaccording toEN131-2byaprofessionalworkshop. If thedamage isexcessivedisposeoftheladderwithouttests.

RungsCheckthatthesparsarenotbentorotherwisedeformed(afteranitemfallsonarung),thattherungsarenotwornbyfriction,vibrationsorsomethinghittingthesparsasaresultoffrequenttransportonvehicles.Alsocheckthatthejoinsbetweentherungsandsparshavenotbeenloosened.Deformedandwornrungsarereplacedandloosejoinsarere-assembledbyaprofessionalcompanywiththenecessaryequipment.

Guide-railsCheckthattheguide-railconnectionsaretightandthattheyarenotdeformed.Tightenlooseconnectionsandreplacedeformedguide-rails.

Hooks and catchesChecktheattachmentofindividualhooksandcatches,checkthatrivetedconnectionshavenotbecomelooseandthathooksandcatchesarenotdeformed.Replacedeformedparts,re-rivetlooseconnections.

Joint reinforcementCheckattachmentof joint reinforcementsand fordeformation.Replacedeformed reinforcements, re-rivetcon-nections.

Straps and wind-brace rodsCheck the strapsalong theirwhole length,particularlyat rivetedconnections. Strapsmustnotbedamaged, ifdamagedbothstrapsmustbereplaced.Wind-bracerodsmustnotbebent,ø6attachmentrivetsmustbesolidandconnectedwiththeside-railata rightangle.Damagedwind-bracerodsmustbereplaced,damagedrivetsmustalsobereplaced.

Plastic profile endsCheckthatthesearecomplete,checkthedegreeofwearofplasticendsandthattheplasticisfirmlyseatedintheprofile.Wornplasticshouldbereplacedandsecuredagainstfallingout.Plasticmustnotbedrivenintotheprofile.Ifwornexcessively,whentheprofilehasalsobeendamaged,symmetricallylevelbothprofilesatarightangleandre-placetheplasticwithnewpartsandsecurethemagainstfallingout.However,thedamagetotheprofileasaresultofexcessivewearoftheplasticmustnotbemorethan5mm.Plasticendsmustbewellsecuredsoastopreventtheplasticfromslidingintotheprofileifagreaterloadisputontheladder,resultinginlossofstability.

StabiliserCheckthatthestabiliserprofileisnotdamaged,thatthestabiliserplasticisnotworn.Replacewornplastic,replacestabiliserprofileifdamaged.

Overall rigidityTheladdermustberigid,itmustnotwobble.IfyouarenotsureoftheoverallrigiditytheladdermustbetestedusingmethodologyaccordingtoEN131-2byaprofessionalworkshop.

Nodangerousmaterialswereusedduringmanufactureofladders.Ladderscanbedisposedofatwastecollectionfacilities,ortheladdercanbedismantledandseparatedintoindividualmaterials(aluminium,ironandplastic).

4.1 Disposal of worn or damaged ladders and steps

Regulations used when writing the instructions for use:

ČSN EN 131-1 Ladders – Terminology, types, functional dimensionsČSN EN 131-2 Ladders – Requirements for testing, functional dimensions

ČSN EN 131-3 Ladders – Instructions for useČSN EN 131-4 Ladders – Ladders with one or several joints

National Guideline 362/2005 Coll.

Exclusively supplied by:

BPS Access Solutions Ltd.www.laddersandscaff oldtowers.co.uk

tel.: +44 (0) 333 006 9776fax: +44 (0) 195 957 2932