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
Slide 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
Slide 4
Parts of a Ladder Parts might have multiple names. Common
terminology Glossary of ladder parts 14.4
Slide 5
14.5 (A) Straight ladder terminology. (B) Steel spurs on a
ladder of truss construction. (C) Swivel shoes with pads and
spikes.
Slide 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
Slide 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
Slide 8
14.8 Straight wall ladders.
Slide 9
14.9 Extension ladder terminology.
Slide 10
14.10 A hook ladder, with retracted hooks, being used as a
straight ladder.
Slide 11
14.11 Folding ladder (also called a suitcase or attic ladder).
(A) Folded. (B) Opened. (A) (B)
Slide 12
14.12 Combination A-frame ladder. (A) Used as a short extension
ladder. (B) In the A-frame stepladder mode. (A)(B)
Slide 13
Use and Care Care must be employed to prevent damage NFPA
Standard 1931 14.13
Slide 14
Ground Ladder Tips
Slide 15
Maintenance, Cleaning, and Inspection Regular intervals
Certification label Ladders needing repair are removed from service
Use of trained technicians 14.15
Slide 16
14.16 General Inspection Guidelines
Slide 17
14.17 Extension Ladder Inspection Guidelines
Slide 18
Cleaning Ladders Dirt and caustic substances Warm soapy
detergent and scrub brush Manufacturers recommendations 14.18
Slide 19
Ladder Uses Primarily climbing Shoring tool Fence Hold back
loose debris Chute to channel water 14.19
Slide 20
Ladder Uses (cont.) Access Rescue Salvage operations Stability
Ventilation Bridging Elevated streams Elevated work position
14.20
Slide 21
Ladder Selection Once target identified 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
Slide 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
Slide 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
Slide 24
14.24 (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)
Slide 25
Special Uses Can be used as tools or as portable stairs Ladder
integrity not compromised 14.25
Slide 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
Slide 27
14.27 Multiple ladder rescue technique.
Slide 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
Slide 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
Slide 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
Slide 31
14.31 A handline can be used off a ground ladder for difficult-
to-reach areas. Note the use of a ladder belt.
Slide 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
Slide 33
Barrier Secure dangerous areas Provides a positive visual
deterrent 14.33.
Slide 34
Support With ropes, a ladder can be secured to substantial
objects. Only as an emergency structural stabilizer 14.34 Should be
replaced as soon as possible with tools designed for the
situation
Slide 35
Hoist Point A-frame hoist Pulley and rope are attached. Ladder
weight limits 14.35
Slide 36
14.36 A-frame hoist.
Slide 37
Ventilation Fan Supports Short ladder spanning an opening
Innovation tempered with safety 14.37
Slide 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
Slide 39
Overhead Obstructions Injury potential Tree limbs, structural
overhangs Television and telephone wires Overhead electrical lines
14.39 A ladder can make an electrical connection to ground.
Slide 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
Slide 41
14.41 Climbing path pass-through area.
Slide 42
Ground Considerations Ladder must be stable. Ground must be
level. Dangerous lateral lean 14.42 Uneven ground effect is
magnified as the ladder increases in height.
Slide 43
Ladder Load Number of people permitted on ladder Load capacity
Recommended maximum load label 14.43
Slide 44
14.44 Ladders must be positioned properly and not
overloaded.
Slide 45
Working Off a Ladder Firefighter secured to ladder Ladder belts
Safety harness Leg lock 14.45 Leg lock.
Slide 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
Slide 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
Slide 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
Slide 49
Certification and Testing Procedures NFPA Standard 1931 When
ladder model is designed, rigid testing is needed. Ladder label
14.49
Slide 50
Ladder Skills Common terminology and technique Commands Common
sense 14.50
Slide 51
Carrying Ladders Techniques used for carrying ladders: Suitcase
carry Shoulder carry Flat carry Firefighter can carry a small
ladder. Victims 14.51
Slide 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
Slide 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.
Slide 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
Slide 55
14.55 (A) Beam raise. (B) Rung raise. (A) (B)
Slide 56
Leg Lock Secure firefighter to ladder Both hands needed Ladder
belt Second alternate leg lock known as hyper- extended leg lock
14.56
Slide 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
Slide 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
Slide 59
Roof and Ladder Deployment Raised to the eave of the roof
directly Hook ladder 14.59
Slide 60
Hoisting Ladders by Rope Need to use ladder from elevated When
lowering ladder, procedure is reversed 14.60
Slide 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
Slide 62
14.62 Aerial ladder raising mechanisms as seen from under a
raised bed ladder.
Slide 63
14.63 Ladder positioning terminology.
Slide 64
14.64 Tower ladder.
Slide 65
14.65 A snorkel basket can reach places not possible with other
types of apparatus.
Slide 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