Chapter 14

1. Chapter 14 Ladders

2. 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 purposes

3. 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

4. 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

5. (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.

6. 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

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

8. 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

9. Figure 14-2 Straight wall ladders.

10. 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

11. Figure 14-4 Extension ladder terminology.

12. 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

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

14. 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

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

16. 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

17. (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.

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

19. Use and Care • Care must be employed to prevent ladder damage • NFPA Standard 1932 covers use, maintenance, and service testing of ground ladders

20. Table 14-1 Ground Ladder Tips

21. 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

22. Table 14-2 General Inspection Guidelines

23. Table 14-3 Extension Ladder Inspection Guidelines

24. 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

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

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

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

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

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

30. 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

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

32. Elevated Streams • Ground ladders are still an option to provide water from an exterior location • Used when no other approach to fire is available

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

34. 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

35. 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

36. 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

37. (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.

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

39. 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

40. Figure 14-11 Multiple ladder rescue technique.

41. 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.

42. 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.

43. 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

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.

45. 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.

46. 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.

47. 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.

48. 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 Figure 14-18 A-frame hoist.

49. 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.

50. 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