Ladders

Module III

Ladder Construction Materials

• Metal

• Wood

• Fiberglass

Metal Advantages/Disadvantages

• Good conductor of heat, cold, electricity

• Easy to repair

• Can suddenly fail when exposed to heat, flame

• Widest range of sizes

Wood Advantages/Disadvantages

• Highest cost of all ladders

• Heaviest per unit of length

• Retains strength when exposed to heat, flame

• Very durable

Fiberglass Advantages/Disadvantages

• Generally poor conductor of electricity

• Can suddenly crack/fail when overloaded

• Can burn when exposed to flame

LADDER MAINTENANCE

• Keep ground ladders free of moisture.

• Do not store or rest ladders in a position where they are subjected to exhaust or engine heat.

• Do not store ladders in any area where they are exposed to the elements.

• Do not paint ladders except for the top and bottom 12 inches (300 mm) of the beams for purposes of identification or visibility.

TS 9–9

CLEANING LADDERS

• Clean ladders after every use and before inspecting.

• Use a soft-bristle brush and running water for cleaning.

• Wipe the ladder dry, checking for defects.

TS 9–10

GENERAL LADDER MAINTENANCE, INSPECTION,

AND REPAIR• Maintenance: Keeping ladders in a state of

usefulness or readiness

• Repair: Restoring or replacing that which has become inoperable

• Ladders meeting NFPA 1931 are marked by the manufacturer with a certification label on the ladder beam.

• All firefighters should be capable of performing routine ladder maintenance.

TS 9–11a

GENERAL LADDER MAINTENANCE, INSPECTION,

AND REPAIR (cont.)• Only trained ladder repair technicians should perform

ladder repairs.

• Firefighters should clean ladders after each use; dirty ladders cannot be properly inspected.

• Firefighters should inspect ladders after each use and monthly.

TS 9–11b

GENERAL LADDER MAINTENANCE, INSPECTION,

AND REPAIR (cont.)• Two methods of determining whether metal ladders

have been exposed to high temperatures:

– Water boils when sprayed on the ladder

– Heat indicator label has changed color

• Only trained fire service personnel or an approved testing organization should service test fire service ground ladders.

TS 9–11c

INSPECTING GROUND LADDERS

Check heat sensor labels on metal and fiberglass ladders for a color change indicating heat exposure.

Check rungs for snugness and tightness.

Check bolts and rivets for tightness.

Check welds for any cracks or apparent defects.

Check beams and rungs for cracks, splintering, breaks, gouges, checks, wavy conditions, or deformation.

TS 9–12

INSPECTING WOOD LADDERS/ LADDERS WITH WOOD

COMPONENTS Look for areas where the varnish finish has been

chafed or scraped.

Check for darkening of the varnish (indicating exposure to heat).

Check for dark streaks in the wood (indicating deterioration of the wood).

TS 9–13

INSPECTING ROOF LADDERS

Make sure that the roof hook assemblies operate with relative ease.

Check for signs of rust, deformities, and looseness of parts.

TS 9–14

INSPECTING EXTENSION LADDERS

Make sure pawl assemblies work properly.

Look for fraying or kinking of halyard.

Check snugness of halyard cable when ladder is in bedded position.

Make sure pulleys turn freely.

Check condition of ladder guides and for free movement of fly sections.

Check for free operation of pole ladder staypole toggles, and check their condition.

TS 9–15

Fire Service Ladder Requirements

• Must be able to withstand considerable abuse

• Must conform to NFPA® 1931

• All ladders meeting NFPA® 1931 require certification label affixed

• All ground ladders should be tested

Fire Service Ladder Maintenance and Repair

• Maintenance — Keeping ladders in state of usefulness or readiness

• Repair — To restore or replace that which is damaged/worn out

(Continued)

Fire Service Ladder Maintenance and Repair

• All firefighters should be capable of performing routine maintenance on ground ladders

• Any ladders in need of repair require trained ladder repair technician

General Maintenance for Ground Ladders

• Keep free of moisture

• Store away from vehicle exhaust or engine heat

• Store out of the elements

• Only paint top and bottom 18 inches (450 mm) for identification

Cleaning Ladders

• Recommended that ladders be inspected regularly and cleaned after every use

• Soft bristle brush, running water most effective tools

Ladder Inspection/Service Testing Requirements

• NFPA® 1932 requires ladders to be inspected after each use and on monthly basis

• Because they are subjected to harsh conditions, important that they are service tested (Continued)

Ladder Inspection/Service Testing Requirements

• NFPA® 1932 serves as guideline for service testing

• Standard recommends only specified tests be conducted by fire department or approved organization

• Further recommends caution be used to prevent damage or injury

Items to Check on All Types of Ladders

• Heat sensor labels

• Rungs for damage, wear

• Rungs for tightness

• Bolts, rivets for tightness

• Welds for cracks, apparent defects

• Beams and rungs for any issues

Inspecting Specific Ladder Types

• Wooden ladders/wooden components– Areas where finish chafed/scraped– Darkening of varnish– Dark streaks in wood– Marred, worn, cracked, splintered parts– Rounded/smooth shoes– Water damage

(Continued)

Inspecting Specific Ladder Types

• Roof ladders– Make sure roof hook assemblies operate with

ease– Assembly should not show rust, hooks should

not be deformed, parts should be firmly attached

(Continued)

Inspecting Specific Ladder Types

• Extension ladders– Pawl assemblies– Halyard– Halyard cable– Pulleys– Ladder guides– Staypole toggles

(Continued)

Inspecting Specific Ladder Types

• If any discrepancies found, ladder should be removed from service until it can be repaired/tested; ladders that cannot be safely repaired must be destroyed or scrapped for parts