TECHNICAL CORRECTIONFebruary 2002

Process Industry PracticesStructural

PIP STF05501Fixed Ladders and Cages

PURPOSE AND USE OF PROCESS INDUSTRY PRACTICES

In an effort to minimize the cost of process industry facilities, this Practice hasbeen prepared from the technical requirements in the existing standards of majorindustrial users, contractors, or standards organizations. By harmonizing thesetechnical requirements into a single set of Practices, administrative, application, andengineering costs to both the purchaser and the manufacturer should be reduced. Whilethis Practice is expected to incorporate the majority of requirements of most users,individual applications may involve requirements that will be appended to and takeprecedence over this Practice. Determinations concerning fitness for purpose andparticular matters or application of the Practice to particular project or engineeringsituations should not be made solely on information contained in these materials. Theuse of trade names from time to time should not be viewed as an expression ofpreference but rather recognized as normal usage in the trade. Other brands having thesame specifications are equally correct and may be substituted for those named. AllPractices or guidelines are intended to be consistent with applicable laws andregulations including OSHA requirements. To the extent these Practices or guidelinesshould conflict with OSHA or other applicable laws or regulations, such laws orregulations must be followed. Consult an appropriate professional before applying oracting on any material contained in or suggested by the Practice.

This Practice is subject to revision at any time by the responsible Function Teamand will be reviewed every 5 years. This Practice will be revised, reaffirmed, orwithdrawn. Information on whether this Practice has been revised may be found atwww.pip.org.

© Process Industry Practices (PIP), Construction Industry Institute, TheUniversity of Texas at Austin, 3925 West Braker Lane (R4500), Austin,Texas 78759. PIP member companies and subscribers may copy this Practicefor their internal use. Changes, overlays, addenda, or modifications of anykind are not permitted within any PIP Practice without the express writtenauthorization of PIP.

PIP will not consider requests for interpretations (inquiries) for this Practice.

PRINTING HISTORYNovember 1994 Issued August 2000 Technical CorrectionDecember 1999 Revision February 2002 Technical Correction

Not printed with State funds

TECHNICAL CORRECTIONFebruary 2002

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Process Industry PracticesStructural

PIP STF05501Fixed Ladders and Cages

Table of Contents

1. Introduction..................................21.1 Purpose ............................................. 21.2 Scope................................................. 2

2. References ...................................22.1 Process Industry Practices ................ 22.2 Industry Codes and Standards .......... 22.3 Government Regulations ................... 3

3. Design...........................................3

List of DetailsSide Elevation ............................................ 4Minimum Clearances at Unavoidable

Obstructions....................................... 4Minimum Clearances for Ladder Wells

and Platforms .................................... 4Section A-A - Step Through....................... 5Detail 1 - Rung Detail................................. 5Section B-B - Typical Cage........................ 6Ladder Cage at Elevated Platform............. 6Section C-C................................................ 6Side-Step Ladders ..................................... 7Section D-D - Cage at Side Step ............... 7Detail 2 - Supporting Connection to

Concrete ............................................ 8Detail 3 - Ladder Base Details ................... 8Detail 4 - Supporting Connection to

Steel................................................... 9Detail 5 - Guide Connection to Steel.......... 9

PIP STF05501 TECHNICAL CORECTIONFixed Ladders and Cages February 2002

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1. Introduction

1.1 Purpose

This Practice provides the fabricator and erector with a standard fixed ladder andcage design to be used in process industry facilities. This Practice also providesprocess industry companies with design guide information to be used in specifyingand locating fixed ladders and cages.

1.2 Scope

This Practice shows the design details for fabrication and installation of typicalOccupational Safety and Health Administration-regulated ladders for structures,miscellaneous platforms, and vessels for regular operational access/egress.

These details are intended to be issued to the fabricators supplying these ladders andto the erectors for use in installation.

Any conflicts or inconsistencies between this Practice, the design drawings, or othercontract documents shall be brought to the attention of the buyer for resolution.

2. References

Applicable requirements in the following PIP Practices, codes and standards, andgovernment regulations shall be considered an integral part of this Practice. The edition ineffect on the date of contract award shall be used, except as otherwise noted. Short titles willbe used herein when appropriate.

2.1 Process Industry Practices (PIP)

– PIP STS05120 - Fabrication of Structural and Miscellaneous Steel

– PIP STS05130 - Erection of Structural and Miscellaneous Steel

2.2 Industry Codes and Standards

• American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

– ANSI A14.3 - American National Standard for Ladders−Fixed−SafetyRequirements

• American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM)

– ASTM A36/A36M - Standard Specification for Carbon Structural Steel

– ASTM A123 - Standard Specification for Zinc (Hot Galvanized) Coatings onProducts Fabricated from Rolled, Pressed, and Forged Steel Shapes, Plates,Bars, and Strips

– ASTM A307 - Standard Specification for Carbon Steel Externally ThreadedStandard Fasteners

– ASTM A385 - Standard Practices for Providing High-Quality Zinc Coatings(Hot-Dip)

TECHNICAL CORRECTION PIP STF05501February 2002 Fixed Ladders and Cages

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2.3 Government Regulations

The following government document has been used as a reference in thedevelopment of this Practice.

• U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

– Regulations 29 CFR 1910 Subpart D (Walking-Working Surfaces)

Modifications or deviations from this Practice should be reviewed by appropriatepersonnel to assure compliance with applicable safety regulations and requirementsby state or local agencies that have jurisdiction where the ladder is to be erected.

3. Design

3.1 The project design drawings and data sheets specify the ladder location andorientation, whether or not a cage is required, special fabrication details, and anychanges to the requirements of this Practice. Unless noted otherwise on the contractdocuments, a self-closing double bar safety gate, in conformance with OSHA, shallbe provided for all ladders.

3.2 All structural material shall be ASTM A36 steel unless otherwise noted.

3.3 The entire ladder shall be welded construction except as shown. All welds shall besmooth, continuous, and sealed. Fabrication shall comply with PIP STS05120.

3.4 All ladder bolts shall be 5/8-inch (16-mm) ASTM A307 bolts unless otherwise noted.

3.5 Ladder rung design is based on a 200-pound (890-N) concentrated live load.

3.6 Ladder connections are designed for a maximum total load (dead plus live) of1000 pounds (4.4 kN) on one side rail.

3.7 Cages shall be provided on ladders of more than 20 feet to a maximum unbrokenlength of 30 feet, where the length of ladder refers to the vertical distance betweenlandings. Cages are also required on ladders less than 20 feet in length where theladder is located at an elevated platform that does not provide adequate fallprotection. Consideration of cage protection for these applications should be made inthe design process for each particular case. Ladder safety devices may be used in lieuof the required cage protection.

3.8 Ladder assemblies shall be coated after fabrication in accordance with the designdrawings and specifications governing the project.

3.8.1 Galvanizing (when required) shall be done after fabrication and inaccordance with PIP STS05120.

3.9 Erection of ladders shall comply with PIP STS05130.