Fire Service Ladders. Main Topics Basic Parts of a Ladders Basic Parts of a Ladders Ladder Types Ladder Types Ladder Raises Ladder Raises Ladder Positioning

Fire Service LaddersFire Service Ladders

Main TopicsMain Topics

Basic Parts of a LaddersBasic Parts of a Ladders Ladder TypesLadder Types Ladder RaisesLadder Raises Ladder PositioningLadder Positioning Ladder SafetyLadder Safety Ladder Inspection and MaintenanceLadder Inspection and Maintenance

NFPA 1931NFPA 1931

Standard on Design and Design Verification Standard on Design and Design Verification Tests for Fire Department Ground LaddersTests for Fire Department Ground Ladders

This includes all fire service ground ladders This includes all fire service ground ladders only.only.

Basic Parts of a LadderBasic Parts of a Ladder

Beam-Beam- main structural member of a ladder that main structural member of a ladder that supports the rungs or rung blockssupports the rungs or rung blocks

Bed Section-Bed Section- lowest or widest section of an lowest or widest section of an extension ladderextension ladder

Butt-Butt- (heel) bottom end of the ladder; the end that is (heel) bottom end of the ladder; the end that is placed on the ground or other supporting surface placed on the ground or other supporting surface when the ladder is raisedwhen the ladder is raised


Butt Spurs-Butt Spurs- metal safety plates or spikes attached metal safety plates or spikes attached to the butt end of ground service ladder beams to to the butt end of ground service ladder beams to prevent slippageprevent slippage

Dog Pawls-Dog Pawls- (also called ladder locks and pawls) (also called ladder locks and pawls) devices attached to the inside beams on fly devices attached to the inside beams on fly sections used to hold the fly section in place after sections used to hold the fly section in place after being raisedbeing raised


Fly- Fly- upper section(s) of extension or some upper section(s) of extension or some combination ladderscombination ladders

Foot Pads-Foot Pads- rubber or neoprene foot plates, usually rubber or neoprene foot plates, usually of the swivel type, attached to butt of ladder of the swivel type, attached to butt of ladder


Guides-Guides- wood or metal strips, sometimes in the wood or metal strips, sometimes in the form of slots or channels, on an extension ladder form of slots or channels, on an extension ladder that guide the fly section while being raisedthat guide the fly section while being raised

Halyard-Halyard- rope or cable used for hoisting or lowering rope or cable used for hoisting or lowering the fly section of an extension ladderthe fly section of an extension ladder


Heat Sensor Label-Heat Sensor Label- label affixed to the inside of label affixed to the inside of each beam of each section; a color change each beam of each section; a color change indicates that the ladder has been exposed to a indicates that the ladder has been exposed to a sufficient degree of heat and that it should be tested sufficient degree of heat and that it should be tested before further usebefore further use

Hooks-Hooks- curved metal devices installed on the tip curved metal devices installed on the tip end of a roof ladder to secure the ladder to the end of a roof ladder to secure the ladder to the highest on the roof of a building highest on the roof of a building


Protective Plates-Protective Plates- strips of metal attached to strips of metal attached to ladders at chafing points, such as the tip, or at ladders at chafing points, such as the tip, or at areas where it comes in contact with the apparatus areas where it comes in contact with the apparatus mounting bracketsmounting brackets

Pulley-Pulley- small, grooved wheel through which the small, grooved wheel through which the halyard is drawn on an extension ladderhalyard is drawn on an extension ladder


Rails-Rails- the two lengthwise members of a trussed the two lengthwise members of a trussed ladder beam that are separated by truss or ladder beam that are separated by truss or separation blocksseparation blocks

Rungs-Rungs- cross members that provide the foothold for cross members that provide the foothold for climbingclimbing

Stops-Stops- wood or metal pieces that prevent the fly wood or metal pieces that prevent the fly section from being extended to farsection from being extended to far


Tie Rods-Tie Rods- metal rods running from one beam to the metal rods running from one beam to the otherother

Tip-Tip- extreme top of a ladder extreme top of a ladder

Truss Block-Truss Block- separation pieces between the rails of separation pieces between the rails of

a trussed ladder; sometimes used to support rungsa trussed ladder; sometimes used to support rungs

Ladder TypesLadder Types

Single Ladder-Single Ladder- a nonadjustable in length and a nonadjustable in length and consists of only one section; 6-32 ft.consists of only one section; 6-32 ft.

Roof Ladders-Roof Ladders- single ladders equipped at the tip single ladders equipped at the tip with folding hooks that provide a means anchoring with folding hooks that provide a means anchoring the ladder over the roof ridge the ladder over the roof ridge

Folding Ladder-Folding Ladder- single ladders that have hinged single ladders that have hinged rungs allowing them to be folded so that one beam rungs allowing them to be folded so that one beam rests against the otherrests against the other


Extension Ladders-Extension Ladders- a ladder adjustable in length; it a ladder adjustable in length; it consists of a base or bed section and one or more consists of a base or bed section and one or more fly sections that travel in guides or brackets to fly sections that travel in guides or brackets to permits length adjustment; 12-39 ft.permits length adjustment; 12-39 ft.

Pole Ladder-Pole Ladder- extension ladders that have staypoles extension ladders that have staypoles for added leverage and stability when raising the for added leverage and stability when raising the ladderladder

Combination Ladder-Combination Ladder- a ladder designed so that they a ladder designed so that they may be used as a self-supported stepladdermay be used as a self-supported stepladder


Pompier Ladder-Pompier Ladder- a single-beam ladder with rungs a single-beam ladder with rungs projecting from both sidesprojecting from both sides

Ladder MaintenanceLadder Maintenance

Ladder Maintenance means keeping ladders in a state of Ladder Maintenance means keeping ladders in a state of usefulness readiness and ladder repair means to either usefulness readiness and ladder repair means to either restore or replace that which has become inoperablerestore or replace that which has become inoperable

Keep ground ladders free of moistureKeep ground ladders free of moisture Do not store or rest ladders in a position where they are Do not store or rest ladders in a position where they are

subjected to exhaust or engine heatsubjected to exhaust or engine heat Do not store a ladder in an area where they are exposed to Do not store a ladder in an area where they are exposed to

the elementsthe elements Do not paint ladders except for the top and bottom 12 inches Do not paint ladders except for the top and bottom 12 inches

of the beams for purposes of identification or visibility of the beams for purposes of identification or visibility

Ladder MaintenanceLadder Maintenance

Clean Ladders after every use (fire related)Clean Ladders after every use (fire related) Use a soft bristle brush and water for cleaningUse a soft bristle brush and water for cleaning Tar, oils, or greasy residues should be cleaned with Tar, oils, or greasy residues should be cleaned with

safety solventssafety solvents Anytime a ladder gets wet, dry it as soon as Anytime a ladder gets wet, dry it as soon as

possiblepossible Occasional lubrication is recommended Occasional lubrication is recommended

Ladder InspectionsLadder Inspections

NFPA 1932 requires ladders to be inspected after each use NFPA 1932 requires ladders to be inspected after each use and on a monthly basisand on a monthly basis

Any defects should be taken care of Any defects should be taken care of IMMEDIATELYIMMEDIATELY

Ladder InspectionsLadder Inspections::

Check the heat sensor labels for discolorationCheck the heat sensor labels for discoloration Check for snugness and tightnessCheck for snugness and tightness Check bolts and rivets for tightnessCheck bolts and rivets for tightness Check welds for any cracks or obvious defectsCheck welds for any cracks or obvious defects Check beams and rungs for cracks, splintering, breaks Check beams and rungs for cracks, splintering, breaks

gouges, checks, wavy conditions, or deformationgouges, checks, wavy conditions, or deformation

Ladder InspectionsLadder Inspections

Roof Ladders:Roof Ladders: Make sure that the roof hook assemblies operate with ease Make sure that the roof hook assemblies operate with ease Make sure there is no rust on the hinges of the hooksMake sure there is no rust on the hinges of the hooksExtension Ladders:Extension Ladders: Make sure the pawl assemblies work properlyMake sure the pawl assemblies work properly Look for and fraying or kinking of the halyardLook for and fraying or kinking of the halyard Check the snugness of the halyard when the ladder is in the Check the snugness of the halyard when the ladder is in the

bedded positionbedded position Check the condition of the ladder guides and for free Check the condition of the ladder guides and for free

movement of the fly sectionmovement of the fly section Make sure the pulleys turn freelyMake sure the pulleys turn freely Check for free operation of the pole ladder staypole toggles Check for free operation of the pole ladder staypole toggles

and check their conditionand check their condition

Ladder RaisesLadder Raises

One-Firefighter Shoulder CarryOne-Firefighter Shoulder Carry Two-Firefighter Shoulder CarryTwo-Firefighter Shoulder Carry Three-Firefighter CarryThree-Firefighter Carry Four-Firefighter CarryFour-Firefighter Carry

Ladder PositioningLadder Positioning

Ladder at least two different points on the buildingLadder at least two different points on the building Avoid placing ladders over openings such as windows or Avoid placing ladders over openings such as windows or

doorsdoors Take advantage of strong points in the building constructionTake advantage of strong points in the building construction Avoid overhead obstructionsAvoid overhead obstructions Avoid placing ladders on uneven terrain or soft spotsAvoid placing ladders on uneven terrain or soft spots Avoid placing ladders on main paths of travel that other Avoid placing ladders on main paths of travel that other

firefighters or evacuees may usefirefighters or evacuees may use Avoid placing ladders where they may contact either burning Avoid placing ladders where they may contact either burning

surfaces or direct flamesurfaces or direct flame Do not place ladders against unstable walls or surfacesDo not place ladders against unstable walls or surfaces Always ladder a building with a 75 degree angleAlways ladder a building with a 75 degree angle

Ladder SafetyLadder Safety

Always wear protective gear including gloves and helmets Always wear protective gear including gloves and helmets Choose the proper ladder for the jobChoose the proper ladder for the job Use your leg muscles not your backUse your leg muscles not your back Use the proper number of firefighters for each raiseUse the proper number of firefighters for each raise Check for over head obstructionsCheck for over head obstructions Check the ladder for proper climbing angleCheck the ladder for proper climbing angle Check the pawls to be sure that they are seated over the Check the pawls to be sure that they are seated over the

rungs properlyrungs properly Climb smoothly and rhythmicallyClimb smoothly and rhythmically Do not over load the ladderDo not over load the ladder Always use a heeler Always use a heeler Inspect ladders after each useInspect ladders after each use

ConclusionConclusion

Know how to select the proper ladder for the jobKnow how to select the proper ladder for the job Know how to use that ladderKnow how to use that ladder Know where the ladders are located on the trucks Know where the ladders are located on the trucks

and which trucks carry laddersand which trucks carry ladders Use ladders properlyUse ladders properly Inspect and maintain all fire service ladders on Inspect and maintain all fire service ladders on

regular basisregular basis Wear the proper PPE during ladder usageWear the proper PPE during ladder usage Use ladders safelyUse ladders safely

Questions or Comments?Questions or Comments?

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Fire Service Ladders. Main Topics Basic Parts of a Ladders Basic Parts of a Ladders Ladder Types Ladder Types Ladder Raises Ladder Raises Ladder Positioning