Chapter 14
Ladders
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
14.2
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
14.3
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
14.4
(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.
14.5
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
14.6
Grounded (or Portable) Ladders
• Complement of ground ladders,
sometimes called portable ladders
• Common types:
– Straight
– Extension
– Various specialized ladders
14.7
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
14.8
Figure 14-2 Straight wall ladders.
14.9
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
14.10
Figure 14-4 Extension ladder terminology.
14.11
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
14.12
Figure 14-6 A hook ladder, with retracted hooks,
being used as a straight ladder.
14.13
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
14.14
(A)
(B)
Figure 14-7 Folding ladder (also called a
suitcase or attic ladder). (A) Folded. (B) Opened.
14.15
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
14.16
(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.
14.17
(C)
Figure 14-8 (cont’d.) Combination A-frame ladder.
(C) In the A-frame stepladder mode.
14.18
Use and Care
• Care must be employed to prevent
ladder damage
• NFPA Standard 1932 covers use,
maintenance, and service testing of
ground ladders
14.19
Table 14-1 Ground Ladder Tips
14.20
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
14.21
Table 14-2 General Inspection Guidelines
14.22
Table 14-3 Extension Ladder Inspection Guidelines
14.23
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
14.24
Ladder Uses
• Primarily used for climbing
• Used for many purposes:
–
–
–
–
Shoring tool
Fence
Hold back loose debris
Chute to channel water
14.25
Access
• Most obvious use
• Provides a path otherwise
inaccessible
• Can be used to descend into an
opening
14.26
Rescue
• Extracting a victim
• Use of ladders that is employed least
often
14.27
Salvage Operations
• Used as a tool to support salvage
covers
• Protect hoselines from falling glass
14.28
Stability
• Hook or roof ladder
• Provides footing for firefighters on
sloped roofs
14.29
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
14.30
Bridging
• Ladder can be an effective bridge
between two points
• Supports weight over a weakened
floor
• Bedded extension ladder is safest
14.31
Elevated Streams
• Ground ladders are still an option to
provide water from an exterior
location
• Used when no other approach to fire
is available
14.32
Elevated Work Position
• Serve as exterior work platform
• Need to remove something or check
for heat during overhauling
14.33
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
14.34
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
14.35
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
14.36
(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.
14.37
Special Uses
• Can be used as tools or as portable
stairs
• Ladder integrity must not be
compromised
14.38
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
14.39
Figure 14-11 Multiple ladder rescue technique.
14.40
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.
14.41
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.
14.42
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
14.43
Figure 14-14 A handline can be used off a ground ladder
for difficult-to-reach areas. Note the use of a ladder belt.
14.44
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.
14.45
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.
14.46
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.
14.47
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.
14.48
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.
14.49
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
14.50
Overhead Obstructions
• Carry injury potential:
– Tree limbs, structural overhangs
– Television and telephone wires
– Overhead electrical lines
Figure 14-20 A ladder can make an electrical connection to ground.
14.51
Climbing Path
• Imaginary passageway a firefighter
climbs through while ascending
ladder
• Obstructed climbing paths:
– Firefighter is required to alter normal
climbing angle
– Squeeze through a tight space
• Breathing apparatus must be
considered when estimating space
14.52
Figure 14-21 “Climbing path” pass-through area.
14.53
Ground Considerations
• Ladder must be stable, ground must be
level
• Cannot create a dangerous lateral lean
Figure 14-22 Uneven ground effect is magnified as the
ladder increases in height.
14.54
Ladder Load
• Number of people permitted on
ladder at one time will vary
• Load capacity based on weight
• Recommended maximum load
found on label affixed to ladder
14.55
Figure 14-23 Ladders must be positioned properly and not
overloaded.
14.56
Working Off a Ladder
• Firefighter secured to ladder
– Ladder belts
– Safety harness
– Leg lock
Figure 14-25 Leg lock.
14.57
Ladder Storage
• Supported by more than two support
points
• Should be stored on a flat surface
• Avoid using the same contact points
when storing ladder
14.58
Apparatus Ladder Storage
• Should be stored under cover in
compartments
• De-icing products on ladders during
inclement weather
14.59
Ladder Apparatus Parking
• Place ladder apparatus
at an angle to the fire
building
• Ladders need to be
easily accessible and
removed
(A)
(B)
Figure 14-27 (A) It is important to leave room
to remove portable ground ladders. (B) Parking
apparatus can impede ladder access: parking
on an angle can be a simple solution.
14.60
Ladder Painting
• Should never be painted as a
means of maintenance
• Only small areas should be painted:
–
–
–
–
Identification
Visibility
Quick reference
Hoist points
14.61
Certification and
Testing Procedures
• NFPA Standard 1931 outlines
specific procedures for ladder testing
and certification
• When ladder model is designed, rigid
testing is needed
• Ladder label attests that ladder is in
compliance with NFPA and OSHA
guidelines
14.62
Ladder Skills
• Without common terminology and
technique, the moving and
positioning of ladders can be chaotic
• Commands should be established by
local department policy
• Basic commands relying on common
sense should be the norm
14.63
Carrying Ladders
• Several techniques used for carrying
ladders:
– Suitcase carry
– Shoulder carry
– Flat carry
• Single firefighter can carry a small
ladder individually
• Many types of techniques used when
dealing with a victim on a ladder
14.64
Raising Ladders
• Several considerations must be
weighed:
– Heel of ladder must be a calculated
distance from building
– Ideally, climbing angle should be about
75 degrees
• Number of firefighters needed to
raise a ladder will vary
• Most situations call for two
firefighters
14.65
Figure 14-29 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.
14.66
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
– One firefighter should never bring down
a ladder
14.67
(A)
(B)
Figure 14-30 (A) Beam raise. (B) Rung raise.
14.68
Leg Lock
• Used to secure firefighter to ladder
• Both hands are needed to perform a
task
• Ladder belt is not available
• Second alternate leg lock known as
hyper-extended leg lock
14.69
Carrying Tools
• When carrying tools, security is
sacrificed
• Tools should be passed up to
another firefighter first
• Tools can be hung on an upper rung
and climbed to
• Tools can ride up the rails of an
aerial ladder
14.70
Mounting and Dismounting
• Getting on and off a ladder is the
most difficult action for the uninitiated
– As height increases so does fear of
falling
– If ladder is not secured by rope, it
should be heeled by another firefighter
– 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
14.71
Roof and Ladder Deployment
• Raised to the eave of the roof directly
under desired access point
• Hook ladder is raised alongside prepositioned ladder using beam-raise
method
14.72
Hoisting Ladders by Rope
• Need to use ladder from elevated
location might arise
– Hoisting ladder by rope
• When lowering ladder, procedure is
reversed
14.73
Types of Truck-Mounted
Ladders
• Many types of ladder trucks are used
today
• Each designed to serve a particular
function
14.74
Aerial Ladder
• Apparatus-mounted ladder capable
of reaching heights of 100 feet
• Various sections slide out from one
another to produce greater reach
• Ladder’s reach achieved through use
of cables and pulleys
14.75
Figure 14-38 Aerial ladder raising mechanisms
as seen from under a raised bed ladder.
14.76
Figure 14-39 Ladder positioning terminology.
14.77
Tower Ladder
• Standard piece of equipment in
moderate to large departments
• Telescopic boom with mounted
basket
• Affords people who suffer from a fear
of heights
• Takes slightly longer to place into
operation
14.78
Figure 14-41 Tower ladder.
14.79
Articulating Boom Ladder
• Also called snorkel ladder
• Among the first designs for elevated
platform use
• Uses several articulating booms
• Can also be used as an elevated
water application platform or
observation point
14.80
Figure 14-42 A snorkel basket can reach places
not possible with other types of apparatus.
14.81
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
14.82