Flexible sided ladders
Made in the UK for over 40 years
What are flexible sided ladders...
Ladder construction
Lyon Equipment can produce ladders to suit individual needs and
Please Note:
Flexible sided ladders and their
accessories are not Personal
Protective Equipment.
Flexible sided ladders must always
be used with a separate fall
protection system.
Flexible sided ladders are not
suitable for emergency escapes. It
is extremely difficult to use these
ladders safely if you are in any way
incapacitated.
Flexible sided ladders have rigid rungs and flexible sides - normally
environments. To achieve this, we offer a choice of rung types, side materials
made from polyester or wire rope. Plainly, this means that unlike a
and connections.
rigid sided ladder, they must be suspended from a fixed point rather
Rung types
than leant against a structure, but it also means they can be rolled
Used on regular and lightweight ladders. Available in 2
Aluminium
alloy - plain
diameters - 12.5mm (compact ladders only) and 25mm (wide
for transport or storage - they weigh much less than a rigid sided
ladder of similar length and can be used in confined locations where
conventional ladders could not be deployed.
Lyon Equipment flexible sided ladders
rung only).
For low visibility in military, security or theatrical applications.
Aluminium
alloy The additional protection from corrosion given by the anodising
black anodised
process makes these rungs more suitable for use in corrosive
Lyon Equipment is the leading manufacturer of flexible sided
environments such as marine facilities and chemical plants.
ladders. Our expertise draws on over 40 years experience of
Available in 2 diameters -12.5mm (compact ladders only) and
ladder production. Made in the UK and supplied worldwide, our
25mm (wide rung only).
handmade high quality ladders are used extensively in industry and
for outdoors sports.
grip knurled
High
Knurled finish for extra grip (compact ladder only)
High
grip 34mm fluted GRP Chunky rungs which are easier to grip. GRP (Glass reinforced
Plastic) rungs also have the advantage that they are least likely
Originally developed for cavers, Lyon flexible sided
ladders are now widely used in:
• Provide cost effective temporary access
• Events rigging (access to lighting trusses)
• Are light and easy to transport
• Theatres
• Are quick to rig
• Confined space silo access • Can be used in confined spaces
(including cleaning glass coated vessels)
• Manhole and sewer access
• Marine/pleasure boats
to scratch any surface they contact.
Lyon flexible sided ladders...
• Can be joined to increase length (excl Fibrelight)
• Require minimal training before use
Side materials
Galvanised steel wire ropeUsed on regular ladders (4mm) and lightweight ladders (3mm)
galvanised wire rope is ideal for most applications offering high
strength and durability.
Stainless steel wire ropeWhere a corrosive atmosphere might reduce the life span
• Military
of galvanised wire rope, this stainless steel wire rope gives
• Climbing walls (training aids)
additional strength and durability.
Polyester rope8mm rope for use on Wide rung GRP ladders only. May be
suitable for use in environments where electric shock
is a risk.
3
2
Lyon Equipment produce flexible sided ladders
in a choice of three basic styles:
COMPACT, WIDE and FIBRELIGHT COMPACT
General purpose ladders, for applications
such as manhole entry, access to lighting
truss and sport caving.
WIDE
Key COMPACT features:
• Compact design allows easy storage and transport
• Available in two versions
Easy to handle ladders, for applications
GRP wire – Glass reinforced plastic rungs with
such as silo access for inspection and
stainless steel wire rope sides – easy to clean, used
cleaning and for use over sloping structures
by the food and pharmaceutical industries.
(such as vessels).
Made from aluminium alloy rungs and flexible wire
• Available with three different rung options
rope sides, COMPACT ladders are 150mm wide
• Choice of two rung spacings – 25 or 30cm
Wide ladders are made from either aluminium alloy
polyester rope sides – may be more suitable where
(wide enough for one foot) and are ideal when
• 5 or 10 metres standard lengths
or glass reinforced plastic (GRP) rungs with flexible
electric shock is a potential hazard. Heavily fluted
you need to keep weight down without reducing
• Lengths of up to 20 metres to special order
wire or textile rope sides, WIDE ladders are 270mm
rungs are easier to grip, so this ladder is better for
loading capacity.
• Easily joined together if necessary
wide allowing the climber to place both feet on one
muddy / slippery environments
COMPACT ladders come in two versions:
Regular – the most popular style – durable and
versatile. Recommended for frequent use.
Uses 4mm wire.
Lightweight – for situations where weight is more
rung.
WIDE ladders are only manufactured in one
version:
Regular - This specification is durable and versatile,
ideal for the intended use.
important than durability. Only recommended for
infrequent use. Uses 3mm wire.
Plain alloy rung – self-coloured alloy rung. The
standard for most applications.
Black anodised rung – fitted on stainless steel
wire rope sides – for where corrosion is a risk i.e.
marine environments. Also useful for theatres and
military applications where a less bright finish is
Key WIDE features:
• Wide enough to fit both feet side by side
• Large diameter rungs are more easy to handle and more comfortable to stand on
• Easy clean materials options
WIDE ladders are available with
four rung options:
and with three rung options:
GRP rope – Glass reinforced plastic rungs with
• Available with four different rung options
• Choice of two rung spacings – 25 or 30cm
• Made to order in lengths of up to 15 metres
Plain alloy rung – self-coloured alloy rung, the
standard for most applications.
Black anodised rung – fitted on stainless
steel wire rope sides – for where corrosion is a
risk i.e. marine environments. Also useful for
theatres and military applications where a less bright
finish is required.
required. (Regular ladder only)
Black High grip rung – as above, but with a
knurled finish for better grip. (Regular ladder only)
5
4
Connections
Fibrelight
Key features:
Wide enough for a single foot, these
specialist ladders are lightweight, and make
virtually no noise when deployed. They are
an alternative to wire sided or wooden rope
ladders. Constructed from textile sides and
carbon fibre rungs they are ideally suited to
wet environments.
Ladder length
We usually make ladders of either 5m or 10m lengths but can make longer on
• Easy to rig
request. If ladders will be de-rigged for transport or storage, or if there is a risk
• Compact for easy storage
of damage, it is usually better to join several shorter lengths rather than use one
• Non metallic ladder – continuous unit. By selecting one of the connecting options it is possible to make a
no parts to corrode
continuous ladder with even rung spacing across the joints.
• Complete with bag and stainless steel connector
Connection options
• Lighter than our Compact or Joining Fibrelight Ladders
Standard Fibrelight ladders are supplied with a
If two or more ladders are to be joined, use of one of the following connection
Wide Rung ladders
methods will ensure that spacing between rungs is consistent across the join.
• Can be ordered by the metre single anchor point and Maillon Rapide at the head
(up to 20 metres)
making them unsuitable for connection to increase
• 30 cm rung spacing
the length. Fibrelight ladders are always made to
• Black, yellow and red tape available
GRP Ladders
Unless requested eyes are
not fitted to the bottom.
Swaged eyelets only
Unless specified, ladders will be supplied with a swaged eyelet on the end of each
side wire. They can then be connected with a removable Maillon Rapide. (See
customers specified lengths. If you require Fibrelight
ladders which can be joined, please call.
Maillon Rapide
connector
Maillon Rapide connectors
can be used to connect
ladders supplied with
swaged eyes.
NOTE: For lightweight use only.
For heavy and / or regular use, we recommend our
Compact or Wide Rung ladders.
accessories section).
• Maillon Rapides are lightweight screw-link connectors with high strength
• Maillon Rapides are easily fitted or replaced by the user
Swaged eyelets and fixed C-Links
• Permanently fixed to the ladder during manufacture to prevent loss. Request at the
time of ordering as these cannot be fitted after manufacture
Fibrelight Ladder Specifications
• Easy to connect together, even with cold wet hands
Ladder type
Fibrelight
Rung
Sides
• Lightweight – recommended for sport caving use only
Dia
(mm)
Width
(mm)
Material
Material
Max rated
load
Rung spacing
10
150
Solid carbon fibre rods inside a
polyester tape sleeve
20 mm wide polyester tape
120 kg
30cm
Weights
(Including bag and Maillon Rapide connector)
Ladder length
Weight
5m
1.18kg
10m
2.35kg
15m
3.53kg
20m
4.70kg
• For use on COMPACT REGULAR and COMPACT LIGHTWEIGHT ladders only
‘Eyelet’ Maillon Rapides
• Lightweight screw-link connectors with high strength
• Permanently fixed to the ladder during manufacture to prevent loss. Request at the
time of ordering as these cannot be fitted after manufacture
• Ideal for industrial use, can be used on many types of anchor
NOTE: Eyelet Maillon Rapides are only available in galvanised steel and are not suitable for
ladders with stainless steel wire or rope sides.
7
6
A
C
B
Ladders can be suspended from a
wide variety of anchor points. One
important point to note is that, to
reduce wear and excessive loading,
the wire sides must not be distorted
beyond an angle of 20º from vertical.
Accessories
Testing and specifications
Fixing Compact ladders to anchor points
Testing
Y spreaders
Wire ladder
If a ladder will be fixed to a single
attachment strop
point, a Y spreader should be used.
Wire ladder attachment
strop can be used to achieve
Y spreaders are available in
a suitable anchor when
4 different types to match ladder
wrapped around fixed
connection types.
structures.
In order to determine the breaking loads, sample
B - Rung slippage
ladders were tested to destruction.
Another key loading limit is reached when rung
slippage occurs. This is the point at which rungs slip
A - Rung bending load
This test simulates the load of hands or feet.
Connections narrower than 18mm may result in
lower values being achieved. This is the reason why
along the wire sides. Our tests indicate the earliest
stage at which this may occur. In the event of rung
slippage the ladder must be retired.
karabiners, slings and ropes should not be used to
C - Wire side breakage
suspend loads or climbers from rungs.
Side wires are tested independently to
The figure we state is the point beyond which the
produce figure C.
rung will bend. It is worth noting that the rung will
Storage & rapid
deployment pouch
Allows ladders to be stored
Fixing Wide ladders to anchor points
still be climbed, but the ladder must be retired.
The length from the top rung to the eye is always
300mm - Wide spreaders not required.
at the point of use ready for
Code
Description
Connector
immediate deployment.
LO 4
4mm galvanised spreader with swaged eyes
Swaged eyes
LM 4
4mm galvanised spreader with eyelet Maillon Rapide
Maillon Rapide
LC 4
4mm galvanised spreader with C-links
C-links
LO 4YS
4mm s/steel spreader with swaged eyes
Swaged eyes
Stand offs
not break at the figure quoted - it deforms, and can
Suitable for GRP fluted rung
ladders only, this item keeps
ladders away from a wall
Wire ladder attachment strop
allowing easier climbing. A
4mm wire code
Length
Termination
Breaking Load (kN)
pair of stand offs is applied to
LO 41
1m
Swaged eyes
10
LO 415
1.5m
LO 42
2m
every third rung of the ladder
for vertical hangs. More maybe
LO 43
3m
required if the ladder rests on an
LC 41
1m
inclined/curved surface.
LC 415
1.5m
LC 42
2m
LC 43
3m
C-links
2.5
Ladder Specifications
Ladder type
Rung
Sides
Breaking Loads (kN)
Weight (kg) per
10m length‡
A
Rungs
B
Slip
C
Side
25cm
spacing
30cm
spacing
Dia
(mm)
Width
(mm)
Material
Compact Regular
12.5
150
Dural aluminium alloy
4mm 7x19 galvanised steel wire rope
2
4
10
2.6
2.4
Compact Lightweight
12.5
150
Dural aluminium alloy
3mm 7x7 galvanised steel wire rope
2
4
6
2.0
1.8
Compact Black Rung
12.5
150
Black anodised Dural aluminium alloy
4mm 7x19 316 stainless steel wire rope
2
4
10
2.6
2.4
Wide Regular
25
270
Dural aluminium alloy
4mm 7x19 galvanised steel wire rope
5
8
10
7.5
6.2
Wide Black Rung
25
270
Black anodised Dural aluminium alloy
4mm 7x19 316 stainless steel wire rope
5
8
10
7.5
6.2
GRP Wire
34
270
Fluted glass reinforced plastic (GRP)
4mm 7x19 316 stainless steel wire rope
5
5
10
9.5
8.0
GRP Rope
34
270
Fluted glass reinforced plastic (GRP)
8mm braided polyester rope
5
5
8
N/A
10.6
9
8
Ladder ordering information
International Ladder Stockists
Ordering information
We have a range of ‘off the shelf ’ ladders available.
All flexible ladders manufactured by Lyon Equipment
To order a tailor made Compact or Wide ladder the
Limited are available through selected stockists
following information will help you.
throughout the UK.
Codes for our COMPACT and WIDE ladders are made
Please go to our Stockists page on our website to
up of several parts, which signify the various features of
see a complete list of Lyon ladder stockists.
the ladder.
If you wish to buy ladders outside the UK please
Example: Ordering an LO 4 10 25 SA will give you a
contact us directly at work.rescue@lyon.co.uk or
COMPACT BLACK RUNG ladder with 4mm stainless
through our international stockist list.
steel wire rope sides, swaged eye ends, 10m long with
25cm black anodised rungs.
Lyon Equipment office hours are:
Monday - Thursday 9am - 5pm
Speak to your stockist to discuss your exact
Friday
requirements.
9am - 1pm
Example:
LO
4
10
25
SA
Extra information about ladder:
SA
WA = wide alloy rungs
WSA = wide anodised rungs/stainless steel wire rope
WG = wide glass fibre rungs
HG = High Grip
= anodised rungs/stainless steel wire rope
www.lyon.co.uk/stockists
Rung Spacing: 25 or 30cm
Ladder length: standard lengths are 5 & 10 metres
Diameter of sides: 3mm or 4mm wire rope, or 8mm polyester rope
Ladder terminations: LO = swaged eye with thimble
LM = swaged eye with thimble plus Maillon Rapide (screw link terminator)
LC = swaged eye with thimble plus ‘C’ link
11
10
Lyon Equipment Limited
Junction 38, M6, Tebay, Cumbria, CA10 3SS, UK
Tel +44(0)15396 26250, Fax +44(0)15396 24857
Email work.rescue@lyon.co.uk
www.lyon.co.uk
March 2011