Fire Service Ground Ladders (7th Edition)
Chapter 3-Handling Ladders
Test Review
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A 24 foot extension ladder is most appropriate for reaching the eaves of a 2-story (8 feet/story) building.
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A 35 foot extension ladder is the best choice to reach a 3rd story (10 feet/story) window.
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A window rescue from the 4th floor of a commercial occupancy would most likely require a 45 foot pole
ladder.
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The method of mounting ladders to apparatus is determined by: Manufacturer's policy, brackets or racking
used, type of apparatus, body design, fire department requirements, and the type of ladder.

Ladders should be located where they facilitate removal and where they are not subjected to exhaust or engine
heat.
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NFPA 1901 requires pumpers to carry one 10-foot folding ladder, one 14-foot roof ladder, and one 24-foot
extension ladder.
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Ladders are usually mounted on a rack, vertically (on beam), on the right side of the apparatus.

Pumpers with high side compartments on both sides or ladders in excess of 35 feet may have to be relocated to
overhead racks for mounting.
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NFPA 1904 requires aerial apparatus to carry one 10-foot folding ladder, two 16-foot roof ladders, one 14foot combination ladder, one 24-foot extension ladder, and one 35-foot extension ladder.

Racking arrangements on aerial apparatus are usually either loaded from the rear in tiers, nested vertically on
the beam, or in flat tiers (horizontal) on the sides of the apparatus.

Folding ladders on aerial apparatus are usually mounted where ever it is convenient.
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Combination ladders on aerial apparatus may be on the side of the apparatus, in a topside cargo hold, or in a
large compartment.

Per NFPA 1902, initial attack apparatus must carry one 12-foot ladder (GVW < 15,000lbs.), one 14-foot
ladder (GVW 15,000-20,000lbs.), or one 16-foot ladder (GVW > 20,000lbs.).

Tankers and tenders designed solely for water transport are not required to carry ladders.

Tankers equipped with a fire pump must carry the same NFPA required amount of ladders for pumpers.

Rescue and squad apparatus are not required to carry ladders.

One residential story measures 8 to 10 feet.

Residential floor to windowsill measures about 3 feet.

One commercial story measures about 12 feet.
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Commercial floor to windowsill is about 4 feet.
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Ladders should extend beyond the roof, preferably 5 rungs.

When accessing the side of a window for ventilation, the tip of the ladder should be placed 3 to 4 rungs above
the windowsill.
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When performing a rescue from a window, the tip of the ladder should be placed just below the windowsill.

A 16 to 20 foot ladder is needed to reach a 1st story roof.

A 20 to 28 foot ladder is needed to reach a 2nd story window.
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A 28 to 35 foot ladder is needed to reach a 2nd story roof.
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A 40 to 50 foot ladder is needed to reach a 3rd story roof or window.

A ladder over 50 feet is needed to reach a 4th story roof.

The reach of a ladder under 35 feet is 1 foot less than the designated length.

The reach of a ladder over 35 feet is 2 foot less than the designated length.
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A 35-foot extension ladder is the most versatile of extension ladders because it is suitable for 1 to 3 story
residential, 1 to 2 story commercial, and 1 story industrial structures and is compact enough to be mounted on
a pumper.

35-foot, three-section ladders are heavier than 35-foot, two-section ladders.
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Ladders should not be removed from apparatus while stabilizers are being deployed.

When 2 or more firefighters are lifting a ladder, the firefighter at the rear should give commands to lift and
lower.
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Firefighters should pivot toward the butt when lifting ladders into carrying position.
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Hooks on roof ladders should be closed while carrying.

When performing a rescue, if a window is large enough, the tip of the ladder should be projected into the
window 3 to 4 rungs.
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Roofs should be laddered from at least 2 points on opposite sides.

When ladders are used to support smoke ejectors, the tip should be placed on the wall above the window
opening.

Placing a ladder at a 75 degree angle provides good stability and permits the climber to stand perpendicular at
arm's length to the rungs.
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When the butt of the ladder is too far from the building, load carrying capacity and stability is reduced.
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If a ladder is placed at less than a 75 degree angle, it should be tied off and heeled at all times.
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The proper distance of the butt from a building can be determined by dividing the used length of the ladder by
4.