F IRE S ERVICE L ADDERS Firefighter II. Copyright and Terms of Service Copyright © Texas Education...

FIRE SERVICE LADDERSFirefighter II

Copyright and Terms of Service

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FIRE SERVICE LADDERSPart I


LADDER COMPONENTS

Beam Butt, heel, or base Butt spurs Heat sensor label Hooks Rails Rungs Truss block

4


LADDER COMPONENTS(CONTINUED)

Bed/base/main section Dogs, locks, pawls Fly section Footpads/shoes Halyard Protection plates Pulley Tip/top

5


LADDER COMPONENTS (CONTINUED)

Stops on the Bed and Fly Sectionsof an Extension Ladder

Tie Rods on a Wooden Ladder

6


LADDER TYPESSINGLE LADDERS Consist of one fixed length section Identified by their overall length

6 to 32 feet Most common lengths range from 12 to 24 feet

Also called wall ladders and straight (wall) ladders Used for quick access to windows and roofs on one-

and two-story buildings

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LADDER TYPESSINGLE LADDERS (CONTINUED) Roof ladders

Have folding hooks that can anchor over the ridge of pitched roofs

Lie flat on the roof’s surface Distributes the weight of the firefighter and helps prevent

slipping Can be used as single wall ladders Range from 12 to 24 feet in length

Folding ladders (Attic ladders) Single ladders that are most often used to access

attics Have hinged rungs that allow the beams to rest

against each other while the ladder is closed Folding ladders range from 8 to 16 feet in length The most common length is 10 feet

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LADDER TYPESEXTENSION LADDERS Have a bed or base section and one or more fly

sections that extend the ladder’s length Are adjustable to the length needed to access roofs

and windows Range in length from 12 to 39 feet Pole ladders (Bangor ladders)

Have poles attached to swivels at the top of the bed section that add leverage and stability when they are being raised

Must be equipped with staypoles if 40 feet or longer (NFPA 1931)

Constructed with two to four sections Most are 50 feet or less

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LADDER TYPESEXTENSION LADDERS (CONTINUED) Combination ladders

Are designed to be a self-supporting step ladder (A-frame), a single ladder, or an extension ladder

Range from 8 to 14 feet in length The most popular length is 10 feet Must be equipped with positive locking devices to secure the ladder

when in the open position

Pompier ladders (scaling ladders) Single beam ladders with rungs extending through the beam, and

projecting from both sides Have a large metal “gooseneck” that is used to hook onto window

sills or other openings Used to climb from floor to floor, through the use of exterior

windows or openings Range from 10 to 16 feet in length 10


Ladder Types


11

LADDER CONSTRUCTION

MetalGood conductor of heat,

cold, and electricityEasy to repairMay fail suddenly when

exposed to heat or flameWidest range of sizes

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LADDER CONSTRUCTION (CONTINUED)

WoodMost expensive and

heaviestRetain strength when

exposed to heat or flame

Very durable

13


LADDER CONSTRUCTION (CONTINUED)

FiberglassPoor conductors of electricityMay suddenly crack or fail when

overloadedMay burn when exposed to flame

14


LADDER INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE

NFPA 1931 Certification label applied by the

manufacturer Maintenance – “keeping in a state of

usefulness or readiness” Repair – “restore or replace what is damaged

or worn out” Ladders must be serviced and tested

Before being put in service Annually After exposure to high heat After exposure to rough treatment

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LADDER INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE (CONTINUED)

General maintenance requirements Keep ladders free from

moisture Do not expose ladders to

vehicle exhaust or engine heat

Do not store ladders where they will be exposed to the elements

Do not paint ladders, except for the top and bottom 18 inches of the beams for the purpose of identification or visibility

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CLEANING LADDERS Dirt and debris on ladders can cause them to

malfunction Use a soft bristle brush and running water Tar, oil, and greasy residue should be removed with

mild soap and water, or solvents that are safe for the environment

Always wipe wet ladders dry Inspect while cleaning and follow Standard Operating

Procedures (SOPs) Apply lubricants properly

17


INSPECTION AND SERVICE TESTING LADDERS

NFPA 1932 requires ladders to be inspected monthly, and after each use By approved testing organizations or fire service

personnel

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INSPECTION AND SERVICE TESTING LADDERS (CONTINUED)

Inspections should include: Verification of heat sensing labels (look for a

change in color, indicating heat exposure) Rungs for damage and wear Rungs for tightness Bolts and rivets for tightness Welds for cracks and/or defects Beams and rungs for cracks, splintering, breaks,

gouges, checks, wavy conditions, or deformation

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For wooden ladders and ladders with wooden components, look for Ladder finishes that are chafed or scraped Darkened varnish (indicates exposure to heat) Dark streaks in the wood (indicates deterioration

of wood) Marred, worn, cracked, or splintered parts Rounded or smooth shoes Water damage

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Roof ladders Make sure the roof hook

assemblies operate smoothly

Look for signs of rustDeformed hooksParts firmly attached

with no signs of being loose

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INSPECTION AND SERVICE TESTING LADDERS (CONTINUED) Extension ladders

Check the following: Pawl assemblies (hooks and fingers

should move in and out freely) Halyard should be replaced if damaged Halyard cables should be taut when the

ladder is bedded Make sure the pulleys spin freely Make sure the ladder guides are in place,

and that the ladder can move freely Staypole toggles and the mechanism used for detachable

staypoles should be checked to make sure that they move and operate freely

Remove ladders that need to be repaired and tested Destroy ladders that cannot be repaired, or scrap

them for parts 22


NFPA REQUIREMENTS NFPA 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus,

specifies the minimum length and types of ladders to be carried on pumpers/engine companies: 1 roof ladder 1 extension ladder (recommended to be 35-foot in areas

where no ladder trucks are in service) 1 attic ladder

NFPA 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus, specifies that aerial ladders must carry the following: One 10-foot or longer attic ladder Two roof ladders that are at least 16 feet long One combination ladder at least 14 feet long One 24-foot or longer extension ladder One 35-foot extension ladder

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FIRE SERVICE LADDERSPart II


LADDER SAFETY Choose the proper ladder for the job Wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Use your leg muscles when lifting ladders below the

waist Do not raise ladders within 10 feet of electrical lines Place the ladder at the proper climbing angle (75

degrees) Do not overload the ladder (one firefighter every 10

feet, or one per section) Tie in with a leg lock or a ladder belt when working Use ladders for their intended purposes Inspect ladders for damage or wear after each use

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LADDER SELECTION Residential stories are about 10 feet with 3

feet between the floor and the window Commercial stories are about 12 feet with 4

feet between the floor and the windowsill The base of the ladder should be able to be

placed 1/4 of the vertical distance from the ground to where the ladder comes in contact with the wall

The optimum climbing angle is about 75 degrees

Ladders should extend three to five rungs beyond the roof edge to provide safe footing and handholds to step off the ladder

The tip of the ladder should be placed even with the top of the window on the windward side (upwind), to gain access to narrow windows or to ventilate

The ladder tip should be placed just below the windowsill to facilitate rescues

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PROPER LADDER LIFTING AND LOWERING METHODS Have the proper number of personnel for the job When raising a ladder bend your knees, keeping your

back as straight as possible, and lift with your legs When 2 or more firefighters are lifting, the firefighter

at the butt end should give the ladder commands When lowering a ladder use your leg muscles

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LADDER CARRIES

One Firefighter Low-Shoulder Carry Rest the ladder’s upper beam on your shoulder,

while your arm goes between two rungs (Single or Roof Ladder)

Carry the butt end of the ladder in front, slightly lowered

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LADDER CARRIES (CONTINUED)

Two Firefighter Low-Shoulder Carry Most commonly used for 24-, 28-, and 35-foot

extension ladders Allows for excellent control of the ladder The forward firefighter (at the butt) places his or

her free hand over the upper butt spur to prevent injury if there is a collision while the ladder is being carried

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Three Firefighter Flat-Shoulder Carry Usually used on extension ladders up to 35 feet

in length Two firefighters on one side of the ladder (one on

each end) A single firefighter on the opposite side of the

ladder in the middle

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Four Firefighter Flat-Shoulder Carry The ladder is carried on the flat, as in the three

firefighter flat-shoulder carry, except for the positioning

There are two firefighters on each end of the ladder, opposite each other

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Two Firefighter Arm’s Length On-Edge Carry Best performed with lightweight ladders The firefighters are positioned on the bed-section

of the ladder while the ladder is in a vertical position (on-edge)

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Special Procedures for Carrying Roof Ladders A firefighter may have to carry

a roof ladder tip forward Intends on climbing another

ground ladder Allows him or her to place the

roof ladder, with the hooks deployed, on a sloped roof

Use the low-shoulder method with the hooks/tip forward

33


POSITIONING GROUND LADDERS

Responsibility for positioning Officers usually choose the general location Personnel carrying the ladder usually decide the

exact location The firefighter at the butt end makes the decision If there are two firefighters at the butt end, the

firefighter on the right side is responsible This procedure changes from department to

department

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POSITIONING GROUND LADDERS(CONTINUED) Place ladders at a minimum of two points on different sides of the

building to allow for emergency egress if necessary Take advantage of the building’s construction when placing a ladder

(such as the corners) Raise the ladder directly in front of the window if you are going to use the

ladder to support a smoke ejector. Place the ladder tip on the wall directly above the window opening.

Try not to place ladders on uneven terrain Avoid placing ladders in avenues of egress; attempt to place ladders to

the side of the opening where firefighters need to gain entry, or where evacuation may occur

Avoid heat and flames whenever possible Don’t place ladders on top of trapdoors, grates, or manholes that are

located on sidewalks or streets The desired angle of inclination is approximately 75 degrees Proper distance between the heel of the ladder and the building can be

determined by dividing the length of the ladder used by 4 35


POSITIONING GROUND LADDERS(CONTINUED)

36

Don’t place a ladder where there are overhead obstructions.

Try not to place ladders over openings to avoid exposure to heat and flame.


SECURING THE LADDER

On extension ladders Make sure the ladder locks are locked Tie the halyard with a clove hitch and an

overhand safety knot Prevent movement of the ladder by tying the

ladder in, or by heeling the ladder

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HEELING THE LADDER

Underneath the ladder method Stand beneath the ladder with feet

shoulder’s width apart, and one foot slightly in front of the other

Grasp the beams at about eye level and then pull backward, pulling the ladder against the building

Wear head and eye protection Do not look up as someone climbs

the ladder Grasp the beams and not the rungs Be aware of the potential for falling

objects 38


HEELING THE LADDER(CONTINUED)

Outside the ladder method Stand on the outside of the

ladder and chock or secure the ladder with one foot placed against the beam at the butt, or on the bottom rung

Grasp the beams with your hands and press the ladder against the building

Stay alert for firefighters coming down the ladder

39


HEELING THE LADDER(CONTINUED)

Tying in Tie the ladder securely to an

object whenever possible, to prevent it from slipping or pulling away from the building

Use a hose, rope, tool, or strap to secure it

This frees you from having to stay with the ladder to secure it

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FIRE SERVICE LADDERSPart III


CLIMBING AND DESCENDING LADDERS Climb smoothly by keeping your

knees bent Keep your balanced (body

perpendicular to the ground) Keep your eyes focused forward

(look at the tip of the ladder occasionally)

Keep your arms straight (horizontal) during the climb to keep your body away from the ladder and allow for freedom of movement

Keep your hands on the rungs (palms down with thumbs under the rung)

Grasp alternate rungs while climbing

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CLIMBING AND DESCENDING LADDERS(CONTINUED) Coordinate your hand and foot

movements with your opposing hand and foot on the ladder

Use your leg muscles to push yourself upward

Do not reach your arms and hands above your head

Develop form as you practice; speed comes with repetition

When carrying equipment Slide your free hand under a beam as

you climb, maintaining constant contact with the ladder

Hoist tools and equipment whenever possible

43


WORKING FROM A LADDER Firefighters must work with

both hands while working from a ladder

Use a ladder belt or leg lock to make sure both hands are free to work

If a ladder belt is used, it should be securely tightened around the waist and attached to a rung

A leg lock can be used to secure a firefighter to a ladder, with the leg opposite the side of the ladder your hands are working on

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ASSISTING VICTIMS DOWN LADDERS

Ladder placement Rescue from a window

requires the ladder to be placed just below the sill

To bring victims down a ladder, at least four firefighters are needed Two inside the building One or two on the ladder One heeling the ladder

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ASSISTING VICTIMS DOWN LADDERS

Conscious victims can be lowered feet first (facing the building) onto the ladder

An unconscious victim can be held on the ladder the same way as a conscious victim, with the victim’s weight resting on the rescuer’s knee

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ASSISTING VICTIMS DOWN LADDERS(CONTINUED)

The victim’s feet are placed outside the rails The rescuer must grasp the rungs to provide a

secure hold on the ladder, and to help prevent the victim’s head from hitting the ladder

The unconscious victim can also be turned around, facing the rescuer to reduce the chance of the victim’s limbs catching on the rungs

The victim’s weight is supported at the crotch by one of the rescuer’s arms and at the chest by the other arm

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ASSISTING VICTIMS DOWN LADDERS (CONTINUED) Extraordinarily heavy victims will require two rescuers

Two ground ladders are placed side-by-side One rescuer supports the victim’s waist and legs The second rescuer supports the victims head and upper

torso Small children may be brought down a ladder as they are

cradled across the rescuer’s arms

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RESOURCES 1418001775, Introduction to Fire Protection (3rd

Edition), Klinoff, Robert

0135151112, Essentials of Firefighting (5thEdition), International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA)

Images used with permission from IFSTA.

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F IRE S ERVICE L ADDERS Firefighter II. Copyright and Terms of Service Copyright © Texas Education...

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