Basic Ladders (BSM) Flashcards
Stairways are ordinarily accessible, but sometimes they may be involved in fire or other hazards. Members must therefore need to ___
Provide their own means of ascent or descent to upper floors
Ladder uses
- Rescue
- Access
- Ventilation
- Fire streams
- Bracing
- Salvage
The principle use of fire service ladders
Rescue work
Windows may be vented from the ___ using ground ladders
Exterior
Fire service ladders are used to gain access to ___
Attics, upper floors, or to the roof of a structure as well as spaces that may be difficult to access otherwise
Fire streams can be operated directly off of ___ ladders
Properly supported
A small extension ladder that is carried on all ladder trucks and engine companies. Vary in length from 10 to 14 feet
Baby ladder
The main section of an extension ladder from which the fly is extended
Bed
The principle structural member of the ladder where the rungs are secured
Beam
Beams may be ___
Solid or trussed
The bottom end of the ladder opposite the tip
Butt
Used in multiple-fly extension ladders to extend fly sections in addition to the halyard
Cable
Used to anchor the end of the cable to the fly section
Cable anchor
The folding attic ladder has hinged rungs whereby the two beams can be folded together
Folding ladder
The mechanism that keeps the flys from retracting once they are properly set on the desired rung
Dogs
Dogs are also referred to as ___
Pawls or locks
Ladders with two or more section, and with the exception of the baby ladder, are extended with a halyard
Extension ladder
In Seattle, extension ladders vary in length from ___
10 to 45 feet
The extendable and retractable section or sections of an extension ladder
Fly
The metal strips on an extension ladder which guide the fly section or sections while being extended or retracted
Guides
The rope used to extend or retract the fly
Halyard
The device used to anchor the halyard line to the fly section
Halyard anchor
The curved metal hooks at the tip end of a roof ladder
Hooks
A metal hook and rope device used to secure the tip of a ladder to its objective to prevent tipping
Ladder anchor
The grooved metal wheel over which the halyard or cable is drawn when extending or retracting the flys
Pulley
A straight ladder with folding hooks at the tip end used for maintaining secure footing when operating on a pitched roof
Roof ladder
Horizontal cross members of the ladder, used when climbing
Rungs
Rungs on fire service ladders are usually ___
Round and spaced 14” apart
The metal plate where the rungs are set in the beam
Rung plates
The metal point at the end of a tormentor pole
Spike
Protrusions at the butt of a ladder to prevent slipping when in the raised position, and to protect the end of the beams
Spurs
Prevents the extension of a fly section out of the top of the bed
Stops
Attaches the tormentor pole to the right and left beams on the bed section of a 40’ or longer ladder
Swivel
The uppermost end of the ladder
Tip
The poles attached to the upper bed section of a 40’ or larger extension ladder
Tormentor poles
Purpose of tormentor poles
Assist in raising, lowering, pivoting, and stabilizing of the ladder
The solid beam is a ___
Solid piece of material of the shape and size to provide the maximum strength for fire service work
___ ladders are designed to increase strength in relation to weight
Trussed
When using longer ladders, trussed beam ladders are often used rather than solid beam because ___
The weight of the trussed beam ladder will be less, although just as strong
Beamed ladders are used for ___
Certain roof ladders
It is good practice to write the measured length of the ladder on the ___
Inside of each beam near the butt
The length written on the ladder is the length when it is ___
Retracted
Purpose of writing the length of the ladder near the butt
Allows members to better judge the distance in which they must extend the fly to the desired target height
Baby ladders are primarily used in ___
Gaining access to lower elevations on the exterior of buildings, salvage work, and gaining access to scuttles inside buildings
Primary purpose of the roof ladder
Establish secure footing on a pitched roof
The hooks on a roof ladder provide a means of ___
Anchoring the ladder over the roof ridge or some other roof part
A roof ladder can allow easier access to the bottom of a fire escape by ___
Using the hooks over the rungs and the spurs on the ground
Roof ladder length
Vary from 10 to 20 feet
Most common size of roof ladder carried
12 to 14 feet
The folding ladder measures about ___
4” (width when folded)
10’ length
The folding ladder cannot be ___
Extended
The folding ladder is also called ___
An attic ladder
Advantage of the folding ladder
It is easier to maneuver around corners, in hallways, and stairwells
Ladders ___ or longer are equipped with poles to assist in handling and placement
40’
Ladder safety precautions
- Use extreme caution when reaching arms through the rungs of extended ladders
- Do not adjust the butt of an extended ladder until the tip is against the building and the fly is properly secured
- Keep hands, fingers, and feet clear of the fly sections and rungs when extending or retracting
- Use approved safety gear while manipulating ladders
- Avoid walking backwards while carrying ladders
- Attempt to maintain as many point of contact with the ladder to safely complete the task, unless locked in
- Never lock in on a non secured ladder
- Never lock in on an arial ladder
- Check overhead for wires or obstructions prior to raising and lowing ladders
- Always watch the tip of the ladder whenever it is in the vertical position, when lowering into the building, and when pivoting
- Do not walk backwards when maneuvering tormentor poles
- Do not step over ladders lying on the ground
Before reaching arms through the rungs of extended ladders, make sure that ___
All dogs are locked and the halyard is secured
Secure the extension ladder fly with ___
The halyard or body loop
Minimum safety gear when manipulating ladders
Gloves, helmets, and steel toed shoes
Washington law providing for ladder safety standards for the fire service
WAC 296-305-06005
Ladder locks or pawls on extension ladder shall be so fastened or secured to the beams that ____
Vibration and use will not cause loosening of bolts and nuts
Pawls or ladder locks shall be so constructed that the ___
Hook portion of the pawl that engages the rung shall have sufficient bearing surface or area to prevent the hook from cutting into the rungs when engaged
The ladder lock hooks shall be properly finished to eliminate ___
Sharp edges and points
___ shall be furnished on all extension ladders over 40’
Staypoles or tormentors
Staypole or tormentor spikes shall not project beyond the ___
Butt of the ladders when nested
All ladders shall be stored in a manner to provide ___
Ease of access for inspection, and to prevent danger of accident when withdrawing them for use
Members shall climb and descent ground ladders with the fly ___
Out
When can members climb a ladder with the fly in?
Adverse conditions when it is necessary to assure secure footing
All ladders regardless of type shall be inspected thoroughly ___
After each use
Records of ladder shall be kept of the ___
Inspections and repairs
Metal ladder components to be checked
- Rungs for welds, damage or weakness caused by overloading or bumping against other objects, looseness and cracks, etc
- Beams for welds, rivets and bolts, signs of strain or metal fatigue, and deformation from heat or overloading
- Bolts and rivets for tightness
- Butt spurs for excessive wear or other defects
- Halyards for fraying or breaking
- Heat sensor label, for change indicating heat exposure
Methods for fastening ladder halyards, shall be in a manner that the connection is ___
Stronger than the halyard
Any defect noted in the visual inspection shall be ___
Corrected prior to testing
Lifting should be done with the ___
Knees bent in a squatting position, with the back straight
Keep the load close into the ___
Body
Lifting by stooping over with the legs straight places the load on the ___
Sensitive back and abdominal muscles
Lifting properly places the load on the ___
Heavy muscles in the thighs
Keeping the ties pointed ___ lessens the chance of abdominal injury
Slightly inward rather than spread out
When two or more members lift together, their actions should be ___
In unison
Ensure ___ before lifting
Good footing and a firm and substantial hand grip
The use of ___ will ensure that all members are in unison
Preparatory commands
If in doubt or a member is not ready, ___ is vital to preventing unnecessary injuries
Early communication from members
Members must know what action to take when the ladder command is given to ensure ___
A smooth, coordinated movement in lifting, carrying, spotting, raising, pivoting, extending, retracting and lowering a ladder
Commands shall be given by the member in charge in a ___
Loud, clear, and concise voice
___ is required to commands
Prompt and exact response
When using tormentor poles, the member in charge will be on the ___
Right pole
When two or more members are carrying a ladder, the member in charge shall be positioned ___
- On the right beam, at the center, for a cradle carry
- On the right beam, at the center or butt, for a 3 member flat carry
- At the right butt on a 4 or 5 member flat carry
- At the butt for all beam carries
If a sufficient number of members are available to carry the ladder, the officer may opt to ___
Stand out and give commands
What to decide about the ladder when sizing-up a situation?
- The use for the ladder
- Type of ladder needed
- Length of ladder most suitable to the situation
Ladders have their greatest strength when in a ___ position
Vertical
Ladders have their least strength when in a ___ position
Horizontal
To ensure safety, ease of climbing, and to support the greatest weight, ladders should be ___
Placed at the proper angle
Proper angle for a ladder
About 70° from horizontal
Simple and effective way to determine if a ladder is set at the proper angle for climbing
Take a standard position with your toes against the ladder spurs, extend your arms out straight, and your fingers should fall on the rung at about shoulder level
Maximum number of people allowed on a ladder is determined by ___
The ladder manufacturer
Maximum load of ladder less than 30’
2
Maximum load of ladder 30’ or longer
3
The maximum number of people allowed on a ladder includes ___
Anyone being rescued or carried down the ladder
Loads exerted on ladders for drill purposes or normal fire ground operations should not exceed ___
750 lbs
NFPA requires that all fire service ground extension and roof ladders have a ___ safety factor designed into the working load limits
4:1
When a member is working on a ladder, the fly sections shall be ___
Properly secured using the halyard or a body loop
Refer to the ___ for the maximum load specifications for arial ladder apparatus
Manufacturer’s manual
Ladder commands must be spoken ___
Clearly and loud enough to be heard by all members of the ladder team
Commands will normally be given by the member ___
In charge of the operation
The officer, or member in charge, should be positioned ___ during the removal and carrying of ladders
On the right beam (or pole)
Members carrying ladders shall be alert to ___
Warn others of danger, or to inform the member in charge of unsafe conditions
The member ___ will give the commands to complete the raise and placement of the ladder into the objective
On the right beam (or pole)
The member in charge of the ladder may stand out, achieving a ___
Better vantage point to give commands
All extension ladders are raised with the fly sections ___
Toward the building
To ensure a proper angle for the ladder ___
The butt of the ladder should be a fixed distance out from the surface supporting the top of the ladder, about 1/4 of the height from the ground to the point the ladder rests against the objective
Command given to adjust the butt of the ladder (to the right, left, in, or out) to the proper climbing angle or squaring it to the building
Adjust the butt
Statement made by members after checking to ensure that the dogs are secured properly to the desired rung after extending the flys
All dogs are locked
The fly section of the ladder is extended to the desired height by pulling down on the halyard
Extend the fly
A command given by the member on the tormentor poles to the member on the fly side of the ladder to come and take the left tormentor pole once the ladder has come to the vertical and is stabilized
Fly side around
A command given to lower the butt end of the ladder prior to raising it to the vertical
Ground the butt
What carries is the command “Ground the Butt” given?
Cradle and beam carries
During a cradle carry, cradle raise, the command “Ground the Butt” would order the members to ___
Place the butt on the ground and raise the ladder all in one motion
The member shifting the ladder stops and lowers the butt to the ground
“Halt” (pause) “Lower”
The command issued when the fly is at the desired height. The fly is then locked at the next highest rung
High
The member on the bed side of the ladder, with the member on the fly side assisting them, lower the ladder into the building
Into the building
When lowering a ladder into a building, the members on the bide side of the ladder (during a 3 person evolution) must ensure that ___
Their inside foot is placed on the bottom rung to keep the butt of the ladder from moving
When lowering a ladder into a building, if one member is on the bed side, ___
Both hands should grasp the 4th rung and the left foot would be on the bottom rung in the center
When lowering a ladder into a building, if two members are on the bed side, ___
Their inside hands should grasp the 4th rung and their outside hands would grasp the respective beams
Warning statement called out to advise others that a ladder is being carried through their area
Ladder coming through
The left pole member gives their pole to the right pole member and moves to the fly side of the ladder
Left pole around
The member lifts the ladder and moves in the direction indicated
“Lift” (pause) “Shift”
The member on the right beam lowers the fly sections
Lower the fly
It is necessary for the member on the right beam to lower the fly, due to ___
The fact that the halyard, as it goes through the upper pulley, is angled to the right side
If a ladder were ever to have the halyard come from the left side of the pulley on a 3 person evolution the member ___ would lower the fly
on the left
Lower the ladder to the ground
Lower the ladder
The member gives this command when they start moving with the tormentor pole to get in position before and after the pivot of a 40’ or greater extension ladder
Moving
How many tormentor poles can be moving at a time?
Only one
The ladder is pivoted toward the flys on the designated beam
On the (right or left) beam, pivot in
Ladders are pivoted ___ unless directed otherwise
1/4 turn
The ladder is pivoted toward the bed on the designated beam
On the (right or left) beam, pivot out