Chapter 12 Ladders Flashcards
egress
method to exit or escape
grade
the level at which the ground intersects the foundation of a structure.
Ladder secondary functions
- roof ladders provide stable footing and distribute the weight of fire fighters during pitched roof operations.
- Ladder gin- are used to lower a rescuer into a trench or manhole or to raise a victim safely from a below grade site.
Basic components of a straight ladder (roof)
- butt
- tip
- truss block
- rail
- beams
- rung
types of beams
- trussed beam
- I- Beam
- Solid Beam
Beam
is one of the two main structural components that run the entire length of most ladders or ladder sections. Beams support the rungs
Trussed Beam
Has a top rail and a bottom rail which are joined by a series of smaller pieces called truss blocks. rungs attach to truss blocks. Aluminum or wood
I-Beam
Has thick sections at the top and the bottom which are connected by a thinner section. the rungs are attached to the thinner section of the beam this type of beam is usually made from fiberglass.
Solid Beam
as a simple rectangular cross section many wooden ladders have solid beams. Rectangular aluminum beams which are usually hollow or c shaped are also classified as solid beams.
Rail
is the top or bottom section of a trussed beam. each truss beam has two rails
Truss Block
is a piece or assembly that connects the two rails of a trussed beam.
Rung
is a crosspiece that spans the two beams of a ladder. usually aluminum sometimes wood
Tie rod
is a metal bar that runs from one beam of the ladder to the other and keeps the beams from separating. typically found in wood ladders
Tip
is the very top of the ladder
Butt
is the end of the ladder that is placed against the ground when the ladder is raised, sometimes called the heel
Butt Spurs
are the metal spikes that are attached to the butt of a ladder.
Butt Plate/footpad
is an alternative to a simple butt spur it is a swiveling plate attached to the butt of the ladder and incorporates both a spur and a cleat or pad.
Roof Hooks
are spring loaded retractable curved metal pieces that are attached to the tip of the ladder to the peak of a pitched roof
Heat sensor label
identifies when the ladder has been exposed to specific heat conditions that could damage the structural integrity of the ladder. Ladders exposed to heat must be removed from service and tested before being used again. 300 degrees turns black
Protection Plates
reinforcing pieces that are placed on a ladder at chaffing and contact points to prevent damage from friction or contact with other surfaces.