Chapter 8 - Ground Ladders Flashcards
Parts of a ladder
Beam- main structural member of a ladder supporting the rungs or rung blocks
Bed section- lowest and widest section of an extension ladder
Butt- Heel, bottom end of the ladder, placed on ground
Butt Spurs- metal plates, spikes, or cleats attached to butt end to prevent slippage
Fly Section- upper section(s) of extension or some combination ladders, section that moves
Footpads- swivel plates attached to the butt of the ladder
Continued..
Halyard- fly rope, rope or cable used for hoisting and lowering fly sections of an extension ladder
Heat sensor label- inside of each beam of each ladder section, color change indicates ladder exposed to high heat and should be tested
Hooks- curved metal devices at the top end of roof ladders
Pawls- Dogs, devices attached to inside of beams on fly section used to hold fly section in place
Pulley- Small, grooved wheel through which halyard is drawn on extension ladder
Continued..
Rails- 2 lengthwise members of a trussed ladder beam
Rungs- cross members that provide foothold for climbing
Tip- extreme top of a ladder
Ladder types
Single, roof, combination, and extension
Single ladder
Wall ladders or straight ladders. Nonadjustable.
Roof ladder
Folding hooks that provide a means of anchoring the ladder over a ridge of a pitched roof. Helps prevent slipping.
Extension ladder
Consists of a bed section and one or more fly sections.
Residential story averages about how many feet
10 ft, 3m
With distance from floor to windowsill averages 3 ft, 1m
Commercial story averages about how many feet
12 ft, 4m
With a 4 ft, 1m plus some to windowsill.
Roof access, optimal climbing angle
75 degrees
3-5 rungs above edge
Access/egress angle
65 degrees
tip of ladder just above windowsill
Victim rescue
60 degrees
tip of ladder just below windowsill
Heeling
Way of preventing movement of a ladder. Also known as footing.
Climbing ladders
Smooth and rhythmically. 3 points of contact.
Ladders Used by CFD
All ladders used by CFD are constructed of aluminum and are of the “solid beam” variety.
There are two manufactures of Ladders in CFD’s fleet.
Alco-lite and Duo-Safety
Duo-Safety
- Ladder beams are solid construction and smooth
- Rungs are welded into place
- Thimble is located to protect working end halyard loop
- Working end of halyard tied to an anchor
- Pulley has some movement
- Generally lighter in weight than Alco-lite
Alco-lite
- Ladder beams have I-beam construction
- Rungs are pressed into place allowing replacement
- Halyard tied directly to the ladder rungs
- Pulley has no movement
- Generally heavier than Duo-Safety ladders
Bangor Ladder
Ladder is similar to the Extension ladder but has the addition of “tormentor poles” because of the height of these ladders, the poles add stability and remove flex from the ladder. Uses similar to extension ladder
Folding Ladder (Little Giant Revolution 17)
It can be used as an A-frame ladder, staircase ladder, 90 degree ladder or an extension ladder.
- Working Load: 300lbs
- Weight of 37.5 lbs
Working load of all roof ladders (14, 16, 18)
750 lbs
24’ Extension Ladder
- Ladder Weight: 72lbs
- Closed Length: 14’2”
- Working Load: 750lbs
28’ Extension Ladder
- Ladder Weight: 87lbs
- Closed Length: 16’3”
- Working Load: 750lbs
35’ 2 Section Extension Ladder
Offers greater reach and is raised by two members due to its weight and length. This ladder will reach many objectives including a 4th story window.
* Ladder Weight: 122lbs
* Closed Length: 20’3”
* Working Load: 750lbs
45’ 3 Section Bangor Ladder
This ladder will reach a 5th
story balcony or 4th story roof.
* Ladder Weight: 240lbs
* Closed Length: 19’
* Working Load: 750lbs
28 ft or less – 2 Firefighters maximum load
True
35 or more 3 Firefighters maximum load
True
NFPA requires all ladders to have a safety factor of 4:1
True
Ladder Care, Maintenance and Testing
Proper care and inspection of the ladder should be performed on the first dayshift at the start of the platoon’s tour. At a minimum Ladders must be cleaned the first Sunday of every month as per the “Cleaning and Care of Apparatus” procedure.
Ladder Safety Considerations
- Do not adjust the butt of an extended ladder until the tip is against the building and the fly is correctly secured with dogs locked.
- Always use a “buttman”
- Never lock in on an unsecured ladder.
- Never lock in on an aerial ladder.
- Do not step over ladders lying on the ground; walk around instead.
Unless absolutely necessary due to the situation, ladders should not be placed:
- In front of entrances or exits that may cause an obstruction
- Into or against burning objects or windows
- Against rounded roof surfaces or against the slope of a pitched roof, which may cause the ladder to slide
- In a manner which the butt of the ladder straddles hoselines
Ladders on uneven ground can use a ladder chock to bring the ladder butts inline, thus making the ladder level for climbing
True
Ladder Commands
- Adjust the Butt
- Dogs are Locked
- (Extend) the Fly
- (Ladder) Coming Through
- Ground conditions
- Overhead hazards
Ladder Carries
The CFD uses four primary carries for all ladders in inventory, except for the 45’ Bangor. The four carries are the suitcase and flat (for ladders over 28’ in length), and the low and high shoulder carry for all other ladders. There is a variation of these two carries that is also put into a practice called the “High/Low” Carry that can be used with either the flat or suitcase variation.
Any ladder 28’ in length or under is expected to be carried and thrown by one member.
True
Ladder Raises
There are two main types of raises used by CFD. They are the beam raise and the flat raise. For ladders 28’ and under, the carry (high shoulder or low shoulder) and the raise (beam or flat) are incorporated into one fluid motion.
Beam Raise
This raise is ideal for narrow laneways, tight alleys and between buildings. It is fast to deploy; using the suitcase carry/high low carry, the ladder can be immediately dropped, grounded and then raised.
Flat Raise
This raise is easier for the member raising the ladder, as well as the grounding member. It is suited best to where the ladder can be placed perpendicular to the building. This raise is not always achievable due to obstructions, and the raise is slower than the beam raise. Once the ladder is in the desired location, the ladder must be laid flat.
Low Shoulder Carry To Flat Raise “Chicken Wing”
This carry is limited and the ladder can only be deployed in this manner against a flat vertical objective. There must be a fixed object for the ladder to be grounded against
4 points of contact when raising a ladder
Foot the butt of the ladder with your foot (contact point #1). Next, allow your knee and lower leg to brace the outside of the ladder beam (contact point #2). Higher up, the beam will rest on your shoulder (contact point #3). With your hands, grab the halyard to extend the ladder into position (contact point #4).
The Calgary Fire Department utilizes ladders in the “fly-out” position but if needed the ladder can be used in the fly-in position
True
Tying the Halyard
The CFD uses two half-hitches to tie the halyards on all ground ladders.
When climbing the ladder with a tool, place the tool in your desired hand, and grasp the rear of the beam while maintaining your grip of the tool. This allows you to maintain three points of contact. Slide your hand up the beam as you proceed up the ladder to your objective.
True
- Ladders 28’ or Less – 2 Persons
- Ladder 35’ or more – 3 Persons
True
Never Leg Lock on an Aerial Ladder Device.
TRUE
Knee Lock
This lock is a quick and temporary lock performed by flexing your knees into the beams of the ladder. It can be used when receiving a victim or when breaking glass for VEIS
Heel Lock
Take your heel and put it through the ladder rung, locking it in one rung below; offers you a secure lock to the ladder and allows you the ability to move quickly if conditions change. This lock can be used with the lock opposite the working side or on the same side of the ladder.
Tool Lock
This lock can be used when ventilating windows and uses the tool as a lock. Simply put one arm on either side of the ladder beam grasping the tool, then vent the window. This lock can also be used in conjunction with other locks.
Leg Lock
This lock must be performed opposite the working side of the ladder. Reach the proper working height and climb one rung higher. Place the leg opposite of the work through the rung spacing and as the member’s knee approaches the rung bend the leg back toward the next rung. It is acceptable to lock the foot into the lower rung or onto the beam.
Care should be taken to only break glass immediately before entry. Venting a room that has not been isolated will entrain heat and products of combustion into the compartment, decreasing the survivability rate of the victim.
TRUE
Hose Stream Placement
This involves using a ladder to get a better placement. The ladder may be placed beside the window on the windward side. It may also be placed in the window opening with the tip up to one rung into the window. The climbing angle should be at 75 degrees, and a leg lock should be used while operating the hose line. Use a backup member below you to alleviate some nozzle reaction, or use hose ropes, girth hitched to the ladder rungs.
Vertical Ventilation (Walkable Roof)
When laddering for roof operations on a walkable roof, operations should be started from the unburned side. This gives a reference point on roof tenability and also gives a point of refuge. Two ladders should be used, so a secondary means of egress can be maintained
Hoisting a Ladder with a Rope
The ladder is left fully bedded with the fly towards the building (if an extension ladder). The end of the rope should be secured to an object if possible. Use a figure eight on a bight to secure the ladder around one third of the way down (3 rungs). When raised the tip should be pointed away from the building, as this allows for overcoming obstacles such as eaves or cantilevered sections. When lowering the ladder, turn it so the tip is facing the building.
Lift on command of firefighter who can see members of the team
True
- Carry roof ladders with hooks closed
- Carry ladders with butt end first
True
Two-section ladders, each click of the dog is 14”
Three-section ladders each click of the dog is 28”
