Chapter 8: Ground Ladders Flashcards
what are ground ladders used for
While primarily used to access upper stories and roofs of building, ground ladders can also be used to reach areas, such as storm drains, trenches and pits that are below ground level
You must know the following about ground ladders:
o Parts of a ladder
o Hazards associated with setting up ground ladders
o Foundations considered stable for ladder placement
o Different ladder angles for various tasks
o Safe angles for setting and climbing ladders
o Structural components considered reliable for top placement
You must be capable of performing the following tasks alone or as a member or a team:
o Carrying ground ladders
o Raising ground ladders
o Extending ground ladders and locking the fly
o Determining that a structural component (wall or roof) is capable of supporting a ladder
o Judging extension ladder height requirements
o Placing a ladder to avoid obvious hazards
Parts of a ladder
Beam
Bed section
Butt (also called heel or base)
Butt spurs
Fly section
Footpads (shoes)
Guides
Halyard (fly rope)
Heat sensor label
Hooks
Pawls (dogs or ladder locks)
Protection plates
Pulley
Rails
Rungs
Stops
Tie rods
Truss block
Beam:
main structural member of a ladder supporting the rungs or rung blocks
Bed section
lowest and widest section of an extension ladder
o This section always maintains contact with the ground or other supporting surface
Butt (also called heel or base)
bottom end of the ladder; the end that is placed on the ground or other supporting surface when the ladder is positioned
Butt spurs
metal plates, spikes or cleats attatched to the butt end of ground ladder beams to prevent slippage
Fly section
upper section (s) of extension or some combination ladders; the section that moves
Footpads (shoes)
swivel plates attatched to the butt of the ladder; usually have rubber or neoprene bottom surfaces
Guides
wood or metal strips, sometimes in the form of slots or channels, on an extension ladder that guide the fly section while being raised
Halyard (fly rope)
rope or cable used for hoisting and lowering the fly section of an extension ladder
Heat sensor label
label affixed to the inside of each beam of each ladder section, a color change indicates that the ladder has been exposed to a suffiecient degree of heat and should be tested before further use
Hooks:
curved metal devices installed near the top end of roof ladders to secure the ladder to the highest point on a peak roof of a building
Pawls (dogs or ladder locks):
devices attatched to the inside of the beams on fly sections used to hold the fly section in place after it has been extended
Protection plates
strips of metal attached to ladders at chafing points or at areas where it comes in contact with the apparatus mounting brackets
Pulley
small, grooved wheel through which the halyard is drawn on an extension ladder
Rails
the two lengthwise members of a trussed ladder beam that are separated by truss or separation blocks
Rungs:
cross members that provide the foothold for climbing; the rungs extend from one beam to the other
Stops
wooden or metal pieces that prevent the fly section from being extended too far
Tie rods
metal rods located beneath rungs extending from one beam to the other of a wooden ladder
Tie (top):
extreme top of a ladder
Truss block
spacers set between the rails of a trussed ladder; may support rungs
The fire service typically uses four types of ground ladder:
o Single
o Combination
o Roof
o Extension
Single ladder
consists of one section of nonadjustable or fixed length
o Wall ladders or straight ladders
o The overall length of the beams is used to define the length of single ladders such as 20 foot straight ladder
o Quick access
o Some single ladders are of the trussed type a design intended to maximize their strength while reducing weight
o Vary from 6 to 32 feet. Common length ranging from 12 to 24 feet
Roof ladders
are single ladders equipped with folding hooks that provide a means of anchoring the ladder over the ridge of a pitched roof or some other roof part
- In position, roof ladder generally lie flat on the roof surface so that a firefighter can stand on the ladder while working
- Roof ladders may also be used as wall or straight ladders
- Ranging from 12 to 24 feet
Extension ladder
consists of a base or bed section and one or more fly sections that travel in guides or brakcets to permit length adjustment
- The full length to which it can be extended indicates its size
- Extension ladders generally range from 12 to 39 feet
NFPA 1932
standard on use, maintenance and service testing of fire department ground ladders
ground ladders to be inspected when
after each use and on a monthly basis
When inspecting ground ladders, check the following on all types of ladders:
o Heat sensor labels on metal and fiberglass ladders for color change indicating exposure
o Heavy carbon (soot) deposits or blistered paint on ladder tips on ladders without heat sensor labels, indicating heat exposure
o Discoloration on fiberglass ladders that could indicate heat exposure
o Rungs for damage or wear
o Rungs for tightness
o Bolts and rivets for tightness
o Welds for any cracks or apparent defects
o Beams and rungs for cracks, splintering, breaks, gouges, checks, wavy patterns or deformation
o Worn areas caused from vibration points of contact with apparatus or other ladders
The following markings are commonly found on fire service ladders:
designated ladder length
A manufacterurers name plate
Apparatus designation or a locally assigned inventory number
A white tip or reflective tape attached to tip
A stripe
NFPA 1931
standard for manufactuers design of fire department ground ladders
what must be marked on each beam within 12 inches of the butt plate
designated ladder length
Warning labels are also required on all types of ladders, including:
o An electrical hazard warning label
o A ladder positioning label indicating the climbing angle and the side of the ladder that must be away from the building
o Heat sensor labels are required on metal and fiberglass ladders
o Heat sensor labels placement and temperature
placed on the inside of each beam, below the second rung from the tip of each section
The heat sensor preset to 300F (149c) and must have the expiration date indicated on it
When inspecting metal ladders, you should look for:
o Evidence of flame impingement or heat dmage
o Loose or missing rivets or fasteners
o Damaged or missing rubber on the footpads
o Dry rot or other damage to the halyard
o Corrosion or rust
o Loose or damaged rungs
o Cracks, bends or other damage
when inspecting fiberglass ladders, you should look for:
o Cracks, chipping or other damage in the fiberglass components
o Loose or missing rivets or fasteners
o Evidence of flame impingement or heat dmage
o Corrosion or rust on metal components
o Loose or damaged rungs
o Damaged or missing rubber on the footpads
o Dry rot or other damage to the halyard
Look for the following when inspecting wooden ladders or ladders with wooden components:
o Areas where the finish has been chafed or scraped
o Darkening or blistering of the varnish
o Dark streaks in the wood
o Marred, worn, cracked or splintered parts
o Shoes rounded or smooth
o Water damage
When inspecting extension ladders, check the following
o Pawl assemblies- the hook and finger should move in and out freely
o Halyard- if damage or wear is found, replace the halyard
o Haylard cable- check to see that it is taut when the ladder is in the bedded position
This check ensures proper synchornized of the upper sections during operation
o Pulleys- make sure they turn freely
o Ladder guides- check their condition and that the fly sections move freely
when do you service test a ground ladder
- Service test all ground ladders before being placed in service, test annually while in service and service test after any use that exposes them to high heat or rough treatment