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
Ladder cleaning
- Should be cleaned
after every use
Cleaning a ladder:
o Use a soft bristle brush and running water to clean the ladder
o Remove tar, oil or greasy residues with mild soap and water or environmentally safe solvents, and apply lubrication occasionally according to manufacters
o Look for damage or wear while cleaning the ladder
o Wipe ladder dry after cleaning or use
Maintenance
means keeping ladders in a state of usefulness or readiness
Repair
means to restore or replace that which is damaged or worn out
General maintenance requirements for ground ladders include the following:
o Keeping ground ladders free of moisture
o Stoing or position ladders where they are free from vehicle exhaust or engine heat
o Keeping ladders in an area where they are not exposed to the elements of weather
o Painting ladders only for the purposes of identification or visibility, limiting painted areas to 18 inches at the top and bottom of the beams
To be able to safely carry, raise, lower and work on ladders you should:
o Develop and maintain adequate upper body strength
o Operate ladders according to departmental training and procedures
o Wear full personal protective equipment including gloves and helmet, when handling and working with ladders
o Choose the correct ladder for the assigned task
o Use leg muscles, not back or arm muscles when lifting ladders below the waist
o Use an adequate number of firefighters for each carry and raise
o Do not raise any ladders within 10 feet of electrical wires
o Secure the tip and anchor the foot of the ladder when in use during training or emergency incidents
o Grasp extension ladder beams when extending or retracting to prevent fingers from being pinched or caught between sections
o Ensure that the hooks of the pawls are seated over the rungs
o Ensure that the ladder is stable before climbing
o Use caution when moving ladder sideways
o Climb smoothly and rhythmically
o Never overload the ladder ( one firefighter every 10 feet or one per section)
o Use a leg lock or ladder belt when working from a ground ladder
o Relocate a positioned ladder only when ordered to do so
o Use ladders for their intended purposes only
o Inspect ladders for damage and wear after each use
o Secure the foot or unattended ladders to a stationary object using ropes
To prevent personal injuries, you must use the following proper lifting and lowering techniques when handling ground ladders:
o Use the correct number of firefighters for the length and type of ladder to be lifted.
o Bend your knees, keeping your back as straight as possible, and lift with your legs, not with your back or arms
o Lift on the command of a firefighter who can see the other members of the team.
o Make it known immediately if you are not ready to lift a ladder when working with a team; lifting should occur in unison.
o Reverse the procedure for lifting when it is necessary to place a ladder on the ground before raising it as follows:
o Lower the ladder using your leg muscles.
o Keep your body perpendicular to the ladder and your feet parallel to the ladder so that when the ladder is placed, it does not rest on your toes.
use the following guidelines to avoid electrical contact hazards:
o Look up to check for overhead electrical wires or equipment.
o Look up AGAIN before raising the ladder
o Keep a distance of at least 10 feet (3 m) from all energized electrical lines or equipment; the Occupational Safetv and Health Administration (OSHA) refers to this distance as the “Circle of Safety” and includes the distance in its regulations and worker safety documentation.
o Maintain this distance while raising the ladder, using the ladder, and lowering the ladder.
o Use an alternate method for raising the ladder if the ladder may come to rest a safe distance from electrical equipment but come too close to the equipment during the actual raise. Another method could be to raise the ladder parallel to the structure as opposed to perpendicular.
Circle of Safety
Keep a distance of at least 10 feet (3 m) from all energized electrical lines
metal and fiberglass ladders fly in or fly out
- Modern metal and fiberglass ladders are designed to be used with the fly out.
- Wooden ladders that are designed with the rungs mounted in the top truss rail are intended to be used with the fly in
Securing the Halyard
- Once an extension ladder is resting against a structure and before it is climbed, the excess halyard should be secured (tied off) to prevent anyone from becoming tangled in the rope when ascending or descending the ladder.
In most cases, the ladders are carried
butt end forward.
When personnel are working on a roof or upper stories
there must be at least two means of escape with at least two ladders at remote locations from each other.
a residential story averages about
a residential story averages about 10 feet (3 m), and the distance from the floor to a windowsill averages about 3 feet
A commercial story averages
12 feet (4 m) from floor to floor, with a 4-foot (a little more than 1 m) distance from the floor to windowsill.
The designated length
is a measurement of the total length of a single section ladder and the maximum extended length of an extension ladder.
o The designated length is not the ladder’s reach because ladders are set at angles of approximately 75 degrees for climbing.
o The reach will be less than the designated length
Working on roof
Ventilating
Rescue
o Working on roof: Extending a ladder a minimum of three to five rungs beyond the roof edge to provide both a footing and a handhold for anyone stepping on or off the ladder
o Ventilating: Placing the tip of a ladder even with the top of the window and to the upwind side of it to gain access to a narrow window or for opening the window for ventilation
o Rescue: Placing the tip of a ladder just below the windowsill when performing rescue from a window opening
For lengths of 35 feet (11 m) or less, reach is
For lengths over 35 feet (11 m), reach is
- For lengths of 35 feet (11 m) or less, reach is approximately 1 foot (300 mm) less than the designated length
- For lengths over 35 feet (11 m), reach is approximately 2 feet (600 mm) less than the designated length
Ground ladders carried on pumping apparatus may be mounted in the following ways:
Hanging on a beam in racks on the right side of the apparatus
o Standing on the lower beam in a compartment between the hose bed and the right side of the body, accessed from the rear
o Laying flat in a compartment under the right side of the hose bed, accessed from the rear of the apparatus
o In a mechanically operated rack that lowers the ladder from the top of the hose bed to the right hand side
When using the ground ladders mounted on your apparatus, you must know the following:
o Types, length, and location of ladders carried on your apparatus
o How the ladders are stored, either with the butt toward the front or the rear of the apparatus
o How the ladders are nested together
o How one nested ladder can be removed leaving the other securely in place
o The order in which nested ladders are stored
o Whether the extension ladder’s fly is located on the inside or the outside when the ladder is stored on the side of the apparatus
o The method used to secure ladders in place
o The location at which mounting brackets extend through vertically mounted ladders
Removing ground ladders from the apparatus when the ladders are mounted on the side or top
o To remove mounted ladders, first unlatch the securing devices and lift the ladder off the bracket and into the correct carrying position.
To remove ladders that are stored internally in compartments, first open the compartment access panel (if there is one) and then slide the ladder out to the proper carrying point.
o When multiple firefighters are required to carry the ladder, they stand on either side of the horizontally racked ladder and take their assigned location as the ladder is pulled out.
o Once the ladder has been removed from the apparatus, firefighters should reposition on the same side of the ladder for carrying
Safety considerations when carrying ground ladders include the following:
o Avoid obstructions.
o Maintain situational awareness of other firefighters at the scene.
o Lift the ladder with your legs rather than with your back.
o Look ahead, scanning for obstructions, other people, and trip hazards in front of you.
o Use an appropriate number of personnel to carry the ladder based upon the conditions at the scene and the length of the ladder (Figure 8.17)
o Work and communicate as a team.
o Identify one member of your lift team as a team leader.
o Carry roof ladders with the hooks closed (Figure 8.18, p. 332).
o Carry ladders with the butt end first to facilitate transition from a ladder carry to a ladder raise, if needed
Observe and communicate to crew members and/or your supervisor the following conditions specific to ground ladders:
o Presence of overhead electrical wires and obstructions
o Ground conditions: muddy, icy, and/or uneven terrain
o Building structural integrity: condition of the wall and windows where the ladder will be raised
o Wind direction and speed
o Appropriateness of the chosen ladder: length, single or extension, correct for the task
o Structural features such as the type of roof, wall height, and presence of overhangs
who’s the logical person to make this decision when carrying a ladder
- Usually, the firefighter nearest the butt is the logical person to make this decision.
- When two firefighters are at the butt, the one on the right side is usually the one responsible for placement
- Two objectives are to be met when placing ground ladders:
o 1. Position the ladder properly for its intended use.
o 2. Place the butt the proper distance from the building for safe and easy climbing
- If you are using a ladder for positioning a firefighter to break a window for ventilation
place it alongside the window to the upwind side
o The tip should be even with the top of the window.
o Use this position when firefighters need to climb in or out of narrow windows or direct hose streams into them.
- If you use a ladder for entry or rescue from a window,
place the ladder tip slightly below the sill.
o If the sill projects out from the wall, wedge the ladder tip under the sill for additional stability
o Extend ladder two or three rungs above the sill if there is room to permit the tip to project into the window and allow room for entry and rescue beside it
Other ladder placement guidelines include the following:
o Place ladders on at least two points on different sides of the building.
o Avoid placing ladders over openings (such as windows and doors) where they might be exposed to heat or direct flame contact.
o Take advantage of strong points (such as the corners) in building construction when placing ladders
o Raise the ladder directly in front of the window when it is to be used as a support for a smoke ejector removing cold smoke after a fire has been extinguished. Place the ladder tip on the wall above the window opening.
o Avoid placing ladders where they may come into contact with overhead obstructions such as wires, tree limbs, or signs.
o Avoid placing ladders on uneven terrain or on soft spots.
o Avoid placing ladders in front of doors or other paths of travel that firefighters or evacuees will need to use.
Instead, place the ladder to the side of the opening.
o Avoid placing ladders on top of sidewalk elevator trapdoors or sidewalk deadlights. These areas may give way under the added weight of firefighters, their equipment, and the ladder.
o Do not place ladders against unstable walls or surfaces.
If the butt is placed too close to the building
its stability is reduced because the weight of the person climbing tends to cause the tip to pull away from the building the desired angle of inclination is approximately 75 degrees
A 75-degree angle provides the following benefits:
o Good stability.
o Less stress placed on the ladder.
o Optimum climbing angle.
o Easiest climbing position: The climber can stand perpendicular to the ground, at arm’s length from the rungs.
An easy way to determine the proper distance between the butt of the ladder and the building is to
divide the working length (length actually used) of the ladder by 4
- Two methods are used for securing a ladder
heeling and tying in
The process of securing a ground ladder may include any or all of the following:
o Lock the extension ladder locks in place before the ladder is placed against the structure.
o Tie the halyard with a clove hitch and an overhand safety (extension ladder only).
o Heel and/or secure the ladder with a rope to a nearby, firm object to prevent ladder movement
When heeling the ladder from beneath the ladder:
o Stand beneath the ladder with feet about shoulder-width apart (or one foot slightly ahead of the other).
o Grasp the ladder beams, not the rungs, at about eye level and pull the ladder backward toward the building.
o Look forward, not up, when someone is climbing the ladder.
When heeling a ladder from outside (not under) the ladder:
o Stand on the outside of the ladder and chock the butt end with one foot.
o Place your toes against the butt spur or place one foot on the bottom rung.
o Grasp the beams and press the ladder against the building
Transition from Carry to Raise
- It is not necessary to place the ladder flat on the ground prior to raising it
- only the butt needs to be placed on the ground
- smooth continuous motion
One-Firefighter Single Ladder Raise
- Single ladders are generally light enough that one firefighter can place the butt end at the point where it will be located for climbing without steadying it against the building or another object before raising
One-Firefighter Extension Ladder Raise
- When using the one-firefighter raise from the low-shoulder carry, a building is used to heel the ladder to prevent the ladder butt from slipping while the ladder is brought to the vertical position
Two firefighter raises
- the firefighter at the butt end
heeler
- heeler is responsible for
placing it at the desired distance from the building and determining whether the ladder will be raised parallel with or perpendicular to the building
- the heeler also gives commands
There are two basic ways for two firefighters to raise a ladder:
o the flat raise
o the beam raise
how many firefighters should be used to raise ladders of 35 feet (11 m) or longer
at least three firefighters should be used to raise ladders of 35 feet (11 m) or longer
Three firefighter raise
-Position the third firefighter along the beam
- One firefighter heels the butt end while a second firefighter begins raising the tip.
The third firefighter can either assist the second at the tip or step underneath to assist in “walking” the ladder upright.
Pivoting ladders with two firefighters
- Pivot the ladder on the beam closest to the structure
- Whenever, possible, pivot the ladder before it is extended
Shifting raised ground ladders
- should be limited to short distances such as aligning ladders perpendicular to a building or to an adjacent window
- One firefighter can safely shift a single ladder that is 20 feet (6 m) long or shorter
- extension ladders require two firefighters for the shifting maneuver
- place the ladder against the building, slide the top of the ladder sideways, and then pick up the butt and move it into position
To operate on a ladder, you need to know how to:
o Climb the ladder
o Lock into the ladder
o Work from the ladder
o Carry tools and equipment up and down
o Descend ladders safely
- During ladder operations, you may need to work from the ladder to accomplish tasks such as:
o Opening or ventilating windows
o Assisting victims down a ladder
o Operating a hoseline from a ladder
smoothness is accomplished if
your knee is bent to ease the weight on each rung
To begin your climb, follow these instructions:
o Focus your eyes forward, with an occasional glance at the tip of the ladder.
o Keep your arms straight (horizontal) during the climb; this keeps your body away from the ladder and permits free knee movement.
o Place your hands on the rungs when no equipment is being carried.
o Grasp the rungs with palms down and your thumbs beneath the rungs.
o Grasp alternating rungs while climbing.
o Coordinate hand and foot movement so that the right hand and left foot are in contact with the ladder as you move the opposite hand and foot to the next rungs.
o Place your feet near the beams with the halyard tied in the center of the rung. If your feet should slip, your arms and hands are in a position to stop the fall.
o Climb using your leg muscles and not your arm muscles. Your arms and hands should not reach above your head while climbing because that will bring your body too close to the ladder.
o Practice climbing slowly to develop form rather than speed. Speed develops with repetition after the proper technique is mastered. Too much speed results in lack of body control, and quick movements cause the ladder to bounce and sway
Carrying tools up and down ladders
- Disrupts natural climbing motion
- If a tool is carried in one hand, it may be desirable to slide the free hand along the beam rather than on the rungs while making the climb.
- This method permits constant hand contact with the ladder.
- Whenever possible, use a utility rope to hoist tools and equipment rather than carrying them up a ladder.
Deploying a Roof Ladder on a Pitched Roof
- Before deploying a roof ladder, must be carried up a ground ladder to the roof.
- First, use a low-shoulder carry to carry the roof ladder (hooks closed) to where the extension ladder has been placed for climbing. They may be carried either butt first or tip first.
- Heel the roof ladder at the base of the extension ladder.
- Set the ladder down, walk back to the tip and open the hooks.
- Raise the ladder and rest it against the extension ladder beam.
To carry the roof ladder up while climbing the extension ladder you can either:
o 1. Shoulder the roof ladder before mounting the extension ladder and then climb.
o 2. Climb a short distance up the extension ladder, then reach through the roof ladder and shoulder it before climbing the rest of the extension ladder.
- To bring victims down a ground ladder, at least
four firefighters are needed: two inside the building, one or two on the ladder, and one to heel the ladder
Conscious victims can be lowered
can be lowered feet first (facing the building) onto a ladder
unconscious victim down ladder considerations
o The victim can be held on a ladder in the same way as a conscious victim except that the victim’s body rests on the rescuer’s supporting knee.
o The victim’s feet must be placed outside the rails to prevent entanglement
o The rescuer grasps the rungs to provide a secure hold on the ladder and help to protect the victim’s head from hitting the ladder
- Methods for assisting unconscious victim include:
o On the-knee -
o Cross-body method
o Modified cross-body method
o On the-knee method
The victim is rested on the firefighter’s knee between the firefighter’s body and the ladder.
o Cross-body method
The victim is carried horizontally facing the firefighter. The firefighter has one arm between the victim’s legs and the other arm under the victim’s lowest arm at the armpit. The firefighter’s hands maintain contact with the ladder rails to keep the victim in place on the way down the ladder.
o Modified cross-body method
The modified method is basically the same as the cross-body method except that the victim is facing the ladder rather than the firefighter. While it is recommended that the victim face the firefighter, there may be instances where that position protects the victim better than the normal position
