Ground ladders Flashcards
Ladders are used for _________
- Rescue (removing victims and specialty rescues)
- Accessing heights
- Below grade access
- Firefighting ops
NFPA for ladders
NFPA 1931
NFPA 1932
NFPA 1901
NFPA 1931
Standard of Design of and Design Verification Tests for Fire Department Ground Ladders
NFPA 1932
Standard on Use, Maintenance, and Service Testing of Fire Department Ground Ladders
NFPA 1901
Standards for Automotive Fire Apparatus
Uses for ground ladders
a. Rescue victims from heights/below grade
b. Rapid roof access
c. Ventilation
d. Water chute (property conservation)
e. Battering Ram
f. Bridge between buildings
g. Firefighting
Types of ground ladders
Straight or single wall Roof Extension Folding Combination (A-frame) Pompier
Straight or single wall
1 &2 story building access, lengths of 14-24ft (TFD 14-16ft)
ii. Non-adjustable in length and consists of only one section. Used for quick access to roof/windows.
Roof
i. Used for anchoring over pitched roofs (distributing the weight and footholds) 12-20ft lengths
ii. Single ladder equipped at the tip with folding hooks that provide a means of anchoring the ladder over the roof ridge or other roof part. Roof ladders are generally required to lie flat on the roof surface to provide a more stable foothold and distribute the weight.
Extension
i. Adjustable in length. Consists of a base and one or more fly section that travel in guides or brackets to permit length adjustment. Need more personnel to safely handle them.
ii. 14-50ft
Folding
i. Single ladders that have hinged rungs allowing them to be folded so one beam rests against another. This allows them to be carried in narrow passageways and used in attic scuttle holes/small rooms/closets. Commonly 10ft long
Combination (A-frame)
i. Designed so they may be used as a self-supporting step ladder. Can be used as 14ft straight ladder or 7 ft. A frame. Laddering fences
Pompier
i. Used to climb into windows. Can be handed up from floor to floor. Dangerous and rarely used.
Ladder construction
a. Wood, fiberglass, aluminum allow
i. TFD uses primarily aluminum alloy and fiberglass.
b. Solid beam
c. Truss beam
d. Rungs
i. 1.25” diameter minimum
ii. 14” apart
Ladder safety
Ladders are inherently dangerous. They are heavy cumbersome and excellent conductors of electricity. Fire department ground ladders are used under adverse conditions. In order to prevent injury or death, safe practices and procedures regarding the unsafe of ladders must be followed.
Ladders are dangers because ___
i. Heavy
ii. Awkward
iii. Conduct electricity
iv. Used in adverse conditions
Safety practices
i. “No overhead wires! No obstructions!” (Look out for power lines)
ii. Watch load limits set up by NFPA 1932.
1. Folding – 300lb
2. Straight, roof, and extension – 750lb
Lifting
use legs, keep back straight when lifting/lowering
Footing
have a good footing to improve stability when raising, lowering and climbing
Lock pawls
verbally and visually express proper engagement prior to climbing
locking in
do this when you need to use your hands
- Leg lock
a. Do not use on aerials!!! - Safety belt
angle of inclination
- Working height of the ladder/4 = distance the feet should be from building
- ~75.5 degrees
Placement and removal
viii. Coordinate moving of ladders with firefighters who originally placed them.
ix. Don’t put them in front of doors, blocking windows, or into direct flame. Please….
Foremost concern for ladder raising
“Safety is the foremost concern from the moment the decision is made to use a ladder.”
Functional objectives for ladders
rescue, firefighting, ventilation
Physical objective
roofs, windows, balconies, fire escapes, fences, below grade
What are some fireground conditions to be aware of when using ladders?
overhead wires, surface type, structural integrity, construction and configuration, amount of involvement, direction of fire/smoke.
Good places for ladders
- Corners
2. Pitched roofs should have roof ladder
Bad places for ladders
- Overhead obstacles
- Blocking access to structure/openings
- Areas of immediate involvement (its burning)
Roof access stats
extend ladder 5-7 rungs past parapet
1. Makes it easier to get on/off
2. More visible
Make sure you have at least 2 ladders for getting on the roof
Windows and ladders
- If window is large enough (wide), place 2-3 rungs in window
- If smaller, then place top rung just under window
- If victim is conscious, roll ladder into place to avoid jumping.
Ventilation
place ladder on upwind side, with tip above window
Pivoting ladders
i. Get into vertical position
ii. Pivot on inside beam
iii. Fire fighter facing forward movement looks up
iv. Fire fighter facing away from movement looks down
Climbing ladders
i. Visualize and verbalize safety checks (lock pawls, halyard secure, footed well, correct angle
ii. Ensure proper climbing technique, regardless of equipment carried
iii. Be careful of using non-department ladders
Locking
i. Facing the ladder, lock leg on side opposite from work
ii. Facing away from ladder, lock leg on rung, non-locked foot facing away from ladder
iii. Do not use leg lock on aerial!!!
Carrying, raising, lowering
i. Carry with base forward when approaching structure, top forward when facing apparatus
ii. Use legs, not back
iii. Clear obstructions
iv. The fire fighter that can see other fire fighter gives commands
When are inspections done?
Inspections are done monthly, quarterly per shift, on the Thursdays before the designated Sunday inspection dates
What to inspect on ladders?
i. Rungs (tightness, deformities, wear, welds, twist)
ii. Beams (damage, rivets, heat sensors, length, tips painted)
iii. Roof ladders (hook assembly)
iv. Extension ladders (pawl assembly, halyard and pulley, stops)
How to care for ladders?
a. Keep clean, dry, lubricated
b. Parafin wax can lubricate rungs where pawls ride over them
i. Done monthly, quarterly by shift
ii. Monthly at PSA
c. Do not use petroleum based lubricants
d. Clean with mild soap/water
Heat sensor label
They react to heat over 300F. If an aluminum ladder reaches this temperature, it loses at least 25% of its load bearing capacity. Non-reversible and cumulative
