Ladder Components

Question 1

The ladder

Answer 1

Multi section truss construction
Made with high strength cold rolled steel
Steel is tested to 70,000 lbs shear strength

Question 2

The truss

Answer 2

Incorporated triangles in the design
Strength is in the bottom rails
Strongest when unsupported

Question 3

Unsupported tips

Answer 3

All CFD ladders are designed to be cantilevered
TIPS ARE NOT TO BE SUPPORTED

Question 4

Types of ladder stresses to avoid

Answer 4

Supported - both beams resting on a structure or twisting, one beam resting on a structure
Strong crosswind
Nozzle operations perpendicular to ladder
Powering into the side of a building
Operating on extreme grade
Overloading - personnel, water, wind, etc

Question 5

Avoid torsional loads

Answer 5

Torsional is when the ladder comes in contact with a balcony or a roof and begins to twist

Question 6

Reducing torsional and lateral stress

Answer 6

When working on a grade reduce lateral and torsional stresses on both the ladder and turntable gears by levelling the turntable to as close to 0 degrees as possible and working in the direction of the grade.