Ladder Ops Book 1 - Portable Ladders

Question 1

What should an officer do if he feels a ladder cannot be temporarily secured to the spare apparatus in a safe manner ?

Answer 1

Leave it off and make an entry in the company journal.

Question 2

Where should unit designations be marked?

Answer 2

Within 18” of each butt.

(on each side of the bottom only)

Question 3

What is the climbing angle for the portable ladder?

Answer 3

65-75 degrees.

Any more than 75 increase chances of falling off.

Less than 65 reduces the maximum load.

Simple formula is to place the butt 1/4 the working length from building.

Question 4

Portable ladder placement:

At window:
At roof:
Alongside fire escape:
Against fire escape:

Answer 4

Portable ladder placement:

At window: tip LEVEL with sill
At roof: AT LEAST 2 feet above parapet
Alongside fire escape: 1-3 feet above railing
Against fire escape: slightly above railing

Question 5

If a portable ladder is to be left unattended, who secures it at tip?

Answer 5

The FIRST member that climbs the ladder. This prevents it from being dislodged by wind or water.

Question 6

Leg Lock:

Which leg performs the maneuver and which rung is the leg placed over?

Answer 6

The leg performing the locking maneuver is OPPOSITE the working side. (e.g operating on your right, the left leg is locked)

The locking leg is placed over and under the rung that is TWO RUNGS above the one on which the member is standing.

Question 7

The unit designation is within 18in of each rail butt end only.

How about the lengths? Where are they marking on straight ladders and where for extension?

Answer 7

Straight ladders - marked on each end of each rail.

Extension ladders - marked at the butt end ONLY of each rail of the bed ladder.

Question 8

Portable Ladder Capacities:

Folding, A-Frame, Telescoping:

Roof, straight, extension (26’ or less):

Extension (27’ to 35’):

Answer 8

Folding, A-Frame, Telescoping: 300 lbs

Roof, straight, extension (26’ or less): 500 lbs

Extension (27’ to 35’): 600 lbs

Question 9

Portable ladders placed on one beam, elevated to the _____ on supports and properly secured, can act as a barrier to civilian pedestrian traffic near a hazardous condition or fire operation.

Answer 9

Waist level

Question 10

When fire escapes are overcrowded at a fire where should portable ladder be raised?

Answer 10

First raised to first balcony OPPOSITE drop ladder. If more relief is needed then second ladder raised to second balcony on SAME SIDE as drop ladder.

Question 11

What portable ladder may be used on party wall balconies for access for search and rescue?

Answer 11

12’ hook ladder

*Weird note: they can be brought to the roof and then lowered with a utility rope to the top balcony.

Question 12

When placing ladder at front of brownstone to gain access to room over stoop, where should you consider placing ladder?

Answer 12

At adjoining window to gain entrance. May be a door to that room from a large room.

Question 13

True or False - Generally, in the rear of a brownstone, the 35’ extension ladder can reach the fourth floor.

Answer 13

True

In most cases take ladder through parlor floor (butts facing rear) of ADJOINING brownstone and passing it out of the rear window is quicker than going through fire building.

Note: Portables transported to the rear of the building are safer than using LSR.

Question 14

When venting windows with lexan panels using portable ladders, where do we place them?

Answer 14

In the corner adjacent to the window frame. (11.3.1 B 2)

Question 15

When venting a window from a portable ladder where should it be placed?

Answer 15

Upwind and level with or higher than TOP of window

Question 16

When member is venting window from portable ladder how should he do it?

Answer 16

He should extend his arm upward and slant tool downward and strike the glass. (11.3.2 A 5)

Question 17

T or F. Extension ladders must be used only in the extended position when bridging.

Answer 17

False. “In the nested position” (11.3.7)

Question 18

Can portable ladders be used to shore excavations, or reinforce weakened walls?

Answer 18

Yes (12.3)

Question 19

What is the highest rung that a member can climb on ?

Answer 19

3rd rung (13.1.9)

Question 20

How often should ladders be inspected?

Answer 20

Weekly and after every use (14.2.3)

Question 21

How often should ladders be waxed with plain candle wax or paraffin?

Answer 21

Every 3 months (quarterly)

Question 22

How often should the pulleys be oiled?

Answer 22

1 to 2 drops a year (14.3.2)

Question 23

What is a “folding ladder”?

Answer 23

A ladder designed to for use in inaccessible areas where ordinary ladders will not fit.; the rungs fold completely into the beam sections.

Question 24

What is a “safety shoe”?

Answer 24

A swivel type butt plate consisting of rubber tread and a spike. It may be used with either the rubber or the spiked end on the ground.

Question 25

Lad 1. How far apart the rungs on PLs?

Answer 25

14”

Question 26

Lad 1 What does discoloration on an aluminum ladder indicate?

Answer 26

A loss of structural strength. Tech Services shall be notified. ** note that it doesn’t say take it out of service.**

Question 27

Lad 1. How should a member butt a ladder?

Answer 27

With their left foot in the center of the bottom rung and maintaining a downward pressure.

Question 28

Lad 1 Where are your hands placed when climbing a portable ladder? What if you have a tool in your hand?

Answer 28

Grasp the underside of the beams. If a tool is carried it should be balanced in the carrying hand , which holds onto the side of the beam. ***Note- Don not carry tool close to body or inside of ladder over rungs because it could drop on the butt man.

Question 29

Lad 1 How do we climb portables in the freezing weather?

Answer 29

Under the arch of the boot, next to the heel and position feet on rungs next to beams with each step.

Question 30

Lad 1 T or F. In an emergency, portable ladder can be used to shore excavations or reinforce weakened walls.

Answer 30

True.

Question 31

T or F. Always raise the fly ladder above the desired level and lower it in order to insure a safe 65 - 75 degree climbing angle and also the proper locking action of the assemblies.

Answer 31

False. Always LOWER the fly ladder BELOW the desired level and RERAISE it in order to insure a safe 65-75 degree angle and also the proper locking action of the assemblies.