Ladders

Question 1

What are LAFD ladders made from

Answer 1

Old Grow Air Dried Westcoast Douglas fir

Question 2

What are LAFD rubbing ladder parts made of

Answer 2

Red Oak

Question 3

What are LAFD ladder rungs made of

Answer 3

Center swelled hardwood Hickory

Question 4

How far apart are rungs on LAFD ladders

Answer 4

12 inches on center

Question 5

Why we use wood ladders

Answer 5

1. Similar in weight to an aluminum/fiberglass ladder of the same duty rating/quality
2. They do not readily conduct electricity or heat
3. Wood does not substantially weaken or become brittle when exposed to heat (aluminum anneals at
   temp’s > 350 degrees, fiberglass can delaminate and burn)

Question 6

Parts of the ladder:

Answer 6

● Main beam and truss beam
● Truss blocks
● Metal shoes or rubber shoe
● Tie rods
● Metal bolts
● Sliding guides
● Halyard

Question 7

Ladder thrown to roof

Answer 7

minimum of three rungs over

Question 8

Ladder thrown to the window

Answer 8

one rung in the window

Question 9

Ladder climbing angle

Answer 9

70 degree climbing angle
⅓ of the ladders height

Question 10

12’ Extension Ladder

Answer 10

● 35 lbs
● can be extended and put into a “A-Frame ladder”
● two 7’sections
● has swing dogs and rubber shoes
● carries a pike pole that has a D-ring handle on the fly section
● used for inside work

Question 11

14’ Extension (Baby Bangor)

Answer 11

● 45 lbs
● fixed metal dogs and shoes
● two 9’sections
● carries a rubber handle pike pole attached to the fly section
● use for inside work, like attics, scuttles or narrow places

Question 12

20’ Extension

Answer 12

● 96 lbs
● metal shoes and lever action dogs
● two 12’sections
● one way pulley system and a halyards
● Use to reach one story roofs and second story windows

Question 13

35’ Extension

Answer 13

● 168 lbs
● two member ladder
● two 20’sections
● Has lever action metal dogs and shoes, with a pulley and halyards
● use for second story and some third story roofs. Also second and third story
windows
● Can thrown to fire escapes and use in auditoriums

Question 14

Straight ladders

Answer 14

● 16’ 52 lbs
● 20’ 65 lbs
● 24’ 78 lbs
● One member ladders
● Truck companies carry two of each ladder
● Straight ladders are used for one story roofs and second story windows. Can also be used for
trench and bridge operations.
● Has metal shoes on both ends, but tie rods on one side indicating true base

Question 15

Roof ladders

Answer 15

● 10’ 30 lbs also carried on engine companies
● 12’ 36 lbs
● 14’ 42 lbs
● 16’ 48 lbs
● 20’ 60lbs
● Truck companies carry these ladders
● One or two member ladders
● Has collapsible hooks at one end and metal shoes at the other
● These ladders usually need a ground ladder in place first to be able to put in to operation
● They are used for steep pitched roofs to distribute weight and avoid slippage
● Can also be used as a straight ladder