Ladders 6 - Tower Ladder Operations 1-4

Question 1

The chassis of the TL is supported at ____points while the boom is in operation.

Answer 1

6 points.
-(4) hydraulically operated jacks. 2 in front and 2 in the rear
-(2) out-rigger type jacks in the middle
Note: to eliminate any possibility of stabilizer support collapse, all jacks and out-riggers have manual locking pins.

Ladders 6 sec 2.1.1

Question 2

True or False

Tower Ladders are not designed to operate with outriggers and jacks down on one side only.

Answer 2

True.
Exception: If apparatus is not level, lower the jacks and outrigger on the low side first, then the jacks and outrigger on the high side until unit is as level as possible.

2.1.4

Question 3

A guide firefighter is necessary to enable the LCC to position the apparatus so that the outriggers will clear parked cars and other obstructions. When can the guide man leave this position?

Answer 3

When the outrigger is fully lowered on the operator’s blind side.

2.1.5
Note: A 6ft hook can be used to gauge whether or not the outrigger will clear any obstructions (2.1.7)

Question 4

“ANY member operating a tower ladder must personally verify the placement of all outriggers and jacks prior to raising the boom from the bedded position.”

But what shall a member do if he commences to set up a TL apparatus for an operation then decides to abort the operation?

Answer 4

Properly place all outriggers and jacks for operation OR return all outriggers and jacks to the pre-setup position.

2.1.10

Question 5

The basket is constructed of alloy aluminum and has a floor area of approximately _____ft?

Answer 5

15 sq. feet

2.3

Question 6

True or False

Whenever a TL operation is in progress, the pedestal position should be staffed, if possible.

Answer 6

False.
Pedestal position MUST be staffed during operation.

2.4

Question 7

Three controls similar to those an a metal aerial are provided on the turntable. These are?

Answer 7

1) raising and lowering
2) extending and retracting
3) rotating

Question 8

What must be done whenever civilians enter or leave an elevated basket?

Answer 8

The foot pedal (Deadman Control) at the pedestal must be depressed. This movement will deactivate the basket controls.

2.4.5

Question 9

When no other means are available, in what 2 ways can a member escape from the basket?

Answer 9

1) fixed telescoping ladder mounted on top of the boom sections.
2) LSR in conjunction with the Personal Harness.

2.6.1

Question 10

Boom rotation permits water system coverage of _____degrees. The water system hook up consists of a ______gated siamese of the LEFT side and a _______inlet on the right side.

Answer 10

360 degress
3”X3” gated siamese on left side
4 1/2” inlet on right side

Question 11

The most effective means of communication between the basket and pedestal is?

A) HT communication
B) Intercom
C) Hand Signals

Answer 11

B) Intercom

2.8

Question 12

True or False
Since the pedestal controls allow smoother movements, the pedestal man should always perform delicate operations if visibility permits.

Answer 12

False.
IN MOST CASES the pedestal man should perform delicate operations.

2.8.4

Question 13

When shall a test of the intercom system be made?

Answer 13

• Daily
• During initial stages of placing TL into operation.

2.8.7

Question 14

The escape ladder can be used for relief of basket man during extended period of operations or overhauling but only if the Deadman control is initiated at the pedestal. True or False.

Answer 14

False. The escape ladder SHALL NOT be resorted to for relief purposes.

2.9.1

Question 15

L-9 is operating at an all hands for a fire in a 6 story NFP with no front fire escape. After setting the jacks and outriggers L-9’s LCC is called to the front of the building to assist a member with a 35 ft portable. Moments later, a victim shows at a window on the 4th floor. Which one of these detailed members cannot, according to regulations, operate on the pedestal to initiate a rescue of that victim?

1) A probationary firefighter assigned to a Tower Ladder
2) A chauffer from a neighboring rearmount
3) A 10 yr ff from a tiller company doing a 90 day detail in L-9
4) A senior FF from L-9 who is chauffeur school trained but is now assigned to the battalion.

Answer 15

3) The 10 yr guy assigned to a tiller. (Does not say he is a chauffeur)

2.9.2 Detailed members cannot operate on pedestal unless they are:
1) presently assigned to a Tower Ladder Unit
OR
2) Qualified Chauffeur-Tillerman (QCT, School Trained)

Question 16

What is the alternative to securing a member in the basket other than the wearing of the installed safety belt or a life belt or Personal Harness which is secured to a substantial part of the basket?

Answer 16

A loop, 1 foot in diameter in a LSR around a substantial part of the basket using a bowline to secure it. The life belt or Personal Harness is hooked into this loop.

2.9.3

Question 17

In the absence of a superior, the TL officer must base his decision for placement of the TL on several conditions. which of these is not one of those conditions?

A. What wall to work on- based on life factor
B. Fire conditions location and extent of fire
C. Type of occupancy- time of day
D. Type of structure- Height and area
E. Street conditions- traffic, trees, overhead wires etc
F. Location of pumper and hydrants
G. Condition and stability of building
H. Ground stability.

Answer 17

ALL ARE CORRECT

3.1.1

Question 18

“Scrub area” is defined as that area of a building wall which can be touched by the basket. In order to operate the boom the full extent of its scrub area the front end of the apparatus should be angled about _____degrees from the building line.

A) 32
B) 25
C) 15
D) 35

Answer 18

C) 15 degrees

3.1.4

Question 19

When is it more advantageous to position a TL perpendicular to a building?

Answer 19

When the ground is of doubtful stability (vacant lots, unpaved areas that may have hidden voids)

Question 20

During operations at one and two family PD’s or any structure with an alleyway between the fire building and an exposure, how shall the TL be placed for maximum coverage?

Answer 20

Turntable in line with the alley. This will afford frontal coverage and also coverage into the alley for exposure protection, extinguishment, rescue, vent, search and entry.

Question 21

True or False
The positioning of a TL in the courtyard or rear lot of an “H” type building can be used to prevent the spread of fire across the throat of the building.

Answer 21

True.

3.1.10

Question 22

The pedestal man shall not move the boom after member(s) have left the basket for search or roof operations unless_________ or____________

Answer 22

• Member(s) are advised of his intentions and give approval OR
• A VISIBLE life hazard should occur.

3.1.11 J

Question 23

What is the maximum basket floor elevation for a properly positioned TL at the maximum 75 degree angle?

Answer 23

70’ (Approximately) providing wall coverage from grade level or below

3.2.1

Question 24

The basket while touching a point ___ ft horizontally from center of the turntable can reach a basket floor elevation of _____ ft.

Answer 24

32 feet

65feet

Question 25

TL scrub area covers the front of a building ___feet high and ____feet wide and will cover a _____foot frontage on the _____floors of a building.

Answer 25

60 ft high
50 ft wide
100 foot frontage
lower 3 floors

3.2.3

Question 26

What is the approximate scrub area of a TL when the center of the turntable is 32 feet from the building and the cab is at a 15 degree angle from the building line.

Answer 26

7750 square feet

3.2.4

Question 27

Which of the following points concerning TL operations is incorrect?

A) The basket can reach points 10 Feet below grade
B) The ideal horizontal distance from objectives is 32 Feet
C) the actual working height of the boom is little more than 70 feet when the boom is the the maximum angle of 75 degrees.
D) Overhead wires may interfere with TL operations. The Ladder Co. Officer should have wires removed by the utility company involved when fire conditions warrant.

Answer 27

The Officer in Command of operations should have wires removed.

3.3.2

Question 28

Is it possible to extend, raise and retract the boom through light branches?

Answer 28

Extending or raising is possible, however retracting or lowering may present a problem and cutting may be required.

3.3.3

Question 29

What is the proper way to position a TL for operations on hills?

Answer 29

Boom operations facing in the up-hill direction. If possible, apparatus should be facing downhill, with the turntable past the objective.

3.4.1

Question 30

What is the maximum “slope” for TL operation?

Answer 30

15% grade

3.4.6

Question 31

On taking up, boom shall be raised to a _____degree angle, drains of waterway and the gated inlets opened to drain the system of water.

Answer 31

60 degree angle

3.5.5

Question 32

What shall be done after bedding of the boom to insure the entire system is properly drained?

Answer 32

Drain plugs on waterway around base of platform shall be removed.

Question 33

What should the officer of a TL do when he is first to arrive at a scene where rescue operations may be required above the 75’ foot level?

Answer 33

Allow an aerial ladder (100 foot aerial) to effect the rescue operations, UNLESS it is obvious that the aerial ladder company will be seriously delayed.

3.6.1

Question 34

In order to extend the height capability of TL’s, the “Portable Ladder Used From TL Basket” operation is provided in this section. True or False, this operation can be used for any number of operations, including cornice removal and other types of overhauling.

Answer 34

False.
This operation is to extend the height capability of TL apparatus for “LIFE SAVING PURPOSES ONLY UNDER EXTREME EMERGENCY CONDITIONS.”

3.6.3

Question 35

What sized ladder does this operation call for and how much rope?

Answer 35

• One 20 Ft. Portable Ladder (preferably combination ladder)
• 15’ of 1/2” rope, fitted with hose strap hook on one end.

3.6.4 A

Question 36

How many members are required for the initial placement of the portable ladder into the basket?

Answer 36

4 members.

(2) to proceed to the basket,
(2) members to remove portable ladder from from bed and raise it to vertical position just beyond the TL basket gate.

Note: (1) member initially raising ladder in street proceeds to basket to become 3rd basket man.
Other street man returns to regular lader company duties.

3.6.4 B (operations)

Question 37

Which of the following is incorrect regarding portable ladder operations from the basket:

A) The ladder securing rope is threaded through the sixth rung from the butt.

B) At no times should the beams of the ladder touch the basket railing.

C) Both the 25’ and 35’ ft extension ladders CAN be used in this evolution, with difficulty. Only when no alternative is available.

D) No more than (3) men are permitted in the basket during this operation.

Answer 37

ALL ARE CORRECT

3.6.4 B (NOTES)

Question 38

When performing this operation during drills and training sessions, how high shall the Tower Ladder be raised?

Answer 38

2 or 3 feet

3.6.4 (Notes)

Question 39

True or False:
The TL officer directs placement of apparatus and must oversee this placement before attention can be given to his responsibilities inside the fire building.

Answer 39

FALSE

TL Officer does direct placement of apparatus. However “his area of responsibility (inside fire building) must not be neglected, particularly at tenements and other non-fireproof multiple dwellings.” Prior instructions and chauffeur training will assure proper apparatus operations, relieving the TL officer from “personaly supervising” operations.

NOTE: Exception to this is when a TL is special called to an operation.