Langley City Fire

1
Langley City Fire Rescue

• Ground Ladders

2
Objectives

• Meet the standards for Firefighter I as outlined
  in Chapter 3 NFPA 1001, 1997
• Candidates be able to identify, carry, raise,
  climb, inspect, and maintain fire service ground
  ladders

3
Purpose

• Assist in rescue
• Access upper levels
• Elevate Master Streams
• Assist in Ventilation

4
Parts of a Ladder

• Beam - Main structural member of a ladder
  supporting the rungs
• Bed Section - Lowest and widest section of an
  extension ladder.
• Butt/Heel - Bottom end of ladder that contacts
  ground
• Butt Spurs - Safety plates or spikes attached to
  Butt to prevent slippage

5
Parts of a Ladder Cont.

• Dogs/Locks/Pawls - Devices attached to beam on
  fly sections to hold fly sections in place once
  extended
• Fly - Upper section of an extension ladder.
  Sometimes known as Top Fly or Second Fly on
  ladders with more than one extension.

6
Parts of a Ladder Cont.

• Footpads - Rubber or neoprene foot plates,
  usually of the swivel type, attached to the butt
  of the ladder.
• Guides - Wood or metal strips on an extension
  ladder that guide the fly sections
• Halyard - Rope or cable used in hoisting and
  lowering fly sections

7
Parts of a Ladder Cont.

• Heat Sensor label - Label affixed to the inside
  of each beam to indicate if ladder has been
  exposed to extreme heat. (Test Required)
• Hooks - Curved metal devices installed on the tip
  end of ladders
• Mid Section - Also known as Intermediate, Middle,
  or First Fly. Middle section of a Triple
  Extension Ladder

8
Parts of a Ladder Cont.

• Protection Plates - Strips of metal attached to
  ladders at chafing points e.g. tips
• Pulley - Grooved wheel which the Halyard is drawn
• Rails - The two lengthwise members of a trussed
  ladder separated by truss blocks

9
Parts of a Ladder Cont.

• Rungs - Cross members that provide a foothold for
  climbing
• Stops - Wood or metal pieces that prevent fly
  sections from being extended too far
• Tie Rods - Support rods running from one beam to
  another

10
Parts of a Ladder Cont.

• Tip - Top of ladder
• Tormentor Poles - Staypoles for added leverage
  and stability on ladders 40 - 50 feet.
• Truss Blocks - Separation pieces between rails of
  a trussed ladder

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Types of Ladders

• Single/Wall Ladder - Consists of only one section
  from 6 - 32 feet (2m - 10m)
• Roof Ladders - Single Ladder from 12 - 24 feet
  (4m - 8m), with folding hooks to anchor over roof
  ridge
• Folding Ladders - Single ladders with hinged
  rungs and footpads to allow for attic or narrow
  space access. Normally 8 - 16 feet (2.5 -5m)

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Types of Ladders Cont.

• Extension Ladder - An adjustable length ladder
  with a Bed and one or more fly sections
• Combination Ladder - Multiple use ladder - step
  ladder, extension, and single
• Pompier Ladder (Scaling Ladder) - Used to climb
  from floor to floor via exterior windows on multi
  story buildings

13
Construction

• Beams and Rungs form the major components of a
  ladder.
• Solid Beam and Truss Beam
• Rungs 1¼ in diameter and spaced 14 apart

14
Construction Material

• Metal - Usually heat treated Aluminum alloy.
• Advantages - Light weight, strong, allows for
  visual inspection, and easier to maintain
• Disadvantages - Subject to extreme heat and cold,
  and conducts electricity.

15
Construction Material Cont.

• Wooden - Usually Douglas Fir beams. White Ash or
  Hickory for rungs
• Advantages - Cost and reasonably light weight
• Disadvantages - Heat and direct flame damage,
  shrinkage over time, cracks hidden if painted,
  and high maintenance

16
Construction Material Cont.

• Fiberglass - Usually a combination of Fiberglass
  beams and metal rungs
• Advantages - Nonconductor of electricity and poor
  conductor of heat
• Disadvantages - Weight, tends to chip and crack,
  and cost

17
Ladder Maintenance Repair

• Maintenance means keeping ladders in a state of
  readiness
• Repair means to restore or replace that which has
  become inoperable.

18
Storage of Ladders (NFPA 1932)

• Keep ground ladders free from moisture
• Do not store or rest ladders where they are
  subject to exhaust or engine heat
• Do not store ladders where they are exposed to
  the elements
• Do not paint ladders except for the top and
  bottom 12 inches

19
Cleaning of Ladders (NFPA 1932)

• To be cleaned after every use to remove dirt and
  debris
• Use soft bristle brush and running water
• Tar, oil, and grease should be removed with
  safety solvents
• Wiped dry
• During cleaning look check for defects

20
Inspection Service Testing (NFPA 1931)

• Inspected after each use and monthly
• Rungs - snug and no cracks, gouges, or
  deformation
• Bolts and Rivets - tight
• Welds - cracks and defects
• Beams - cracks, gouges, or deformation

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Inspection Service Testing (NFPA 1931)

• Heat sensor label - Any metal ladder subjected to
  direct flame or heat high enough to cause water
  to steam or boil, or change the colour of the
  heat sensor label, MUST BE TAKEN OUT OF SERVICE
  AND TESTED

22
Inspection Service Testing (NFPA 1931)

• Wooden Ladders
• Varnish not chafed, scraped, or darkened from
  heat
• Dark streaks in wood means wood deterioration and
  must be removed from service

23
Inspection Service Testing (NFPA 1931)

• Roof Ladders
• Hook assembly operates smoothly
• Check for rust, deformations and firmly attached

24
Inspection Service Testing (NFPA 1931)

• Extension Ladders
• Pawl assembly works. Hook and finger move freely
• Halyard is not frayed or kinked
• Pulleys turn freely
• Fly sections move freely
• Toggles move freely on stay poles

25
WARNING!

• Failure to remove a defective ladder from service
  can result in catastrophic ladder failure that
  may injure or kill fellow firefighters

26
Ladder Safety

• Do not overload ladder - approximately one
  firefighter every 8 - 10 ft
• Always wear protective gear
• Choose proper ladder for job
• Lift with legs not back
• Use correct number of firefighters for raising
  and lowering

27
Ladder Safety Cont.

• Check for overhead electrical wires/hazards
• Set proper climbing angle (75 or 1ft out for
  every 4 high)
• Seat locks/pawls/dogs
• Secure properly before climbing (four point
  contact or tie off)
• Extend five rungs over roof

28
Ladder Safety Cont.

• Climber can stand upright and reach the rungs at
  arms length
• Tie off halyard before climbing
• Climb smoothly and rhythmically (Bear climb)
• Use leg lock or Class I harness
• Inspect after use

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Selecting Ladders

• NFPA 1901 Pumper Ladder Requirements
• 1 extension ladder min 24 feet (8m)
• 1 roof ladder min 14 feet (4.3m)
• 1 folding ladder min 10 feet ( 3m)

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Selecting Ladders Cont.

• First story roof - 16 - 20 ft (4.9 - 6m)
• Second story window - 20 - 28 ft (6 - 8.5m)
• Second story roof - 28 - 35 ft (8.5 - 10.7m)
• Third story window or roof - 40 - 50 ft (12.2 -
  15.2)
• Forth story roof - over 50 ft (15.2m)

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Ladder Placement

• Extend five rungs above roof to provide footing
  and handhold when stepping on or off roof
• Place tip of ladder at top of window on leeward
  side when ventilating or suppression
• Place tip of ladder just below windowsill for
  rescue/access (may be extended into opening of a
  wide window)

32
Ladder Placement Cont.

• Avoid placing ladders over window and door
  openings
• Ladder two sides of building for safety
• Place at strongest part of building (corners)
• Place ladder tip over top of window when using
  smoke ejectors

33
Ladder Placement Cont.

• Avoid overhead obstructions such as overhangs,
  signs, trees, and wires
• Avoid uneven terrain or soft spots
• Avoid access and egress routes/paths
• Avoid placing ladders on surfaces/openings where
  fire is present or may reach
• Avoid unstable surfaces. E.g. elevator doors and
  manhole covers

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Ground Ladders

• Carrying/Raising/Shifting/Climbing/Rescue/Hoseline
  s to be reviewed in practical sessions