Module ALadders (4-11)

Firefighter III

3-5.1. Identify the materials used in ladder construction: (4-11.1)

1. Metal:1. Metal: a) (Aluminum) Built with a) (Aluminum) Built with

heat-treated aluminum heat-treated aluminum alloy. Is used because it is alloy. Is used because it is light, has adequate light, has adequate strength, and permits a strength, and permits a reliable visual inspection of reliable visual inspection of all ladder parts.all ladder parts.

b) Disadvantages: Good b) Disadvantages: Good conductor of electricity, conductor of electricity, possibility of freezing to the possibility of freezing to the ladder in extremely cold ladder in extremely cold weather.weather.

3-5.1. Identify the materials used in ladder construction: (4-11.1)

2. Wood:2. Wood: a) Douglas fir has long been the a) Douglas fir has long been the

favored wood for ladder beams favored wood for ladder beams because it is relatively free of knots because it is relatively free of knots and pith pockets. Hickory for rungs.and pith pockets. Hickory for rungs.

b) Disadvantages: With excessive b) Disadvantages: With excessive moisture content are likely to shrink, moisture content are likely to shrink, resulting in warping or loose rungs.resulting in warping or loose rungs.

3-5.1. Identify the materials used in ladder construction: (4-11.1)

3. Fiberglass:3. Fiberglass: a) Not totally constructed of a) Not totally constructed of

fiberglass, but a combination of fiberglass, but a combination of fiberglass beams and metal rungs. fiberglass beams and metal rungs. Major advantage is non-conductor Major advantage is non-conductor of electricity and poor conductor of electricity and poor conductor of heat.of heat.

b) Disadvantages:b) Disadvantages: i) i) To meet NFPA 1931To meet NFPA 1931 dense dense

qualities of fiberglass and amount qualities of fiberglass and amount of material needed to meet the of material needed to meet the strength requirements makes the strength requirements makes the ladder relatively heavy.ladder relatively heavy.

ii) Fiberglass ladder tends to chip ii) Fiberglass ladder tends to chip and crack when it is struck. Solid and crack when it is struck. Solid beam type.beam type.Know NFPA 1932 Ladder tests have toKnow NFPA 1932 Ladder tests have to

Be done by certified Outside personnel. Be done by certified Outside personnel.

3-5.2. Identify the load capacities established by NFPA 1931 and NFPA 1904 for ground and aerial ladders: (4-11.2)

1. Ground Ladders.1. Ground Ladders. a) Single Ladder: at least a) Single Ladder: at least 750 lbs.750 lbs. b) Rood Ladder: no less than b) Rood Ladder: no less than 750 lbs.750 lbs. c) Folding Ladder: no less than 300 lbs.c) Folding Ladder: no less than 300 lbs. d) Extension Ladder: no less than d) Extension Ladder: no less than 750 750

lbs.lbs. e)  Pole Ladder: 750 lbs.e)  Pole Ladder: 750 lbs. f)  Combination Ladder: no less than f)  Combination Ladder: no less than

750 lbs.750 lbs. g) Pompier Ladder: no less than 300 g) Pompier Ladder: no less than 300

lbs.lbs.

What's the difference between Solid Beam

Construction and Truss Construction?

Solid Beam Ladders have a solid outside rail as shown on the left. The channel rail construction provides the advantage of extra strength without cumbersome weight.

Truss BLOCK Ladders incorporate tubular construction which uses a channel and and "I" beam as shown on the left. Construction features include: double parallel fins; double set of truss plates; ribbed, extruded rungs.

3-5.2. Identify the load capacities established by NFPA 1931 and NFPA 1904 for ground and aerial ladders: (4-11.2)

2. Aerial Ladders: a) Aerial Ladder: depends on

manufacturer’s specifications. b) Aerial Ladder Platform:

depends on manufacturer’s specifications.

c) Telescoping Aerial Platform: depends on manufacturer’s specifications.

d) Articulating Aerial Platform: depends on manufacturer’s specifications.

3-5.8. Identify the procedures for conducting the annual service test for ground ladders. (4-11.5)

1. Horizontal bending test: a) Fully extended ladder should rest on one-inch cylindrical one-inch cylindrical

supports placed sixsupports placed six inches inches from each end high enough off the ground to permit normal deflection.

b) Test load area should be 32 inches long and centered over the Test load area should be 32 inches long and centered over the actual center ofactual center of the ladder. It should be some type of board or the ladder. It should be some type of board or plate on which the free weights can be placed. Remember to plate on which the free weights can be placed. Remember to include the weight of this part of the test weight.include the weight of this part of the test weight.

c) Add the preloaded weights slowly until 350 lbs is in place. For ladders made before 1984, use 300 lbs.300 lbs.

d) Allow the load to sit for one minuteone minute then remove the load. e) Measure and record the distance from each side rail to ground. f) Apply the test load of 500 lbs. (400 if before 1984.)500 lbs. (400 if before 1984.) g) Allow the load to sit for 5 minutes, then remove the load.5 minutes, then remove the load. h) Metal and fiberglass ladders should be measured 5 minutesMetal and fiberglass ladders should be measured 5 minutes

after the load has been removed. i) Differences should not be greater than: ii) 25ft. ladder or less: .5 inches. 25ft. ladder or less: .5 inches. iii) 26-34 ft. ladder: one inch.iii) 26-34 ft. ladder: one inch. iv) 35 ft or over: 1.5 inches.iv) 35 ft or over: 1.5 inches. i)        Wooden ladders should not show signs of failure.i)        Wooden ladders should not show signs of failure.

1. Horizontal bending test:

3-5.8. Identify the procedures for conducting the annual service test for ground ladders. (4-11.5)

2. Roof ladder test: a) Position ladder over the

edge of a wall or platform so it is hanging solely by the points of its hooks. Wall or platform must be high enough to permit ladder and test weights to hang freely.

b) Secure top of ladder to wall or platform.

c) Using webbing of appropriate size and strength, suspend the test suspend the test weight of 1000 lbs from the weight of 1000 lbs from the ladder for one minute.ladder for one minute.

d) Remove test weights and inspect the hooks for damage.

3-5.8. Identify the procedures for conducting the annual service test for ground ladders. (4-11.5)

3. Extension ladder 3. Extension ladder hardware test:hardware test:

a) Position the ladder against Position the ladder against a wall so it will be at a 75.5a wall so it will be at a 75.5 angle. The ladder should be angle. The ladder should be extended at least one rung.extended at least one rung.

b) Using webbing at appropriate size and strength, suspend the test weight of 1000 lbs from ladder for one 1000 lbs from ladder for one minute.minute.

c) Remove the test weights and inspect the ladder hardware for damage.

3-5.8. Identify the procedures for conducting the annual service test for ground ladders. (4-11.5)

4. Strength test for Pompier ladders:

a) Position ladder over the edge of a wall or platform so it is hanging solely by its hook.

b) Secure top of ladder to wall or platform.

c) Using webbing of appropriate size and strength, suspend the test test weight of 1000 lbs from weight of 1000 lbs from ladder one minute.ladder one minute.

d) Remove the test weights and inspect the hook for damage.

Strength test for Pompier ladders:

3-5.8. Identify the procedures for conducting the annual service test for ground ladders. (4-11.5)

5. Strength test for folding ladders. a) Ladder should rest on one-inch cylindrical supports one-inch cylindrical supports

placed six inches from each end, high enough off the ground placed six inches from each end, high enough off the ground to permit normal deflection.to permit normal deflection.

b) Test load area should be 16 inches long and centered 16 inches long and centered over the actual center of the ladder. (It should be some type over the actual center of the ladder. (It should be some type of board or plate on which the free weights can be placed.)of board or plate on which the free weights can be placed.)

c) Add preloaded weights slowly until 160 lbs is in place.until 160 lbs is in place. d) Allow the load to sit for one minute, then remove the one minute, then remove the

load.load. e) Measure and record the distance from each side rail to Measure and record the distance from each side rail to

ground.ground. f) Apply test load of 225 lbs.f) Apply test load of 225 lbs. g) Allow load to sit for 5 minutes then remove.g) Allow load to sit for 5 minutes then remove. h) Metal and fiberglass ladders should be measured five should be measured five

minutes after theminutes after the load has been removed and the difference load has been removed and the difference should not be greater than .5 inches.should not be greater than .5 inches.

i) Wooden ladders should not show any signs of failure.i) Wooden ladders should not show any signs of failure.

Strength test for folding ladders.

PRACTICALS 3-5.3. Demonstrate the following special ladder raises: 3-5.3.1. Dome/ auditorium raise. 3-5.3.2. Hotel/ factory raise. 3-5.3.3. Obstructed raises. 3-5.4. Demonstrate the following special uses of fire

department ground ladders: 3-5.4.1. Hinge for lowering victims. 3-5.4.2. Bridging operations. 3-5.4.3. Salvage and overhaul operations. 3-5.4.4. Pumping operations. 3-5.5. Demonstrate the procedure for cleaning ladders.

(4-11.3) 3-5.6. Demonstrate inspection procedures for different

types of ground and aerial ladders as described in IFSTA. (4-11.4)

3-5.7. Demonstrate maintenance procedures for different types of ground and aerial ladders as described in IFSTA (4-11.4)

             Obstructed

Bridging Operation

Using 2 ladders and other materials from 906, make a device that could usedin pumping operations. Think outside the box.

Salvage and overhaul operations