TYPES OF LADDERS

INTRODUCTION
The fire service ladder is one of the most basic
fire fighter tools.
Fire service ladders are similar to other types
of ladders, But are specialized tools, not
general purpose ladders
Require heavy-duty construction
Require
more
frequent
and
thorough
maintenance
Every fire fighter must be proficient in working
with ladders.

LADDER
DEFINITION
An appliance or equipment usually
consisting of two side rails joined
together at regular intervals with
cross pieces like steps, rungs or
cleats and used in ascending or
descending between two points at
different levels.

TYPES OF LADDERS
PORTABLE LADDERS
AERIAL LADDERS

Contd
PORTABLE LADDERS
Carried on fire apparatus
Designed to be removed and used in
other locations

AERIAL LADDERS
Permanently mounted and operated
from fire apparatus

PORTABLE LADDERS
Number and lengths of ladders used
by the fire department depend on
the maximum height of buildings in
the response area.
Generally, portable ladders
limited to a length of 50'.

are

PORTABLE LADDERS

STRAIGHT LADDER
ROOF LADDER
EXTENSION LADDER
BANGOR LADDER
COMBINATION LADDER
FOLDING LADDER
FRESNO LADDER
POMPIER LADDER
ROPE LADDER

STRAIGHT LADDER
Single-section, fixedlength ladder
May also be called wall
ladders or single
ladders
Commonly 12' to 20'
long, but can be up to
30' and longer
8

ROOF LADDER
Straight ladder with roof
hooks
Sometimes called a hook
ladder
Provides stable footing
Usually 12' to 18' long

10

Roof ladders are equipped with

folding hooks to anchor the ladder.

1211

EXTENSION LADDER
Adjustable length
Multiple sections
Usually heavier
than a straight
ladder of the
same length

BANGOR LADDER
Extension ladder
with staypoles
Staypoles are
planted in the
ground on either
side for additional
stability.

13

COMBINATION LADDER

Convertible from a
straight ladder to an
A-frame, stepladder
Generally 6' to 10' in
the A-frame
configuration and 10'
and 15' in the
extension
configuration

15

FOLDING LADDER

16

Also called an
attic ladder
Narrow,
collapsing ladder
Designed to
allow access to
attic scuttle
holes and
confined areas

FRESNO LADDER

17

Narrow, twosection ladder

Designed to
provide attic
access
Commonly
available in 8'
to 14' lengths

POMPIER LADDER
Lightweight, single-beam ladder
Used to climb the outside of a
building
Today, only used when no other
option is available

18

ROPE LADDER

HOOK LADDER

LADDER MATERIALS
Metal

Wood
Fibergla
ss

MATERIALS USED FOR LADDERS

Each
material
has
advantage
s,
disadvanta
ges

Weight
depends
on
material,
length

BASIC LADDER
COMPONENTS
Tip
Butt
Butt spurs
Butt plate

Roof hooks
Heat sensor label
Protection plates

Heat sensor label

BEAMS
One of two main
structural
components
Run the length of
most ladders
Three types of beam
construction:
Trussed beam
I-beam
Solid beam

RAIL AND TRUSS BLOCK

Rail
Top or bottom section of a trussed beam
May also refer to top and bottom
surfaces of an I-beam

Truss block
Piece that connects the two rails of a
trussed beam

RUNG AND TIE ROD

Rung
Crosspiece that spans the two beams of
a ladder
Serves as steps and transfer users
weight

Tie rod
Metal bar that runs from one beam of
the ladder to the other to keep the
beams from separating

TIP, BUTT, AND BUTT

SPURS
Tip
Very top of the
ladder

Butt
End of the ladder
that is placed
against the ground

Butt spurs
Metal spikes
attached to the
butt of a ladder

BUTT PLATE AND ROOF

HOOKS
Butt plate or footpad
Alternative to a simple
butt spur
Incorporates both a
spur and a cleat or pad

Roof hooks
Spring-loaded,
retractable, curved
metal pieces attached
to the tip of a roof
ladder
Used to secure the
ladder to the peak of a
pitched roof

HEAT SENSOR LABEL AND

PROTECTION PLATES
Heat sensor label
Identifies when the ladder has been
exposed to specific heat conditions
Changes color when exposed to a
particular temperature

Protection plates
Reinforcing pieces placed at chaffing
and contact points to prevent damage

EXTENSION LADDER
COMPONENTS

Bed section
Fly section
Guides
Halyard
Pawls/Dogs
Pulley
Stops
Staypoles

BED SECTION AND FLY

SECTION
Bed section
Widest section
Serves as the base

Fly section
Part that is raised
or extended from
the bed section
Each fly section
extends from the
previous section

GUIDES AND HALYARD

Guides
Strips of metal or
wood that guide a
fly section as it is
extended

Halyard
Rope or cable used
to extend or hoist
the fly sections

PAWLS AND PULLEY

Pawls (Dogs)
Mechanical locking
devices used to
secure the fly
sections of an
extension ladder

Pulley
Small grooved
wheel used to
change the
direction of the
halyard pull