Flexible sided ladders

Transcription

1 Flexible sided ladders Made in the UK for over 40 years

2 What are flexible sided ladders... Please Note: Flexible sided ladders and their accessories are not Personal Protective Equipment. Flexible sided ladders must always be used with a separate fall protection system. Flexible sided ladders are not suitable for emergency escapes. It is extremely difficult to use these ladders safely if you are in any way incapacitated. Flexible sided ladders have rigid rungs and flexible sides - normally made from polyester or wire rope. Plainly, this means that unlike a rigid sided ladder, they must be suspended from a fixed point rather than leant against a structure, but it also means they can be rolled for transport or storage - they weigh much less than a rigid sided ladder of similar length and can be used in confined locations where conventional ladders could not be deployed. Lyon Equipment flexible sided ladders Lyon Equipment is the leading manufacturer of flexible sided ladders. Our expertise draws on over 40 years experience of ladder production. Made in the UK and supplied worldwide, our handmade high quality ladders are used extensively in industry and for outdoors sports. Originally developed for cavers, Lyon flexible sided ladders are now widely used in: Events rigging (access to lighting trusses) Theatres Confined space silo access (including cleaning glass coated vessels) Manhole and sewer access Marine/pleasure boats Military Climbing walls (training aids) Lyon flexible sided ladders... Provide cost effective temporary access Are light and easy to transport Are quick to rig Can be used in confined spaces Can be joined to increase length (excl Fibrelight) Require minimal training before use 2

3 Ladder construction Lyon Equipment can produce ladders to suit individual needs and environments. To achieve this, we offer a choice of rung types, side materials and connections. Rung types Aluminium alloy - plain Aluminium alloy - black anodised High grip knurled High grip 34mm fluted GRP Used on regular and lightweight ladders. Available in 2 diameters mm (compact ladders only) and 25mm (wide rung only). For low visibility in military, security or theatrical applications. The additional protection from corrosion given by the anodising process makes these rungs more suitable for use in corrosive environments such as marine facilities and chemical plants. Available in 2 diameters -12.5mm (compact ladders only) and 25mm (wide rung only). Knurled finish for extra grip (compact ladder only) Chunky rungs which are easier to grip. GRP (Glass reinforced Plastic) rungs also have the advantage that they are least likely to scratch any surface they contact. Side materials Galvanised steel wire rope Stainless steel wire rope Polyester rope Used on regular ladders (4mm) and lightweight ladders (3mm) galvanised wire rope is ideal for most applications offering high strength and durability. Where a corrosive atmosphere might reduce the life span of galvanised wire rope, this stainless steel wire rope gives additional strength and durability. 8mm rope for use on Wide rung GRP ladders only. May be suitable for use in environments where electric shock is a risk. 3

4 Lyon Equipment produce flexible sided ladders in a choice of three basic styles: COMPACT, WIDE and FIBRELIGHT COMPACT General purpose ladders, for applications such as manhole entry, access to lighting truss and sport caving. Made from aluminium alloy rungs and flexible wire rope sides, COMPACT ladders are 150mm wide (wide enough for one foot) and are ideal when you need to keep weight down without reducing loading capacity. Key COMPACT features: Compact design allows easy storage and transport Available in two versions Available with three different rung options Choice of two rung spacings 25 or 30cm 5 or 10 metres standard lengths Lengths of up to 20 metres to special order Easily joined together if necessary COMPACT ladders come in two versions: Regular the most popular style durable and versatile. Recommended for frequent use. Uses 4mm wire. Lightweight for situations where weight is more important than durability. Only recommended for infrequent use. Uses 3mm wire. and with three rung options: Plain alloy rung self-coloured alloy rung. The standard for most applications. Black anodised rung fitted on stainless steel wire rope sides for where corrosion is a risk i.e. marine environments. Also useful for theatres and military applications where a less bright finish is required. (Regular ladder only) Black High grip rung as above, but with a knurled finish for better grip. (Regular ladder only) 4

5 WIDE Easy to handle ladders, for applications such as silo access for inspection and cleaning and for use over sloping structures (such as vessels). Wide ladders are made from either aluminium alloy or glass reinforced plastic (GRP) rungs with flexible wire or textile rope sides, WIDE ladders are 270mm wide allowing the climber to place both feet on one rung. WIDE ladders are only manufactured in one version: Regular - This specification is durable and versatile, ideal for the intended use. WIDE ladders are available with four rung options: Plain alloy rung self-coloured alloy rung, the standard for most applications. GRP wire Glass reinforced plastic rungs with stainless steel wire rope sides easy to clean, used by the food and pharmaceutical industries. GRP rope Glass reinforced plastic rungs with polyester rope sides may be more suitable where electric shock is a potential hazard. Heavily fluted rungs are easier to grip, so this ladder is better for muddy / slippery environments Key WIDE features: Wide enough to fit both feet side by side Large diameter rungs are more easy to handle and more comfortable to stand on Easy clean materials options Available with four different rung options Choice of two rung spacings 25 or 30cm Made to order in lengths of up to 15 metres Black anodised rung fitted on stainless steel wire rope sides for where corrosion is a risk i.e. marine environments. Also useful for theatres and military applications where a less bright finish is required. 5

6 Fibrelight Wide enough for a single foot, these specialist ladders are lightweight, and make virtually no noise when deployed. They are an alternative to wire sided or wooden rope ladders. Constructed from textile sides and carbon fibre rungs they are ideally suited to wet environments. Joining Fibrelight Ladders Standard Fibrelight ladders are supplied with a single anchor point and Maillon Rapide at the head making them unsuitable for connection to increase the length. Fibrelight ladders are always made to customers specified lengths. If you require Fibrelight ladders which can be joined, please call. Key features: Easy to rig Compact for easy storage Non metallic ladder no parts to corrode Complete with bag and stainless steel connector Lighter than our Compact or Wide Rung ladders Can be ordered by the metre (up to 20 metres) 30 cm rung spacing Black, yellow and red tape available NOTE: For lightweight use only. For heavy and / or regular use, we recommend our Compact or Wide Rung ladders. Fibrelight Ladder Specifications Ladder type Rung Sides Dia (mm) Width (mm) Fibrelight Solid carbon fibre rods inside a polyester tape sleeve Material Material Max rated load 20 mm wide polyester tape 120 kg 30cm Rung spacing Weights (Including bag and Maillon Rapide connector) Ladder length 5m 10m 15m 20m Weight 1.18kg 2.35kg 3.53kg 4.70kg 6

7 Connections Ladder length We usually make ladders of either 5m or 10m lengths but can make longer on request. If ladders will be de-rigged for transport or storage, or if there is a risk of damage, it is usually better to join several shorter lengths rather than use one continuous unit. By selecting one of the connecting options it is possible to make a continuous ladder with even rung spacing across the joints. Maillon Rapide connector Maillon Rapide connectors can be used to connect ladders supplied with swaged eyes. Connection options If two or more ladders are to be joined, use of one of the following connection methods will ensure that spacing between rungs is consistent across the join. GRP Ladders Unless requested eyes are not fitted to the bottom. Swaged eyelets only Unless specified, ladders will be supplied with a swaged eyelet on the end of each side wire. They can then be connected with a removable Maillon Rapide. (See accessories section). Maillon Rapides are lightweight screw-link connectors with high strength Maillon Rapides are easily fitted or replaced by the user Swaged eyelets and fixed C-Links Permanently fixed to the ladder during manufacture to prevent loss. Request at the time of ordering as these cannot be fitted after manufacture Easy to connect together, even with cold wet hands Lightweight recommended for sport caving use only For use on COMPACT REGULAR and COMPACT LIGHTWEIGHT ladders only Eyelet Maillon Rapides Lightweight screw-link connectors with high strength Permanently fixed to the ladder during manufacture to prevent loss. Request at the time of ordering as these cannot be fitted after manufacture Ideal for industrial use, can be used on many types of anchor NOTE: Eyelet Maillon Rapides are only available in galvanised steel and are not suitable for ladders with stainless steel wire or rope sides. 7

8 Ladders can be suspended from a wide variety of anchor points. One important point to note is that, to reduce wear and excessive loading, the wire sides must not be distorted beyond an angle of 20º from vertical. Accessories Fixing Compact ladders to anchor points Y spreaders If a ladder will be fixed to a single point, a Y spreader should be used. Y spreaders are available in 4 different types to match ladder connection types. Wire ladder attachment strop Wire ladder attachment strop can be used to achieve a suitable anchor when wrapped around fixed structures. Storage & rapid deployment pouch Allows ladders to be stored at the point of use ready for immediate deployment. Stand offs Suitable for GRP fluted rung ladders only, this item keeps ladders away from a wall allowing easier climbing. A pair of stand offs is applied to every third rung of the ladder for vertical hangs. More maybe required if the ladder rests on an inclined/curved surface. Fixing Wide ladders to anchor points The length from the top rung to the eye is always 300mm - Wide spreaders not required. Code Description Connector LO 4 4mm galvanised spreader with swaged eyes Swaged eyes LM 4 4mm galvanised spreader with eyelet Maillon Rapide Maillon Rapide LC 4 4mm galvanised spreader with C-links C-links LO 4YS 4mm s/steel spreader with swaged eyes Swaged eyes Wire ladder attachment strop 4mm wire code Length Termination Breaking Load (kn) LO 41 1m Swaged eyes 10 LO m LO 42 2m LO 43 3m LC 41 1m C-links 2.5 LC m LC 42 2m LC 43 3m 8

9 A B C Testing and specifications Testing In order to determine the breaking loads, sample ladders were tested to destruction. A - Rung bending load This test simulates the load of hands or feet. Connections narrower than 18mm may result in lower values being achieved. This is the reason why karabiners, slings and ropes should not be used to suspend loads or climbers from rungs. The figure we state is the point beyond which the rung will bend. It is worth noting that the rung will not break at the figure quoted - it deforms, and can still be climbed, but the ladder must be retired. B - Rung slippage Another key loading limit is reached when rung slippage occurs. This is the point at which rungs slip along the wire sides. Our tests indicate the earliest stage at which this may occur. In the event of rung slippage the ladder must be retired. C - Wire side breakage Side wires are tested independently to produce figure C. Ladder Specifications Ladder type Rung Sides Breaking Loads (kn) Weight (kg) per 10m length Dia (mm) Width (mm) Material A Rungs B Slip C Side 25cm spacing Compact Regular Dural aluminium alloy 4mm 7x19 galvanised steel wire rope Compact Lightweight Dural aluminium alloy 3mm 7x7 galvanised steel wire rope Compact Black Rung Black anodised Dural aluminium alloy 4mm 7x stainless steel wire rope Wide Regular Dural aluminium alloy 4mm 7x19 galvanised steel wire rope Wide Black Rung Black anodised Dural aluminium alloy 4mm 7x stainless steel wire rope GRP Wire Fluted glass reinforced plastic (GRP) 4mm 7x stainless steel wire rope GRP Rope Fluted glass reinforced plastic (GRP) 8mm braided polyester rope N/A cm spacing 9

10 Ladder ordering information We have a range of off the shelf ladders available. To order a tailor made Compact or Wide ladder the following information will help you. Codes for our COMPACT and WIDE ladders are made up of several parts, which signify the various features of the ladder. Example: Ordering an LO SA will give you a COMPACT BLACK RUNG ladder with 4mm stainless steel wire rope sides, swaged eye ends, 10m long with 25cm black anodised rungs. Speak to your stockist to discuss your exact requirements. Example: LO SA Extra information about ladder: SA = anodised rungs/stainless steel wire rope WA = wide alloy rungs WSA = wide anodised rungs/stainless steel wire rope WG = wide glass fibre rungs HG = High Grip Rung Spacing: 25 or 30cm Ladder length: standard lengths are 5 & 10 metres Diameter of sides: 3mm or 4mm wire rope, or 8mm polyester rope Ladder terminations: LO = swaged eye with thimble LM = swaged eye with thimble plus Maillon Rapide (screw link terminator) LC = swaged eye with thimble plus C link 10

11 Nov 2012