PHOTO GLEN ELLMAN Figure 1: Ensuring your ground ladders are stored correctly, free of vibration and exposure to the elements, is key in ensuring they re safe to use on the fireground. In the November 2006 issue of FireRescue, ( Easy Access, p. 48) Captain Peter Kertzie from the Buffalo (N.Y.) Fire Department discussed ground ladder storage and use. I ve tested ladders for more than 15 years, and I can attest to the validity of Kertzie s statements. In this article, I ll provide some additional information I ve learned during my years of testing and inspecting ground ladders and more than 30 years of fire service experience. This information affects how you maintain and store your ladders, as well as how you write specifications for a new apparatus.
Step Up When you re checking your apparatus, it s not moving. Grab the ladders & see if they shake around easily. If they do, your ladders will be prone to road vibration damage. Figure 2: Ground ladders can be stored vertically (left) or horizontally (right). FIRST THOUGHTS Before you can properly address ladder storage and maintenance, you must first decide how many and what size ladders you need. The process is fairly simple: 1. Travel through your response area and identify locations that are difficult or impossible for an aerial apparatus to reach. 2. Ask yourself: How much time would it take for the aerial to arrive and set up where it can operate? What obstructions might impede the aerial (terrain, overhangs, trees, wires, etc.)? 3. Develop strategy scenarios to handle those situations. 4. Decide what ground ladders you would need to reach those locations. Make sure you know what you should have, not what you ve gotten away with so far. Kertzie mentioned a truck manufacturer who thought the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Insurance Services Office (ISO ) should do away with ground ladder requirements because modern aerial equipment makes ground ladders almost obsolete. I think this person should go watch their trucks in action. There s more than one side to a building, and you can t always set up where you d like. In addition, a crew can get people down a ground ladder faster than they can set up an aerial to reach them. An informal survey I conducted at a
conference in New York showed more people were saved by ground ladders than aerial apparatus. Once you know how many and what kinds of ground ladders you ll need, you must decide between internal and external storage. Point 1 3' Top Bracket Point 3 INTERNAL LADDER STORAGE In 15 years of examining internal ladder storage, I ve found several areas where apparatus manufacturers could make a few relatively minor changes that would make a world of difference when it comes to vibration damage and other problems. Requesting these changes during the apparatus specification process can help you avoid headaches after it s built. But even if you re not ready to spec a new apparatus, you can use this information to review your current storage and make changes to reduce ladder damage. Horizontal vs. Vertical Storage Internal storage is either horizontal or vertical; each offers pros and cons. Horizontal storage pros: Horizontal storage causes much less storage damage. In Figure 2 (p. 70), each horizontally stored ladder is in its own rack and the ladder beams are supported the complete length of the ladder. Ladders stored horizontally have less of a tendency to become deformed because of the way they are designed. They are stronger horizontally. Point 2 Hydraulic Line Figure 3: Ladders stored internally in a vertical position. Note three points regarding damage: 1) Some manufacturers only run their top brackets about 3 feet long, as shown in the top left of the picture. Most of the top ladder rail is therefore unsupported; as the apparatus travels over bumps and rough roads, the ladders shift around and become damaged. 2) Notice the hydraulic line against the second fly on the extension ladder. Again, not only is it rubbing the ladder, it s also rubbing the hose. In this case, the ladder was wedged in and had to be freed before we could test it. 3) The 3-foot-long top supports on the two extension ladders are barely touching the upper beams. If the hose wasn t supporting them, they might fall over. Remember: Duo-Safety and Alco-Lite ladders have different widths. One size doesn t fit all.
Step Up Figure 4: This ladder shows the effects of damage from loading and unloading, which affects the side of beams as well as labels. If labels become unreadable, it could cause a major problem. Remember: If ladders are not supported the entire time during loading and unloading, and are allowed to drop halfway out, a greater potential exists for them to become deformed. Figure 5: Internal storage often opens in the front, in this case around the pump enclosure. Rain, road debris, salt and dirt end up swirling down through the ladder box, resulting in additional damage to the ladders. PHOTOS STEVE SPEER Horizontal storage cons: Stacked ladders tend to damage each other from road vibration. Again, when using horizontal storage, keep each ladder in its own rack. Vertical storage pros: It s easier to load and unload ladders vertically, especially if you ve got limited personnel. When ladders are stored horizontally, the person closest to the truck must stretch across the ladder width to keep it from tipping as the ladder clears the rear of the bracket. Vertical storage cons: Vertical storage increases ladder damage from road vibration and increases damage caused during loading and unloading (see Figures 3, p. 71, and 4). Closed or Open? In addition to vertical or horizontal storage, you must consider whether you will store ladders in a closed or open space on the apparatus. Figure 5 shows internal storage that opens in the front, in this case around the pump enclosure. Rain, road debris, salt and dirt end up swirling down through the ladder box. The result: The ladders become wet and dirty without ever coming off the truck. You regularly clean the outside of the apparatus, but very few times does the inside of the ladder compartment get much attention. Enclosed ladder storage generally is better for
Step Up Figure 6: Externally mounted ladders become deformed because they are not properly supported. In this picture, note the two rungs from the front bracket to the tip at the front of the pumper. At the rear of the pumper, there are five rungs from the rear bracket to the butt end of the ladder. The extra weight on the rear tends to cause the deformity problem to increase. reducing damage, but it can cause a problem if you put ladders away wet and dirty, close the door and forget to think about them when you return to quarters. In our experience, just as many (or more) problems result from corrosion and parts sticking due to internal storage as with mounted ladders. In addition, when ladders protrude into the pump enclosure, they re often damaged where they rub on valves, control arms and hoses. Also, be sure no sharp steel objects are located or stored where the rear box and the pump enclosure meet, because this can cause significant damage to ladder beams from road vibration. Remember: When you re checking your apparatus, it s not moving. Grab the ladders and see if they shake around easily. If they do, you ll have road vibration damage. Make sure the manufacturer corrects this. A Note on Length If your ladders come off the back of the apparatus, ensure that other arriving apparatus leave enough room behind your rig to remove the longest ladders. A closed 35', three-section ladder is about 15 feet long; a closed 35', two-section ladder is 20 feet long. By the way, if you re trying to decide between a truss ladder and a solid beam ladder, consider this: Truss ladders weigh more and take up more room because the beams are taller. If you re trying to gain that muchneeded space, solid beam ladders take up less room. All in Favor? I m not against internal storage. However, if you choose internal storage, you must address the above issues. Don t maintain the mindset that if your ladders are stored internally, all your problems are over. Ladders must be maintained no matter where you place them on the truck. EXTERNAL LADDER STORAGE The most common problem with ground ladder storage, whether it s internal or external storage, is road vibration. Each time you respond to an alarm, conduct driver training or move the apparatus, you create the potential to further damage ground ladders. In my travels, I often hear people say, Those ladders haven t been off that truck three times since you were
here last year. The problem: The ladders are damaged without even being removed from the apparatus. There are three points of interest to watch for in external storage: 1) ground ladder deformity; 2) rung damage & ladders stored on ladders; and 3) ladder lock damage. Don t maintain the mindset that if your ladders are stored internally, all your problems are over. Ladders must be maintained no matter where you place them on the truck. Deformity Externally mounted ladders become deformed because they re not properly supported, and the risk of deformity increases with longer ladders. In Figure 6 (p. 74), note that on the front of the pumper, there are two rungs from the front bracket to the tip. At the rear of the pumper, there are five rungs from the rear bracket to the butt end of the ladder. Many departments do this so the ladders do not interfere with the crosslays. But the extra weight on the rear tends to increase deformity. If you have crosslays and externally mounted ladders, make sure the support for the ladders is evenly spaced and the brackets are padded. Rung Damage & Ladders Stored on Ladders Figure 7 shows the most frequent problem of ladder storage: severe damage to the rungs of an extension ladder, caused by beams of the roof ladder rubbing against them while the apparatus is in motion. Whether the ladders are stored internally or externally, horizontally or vertically, when they re stored in Figure 7: The rungs on this extension ladder are severely damaged from the beams of the roof ladder rubbing against them while the apparatus is in motion.
Step Up Each time you respond to an alarm, conduct driver training or move the apparatus, you create the potential to further damage ground ladders. Figure 8: It s not uncommon to see a ground ladder s lock assembly resting on the ladder brackets. As a result, the lock assembly becomes damaged. direct contact with other ladders, the potential for road vibration exists. This is caused by insufficient spring pressure in the latches that hold the ladders on the truck and insufficient protection between the roof and extension ladders. If during your next truck check, you notice you have this problem, prevent the situation from getting worse by either tightening the latch springs or placing protection on the extension ladder rungs (be sure not to interfere with the extension ladder locks). If you allow this to continue, it could cost you a new ladder. Remember: If you can walk up to the apparatus and shake the ladders easily, you re either already experiencing or will experience this problem. Ladder Lock Damage Figure 8 shows a ground ladder s lock assembly resting on the ladder brackets, a common scenario. As a result, the lock assembly becomes damaged. At a fire scene, this could cost you precious time, especially at night, when it s hard to see what s not working properly. In addition, check your truck brackets to ensure they re not causing additional damage. In this case, the halyard and the cable are rubbing against the bracket. HYDRAULIC LIFTS Hydraulic lifts do the job when you re trying to buy some of that much-needed room for compartment
space. Without a hydraulic lift, some apparatus require a ladder to get the ladders off the truck! There are two types of hydraulic lifts. The first type stores the ladders on the side and lowers them within reach. The second type, pictured in Figure 9, stores the ladders on top of the truck, bringing them down to the side. With this type of setup, the roof ladder usually rides on top of the extension ladder, creating the potential for road vibration damage. Along with the time it takes for the unit to lower, remember that when the ladders are lowered, they extend out about 5 feet off the side of the apparatus (the length of the arm). When you re pulling up to the scene, you must account for that distance with regard to parked cars, poles, trees, mailboxes, etc., in positioning your apparatus. Where you stop could make a difference between a rescue and a recovery. IN YOUR HANDS What happens to ground ladders after they leave the manufacturer is in the hands of the fire department. How ladders are mounted on the apparatus and how they re maintained are on your shoulders. However you choose to mount ground ladders on your apparatus, make sure the apparatus manufacturer does a good job of securing and padding them so they re not damaged while they re riding along with you. The most frequent problem we find with external storage: severe damage to the rungs of an extension ladder, caused by beams of the roof ladder rubbing against them while the apparatus is in motion. Steve Speer is president of Fire Service Safety Testing, a company that inspects, tests and services ground ladders. Speer has more than 30 years of experience as a firefighter. He s a retired lieutenant from the Ridge Road Fire District in Rochester, N.Y., a past chief of the Hilton (N.Y.) Fire Department and a former member of the Board of Fire Commissioners for the Hilton-Parma Fire District. Speer is currently a member of the NFPA s Ground Ladder Testing Committee. Figure 9: Hydraulic lifts either store the ladders on the side or, as pictured here, on top of the truck, bringing them down to the side. With this type of setup, the roof ladder usually rides on top of the extension ladder, creating the potential for road vibration damage.