Engine Company Ladders

OBECTIVES • Identify ladders required for engine companies. • Demonstrate selecting ladder height. • Demonstrate proper ladder placement based on task(s) to be performed and location. • Demonstrate proper ladder throws. • Demonstrate proper ladder safety. Minimum required on Engine Co. • Attic ladder • Roof ladder with hooks • Extension ladder • 10 feet • 20 lbs. Attic Ladder Use • Attic access to scuttle hole • Knot Box access • Ladder aloft • Narrow passages • Bridging over fences Attic Ladder Use • Investigation of attic fire • Should be placed at door on all SFD fires – Always checking for extension of fire • Carry ladder tip first Roof Ladder • 14 feet • 40 Lbs • Distributes firefighters weight and helps prevent slipping. • Bridging over fences. Extension Ladder • 24 feet • 105 Lbs • Can be raised by one person • Faster and safer with two firefighter • Use up to two story buildings • Can reach window on two and three- story buildings • Fire escapes balconies • Build catch basins • Bridging operations • Span suspected weak areas • Steep roof Which ladder should I use? Where do you need to go? What do you need to do? CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING WHEN SELECTING LADDER HEIGHT occupancies are approximately from floor to floor occupancies are approximately from floor to floor • The average height is approximately above the floor are normally and vary in width RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL OCCUPANCY OCCUPANCY 10-12’ How can I estimate my ladder height needs? Can a reference point such as a door or ground level window be used to estimate other location heights? Considering what you know about standard door and window dimensions, estimate the height of this location Based on your estimate, which Ground Ladder will reach these 3 locations? 2 1 Estimate 28’ 21’ 14’ 7’ 35’ 16’ 20’ 24' Which ladder best meets your needs for accessing the roof of this building? REMEMBER Known dimensions can be used as visual references CONSIDER 7’ front door as reference for building height/ladder selection 7 ’ Based on our reference this building’s parapet is approximately 15’ 7 Now ’ decide which ladder would best suit your needs for roof access 24’ Which ladder did you 20’ choose? 16’ Why are you using a ladder? RESCUE Immediate Rescue • Window – Consider fire conditions • Windward Side • Extend below sill/Extend into opening • Balcony – Ladder adjacent wall – Ladder onto or below banister • Roof – Extend minimum 3-5 rungs above parapet • Visibility/Access Rescue Placement Tip of ladder just below window seal Place ladder in window if large enough, below if not. Standard extension of ladder should be 1 foot past window sill. If window is large enough, may extend more for ease of personnel and the public stepping on and off ladder VENTILATION • Location and extension of fire – Offensive Vs Defensive – Anticipate Fire Progress • Type of construction – Roof Design • Flat, Pitched, Arched – Strengths/Weaknesses – Horizontal Openings • Means of ingress/egress – Path of Travel – Additional ladders needed Emergency Egress • Path Of Travel – Consider optional path – Involved or uninvolved area – Give interior crews alternate escape routes • Visibility – Minimum 3-5 rungs above parapet/eaves line • Building Strong Points – Corners, Hips, Valleys, Pilasters OVERHAUL/MITIGATION • Working from the ladder –Consider • Reach • Stability • Additional ladders • Move ladders as needed Ground Ladder Safety Placement of Ladder • Best climbing angle 65-70 degrees • Stand facing the ladder with toes at spurs – Arms extended horizontally from shoulders – Palms of hands resting on the rung will give the correct angle • To achieve the correct angle – Divide the working part of the ladder by 3 • If too far from building – Load carrying capacity reduced – Spurs may slip out • If ladder is placed to close to building – Stability is reduced and tends to pull tip away Proper Climbing Angle Use cracks, asphalt and/or firm dirt to prevent slippage. • Base should rest evenly on both spurs • If on slope – Position wedges to level – Four point contact Extending Fly • Hands on beam • Never reach through the rungs for any reason • Never place feet between beams • Fingers and hands are not to be exposed to guides or stops Beware! Rungs above building contact point are intended for visibility and access, NOT for climbing All ladders shall be footed if not secured to building • Grasp outside of both beams, palms toward the rungs keeping fingers clear of guides • Spread feet, one leg extended back towards structure • maintained inward tension on beam • Don’t look up while personnel on ladder • Don’t look up, while someone is climbing • Grasps beam keeping fingers out of guides • Hose strap • Ladder straps • Drop bags • Secure ladders to buildings. • First firefighter to climb a ground ladder secures it to the structure. • Must be footed at all times if not tied off. Ladders for Ventilation 3-5 rungs above roof line for better visibility. Ground Ladder Considerations Pitched Roofs “Pitched/Sloped roofs are always steeper than they look from the ground” DISCUSS Ladder CONSIDER Options? Roof Pitch How/Why? Obstacles Ground/Roof Ladder combination makes for secure footing and distributes firefighter weight For steep pitched roofs a single ground ladder may be a good choice Roof ladders must be the correct height to allow safe access Consider from ground ladder distance from object required for this technique Climbing Ladder • Look slightly above eye level. • Hand grips on center of rungs. • Body erect, shoulder at arm length from ladder. • Knees inline with body. • Balls of feet on rung. • Legs carry weight and arms are for stability. • Briskly and smoothly. • Every rung with feet and every other with hands. • Look towards rung just below head • Feet and hands should contact the rungs at the same time to develop a rhythm essential to smooth and safe climbing. One foot either on rung or around beam Fire Escapes Extend one foot above the rail to prevent blocking egress. Fire Escapes Avoid laddering areas that may interfere with fire escape. Fire Escapes Consider releasing drop ladders for use by occupants and to keep them from unintentionally releasing during an incident. General Techniques Move away from the rear of the engine when removing ladders. This will allow you to avoid trip hazards such as pulled hose. Reference • Los Angeles Co. Fire Department Volume 4, Chapter 5, Subjects 1 and 2. • Essentials 4th ed. IFSTA • Truck Company Operations – John Mittendorf Thanks to FS 90 for assisting with this drill. Director of Training LACoFD Training Services Section Battalion Chief Derek Alkonis (323) 881-2436 .

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