Policy: 07-02-05
Ground Ladder Maintenance and Testing

Issued By:Suppression

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Purpose
To establish guidelines for inspection, maintenance, and service testing of ground ladders.


Background
Ground ladders used for firefighting purposes shall be constructed in compliance with the provisions of NFPA 1931. Maintenance and testing of ground ladders are covered under NFPA 1932. This replaces POG # 07-02-05, “Ground Ladder Maintenance”, dated 2005-06-15.


Policy Statement
Section One : Inspection and Care

1. Ground ladders shall be washed, cleaned and visually inspected each Monday, or after each use, and visually inspected by the Officer In Charge (OIC) of the station.

2. The first Monday of June, September, and December shall be designated as the dates for a detailed ground ladder inspection. All appropriate paperwork shall be completed by the Officer in Charge (OIC) of the station , and submitted to the Shift Superintendent (please refer to Appendix A, “Ladder Inspection Form 07-03-04”).

3. Once a year (in March), ground ladders shall be tested with the appropriate testing procedures, and paperwork completed and filed by the Shift Superintendent and Fire Equipment Technician (please refer to Appendix B, “Annual Ladder Test Form 07-03-05”)

4. The inspections conducted weekly and three times a year shall include, but not be limited to, the following items:
  • Check the heat sensor, if present, for evidence of heat exposure.
  • Test the rungs for snugness and tightness.
  • Check the bolts and rivets for tightness.
  • Check the welds for cracks and defects in rungs and beams.
  • Check the butt spurs for excessive wear and other defects.
  • Conduct an operational check on the roof hook assemblies on roof ladders.
  • Check the halyards, pulleys and wire cables on extension ladders for snugness, wear and defects.
  • Clean, lubricate, and conduct an operational check of the pawl assemblies on extension ladders.
  • Lubricate the ladder slide areas as needed.
  • Wash and clean.


5. Any ladder that shows signs of failure during visual inspections should be brought to the attention of the Shift Superintendent who will conduct a final inspection prior to the ladder being taken out of service.

6. If a ground ladder is removed from service, it shall be marked as “Out of Service” with the date and a description of the defect causing the ladder to be removed from service.

7. Ground ladders will be repaired in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and service tested before it goes back in service.

8. It shall be the responsibility of the OIC of a station to ensure that all ladders assigned to his/her station are:
  • checked weekly
  • inspected three times each year, properly documented on the appropriate forms and forwarded to the Shift Superintendent.

Section Two: Service Test of Ground Ladders

9. While the SJRFD service test ground ladders every year following test procedures as laid out in the NFPA Standard 1932, a service test shall be conducted whenever a ladder is suspected of being unsafe; has been subjected to overloading, heat exposure, or direct flame contact; or has other unusual conditions and after any repairs.

10. Caution shall be used when performing service tests on ground ladders to prevent damage to the ladder or injury to personnel during testing. The test load shall be placed on the ladder in a manner so as to avoid any shocks or impact loading. Personnel involved in the testing should be aware of the potential for sudden and dramatic failure of the ground ladder undergoing the service test.

11. Any sign of failure during the service test shall be sufficient cause for the ladder to be removed from service and repaired or destroyed.

12. The results of a service test shall be recorded on the Annual Ladder Test Form (please refer to Appendix B), and should be kept for the life of the ladder.


SERVICE TESTS TO BE COMPLETED
a) Extension Ladder/Straight Ladder Bend Test
b) Roof Hook Test
c) Folding Ladder Test
d) Extension Ladder Hardware Test


a) Extension Ladder/Straight Ladder Bend Test
  • The ladder shall be placed in a flat horizontal position and supported 150mm (6 inches) from each end of the ladder.
  • The supports shall be high enough that the ladder does not touch the floor or other surface during the test.
  • The ladder shall not be tied, strapped, or otherwise fastened to the supports.
  • Extension ladders shall be extended to their maximum extended length, with the pawls engaged.
  • Straps or other ties that do not increase the strength of the ladder shall be permitted to be used to ensure that the ladder pawls remain engaged during the test.
  • All test loads shall be applied equally across the beams of the ladder and 406mm (16 inches) each side of the lengthwise center inclusive.


Approvals
Director/Chief of SJRFD


Responsibility
St. John's Regional Fire Department POG # 07-02-05 Approved By: ___________________________ _______________ Michael J. Dwyer, P. Eng Date Director of Regional Fire Services (Fire Chief)


Appendix/Appendices
Appendix A - Ladder Inspection Form (07-03-04) Appendix B - Annual Ladder Test Form (07-03-05)


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