TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT MANUAL 304 LADDER PRACTICES SPECIALTY LADDERS EFFECTIVE: OCTOBER 2007

Transcription

1 TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT MANUAL 304 LADDER PRACTICES SPECIALTY LADDERS EFFECTIVE: OCTOBER 2007 FRESNO ATTIC LADDERS Specifically designed for use where space is limited, the Fresno attic ladder is particularly ideal for entering attics through ceiling scuttle holes and similar closequarter situations. This extension ladder is only 13 inches wide and is easily maneuvered through narrow stairways where longer, bulkier ladders cannot be used. The Department utilizes both 10-foot and 14-foot Fresno attic ladders. The Department also utilizes a 10-foot collapsible attic ladder, which is discussed separately at the end of this section. How to Carry Fresno Attic Ladder Shoulder Carry The shoulder carry method is used with the 10- and 14-foot Fresno attic ladder when there is sufficient room to maneuver. 1. Remove ladder from apparatus. 2. Lift ladder onto shoulder, butt forward, with fly towards the firefighter. 3. Place right hand on the bottom beam and left hand on the top beam. 4. Balance the ladder and adjust left hand so as not to obstruct vision. Page 1 of 8

2 5. Proceed to desired location, checking for obstructions. (See Figure 1.) Figure 1 Vertical Position If the Fresno attic ladder has to be carried through a crowd, the vertical position is most suitable. This carry has no protrusions to bump or injure people as it goes through a crowd and leaves the left hand free to help clear a path. 1. Remove ladder from apparatus. 2. Stand ladder in an upright position with fly section towards the body. 3. Place right arm between the most convenient rungs. 4. Grasp most convenient rung with right hand, leaving left hand free to guide your way through a crowd. Page 2 of 8

3 5. Proceed to desired location, checking for obstructions. (See Figure 2.) Figure 2 Under-Arm Method This method is best for entering buildings. This method puts the ladder in a position so it can be placed under a low door and then pushed upward toward the ceiling in a confined space. 1. Remove ladder from apparatus. 2. Position ladder so fly section is away from the firefighter and tip of ladder is facing forward. 3. Grasp lower beam of ladder with right hand and balance ladder. 4. Steady ladder by holding upper beam with left hand. Page 3 of 8

4 5. Proceed to desired location, checking for obstructions. (See Figure 3.) Figure 3 The 14-foot Fresno attic ladder has a bedded length of over 9 feet long and is not as easy to maneuver as the 10-foot ladder. It may be best to utilize two firefighters when moving the 14-foot ladder inside a building to ensure no damage occurs. How to Raise Fresno Attic Ladder The Fresno attic ladder is light and maneuverable. It is not necessary to use all the same steps in raising the ladder as used with other ground ladders. There will be times when using the Fresno attic ladder where it will be impossible to raise it step by step. However, when there is room, the following steps are to be used. 1. Remove ladder from apparatus and stand it in an upright position at desired location, with the fly section towards the firefighter. 2. Steady ladder by grasping left beam of the bed section firmly with left hand about shoulder height. Page 4 of 8

5 3. Raise fly section of ladder by lifting upwards with the fingertips or with the heel of the right hand, palm toward the ladder. (See Figures 4 and 5.) The thumb of the left hand may act as a brake for the fly section as the ladder is being raised. 4. Lock pawls on the desired rung of bed section by raising fly section until the pawls are slightly above the desired rung, then lowering section until both pawls engage the rung 5. Lower top of ladder onto structure by grasping beams of ladder with both hands, shoulder height, and adjust ladder to the proper climbing angle. (See Figure 6.) Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 How to Raise Fresno Attic Ladder in a Confined Area At times, the Fresno attic ladder will have to be raised in a crowded closet or in a congested area. The following is a recommended method of raising the ladder in a confined area. 1. Bring ladder into closet utilizing the under-arm method and stand ladder in a vertical position, rotating ladder so the fly section is towards the firefighter. 2. Steady ladder by grasping left beam of ladder with left hand about shoulder height. Page 5 of 8

6 3. Select the lowest rung on the fly section of ladder within reach, without stooping, and raise ladder. (See Figure 7.) Figure 7 The fly section of ladder may be raised with the fingertips or the heel of hand. 4. Hold the fly section of ladder in place by applying pressure against beam with left thumb. Repeat above two steps until desired height is reached. 5. Position ladder for climbing by grasping both beams of ladder, shoulder height, and maneuver into place. How to Remove Scuttle-Hole Cover Using Fresno Attic Ladder The primary use of the Fresno attic ladder is to gain access to attics. Many times the openings are hidden in the ceiling of closets or in narrow hallways. Many wardrobe closets containing scuttle holes are small and to the point of overflowing with clothing. In such cases, clothing should be removed and placed somewhere out of the way before the scuttle cover is removed. 1. Carry the Fresno attic ladder using under-arm method to desired location. 2. Place ladder in a vertical position under scuttle hole with the fly section towards body. Steady ladder by grasping the left beam of main ladder firmly with the left hand about shoulder height. Page 6 of 8

7 3. Raise the fly section of ladder to just below the scuttle cover and lock fly section. 4. Position ladder by grasping beams firmly with both hands, chest height, and lift the ladder upward so the top of the fly section is against one side of the scuttle-hole cover. 5. Open scuttle by pushing upward and sliding scuttle cover over to one side. (See Figure 8.) Figure 8 6. Lower ladder to floor in a vertical position and adjust ladder by raising fly section to extend through scuttle opening with proper climbing angle. How to Lower Fresno Attic Ladder 1. Reverse above operations, ensuring that pawls are locked on the second rung of the bed section of ladder prior to moving ladder. COLLAPSIBLE ATTIC LADDER In addition to the Fresno attic ladder, the Department also utilizes a 10-foot collapsible attic ladder. Placing Collapsible Attic Ladder into Operation 1. Remove ladder from apparatus. 2. Grasping both beams, place ladder in vertical position. 3. Pull beams away from each other. Page 7 of 8

8 4. Move beams in opposite direction until rungs are perpendicular to beams and ladder locks into position. 5. Place ladder into position and adjust for proper climbing angle. (See Figures 9, 10, and 11.) Figure 9 Figure 10 Figure 11 Removing Collapsible Attic Ladder from Operation 1. Release locking mechanism beneath bottom rung. (See Figure 12.) 2. Reverse above operations. Figure 12 Use caution when collapsing ladder so as not to pinch fingers. Page 8 of 8