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Autonope dia > C rafts and Te chnology > Tools > Tools And How To Use The m > Ladde rs

L a d d e r s

The Old Testament story of Jacob's dream shows that ladders must have been in use in the Middle East during the Bronze Age or even earlier, as the Tower of Babel could hardly have been built without them. They have changed little since, except for getting lighter, longer, safer and extensible.

S i n g l eL a d d e r
SIZE: 6 to 26ft. MATERIAL: Wooden: Stiles: softwood; Rungs: hardwood Metal: aluminum alloy ACCESSORIES: Ladder brackets, ladder stays, safety feet USE: To provide access to a high worksite

The wooden single ladder is made of two straight grain uprights called "stiles", which are joined by "rungs" which act as steps when the ladder is leaned against a wall. The stiles are made of a variety of softwoods, while the rungs are made of hardwood. The rungs of the better quality ladders are tenoned through the stiles and wedged from the outside to form a strong joint. As an extra precaution, metal reinforcing rods are stretched across the underside of the rungs.

A pole ladder has semicircular stiles cut from one straight length of lumber. This type of ladder is normally a fixture on a scaffold erection. Aluminum ladders are lighter than the equivalent wooden ladders and will not warp or crack. The stiles are a hollow box section. The rungs are ribbed to provide grip.

P o l el a d d e r

The semi-circular stiles of the pole ladder, cut from one piece of wood, give equal spring on both sides of the ladder.

L A D D E RS T A Y

When working on overhanging guttering or pipework use a ladder stay to hold the top of the ladder away from the wall and to bring the work within easy reach. Fit the bar of the stay with non-slip pads. Never lean backward on a ladder.

L A D D E RB R A C K E T S

Ladder brackets are used in the construction of a work platform. Stand two ladders at the same angle so thai scaffold boards stand evenly. The brackets either hook on the front of the ladders or hang underneath them. Simple brackets ate fixed at an angle, while the better

versions are adjustable. All brackets are wide enough to take two boards. Use a third ladder to get to the platform.

S A F E T YF E E T

Aluminum ladders are normally fitted with rubber or plastic non-slip end caps. You can also buy special feet for wooden ladders in use on potentially slippery surfaces. The feet are either rubber pads or, where the surface is suitable, textured to grip the ground.

E x t e n s i o nL a d d e r
SIZE: Closed height: 6 to 20ft.; Extended height: 18 to 36ft. MATERIAL: Wooden: Stiles: softwood; Rimgs: hardwood; Metal: aluminum alloy ACCESSORIES: Ladder brackets, ladder stays, safety feet USE: To provide access to a high worksite

An extension ladder is a combination of two or three sections sliding one inside the other to form a ladder of varying height. Metal brackets hold the sections of ladder together whiie hooks on the bottom of one section locate on the rungs of the lower section. They are either extended by hand or, after a certain length, are fitted with a rope and pulley system to extend the upper sections. The sections are constructed like a single ladder. The rungs of overlapping sections should align to maintain a constant tread height. No section should be extended more than three quarters of its actual length.

R e i n f o r c e m e n t s

The stiles on wooden ladders are reinforced on the underside with a recessed steel cable.

T r e s t l e
OTHER NAME: Painter's trestle SIZE: Height: 3 to 14ft. MATERIAL: Softwood USE: To support scaffold boards Trestles are designed to be used in pairs to support scaffold boards in order to construct a work platform to reach the ceiling or high walis.

The cross bars on one half of the trestle are staggered with those on the other half. This gives you a greater choice of platform height while keeping the weight of the trestle down.

The top of the stiles are cut at an angle to form a stop when the trestle is fully opened, but secondary ropes or stays are sometimes fitted below. The trestle should be able to support two boards side by side. Make sure that the boards overhang the cross bars by a safe amount.

S c a f f o l dB o a r d
OTHER NAME: Scaffold plank SIZE: Length: 5 to 14ft.; Width: 6 to 8in. MATERIAL: Softwood USE: To make work platforms Scaffold boards are used with trestles or step ladders to form work platforms above the ground. They are cut from straight grained, knot-free softwood. The ends are bound with metal strip to protect them from damage. Always make sure that the boards are secure, and if in doubt, clamp or tie them in position. Double up on the boards when bridging a span greater than 5ft.

S t e pL a d d e r
OTHER NAME: Builder's steps SIZE: 5 to 16 treads MATERIAL: Softwood, aluminum alloy USE: Indoor ladder Step ladders, made in wood or metal, are self supporting, having a frame hinged to the back of the ladder. Instead of rungs they have wide steps which lie horizontally when the ladder is fully opened. The hinged sections are fitted with ropes or folding stays to prevent them sliding open further than the optimum position. A platform at the top of the ladder carries tools or paint cans.

S a f e t yf a c t o r s
Inspect step ladders before use paying particular attention to the condition of the steps, stays and hinges. Make sure that the steps are fully opened and on even ground before climbing on them. Do not lean or stretch too far out on the step ladder, as it can easily fall sideways. If you must erect a step ladder in front of a door, either lock it or give plenty of warning to other members of the household.

W o o dl a d d e rc o n s t r u c t i o n

Hinges are screwed to the ladder back while the heads are housed in the wood and further secured by gluing and nailing.

M u l t i P u r p o s eL a d d e r
SIZE: Closed height: 4ft. 6in. 6ft. 3in.; Maximum extended height: 14ft. to 21ft. 6in. MATERIAL: Tubular steel, aluminum alloy USE: To do the jobs of an extension ladder, step ladder and trestle There are now several multipurpose ladders on the market, which combine the functions of different types of ladder and are adjustable to stand on a flight of stairs.

They will perform as a pair of step ladders, which in some cases are adjustable in height. They can be used as a pair of trestles to support a scaffold board. All designs are capable of being converted to an extension ladder. Each half of the system can be adjusted independently so that the ladder will stand securely on a flight of stairs. The addition of scaffold boards allows you to reach the sides of the stairwell without moving the ladder. Whenever you construct a platform over a staircase, make sure that it is safe before using it. If necessary, remove the stair carpet and screw wooden blocks to the treads to secure the foot of the ladder. Clamp or lash the scaffold board securely to the ladder if it does not seem secure.

U s i n gt h el a d d e r

Position the scaffolding board on the rungs at one end and the stair tread at the other.

I n s p e c t i o na n dm a i n t e n a n c e

Always inspect a ladder before using it, especially if it has not been used for some time. With wooden ladders, look out for cracks in the stiles especially running from a rung. The rungs themselves should be damage free. Do not repair them "temporarily" with nails or rope lashings. Do not use a ladder with loose joints and especially if there is a rung missing. Check that the brackets and hooks of an extending ladder are securely fixed and that any rope or pulley system is in good condition. Painting a ladder may obscure faults, but a coat of clear matt lacquer will preserve it.

C a r r y i n gal a d d e r

Carry the ladder held upright, one hand hooked under a rung and the other hooked over another. Alternatively, carry it on your shoulder with your hand passing through the ladder and gripping a rung. Support the ladder with the other hand.

E r e c t i n gal a d d e r
At the site, support the foot of the ladder against the wall and gradually raise it to the vertical by walking towards the wall. Move the foot out from the wall for a distance the quarter of the length of the ladder. Make sure the ladder is upright and not resting against guttering or window glass.

P u l l i n go u tt h ef o o t

The foot should be extended one quarter of the ladder's length.

E x t e n d i n gl a d d e r s

You will need help to erect an extending ladder. Support the ladder from behind and hold it away from the wall while each section is extended. Avoid rubbing the ladder against the wall which will damage both the surface and the ladder. If the ladder extends beyond a staging, it should project at least 36in. above the level.

S e c u r i n gt h el a d d e r

Secure the base of the ladder to prevent it slipping. If it is on soft or loose ground, rest it on a board to spread the load and screw a wood piece to the board to support the ladder's foot. Even on firm ground, it is advisable to fix safetv feet, especially if the surface is slippery, and guy ropes should still be used if necessary. As a last resort support the foot of the ladder with bags of sand.

P r e v e n t i n gm o v e m e n t

Tie the ladder back to a firm fixing on the wall or to tent pegs driver, into the ground to prevent it slipping sideways.

S a f e t yf a c t o r s
Wear well-fitting shoes, not rubber boots, and check that there is no grease, mud or sand on the soles before ascending the ladder. Face the wall when going up or down the ladder. Never stand higher than the fourth rung from the top so you can always hold on with at least one hand. Resist the temptation to overstretch, keeping the main weight of your body squarely on the ladder.

R o o fL a d d e r
OTHER NAME: Cat ladder SIZE: 10 to 22ft. MATERIAL: Softwood, aluminum alloy USE: To gain access to a sloping roof A roof ladder provides access and spreads the load over fragile materials.

Stow your tools between the rungs of the ladder to prevent them slipping off the roof.

U s i n gt h er o o fl a d d e r

Turn the ladder on its back and run it up the roof on its wheels. At the top, turn it over and place the hook over the ridge.

S c a f f o l d i n gS y s t e m
SIZE: 6 to 40ft. MATERIAL: Galvanized steel, aluminum alloy USE: To construct a working tower

The easiest system of scaffolding for a home user incorporates prefabricated tubular metal frames. They plug together in rectangular frames and are braced diagonally to form a rigid structure. The system can be used to build structures from a simple mobile platform to paint a ceiling, to a tower which will reach the roof of a large house. The base can be fitted with metal base plates. Place wooden boards under the base plates on soft ground. Alternatively, locking castors can be plugged into the frame so that the tower can be moved from one location to another without dismantling. Do not, however, move the platform if someone is standing on it. The work platform is made from boards supplied with the system, which have locating boards on the underside to fit inside the frame. "Toe" boards fit all around the platform to prevent tools being accidentally kicked off.

I n t e r l o c k i n gf r a m e s

A joint system which fits the top of the frame over the lower prevent rain water collecting in the joint. Retrieved from the CD3WD project. Rebuilt and re-compiled to be useable by Autonopedia

Autonope dia > C rafts and Te chnology > Tools > Tools And How To Use The m > Ladde rs