HomeMy WebLinkAboutSOG 603.04 REVISED 6-2015_M&T Ground Ladders603.04 — Inspection, Maintenance & Testing of Ground Ladders
Effective. 12/5/2014
Revised: 6/5/2015
Replaces:
I. Guiding PhilosophX
Ladders play an integral part in the delivery of emergency services. Ladders provide
firefighters with access to areas which would otherwise be inaccessible, whether these are
elevated, below grade or confined space. Because ladders are critical to both firefighter and
victim survival, we do our best to ensure that our inventory of ladders is safe, well maintained,
properly inspected, and ready for use when needed.
II. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to provide maintenance and testing guidelines for the
department's ground ladders.
III. Goals
The goals of this guideline are to:
A. Detail the schedule, procedure and responsibilities associated with routine
inspection of ground ladders.
B. Detail the schedule, procedures and responsibilities associated with routine
maintenance of ground ladders.
C. Detail the schedule, procedures and responsibilities for service testing of ground
ladders.
IV. Definitions:
A. Designated Length — The length marked on the ladder.
B. Fire Department Ground Ladder — Any portable ladder specifically designed
for fire department use in rescue, firefighting operations, or training.
C. Galling — A condition whereby the action of raising or retracting a ladder section
of an aluminum extension ladder causes the surface grains to raise and interlock,
impairing the ability of the ladder to be raised or retracted.
D. Halyard — Rope used on extension ladders for the purpose of raising a fly
section(s).
E. Heat Sensor Label — A label that changes color at a preset temperature to
indicate a specific heat exposure.
F. Service Tests — Tests performed on a ground ladder to determine if it meets the
standard for continued service.
G. Visible Damage — A permanent change in condition that is clearly evident by
visual inspection without recourse to optical measuring or observation devices.
H. Visual Inspection — Observation by eye unaided by optical devices, except
prescription eyeglasses or lenses.
V. Routine Inspection of Ground Ladders
A. Routine inspection of ground ladders will be conducted:
1. On the first Friday of every month, and
2. After each use.
B. Procedure for Visual Inspection — The Company Officer will ensure that a
minimum of the following items are inspected for each ladder assigned to the
station:
1. Heat Sensor labels on metal and fiberglass ladders (for a change
indicating heat exposure and expiration date)
2. All rungs for snugness and tightness
3. All bolts and rivets, for tightness
4. Welds, for any cracks or apparent defects
5. Beams and rungs, for cracks, breaks, gouges, wavy conditions, or
deformation
6. Butt spurs, for excessive wear or other defects
7. Halyards, for fraying or kinking
8. Rungs, for punctures, wavy conditions, worn serrations in the foot
contact area, serrations worn down to base metal in any location or
deformation
9. Loss of base material due to corrosion
10. Ladder slide areas, for galling or absence of wax or other manufacturer
approved lubricant
11. Correct operation of pawl (dog) assemblies
12. Labels present and legible
13. Ladders clean with no buildup of grease, dirt, or grime on beams
14. The diagonal brace on a folding ladder for damage
C. General Inspection Requirements — The Company Officer will ensure that:
1. All conditions found unacceptable during the subject visual inspection
shall be corrected prior to the ladder being returned to service.
2. The ground ladder shall be removed from service if there are any signs
of damage beyond gouges or dents or if defective parts or welds are
discovered during the visual inspection.
SOG 603.04 — Inspection, Maintenance & Testing of Ground Ladders Page 2 of 8
3. If the ground ladder is removed from service, it shall be conspicuously
marked "Out of Service" with the date and a description of the defect(s)
that require the ladder to be removed from service.
4. A Fire Fleet Maintenance Shop Work Order shall be completed in
Firehouse on any ladder that does not pass inspection.
a. If the ladder is from frontline apparatus, the work order shall be
marked "Priority."
b. The work order will detail the defect(s) requiring removal from
service.
c. The Company Officer will then immediately notify his/her
District Chief and Fire Fleet Maintenance Shop Supervisor by
phone.
5. The Ladder Maintenance & Testing Program Manager and the Fire Fleet
Maintenance Supervisor will work together to ensure:
a. If gouges or dents are discovered during the visual inspection,
the ladder shall be subject to the applicable load test in
accordance with NFPA 1932, Chapter 7.
b. Firehouse maintenance records are entered for all ladder
inspections required by this policy.
c. A Fire Fleet Maintenance Shop Work Order is completed in
Firehouse on any ladder that does not pass inspection, including
all pertinent information related to defect(s).
A Routine Maintenance of Ground Ladders
A. Routine maintenance of ground ladders will be conducted:
1. On the first Friday of every month, and
2. After each use.
B. Procedures for Ground Ladder Maintenance - The Company Officer will ensure
that:
1. All ground ladders shall be maintained in accordance with the
manufacturer's recommendations.
2. Temporary repairs of damaged or missing ladder parts shall not be
made.
3. Pawl assemblies on extension ladders shall be kept clean and lubricated*
in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
4. Ladder slide areas on extension ladders shall be kept lubricated* in
accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
5. Halyards on extension ladders shall be replaced when they become
frayed or kinked.
6. Folding roof hook assemblies on roof ladders shall be kept operational
by removing rust and other contaminants and by keeping the
mechanisms lubricated*.
7. The surface finish shall be kept clean and free from dirt and grime and
shall be maintained in accordance with manufacturer's instructions.
SOG 603.04 — Inspection, Maintenance & Testing of Ground Ladders Page 3 of 8
8. Routine maintenance and inspection shall be entered by station
personnel in to Firehouse once completed (instructions and forms are in
appendix A).
9. Inspection forms shall be kept on the apparatus clipboard and forwarded
to the Fire Administrator on the first of the month with the daily
apparatus check sheets.
* Lubricants shall be approved and provided by the Fire Fleet
Maintenance Shop Supervisor.
C. The Ladder Maintenance & Testing Program Manager and the Fire Fleet
Maintenance Supervisor will work together to ensure:
1. The ladder shall be repaired in accordance with the manufacturer's
instructions, and service tested in accordance with NFPA 1932
Chapter 7, as applicable, before it is returned to service or it shall be
destroyed.
2. Firehouse maintenance records are entered for all ladder maintenance
required by this policy.
3. All outstanding Fire Fleet Maintenance Shop Work Orders in
Firehouse for any ladder is followed up on monthly, and an update is
provided in the Ladder Maintenance & Testing Program Manager's
monthly status report.
VII. Service Testing of Ground Ladders
A. Service testing of fire department ground ladders shall be coordinated by the
Ladder Maintenance & Testing Program Manager and conducted by Fire Fleet
Maintenance Shop personnel in accordance with NFPA 1931 & 1932.
B. Service testing of fire department ground ladders shall be conducted:
1. When placed in service
2. Annually, if none of the following are true:
3. After being subjected to overloading (Table 5.1.3.1 of NFPA 1937)
Type
Max Load (lbs)
Folding Ladders
300
Multi -Purpose Ladders
300
Pompier Ladders
300
Single and Roof Ladders
750
All Extension Ladders
750
Combination Ladders
750
4. When exposed to direct flame contact
5. Whenever heat sensor label indicates there has been a heat exposure
6. After any repairs have been completed, unless the only repair made was
to the halyard.
SOG 603.04 — Inspection, Maintenance & Testing of Ground Ladders Page 4 of 8
C. Service testing of fire department ground ladders shall be scheduled by the Fire
Fleet Maintenance Shop Supervisor.
D. The Ladder Maintenance & Testing Program Manager will ensure that:
1. Ladder service testing is scheduled and completed by Fire Fleet
Maintenance Shop personnel as required by this policy.
2. Copies of all ladder service testing reports are forwarded in a timely
manner to the Fire Administrator's office for entry into Firehouse.
3. Ladder service test reports are reviewed at least annually to determine if
issues or trends exist related to ladder maintenance and safety.
4. Recommendations are made to ensure ground ladder safety and improve
the ladder maintenance and testing program.
5. The Operations Section Chief and Fire Response Branch Director are
provided a recommended replacement cycle for all categories of ground
ladders in January of each year.
SOG 603.04 — Inspection, Maintenance & Testing of Ground Ladders Page 5 of 8
Appendix A— Entry of Inspection/Maintenance into Firehouse
1. Select the "Inventory" pull-down menu.
2. Select "Browse"
3. In the "Value" column, to the right of the "Description" box, type ",ladder" and hit the
Tab Key.
4. Select "Run Query."
5. Choose the ladder you are inspecting/maintaining and select "OK."
6. Select the "MaintenancelTest" tab and select "Add'
7. Select the "Job" pull-down menu and choose "Ladder," then select 600 "Monthly
Ladder Check" and select "OK"
8. Select the "Priority" pull-down menu and select "Y' — Maintenance and "OK"
p at and "
9. Enter the I�tatn���n��� �➢lin�fl,, select "Completed," enter the late
10. Select the "Notes" tab.
■ If the ladder � ,� jM7ir,n�1f �� n r�7i i, type "Monthly ground ladder inspection and
maintenance completed"
If the ladder ii„iIIIs ui..
ui� ..��lll�2�� ��������°�!� ��� ��)���ii!i�'i, create a Fire Fleet Maintenance Shop Work Order
as per section V.C.4. of this policy.
SOG 603.04 — Inspection, Maintenance & Testing of Ground Ladders Page 6 of 8
Beaumont Fire -Rescue Services
GROUND LADDER VISUAL INSPECTION CHECKLIST
Ladder Description:
Apparatus: Date:
Mark each item with one of the following:
A' q
V NA
X
X
PASSED DID NOT PASS NOT APPLICABLE
If any items Do Not Pass, note the
reasons with the corresponding
inspection item in the Detailed
Comments section on the next page.
1. Heat sensor labels on metal and fiberglass ladders for a change indicating heat exposure and
expiration date.
2. All rungs for snugness and tightness.
3. All bolts and rivets, for tightness.
4. Welds, for any cracks or apparent defects.
5. Beams and rungs, for cracks, breaks, gouges, check, wavy conditions, or deformation.
6. Butt spurs, for excessive wear or other defects.
7. Halyards, for fraying or kinking.
8. Roof hooks, for sharpness and proper operation.
9. Rungs, for punctures, wavy conditions, worn serrations in the contact area, serrations worn down
to base metal in any location, or deformation.
10. Loss of base material due to corrosion.
11. Ladder slide areas, for galling or absence of wax or other manufacturer approved lubricant*.
12. Correct operation of pawl (dog) assemblies.
13. Labels present and legible.
14. Ladders clean with no buildup of grease, dirt, or grime on beams.
15. The diagonal brace on a folding ladder for damage.
* Lubricants shall be approved and provided by the Fire Fleet Maintenance Shop Supervisor.
DETAILED COMMENTS:
SOG 603.04 — Inspection, Maintenance & Testing of Ground Ladders Page 8 of 8