Ladders Terminology Quiz A - H

The type of ladders hinged in the middle and used as step ladders or as baby extension ladders.

A-FRAME LADDERS

A mechanically-operated ladder on a turntable attached to a ladder truck chassis and manufactured in various lengths, generally from 65 feet to 100 feet.

AERIAL LADDERS

A ladder made of aluminum and other materials like magnesium to make the ladder lift-weight but strong.

ALUMINUM ALLOY LADDER

Refers to the angle of a ladder in place in relation to horizontal.

ANGLE OF INCLINATION

A collapsible ladder especially useful for inside work; comes in 6 feet to 14 feet lengths.

ATTIC LADDER

A system of extending a ladder perpendicular and holding it in place from four opposite points of the compass by four guy ropes attached to the top of the ladder. Also called church raise or steeple raise.

AUDITORIUM RAISE

A large extension ladder that requires tormentor poles to steady the ladder as it is raised and lowered.

BANGOR LADDER

The lower section of an extension ladder

BASE, BED, or MAIN SECTION

The lower section of an extension ladder.

BASE, BED, or MAIN SECTION

The main structural member of a ladder supporting the rungs or rung blocks.

BEAM

Bolts which pass through both rails at a truss block of a wood ladder to tie the two truss rails together.

BEAM BOLTS

Raising a ladder to a vertical position by either beam instead of in a flat horizontal plane.

BEAM RAISE

When the fly(s) of an extension ladder is (are) fully retracted it is said to be in the Answer _______; the position in which the ladder is carried on the apparatus.

BEDDED POSITION

Metal safety plates attached to the butt end of ground ladder beams.

BUTT SPURS

The heel, lower end of a ladder.

BUTT or HEEL

A device used to test the structural strength of aerial ladders.

CABLE HANGER

This label attests that the ladder has been manufactured in accordance with NFPA 1931 and OSHA fire ladder requirements.

CERTIFICATION LABEL

The elevating mechanism of two or more booms on articulating-aerial tower apparatus.

ELEVATING BOOM

A hydraulically-raised platform mounted on fire apparatus and designed for rescue and fire fighting.

ELEVATING PLATFORM APPARATUS

To extend the reach of an extension ladder by extending the fly section.

EXTEND

A sectional ladder of two or more sections that can be extended to various heights.

EXTENSION LADDER

The raising of a ladder with the heel of both beams touching the ground.

FLAT RAISE

The extendable sections of an extension or aerial ladder.

FLY SECTION

A short, collapsible ladder easy to maneuver in tight places for reaching through openings in attics and lofts.

FOLDING LADDER

A heavy jack attached to the frame or chassis of an aerial ladder truck to provide additional stability before raising the ladder.

GROUND JACK

Wood or metal strips on an extension ladder which guide the fly section while being raised. Sometimes in the form of slots or channels.

GUIDES

Rope used with extension ladders to extend the fly sections.

HALYARD

A label affixed to the ladder beam near the tip used to provide a warning that the ladder has been subjected to excessive heat.

HEAT SENSOR LABEL

A metal reinforcement at the heel or butt end of a ladder, generally shaped to give the ladder more stability.

HEEL PLATE

Curved metal devices installed on the tip end of roof ladders to secure the ladder to the highest point on the roof of a building.

HOOK

A term for the ladder truck.

HOOK AND LADDER

A method of raising a fire department extension ladder in line with several windows so individuals can simultaneously escape from more than one floor. Also called factory raise

HOTEL RAISE

A method of raising a fire department extension ladder in line with several windows so individuals can simultaneously escape from more than one floor. Also called factory raise.

HOTEL RAISE