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Types Of Ladders

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Various types of ladders are available. When considering buying or hiring a ladder, look at the choice available and decide what kind you need for the work you are going to use it for. For occasional work it will be cheaper to hire what you want when you want it. It is probably worth while buying a set of multipurpose steps to suit your most frequency needs.

Fixed Ladder
Two side members joined by several rungs; affixed to structure with no moving parts.
Combination Ladder
A combination ladder offers various arrangements to give a step ladder, an extension ladder and a stair ladder in one piece of equipment. The combinations fold down to about the same size as the platform step ladder but is much more versatile. Three way combination ladders consist of a pair of ladders which can be arranged in three different configurations to give a simple step ladder, an extension ladder and a step ladder which can be positioned astride steps. Four way combination ladders consist of 3 ladders which can be arranged in the same ways as the 3 way plus an additional arrangement which provide an extension to the basic step configuration. If you live in a bungalow or flat, a combination ladder should be sufficient for most jobs.
Extension Ladder
Fixed ladder divided into two or more lengths for more convenient storage; the lengths can be slid together for storage or slid apart to maximize the length of the ladder; a pulley system may be fitted so that the ladder can be easily extended by an operator on the ground then locked in place using the dogs and pawls.Extension ladders are used for working at height. These consists of two or three parts which can be slid apart to give the required height. Available as two or three extensions and in various ‘closed’ lengths (2.5 to 3.5m). A double extension ladder, which can give a length of up to about 8 meters, should be suitable for most two storey properties. Longer, 3 section ladders can give lengths up to about 10 metres.On smaller ladders, the ladder may be extended by hand and secured with stay locks which rest on to a selected rung. On larger ladders, the sections are extended by means of a rope loop running down the side of the ladder and secured upon a cleat.

As the average person will use an extension ladder infrequently, it is probably better to hire one when it is required. Although if you do use an extension ladder frequently, it will be more economical to purchase one.
Platform Step Ladder
Hinged in the middle to form an inverted V, with stays to keep the two halves at a fixed angle. A platform step ladder gives stable working position with a high level platform for resting tools and materials being used. Available in various heights and with or without a high level hand rail. This type opens up like scissors to give a free standing set of steps with a small platform at the top, thus leaving your hands free and saving the need to keep getting off the steps for tools and materials. They are very stable and, if fitted with a handrail above the platform, extra safe. When choosing a platform ladder, make sure the treads are wide enough to allow you to stand comfortably for long periods. When not in use, the steps fold up and are quite compact to store.
Orchard Ladder
Three legged step ladder with third leg made so that it can be inserted between tree branches for fruit picking
Telescopic Ladder
Stiles consist of concentric or rectangular tubing that can be slid inside each other for storage
Roof Ladder
Rigid ladder with large hook at the top to grip the ridge of a pitched roof. Always use this type of ladder when working on a pitched roof - fit it and climb onto it from scaffolding (or a scaffold tower), not a ladder. The roof ladder has two wheels at the upper end which enables it to be pushed up the roof without damaging the slates or tiles. On the other side to the wheels, the ladder is formed into a hook which fits over the top ridge of the roof and stops the ladder from slipping down the roof.
Cat Ladder
Lightweight ladder frame used on steep roofs to prevents workers from sliding
Hook Ladder or Pompier Ladder
Rigid ladder with a hook at the top to grip a windowsill; used by firefighters
Turntable Ladder
Extension ladder fitted to rotating platform on top of a fire truck
Bridge Ladder
Ladder laid horizontally to act as passage between two points separated by a drop.

Rigid ladders were originally made of wood, but in the 20th century tubular aluminum became more common because of its lighter weight. Ladders with fiberglass stiles are used for working on or near overhead electrical wires, because fiberglass is an electrical insulator.

For safety, a rigid ladder should be leaned at an angle of about fifteen degrees to the vertical. In other words, the distance from the foot of the ladder to the wall should be about one quarter of the height of the top of the ladder. At steeper angles, the ladder is at risk of toppling backwards when the climber leans away from it. At shallower angles, the ladder may lose its grip on the ground. Ladder stabilizers are available that increase the ladder’s grip on the ground.

A ladder standoff, or stay, is a device fitted to the top of a ladder to hold it away from the wall. This enables the ladder to clear overhanging obstacles, such as the eaves of a roof, and increases the safe working height for a given length of ladder.

Rope ladders are used where storage space is extremely limited, weight must be kept to a minimum, or in instances where the object to be climbed is too curved to use a rigid ladder. They may have rigid or flexible rungs. Climbing a rope ladder requires more skill than climbing a rigid ladder, because the ladder tends to swing like a pendulum.

Dissipative ladders are portable ladders built to ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) standard. Electrostatic Discharge is a natural occurrence in which electricity is passed through our body, or other conductor, and discharges onto some object. For example, the shock we feel when we touch a doorknob is an ESD. This natural occurrence is becoming a very hot topic in the field of electronics assembly due to the costly damage ESDs can cause to sensitive electronic equipment. Dissipative ladders are ladders with controlled electric resistance: the resistance slows the transfer of charge from one point to another, offering increased protection during ESD events: ≥10⁵ and < 10¹² Ω / square

Pool ladders. A ladder is also used on the side of a boat, to climb into it from the water, and in a swimming pool. Swimming pool ladders are usually made from plastic steps with special grip and metal bars on the sides to support the steps and as handrails for the user.

Assault ladders. These are designed to be used by units which may need to board or assault vessels or buildings. They can be used when a full sized ladder is not required or when working in confined spaces. Suited for covert operations such as sniper placement, and vessel boardings. It was developed and designed for tubular assaults including buses and trains and for 1st story breaching. Its extra wide design gives the user greater stability, but still can fold away to be stored. It is available in standard aluminum or non-reflective black finish in 6 and 8 foot lengths.