Ladders You Climb Down...
If we conjure
up a mental image of a ladder, the chances are that we see ourselves standing
at the bottom of the ladder ready to climb up, rather than at the top ready to
descend. It's true that the majority of
the time we ascend before we descend a ladder but there are ladders which we
always descend before ascending.
Manhole and
shaft access ladders are one such model, as they provide access down into the
sewers and underground infrastructure that lies silently beneath our feet. These ladders are fixed into place on the
side of the shaft so that they can be accessed in emergencies β no-one has to
remember to bring a ladder to enact an underground rescue (or in the case of
Hollywood, an audacious escape).
Ships ladders
are usually descended before they are climbed up. From the main embarkation deck crew would
climb down into the ship to access their quarters, although if we look at the
ratio of descents to ascents we would see that they balance out. In the same way as we would climb back up out
of a sewer using a fixed access shaft ladder: what goes down must come up.
Fixed access
ladders are also used in mines and other underground spaces like bunkers. In times of war bunkers were built to provide
protection against bombs and nuclear attacks, and many of these structures have
been repurposed, or kept dormant should they be needed. The Cabinet War Rooms is a good example of a
subterranean complex used in the war, but due to its size conventional
staircases were used to enable quicker mass access. Smaller bunkers and regional command centres
would have much more confined entrance ways with fixed ladders.
Fire escape
ladders represent another type of ladder that is most commonly descended, and
in fact never really ascended as you don't want to enter a burning building via
the fire escape. That's a job for the
fire brigade, and they use their own specialist ladders. Fire escape ladders may be single purpose,
such as the portable style that hooks over a window ledge when needed, but is
otherwise stowed away nearby. They may
also be dual purpose, such as roof access ladders that would also be used to
escape from the roof in the event of a fire.
In some buildings it may be appropriate for people on the top floors to
access the roof and descend from there rather than through the internal fire
escape route.
Whether
you're climbing down a ladder, or up one, safety is the most important thing to
remember. With a fixed access ladder you
don't need to think about the safe angle to use, nor about whether the base or
top are stable, but you must still pay attention to how close you are to the
bottom, and maintain three points of contact at all times. When moving your feet, both hands should be
gripping the ladder and you should only take one hand off when both feet are
firmly on one rung. If you are using a
fire escape or other fixed ladder that can bear the load of several people
never hold on to the rungs β it is much safer to hold the stiles and avoid the
risk of someone stepping on your fingers.
Midland
Ladders have a range of fixed access ladders, including shaft ladders up to 5.6
metres in length, as well as hooped roof access ladders (for hatches or for
external access). If you're in need of a
fixed access ladder, we have the best prices online and the quickest delivery services,
as well as the expertise to ensure you get the right product for your
needs. Shop online or call to speak to
an adviser today.