When working indoors, a step stool, stepladder, platform or multi-purpose ladder is usually recommended when you need a reach of two to eight feet. Outside, a taller stepladder, multi-purpose or extension ladder is often more appropriate for jobs requiring a reach of thirteen feet or more.
A 6-foot step ladder should handle the needs of most homes.
For stepladders, this results in a reach height that is about 4 feet higher than the stepladder. So a 6-foot stepladder, for example, would allow for a 10-foot reach, enough to get to the ceilings in most homes.
Rule of thumb is that you want a ladder that extends 3' above the surface you're accessing. If your roof line is 10', you'll want an extension ladder that will extend 13' minimum. Step ladders should be the next size up from what you think you'll need. Most do fine with a 6' step ladder at home.
To use ladders safely, always maintain three points of contact. That means two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand on the ladder at all times. • Moving quickly often results in only 2-point contact.
To work safely, your extension ladder needs to be pitched at a ratio of 4:1. So for every 4 feet up, you need to move the ladder 1 foot out. This is known as the '1 in 4' rule. So, if you want to work on a 20ft wall, the ladder needs to be moved 5ft out.
Follow the 4 to 1 ratio ladder rule: set the base 1 foot out from the wall for every 4 feet it reaches up. This can be estimated by counting rungs, which are about one foot apart.
Extension ladders should be 7 to 10 feet longer than the highest support or contact point, which may be the wall or roof line.
For access to an elevated work surface, extend the top of the ladder three feet above that surface or secure the ladder at its top.
Consider size, duty rating, style, and material when selecting a ladder B. Inspect the ladder before every use C. Never climb a damaged ladder D. Ensure the proper set-up and stability of the ladder All of these considerations are important in maximizing your safety while climbing.
According to OSHA standards, step stools must be sturdy and able to support the intended weight of the task. Stools over 24 inches high require a handrail.
It's wise to choose a ladder to match the dimensions of your home. You should allow for at least one metre above the highest point at which you expect to work, so a ladder that reaches 7-8 metres will probably be ideal.
In short, aluminium ladders are better if you won't be working around electricity or fire but fibreglass ladders are better if you are working in these environments because it's a non-conductive material that will not lead to electrocution in these hazardous working conditions.
An extension ladder is the better choice for tasks that require reaching significant heights, offering greater maximum heights. Telescopic are typically suitable for moderate heights but may not reach the same maximum heights as extension models.
The recommended safe working height of a ladder for gutter cleaning is 4ft above the step you're standing on. This means you're not overstretching to reach above you and can quite comfortably work whilst maintaining three points of contact.
Folding ladder (6- and 8-foot): A 6-foot ladder is high enough for tackling most home-maintenance and repair projects, such as changing ceiling light bulbs and painting ceilings and walls. However, if your ceilings are 10 feet tall or higher, get an 8-foot ladder instead.
Ladders with a flared base, or a base that extends farther out than typical ladders, offer extra support and stability. Extension ladders and ladders that can be adjusted have locks that ensure your safety. Ladders with slip-resistant rungs or steps help prevent accidents.
Color codes for Fiberglass Stepladders and Extension Ladders. RED, 200 lbs, ANSI Code Type III. GREEN, 225 lbs, ANSI Code Type II. BLUE, 250 lbs, ANSI Code Type I. ORANGE, 300 lbs, ANSI Code Type IA.
Style, size, duty rating and material are the four key elements to understand when choosing the right ladder for the job.
The base of the ladder should be placed so that it is one foot away from the building for every four feet of hight to where the ladder rests against the building. This is known as the 4 to 1 rule.
A ladder that extends around 7 metres (23 feet) is typically suitable for a two-storey house. Always ensure the ladder extends at least three rungs (approximately 1 metre) above the work area. Follow the 1-in-4 rule for ladder positioning: the base should be 1 unit away from the wall for every 4 units of height.
When determining proper working height/angle, non-selfsupporting ladders should be set at a 4:1 ratio (see Figure 1) from the foot to the top support. Each section of a multi-section ladder must overlap the adjacent section by at least 3 feet for ladders up to 36 feet and 4 feet for 40 feet or longer extension ladders.
If you're a homeowner who's only ever going to need to reach up to the guttering (at most), then a double extension ladder should suffice. However, if you're going to need to reach higher than this on occasion, we'd recommend one of our triple extension ladders for extra height.
Erect extension ladders so that the upper section rests on (e.g., in front of) the bottom section. This placement means the bottom section "faces" a wall or other supporting surface (see figures below).