To choose the right ladder size, add 3 to 4 feet to your project’s highest contact point (the gutter or roofline). For example, if you need to reach a 13-foot roofline, you need at least a 16-foot extension ladder to allow for a safe climbing angle and roof overlap.
A ladder safety standard, the 4-to-1 rule state that the ladder should be 1 foot away from the wall for every 4 feet the ladder rises. This allows for maximum stability. So, for instance, if the ladder touches the wall 8 feet off the ground, the base of the ladder should be 2 feet away from the wall.
A 22-foot ladder typically provides a maximum safe reach of about 17 to 19 feet.
With a 6-foot stepladder, you can safely reach up to 10 to 10.5 feet from the ground.
A 32-foot extension ladder has a maximum safe reach of about 29 to 31 feet. This makes it ideal for accessing standard second-story roofs, tall windows, or high gutters.
For a standard two-story house, a 24 to 28-foot extension ladder is recommended. This length provides the necessary reach to access gutters or second-story windows while adhering to the 4-to-1 safety rule (setting the base 1 foot away from the wall for every 4 feet of height).
On a 14-foot step ladder, your maximum safe reach height is typically 18 feet.
You can safely reach up to 16 feet with a 12-foot ladder.
Because the 4:1 rule (or 4:1 ratio) applies to a few different fields, the exact definition depends on the context you are thinking of:
Surprisingly, most ladder deaths and severe injuries occur from falls of 10 feet or less. The most common distance resulting in a fatal fall is between 6 and 10 feet, roughly the height of a standard one-story roof or ceiling.
OSHA regulations for ladders (specifically 29 CFR 1910.23 and 1926.1053) require that ladders be inspected before each shift, used on stable/level surfaces, and hold at least twice their maximum intended load. Key requirements include maintaining three points of contact, extending extension ladders 3 feet above landing surfaces, using the 4-to-1 angle rule, and ensuring fixed ladders over 24 feet have fall protection.
The ladder should be placed so that its base is 1 foot away from what the ladder leans against for every 4 feet in height to the point where the ladder rests. This is referred to as the “four-to-one” rule. For example, if a 16-foot ladder leans against a wall, its base should be placed 4 feet from the wall.
A 28-foot extension ladder has a maximum safe working reach of about 27 feet.
For guttering work on 2-storey houses, people often recommend using a sturdy extension ladder that can reach the gutters, with some users suggesting ladders around 36 to 40 feet tall.
A 35-foot ladder typically weighs between 72 lbs and 141 lbs, depending on its material and intended use. Industrial-grade fiberglass and aluminum models are the lightest, while heavy-duty fire department ground ladders are the heaviest.
Videos. The 6207 Fiberglass 7-foot Step Ladder is ideal for any professional. With a duty rating of 300 pounds, it features a LOCKTOP® which provides maximum storage capacity for the most frequently used tools and components.
Tip: If you know how high you want to reach, let's say 10 feet, you would likely select a 6-foot stepladder allowing you to safely stand almost 4 feet above the ground. Extension ladders have a few other considerations.