Chapter 8

Homework
Ground Ladders
Section A: Key Term
Directions: Type the definition of the terms below on the yellow box provided.
1. Beam (p. 315)
Main structural member of a ladder supporting the rungs or rung blocks
2. Bed Section (p. 315)
Lowest and widest section of an extension ladder; while the ladder is being raised or lowered, this

section always maintains contact with the ground or other supporting surface.
3. Butt (p. 315)
Bottom end of the ladder; the end that is placed on the ground or other supporting surface when
the ladder is positioned.
4. Butt Spurs (p. 315)
Metal plates, spikes, or cleats attached to the butt end of ground ladder beams to prevent
slippage.
5. Fly Section (p. 315)
Upper section(s) of extension or some combination ladders; the section that moves.
6. Halyard (p. 316)
Rope or cable used for hoisting and lowering the fly sections of an extension ladder; also called fly

rope
7. Heat Sensor Label (p. 316)
Label affixed to the inside of each beam of each ladder section; a color change indicates that the
ladder has been exposed to a sufficient degree of heat and should be tested before further use.
8. Hooks (p. 316)
Curved metal devices installed near the top end of roof ladders to secure the ladder to the highest

point on a peaked roof of a building.

9. Pawls (p. 316)
Devices attached to the inside of the beams on fly sections used to hold the fly section in place
after it has been extended.
10. Rails (p. 318)
The two lengthwise members of a trussed ladder beam that are separated by truss or separation
blocks
11. Rung (p. 318)
Cross members that provide the foothold for climbing; the rungs extend from one beam to the
other

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12. Stops (p. 318)
Wooden or metal pieces that prevent the fly section from being extended too far.
13. Tip (top) (p. 318)
Extreme top of a ladder
14. Truss Block (p. 318)
Spacers set between the rails of a trussed ladder; may support rungs
15. Single Ladder (p. 318)
One-section non adjustable ladder
16. Roof Ladder (p. 318)
Straight ladder with folding hooks at the top end; the hooks anchor the ladder over the roof ridge
17. Extension Ladder (p. 318)
Variable-length ladder of two or more sections that can be extended to a desired height
18. Bedded Position
Extension ladder with the fly section(s) fully retracted
19. Rope Hose Tool
Piece of rope spliced to form a loop through the eye of a metal hook; used to secure hose to
ladders or other objects
20. Ladder Belt
Belt with a hook that secures the firefighter to the ladder

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Section B: True/False
Directions: Type True or False on the blanks provided; if False, write the correct
statement on the lines provided.
1. When a heat sensor label on a ladder changes color it indicates that the ladder has been
exposed to a sufficient degree of heat and should be tested before further use. (p. 316)
True
2. A roof ladder may be used as a wall or straight ladder. (p. 318)
True
3. NFPA 1931, Standard for Manufacturer’s Design of Fire Department Ground Ladders, requires that
the designated ladder length be marked on each beam within 12 inches of the butt plate. (p. 320)
True
4. Heat sensor labels are required on wooden ladders. (p. 321)
False: Heat sensor labels are only required on metal and fiberglass ladders.
5. Ladders in need of repair can be serviced by any firefighter. (p. 324)
False: Any ladders in need of repair require the service of a trained ladder repair technician.
6. Wear a full body harness with a safety line when training on ladders. (p. 324)
False: Wear full personal protective equipment, including gloves and helmet, when handling
and working with ladders. Use a leg lock or ladder belt when working from a ground ladder.
7. When lifting ladders below the waist, use your back and arm muscles. (p. 325)
False: Bend your knees, keeping your back as straight as possible, and lift with your legs, not
with your back or arms
8. Do not raise ladders to within 10 feet of electrical wires. (p. 326)
True
9. Only metal ladders will conduct electricity, especially when wet. (p. 326)
False, All ladders will conduct electricity, especially when wet, regardless of their construction
material
10. Residential stories average 10 feet. (p. 327)
True
11. A ladder’s designated length is the same as the ladder’s reach. (p. 328)
False: the designated length is not the ladder’s reach because ladders are set at angles of
approximately 75 degrees for climbing
12. When removing mounted ladders from an apparatus, unlatch the securing devices and lift the
ladder off the bracket and into the correct carrying position. (p. 330)
True

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13. When tying in a ladder, the ladder should be tied securely to an object that is movable. (p. 335)
False: a ladder should be tied securely to a fixed object
14. Longer, heavier extension ladders are usually raised using a flat raise. (p. 337)
True
15. Whenever possible, use a utility rope to hoist tools and equipment rather than carrying them up a
ladder. (p. 340)
True

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Homework
Ground Ladders
Section C: Fill in the Blank
Direction: Type the correct answer on the blanks provided.
1. Single ladders vary from 6 feet to 32 feet in length. (p. 318)
2. Per NFPA 1932, ladders should be cleaned and inspected after each use and on a monthly basis. (p.
320)
3. Heat sensor labels could indicate that a fiberglass ladder has been exposed to heat. (p. 320)
4. The tip of a ladder is sometimes painted white and has reflected tape on it so that it is visible in
smoky or dark conditions. (p. 321)
5. A stripe indicates the balance point of a ladder. (p. 321)
6. Use a soft bristle brush and running water to clean a ladder. (p. 323)
7. Ladders should be stored where they do not come in contact with vehicle exhaust or engine heat
(p. 324)
8. When working from a ground ladder, use a leg lock or a ladder belt. (p. 324)
9. Modern metal and fiberglass extension ladders are designed to be used with the fly out when placed
against the building. (p. 326)
10. Once an extension ladder is resting against a structure and before it is climbed, the excess halyard
should be secured (tied off) to prevent anyone from becoming tangled in the rope. (p. 326)
11. When personnel are working on a roof or upper stories, there must be at least two means of escape.
(p. 327)
12. Ladders should be placed on at least two points on different sides of the building. (p. 333)
13. Avoid placing ladders over openings where they might be exposed to heat and direct flame contact
(p. 333)
14. Single and roof ladders are generally light enough that one firefighter(s) can place the butt end at
the point where it will be located for climbing without steadying it against the building or another
object before raising.
15. Whenever two or more firefighters are raising a ladder, the firefighter at the butt end of the ladder
is referred to as the heeler

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Ground Ladders
Section D: Picture Identification
Directions: Type the correct answers in yellow box provides
Part I: Ladder Components. Label the ladder components. (p. 316)

A. Tip F. Rails

B. Rungs G. Truss Block

C. Beams H. Heat Sensor Label

D. Butt I. Hooks Open

E. Butt spurs

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Part II: Ladder Components. Label the ladder components. (p. 317)

A. Ladder Pawl/Footpad F. Pulley

B. Bed Section G. Halyard Rope

C. Fly Section H. Butt Spurs

D. Ladder Pawl E. Protection Plates

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Section E: Matching
Part I: Ladder Types
Match the type of ladder with the appropriate description. Each ladder type will be used
more than once. (p. 318)87
Roof Ladders 1. Equipped with folding hooks.
Single Ladders 2. Consist of one section of nonadjustable or fixed length.
Extension Ladders 3. Can be adjusted incrementally to specific length needed.
Single Ladders 4. Sometimes called wall ladders or straight ladders.
Extension Laders 5. Has one or more fly sections that travel in guides or brackets.
Single Ladders 6. Lengths range from 12 to 24 feet.

Part II: Ladder Marking and Labels

Match the ladder marking or label with the appropriate description
Apparatus’ 1. Stenciled on the beam as required by the AHJ.
designation or a
locally assigned
inventory number
Manufacturer’s 2. Includes month and year of maintenance.
name plate
stripe 3. Indicates the balance point.
Designated ladder 4. Must be marked on the beam within 12 inches of the butt plate.
length
white tip or 5. Makes the top of the ladder visible in dark or smoky conditions.
reflective tape
attached to tip

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Section F: Multiple Choice

Directions: Type the correct answer in the yellow box provided.
1. Which ladder should be used if firefighters will need to adjust the ladder to a specific length to
access windows?
☐ A. Roof ladder
☐ B. Single ladder
☐ C. Folding ladder
⌧ D. Extension ladder
2. Ladders that cannot be safely repaired must be:
☐ A. used with caution
☐ B. donated to another agency
⌧ C. destroyed or scrapped for parts
☐ D. used for training purposes only
3. What makes the top of ladders visible in smoky or dark conditions?
☐ A. Plastic green or blue end caps
☐ B. Plastic white or yellow end caps
☐ C. Gold tip or labels attached to the top
⌧ D. White tip or reflective tape attached to the top
4. When inspecting extension ladders, remember to verify that the:
☐ A. pulleys should be difficult to turn
☐ B. hook and finger on pawl assemblies remains stationary
⌧ C. halyard cable is taut when the ladder is in the bedded position
☐ D. halyard cable is loose when the ladder is in the bedded position
5. All ground ladders should be service tested _____ while in service.
☐ A. monthly
☐ B. quarterly
☐ C. bi-annually
⌧ D. annually
6. When should ladders be cleaned?
☐ A. Daily
☐ B. Weekly
⌧ C. After every use
☐ D. After every other use

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7. When lifting a ladder, lift on command of:
☐ A. the most senior firefighter on the team
☐ B. the firefighter carrying most of the weight
☐ C. a firefighter that is toward the middle of the ladder
⌧ D. a firefighter who can see other members of the team
8. When personnel are working on a roof or upper story there must be:
☐ A. at least two ladders in close proximity to each other
⌧ B. at least two ladders at remote locations from each other
☐ C. more than two ladders within reach of the working firefighters
☐ D. more than three ladders within reach of the working firefighters
9. Ladders are set at angles of approximately _____ degrees for climbing.
☐ A. 45
☐ B. 60
⌧ C. 75
☐ D. 90
10. When performing rescue from a window, place the tip of a ladder:
⌧ A. just below the windowsill
☐ B. just above the windowsill
☐ C. even with the windowsill
☐ D. three or five rungs above the windowsill
11. When determining the proper distance between the butt of a ladder and the building, divide the
working length by:
☐ A. two
☐ B. three
⌧ C. four
☐ D. six
12. When heeling from beneath the ladder:
☐ A. grasp the ladder rungs and pull the ladder backward toward the building
⌧ B. grasp the ladder beams and pull the ladder backwards toward the building
☐ C. grasp both the ladder beams and rungs and pull the ladder backward toward the building
☐ D. alternate grasping the ladder beams and rungs and pull the ladder backward toward the
Building
13. When heeling from outside the ladder:
☐ A. grasp ladder rungs and press ladder against the building
⌧ B. grasp ladder beams and press ladder against the building
☐ C. grasp both the ladder beams and rungs and press the ladder against the building
☐ D. alternate grasping the ladder beams and rungs and press ladder against the building
14. When transitioning from a ladder carry to a raise:

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☐ A. place the entire ladder flat on the ground
⌧ B. only the ladder butt needs to be placed on the ground
☐ C. the transition should be done in several separate moves
☐ D. extra firefighters should be on hand in case there is an issue
15. Typically, at least _____ firefighters should be used to raise ladders of 35 feet or longer.
☐ A. two
⌧ B. three
☐ C. five
☐ D. six
16. When pivoting a ladder to align it with the wall, pivot the ladder on:
☐ A. either beam
⌧ B. the beam closest to the structure
☐ C. the beam furthest from the structure
☐ D. both beams by lifting the entire ladder
17. Shifting a ladder in the vertical position should be:
⌧ A. limited to short distances
☐ B. limited to twice the ladder’s length
☐ C. limited to one-half the ladder’s length
☐ D. undertaken only in emergency situations
18. When climbing a ladder:
☐ A. keep your arms bent at a 45 degree angle
☐ B. keep your arms bent at a 60 degree angle
☐ C. grasp the rungs with palms up and thumbs above the rungs
⌧ D. grasp the rungs with palms down and thumbs beneath the rungs
19. When conducting rescue operations, how many firefighters are needed to bring victims down a
ladder?
☐ A. 2
☐ B. 3
⌧ C. 4
☐ D. 5
20. When assisting an unconscious victim down a ladder, the victim’s feet must be placed:
☐ A. on the inside rails to facilitate movement
⌧ B. on the outside rails to prevent entanglement
☐ C. in the middle of the ladder rungs to help with balance
☐ D. in the location that they naturally fall when on the ladder

Section G: Short Answer

Directions: Type your answer in the yellow box provided.

Fire Fighter I Chapter 8 Homework

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Homework
Ground Ladders
1. List the five types of ground ladders.
Single, Combination, Roof, Extension, Folding (Scuttle)
2. Explain why it is so important to routinely clean ladders? (p. 323)
Accumulated dirt or debris from a fire may collect and harden to the point where ladder sections
cannot function as designed.
3. List four general maintenance requirements for ground ladders. (p. 324)
● Keep ground ladders free of moisture
● storing or position ladders where they are free from vehicle exhaust or engine heat
● Keeping ladders in an area where they are not exposed to the elements of weather
● Painting ladders only for the purposes of identification or visibility, limiting painted
areas to 18 inches at the top and bottom of the beams
4. Why is a ladder’s reach less than its designated length? (p. 328)
The designated length is not the ladder’s reach because ladders are set at angles of approximately
75 degrees for climbing.
5. What are the two objectives to meet when placing ground ladders? (p. 333)
● position the ladder properly for its intended use
● Place the butt the proper distance from the building for safe and easy climbing
6. List four benefits of placing a ladder at a 75-degree angle? (p. 333)
● Good stability
● Less stress placed on the ladder
● Optimum climbing angle
● Easiest climbing position: The climber can stand perpendicular to the ground, at arm’s length
from the rungs.
7. What are the two methods used for securing a ladder? (p. 334)
● Heeling
● Tying In

Fire Fighter I Chapter 8 Homework