Aerial Ladder Review

1. Aerial Ladder Review

2. Categories of Aerial Ladders • Aerial Ladders • Aerial Platforms • Telescoping Aerial Platform • Tele-Squirt • Articulating Aerial Platform • Quint

3. Uses of Aerial • Rescue • Master Streams • Ventilation • Access to Upper Storeys • Lighting Platform • Observation Platform

4. Ladder Construction • Truss Beam • Triangular Shape Trusses • Aluminum Alloy or Steel • Welded or Riveted • Tension and Compression Distributed over beam

5. Hoisting Cylinders • Seamless Steel • Sealed • Hydraulic Oil • Safety Valve • Emergency Operation

6. Extension Cylinders and Cables • Cylinder at Base of Ladder • Aircraft Cables • Pulleys

7. Turntable • Continuous Rotation - 3600 • Metal Plate • Operating Pedestal • Manual Control • Emergency Operation

8. Control Pedestal • Mounted at Side of Ladder • Levers • Elevation • Extension • Rotation

9. Control Pedestal • Joy Stick • Gauges • Oil Pressure • Engine Starter Switch • Light Switch • Intercom

10. Communications • Ground to tip • Hands free operation

11. Jacks Out-Riggers and Stabilizers • Stabilizing • Jack Plates or Stabilizer Pad

12. Other Features • Inclinometer • Load Indicator • Emergency Outside Controls • Platform Controls • Turret Nozzle • Heat Stress Indicator

13. What are the drivers Responsibilities?

14. What are the firefighters responsibilities?

15. Rescue Priorities • Most Severely Threatened Victims • Largest Groups of Victims • Remainder of People in Fire Area • Victims in Exposed Areas • Position Aerial at Corner of Bldg., When Possible

16. Window Rescue • Perpendicular to Bldg., If Possible • Don't Block Opening • Platform • Top of Basket Even with Sill • Approach From Side or Top

17. Victim Removal on Ladder • Capable Adults • F/F to Act as Guide for Descent • Injured Adults • Over the Shoulder Carry - One F/F to Assist • Infant One Arm Carry

18. Victim Removal by Stokes • Down Ladder • Top Guide Rope • Rope Lowering • Guy Lines • Rope Through Rungs • Lower Ladder • Stokes Mount on Platform

19. Aerial used for Exposure Protection • Direct Application of Stream Onto Exposure • Stream into Thermal Column • Eliminate Brands • Wide Sweeping Motion of Stream • Don't Break Windows

20. Fire Attack • Offensive • Straight Stream Into Structure • Defensive • External • Never when F/F or Victims Are In Building • Stream Elevation • Maximum of 80% of Ladder Length

21. Fog Stream Advantages • Greater Heat Absorption • Steam • Wider Area of Coverage • Close-up Offensive Attack • Exposure Protection • Siphon Ventilation

22. Disadvantages • Short Reach and Penetration • Affected by Wind • Fire • Atmosphere

23. Detachable Water Pipe • Set Pattern on Ground • Clamp Nozzle to Top Two Rungs • Secure with Safety Rope • Attach Guide Ropes if Applicable

24. Detachable Water Pipe • Attach Supply Line • 77m (3") • Hose Straps • Attach Siamese and Gate

25. Master Stream • Climb ladder as per safe ladder practices • Foot Pads Down and Locked • Fasten Safety Belt

26. Master Stream • Create the Fire Stream as Per Officer’s Orders • − Type of Stream • − Direction • − Purpose • • Avoid Electrical Wires with Stream

27. Factors affecting aerial performance Heat • Discoloration • Deformed Welds • Improper operation of any part • Paint Blister • Heat Labels • Pressure relief valve on hydraulics • Warm to the touch

28. Mechanical Failure Signs • Leaking fuel • Leaking hydraulic fluid • Cooling system leak • Motor oil leak • Overheating of components • Vibrations and noises • Stress cracks

29. Cold Temperatures • Slower operation due to thick hydraulic fluid • Steel affected ( minimized shock load) • Ice forming on ladder ( increased weight) • Frozen hydraulic lines • Won’t retract • Freezing runoff ( truck may slide downhill • Drain water pipe as soon as completed with it