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Friday, March 21, 2014

Industrial Extension Ladders Come In Many Styles And Materials

By Luisa Sharpe


Many activities can not be done from the ground or floor. A large portion of construction must be done on elevated platforms or with ladders of various sizes and shapes. Industrial extension ladders are part of this mix as they provide the height needed and the strength to withstand anyone and their tools.

Unlike the A frame type ladder, an extension ladder must have something on which to lean for support. Unlike the A frame, this ladder can be made smaller and larger with the use of the extending piece. These ladders come in a number of sizes, materials and configuration for maximum adaptability to just about any job.

This type of equipment is manufactured using materials such as wood, aluminum and fiberglass. The wood ones are the heaviest, least expensive and, if not maintained properly, will break, mold and rot. Many people like the idea of a natural material for all of their equipment and take care of them for years of use. Many of these are painted various colors to protect them from outside weather conditions.

One of the more popular materials for this necessary piece of equipment is aluminum. It has the ability to be immune from rot and molds and can also be carried quite easily because of its light weight. It is as strong as steel and makes for a general purpose ladder where electricity is not concerned.

A ladder that does not need painting is the fiberglass one. This is a light weight ladder and the color pigment is combined with the material that does not tear or crack. Most professional building trades use this as it can be as strong as steel and easy enough to carry and move around.

This is the ladder material that is used by all electricians and a large portion of construction companies dealing with general construction. This is partly due to the nature of fiberglass. It does not conduct electricity and, therefore, will insulate the climber from most effects if working on electrical connections.

The system that makes these extension ladders what they are and what they can be is the pulleys that are attached to the top of the ladder. The section that will slide up and extend the reach can be accessed through this rope and those pulleys. By pulling down on this line, the section or extension, rises and can be slipped over one of the rungs. This fixes the length for a safe footing.

A frames are handy when there is a need for a little height. The extension ladder is available for heights above that and can have safety tie offs for various purposes. Since you should not step on the top two rungs of the average A frame, there is a lot wasted height. These will come in two or three section units with additional sections if needed.




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