Your safety is our whyAerial & Ground Ladder Testing
With life-threatening situations only a phone call away, firefighters have to be ready in a pinch — and so does their equipment. IIA is the go-to expert for top-to-bottom fire truck inspections, including aerial and ground ladder testing.
Aerial & Ground Ladder Testing
Any ground ladders that are used in the fire service and sold to fire departments as a ‘rated ladder’ are subject to a series of tests per National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1932-2010 guidelines. The testing of ground ladders can minimize ladder failures due to abuse, overloading, normal wear or heat.As an ISO/IEC 17020 Accredited Corporation, IIA offers a complete inspection and non-destructive testing program to meet NFPA guidelines for testing aerial ladders, elevating platforms, and water towers, and ground ladders.
IIA tests various types of metal, fiberglass, and wood ground ladders between 5 and 45 feet in length, made by various manufacturers.
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Our Testing Methods
Our inspections include a complete visual and operational test of the vehicle, aerial device and associated equipment. Additionally, various non-destructive test methods are used to locate defects. These tests can include non-destructive examinations (NDE), such as Ultrasonic Testing (UT), Dye Penetrant (DP), and also Magnetic Particle (MP) testing, to validate the integrity of the structural welds.
We conduct visual, operational, bend, and drift tests for ground, roof, attic, combination, extension, and multipurpose ladders. Using our mobile crane load testing equipment, we also perform hardware, pressure, and load tests to make certain the ground ladder safely withstands all load requirements.
Each piece of equipment will receive an identification sticker, as well as a yearly sticker, after testing is complete. Heat sensor labels are applied when necessary.
Ground ladders are tested on the same test date as hose testing to minimize out of service time.
Inspection Tracking
Our team has a complete understanding of NFPA testing requirements. We track your fleet's inspection needs and inform you when your equipment is due for inspections, helping your department avoid potential compliance issues. Annual records maintained by IIA and provided to each department have been accepted by the Insurance Services Office (ISO) for years, and may help lower your township or city's insurance costs.
Reporting
A computer-generated report is issued following these inspections; and if no abnormalities exist, a Certificate of Compliance is issued in accordance with NFPA 1911 guidelines. The certificate is withheld if repair is necessary until the needed repairs are complete. A detailed report with valuable inspection data is delivered to you in as little as 24 hours.
Our Inspections & Testing Can Include:
- Visual/Operational Inspections
- Load Test
- Timing and Functional Tests
- Hardness Test of Non-Ferrous Metal Components
- Hydraulic Oil Analysis
- Turntable Bolt Torque Check
- Drift Test
- Waterway Systems Check
- Ultrasonic Inspection of Accessible Pins
- Magnetic Particles and/or Dye Penetrant Test of Critical Welds and Casting
- Horizontal Bend Test of Ground Ladders
- Ground Ladder Hardware and Hook Tests
- Extension Ladder Hardware Test
- Heat Sensor Check and Replacement (if necessary)
- Liquid Penetrant Inspection of Rung Welds (optional test)
Visual Inspections
We inspect each ladder for a multitude of physical problem areas, including rusting, corrosion, cracks, bad welds, loose bolts on guides, poor lubrication, and more. We perform the same visual inspections for non-NFPA rated ladders (OSHA compliant) like the 'Little Giants' most departments carry with them.
Horizontal Bend Test
We subject each extension, combination, roof and folding ladder to an extended weight test. With the ladder extended, we simulate the weight of a firefighter(s) climbing up or down the ladder. We test each ladder with the required weight and time to ensure that the ground ladder performs as per manufacturers’ specifications, and has a deflection within NFPA guidelines.
Hardware Test
For each extension ladder we inspect and test the pawl locks on each section of the ground ladder. For smaller ground ladders, there may be only one set of locks, but for larger ground ladders, there will be two sets of locks. Each lock is visually inspected, the locking mechanism is tested to see if it moves freely and engages the rungs, the release mechanism is functional, and finally the lock is tested with 1,000 pounds of pressure to ensure that it can hold a weight load even greater than it will be subject to during a fire. The locks must hold in place to ensure that a ladder will not collapse when it is used.
Roof Hook Test
Each roof ladder has its roof hooks checked for sturdiness, operability, and pressure. All mechanisms are checked for ease of clearance and opening. Also, each roof hook is tested under 1,000 pounds of pressure to ensure that the hooks remain stable and do not bend when subject to extended pressure.
Our ladder inspection offerings also include heat sensor check and replacement (if necessary) and liquid penetrant inspection of rung welds (IIA exclusive, optional test).
Visit our Fire Department page to view more of what we offer here at IIA.
Our Staff
Our highly trained staff works with ground ladder manufacturers to gain a full understanding of the operational qualities of all types of ladders. We work quickly, efficiently and professionally to help ensure your staff are using certified equipment in the field.
Certifications & Guidelines
- Adheres to all EVT and strict NFPA standards
- Ground ladders are in accordance with the current NFPA 1932 guidelines
- ISO/IEC 17020 Accredited
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