Aluminum Or Fiberglas, plastic or paper ?

I

indiana jones

Member
We have been using 24 ft fiberglas ladders for the obvious safety reason of non-conduction, they are heavy 1A rated. I am looking to buy some newer laddies and wonder if anyone if using aluminum 1A's to climb up roofs since they weigh less. What about those 22 foot Little Giants, seem safe enough but are they too heavy. Do many of you use ladder leg levelers, I'm thinking of adding them this time too. I think they'll help stabilize the lads.
 
Aluminum can blow over in high wind.
 
I had thought about using the Little Giant, after watching a thousand late night infomercials I wonder how I've made it without one so long.:D I hate to invest in one with the possibility that like every other pricey contraption it gets greasy and quits working. I also had an issue with a cheap folding ladder, which I haven't quite overcome yet.
 
I own a Little Giant for home use. It works well, a bit heavy, not confident for our line of work. It could work its way off the truck and into some persons home. To get one that would extend like a good commercial grade, it would weigh 200 lbs.:confused:
 
I carry a Little Giant inside the 2003 Sprinter. It is as adjustable as the TV commercial says, it is stable and easy to set up. When extended, I can access most roofs, yet it also folds so I can use it indoors. But is heavy, cumberson and expensive. I use it in the Sprinter because the roof is so far off the ground, and the ladder rack for the Sprinter is about $1500.00. For hood cleaning, the extinsion ladder carried on the side of the step van is much easier and faster.
 
Do feel safe enough with the aluminum ladder? I see the convenience of the Little Giant is it conductive is my concern?
 
It is aluminum, so it is conductive. All of the ladders we used on the fire trucks were also aluminum. I notice the electricians all use fiberglass ladders. But they are working around live wires also. Our 6 foot -8 foot step ladders are fiberglass/aluminum, the lttle step ladders are aluminum. Our extnesion ladders are aluminum.

I am not sure how important the conductivity issue is. Working at night, in poor visiblity, I am sure all of have walked into wires. we have also laddered a building and hit wires. Not all of the fan wiring is water tight, and we wet those down, usually while standing in a puddle. I know all of us have tipped fans and found the bad wires when they get wet and spark. When in the fire service, I hit meter boxes with 1.5 and 2.5 hoses.

I used to really worry about water and electricity, but after 25 + years, I do not anymore. But I still respect and know that electricity can knock you on your ass and can kill you dead.
 
I know you're right. I should stop worrying. I just had a physical and the MD said I am in tiptop shape, perfect BP, cholesterol, psa etc. I guess I should stop worrying and live life.
 
NO, NO , NO! Next time, take off the rubber glove, I will know you are not faking when I do see sparks fly out of your eyeballs.
 
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