There are many different types of staircase structures, not only for home but also for construction. In this article, we will talk with you about stepladders - integral attributes of any finishing and repair work carried out in residential and administrative premises. And let's start the discussion with a description of the products for those who do not know what a step-ladder is and what types of it are found.
Acquaintance with stepladders
It should be understood that attached wooden ladders and step ladders are very different from each other, while they have several similar points:
- On both structures, you can go up and down, only in the case of an attached option - the safety of operation depends on how careful you are. Any unnecessary sudden movement and the ladder can tilt, in turn, the ladder can fall only due to non-observance of the operating rules.
- An extension ladder cannot be positioned in the center of the room, for example, to change the light bulbs when the ladder allows it to be installed anywhere. This is perhaps the main advantage - the structure can stand on its own.
- Unlike attached products, ladders can be both one-way (household) and two-way (construction).
Note! Some aluminum stepladders even have handrails that allow you to climb safely.
When choosing a structure, one should be guided by the height, which is calculated according to the last step (platform). You can notice one feature, the height between the tread is almost always the same, the takeoff run is minimal. from 22 to 25 cm.
There are also universal ladders and stepladders, which, unlike L-shaped ones, consist of several sections and can be folded and unfolded almost as you like. Such products can become high ladders, construction "goats" (3-4 sections) or be used as a standard step-ladder.
The advantage of transforming ladders is that they take up little space, due to the fact that they fold like a book, they can easily fit into the trunk of a car. Only a steel universal step-ladder is found in stores, other materials are not inherent in such structures.
For your information! If you need a wooden ladder, you can find a telescopic structure that does not fold out like a book, but slides out. Such products are used for lifting to the attic in order to create harmony with the surrounding interior and the materials that are used in it.
Stepladder materials
Since we are talking about the materials that are used for the production of staircase structures, there are several types of products:
- "Soviet" - made of iron or steel pipes-supports, and plywood or wood were used as steps. Such products cannot be called attractive, and they are not reliable either, the tree dries up and cracks over time, strength is lost. On the other hand, any part can be replaced and the ladder is like new, so they have been serving for more than a dozen years.
Note! If you find on sale wooden stepladders made entirely of natural material, you should not rush to purchase.Of course, outwardly they look more attractive, but if there are knots in the supports, then they are unlikely to withstand the upcoming repairs in the house.
- Aluminum (silicon magnesium alloy) - some of the most practical, since this material is inexpensive and durable. It should not be forgotten that there are two types - duralumin (an alloy of duralumin and aluminum) and aluminum, both of them are good, but the first material is still slightly inferior in reliability, although it is quite enough for living conditions.
- Plastic - in this case, the racks are made of steel or aluminum, and the steps are made of plastic. It is best to buy such structures in 4 steps, and use them to remove dust from cabinets and wash windows, after all, there is plastic, there is plastic.
Inspection of stairs and stepladders is best done before the products are purchased, that is, directly in the store. You will learn about what to look for and how to check strength in the next section.
Checking structures
Stairs and stepladders should be checked immediately prior to the start of the purchase:
- The simplest action is to press on the rack, if it bends, then it is better to leave the product. The same applies to the steps, see what the instruction says, what is the maximum load allowed, based on this, draw a conclusion if you are going to make repairs, then the optimal value is 100 kg. To use the ladder as a support during cleaning, 50 kg is enough for one step.
- It is important to pay attention to the attachment points of the steps of the folding stairs. Fasteners can be of several types, but the most common and simplest is the one with rivets. The method of rolling the tread into the rack is attributed to more reliable methods - the step is pressed into the support and soldered to it, this eliminates the possibility of breaking at the attachment point. On the other hand, it is not possible to replace the support, in which case.
- Also, as for the steps, you should choose products with a corrugated surface, that is, steel treads that have rubber inserts or with a small plastic or rubber coating. This is necessary so that the leg does not slip.
- Construction ladders and stepladders have another important point - the racks must be “shod” with rubber tips that prevent the structure from slipping. Such products are especially relevant in rooms with tiles on the floor, where the metal will move, as if on ice. Also, the tips protect the flooring from defects, scratches and chips.
According to the rules, the checking of step ladders should be carried out by experienced people who understand all the intricacies of the production process. Of course, if you have purchased a structure for a house, then it is expensive to call a specialist, but if you have a construction company, then you cannot do without such checks. This, at a minimum, requires a banal safety technique.
In this case, the frequency of inspection of stairs and ladders should be indicated in the relevant documents, this should also be monitored by a specialized person in your organization.
Additional "gadgets" for stepladders
In this section, we will describe for you several useful accessories that can be used in conjunction with a ladder to make your job easier:
For your information! Please note that most of the accessories are used for foreign products, they are not suitable for Soviet products.
- Suspended platform, which is attached with hooks to any height of the product. It can be used as an additional support for the legs to reach something, or for storing tools. This gadget was especially popular among builders and finishers (painters).
- There are also additional supports that significantly increase the width of the post at the step-ladder, which is in contact with the floor. This allows you to give the structure more stability. They also have rubber caps to prevent the ladder from slipping even on wet tiled floors.
- Stand extensions are practiced in places where the surface on which the ladder is installed is uneven. This accessory is very helpful when decorating building facades and staircases. In stores, you can purchase an extension cord up to 375 mm, in case you need a longer nozzle, you can order it on order, the price depends on the size.
Note! In addition to such attachments, you can purchase plates that take the angle of inclination at which the rack is in the most stable position. They can be easily secured with screws and nuts to the extension cords.
- In addition to extension cords, there are roller attachments that allow you to move the ladder from one place to another without much effort. You don't have to strain, lift or fold the product, just roll it over.
- For work on the ground, it is useful to use sharp points that go deeper into the ground, thereby increasing the stability of the ladder. They can be used in combination with the previously indicated nozzles, for example, install extensions on one side of the ladder, and pointed nozzles on the other. It is also effective to fix the rollers on one side, so that it is easy to move the structure.
- There are also side railings that are attached with brackets to the post from one or both sides. For household ladders, they are not needed (for example, such as a folding forest of 119 cm), but for building products (with a height of two meters) they are unlikely to interfere. At a minimum, the likelihood of a person who accidentally stumbled while understanding or going down the steps is less likely to fall.
- Instead of hanging platforms, which are quite bulky, you can use hooks for loads, on which it is easy to hang a bucket of paint. These accessories are made of galvanized steel.
- Additional rubber rugs on the steps, for those who do not have anti-slip. Although they are easy to do with your own hands, it is enough to cut out a piece of grooved rubber and glue it on double-sided tape to the surface of the support.
You can make any of the above gadgets yourself for your Soviet stepladder, using various improvised items. Wire can be used as the main fastener.
A little about the documentation
So that you know, as such, the OKOF code for the ladder ladder is not created, all such products can be attributed to code 16 3697050. In accordance with it, the life of the product is determined by the manufacturer and must be strictly observed, otherwise it can lead to injuries.
If the documents do not say anything about the useful life, then the warranty period is the time during which the ladder wears out and is no longer suitable for work.
As for the OKDP on the ladder ladder, this code has the following meaning - 3697495. The value came into effect in 2012 and remains unchanged to this day. It includes folding household ladders, as well as all types of ladders.
Output
The above information can be considered a full-fledged description of the products that sound in the topic of the article - stepladders. It describes everything you need to know about structures of this type.
Do not forget that folding ladders have their weakest point - the attachment point, where the folding mechanism is located.It is weak, not because it is made from low-quality raw materials, but because it is easy to damage it, there is enough cement crumb to make a creak. Although more damage can be done by paint or putty, which will dry out and interfere with folding.
In the video presented in this article, you will find additional information on this topic.
