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jshlds  
#1 Posted : 13 June 2024 10:22:51(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
jshlds

External fire exit is a vertical ladder from the upper plant room to ground level.  I have a concern that there is a chain at the top of the ladder but not at the bottom.  We recently have had some climb the ladder, how can we restrict access to it without blocking the ladder

Roundtuit  
#2 Posted : 13 June 2024 10:54:45(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Roundtuit

A fire exit by vertical ladder? Someone climbing the ladder (presumably not an employee).

Most common ladder barriers work on the basis of padlocking a plate over the lower rungs to prevent access but then how does someone climbing down safely remove the padlock (typically located for someone stood at ground level)?

You could fence in the foot of the ladder but then how to control what would presumably be a gated exit?

As it is solely for emergency what about a ladder whose lower portion is kept in a raised position until a pin or similar is released? You then have to ensure adequate maintenance of the mechanism.

So tempting to suggest a firemans pole in replacement but then if they climb ladders what stops them shimming up a pole and how does someone with an injury use a pole in an emergency?

Eliminate the climbers access to the area? Change the escape to something more suitable?

Roundtuit  
#3 Posted : 13 June 2024 10:54:45(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Roundtuit

A fire exit by vertical ladder? Someone climbing the ladder (presumably not an employee).

Most common ladder barriers work on the basis of padlocking a plate over the lower rungs to prevent access but then how does someone climbing down safely remove the padlock (typically located for someone stood at ground level)?

You could fence in the foot of the ladder but then how to control what would presumably be a gated exit?

As it is solely for emergency what about a ladder whose lower portion is kept in a raised position until a pin or similar is released? You then have to ensure adequate maintenance of the mechanism.

So tempting to suggest a firemans pole in replacement but then if they climb ladders what stops them shimming up a pole and how does someone with an injury use a pole in an emergency?

Eliminate the climbers access to the area? Change the escape to something more suitable?

Messey  
#4 Posted : 13 June 2024 18:35:34(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Messey

Does the vertical ladder discharge to a public area or to an area controlled by the responsible person? If the latter, is it not possible to fence the ladder in at the base, or better still, box it in so all that can be seen is a door and the ladder is not visible ? It would be useful to know a little more on this problem or we are simply guessing the scenario 

firesafety101  
#5 Posted : 14 June 2024 08:57:15(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
firesafety101

You say this is a Plant Room and I assume the employees who access this room are not disabled in any way.  It does seem to disallow anyone with disabilities from working there.  Is there a plan going forward to modify the fire exit.

My opinion about ladders used as means of escape in not recommended.

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