Fixed Ladders and Fall Protection for Safe Access
Fixed ladders are permanently installed climbs to roofs, tanks, platforms or intermediate levels where a staircase would take up too much space. Fall protection secures the user against falling while climbing and therefore belongs closely with the fixed ladder. Both topics form one shared category within ladders & access technology.
Unlike a leaning, multi purpose & sliding ladders, which you set up when needed and put away afterwards, a fixed ladder stays permanently mounted. It is part of the fixed installation of a building, a tank or a plant and is usually used regularly for maintenance or inspection. In many cases it is the only access to a certain point, which is why stability and fall protection matter so much here.
What are fixed ladders and fall protection used for?
Fixed ladders are used wherever a permanent climb is needed but little floor space is available:
- access to roofs, superstructures and plant rooms
- climbs on silos, tanks and vessels in industry
- maintenance access to machinery and installations
- entries and exits at shafts and pits, where a staircase takes up too much room
- secondary escape routes and emergency exits on buildings
Fall protection becomes necessary once the fall height no longer allows an unsecured fixed ladder. At what height that applies follows from the operator's risk assessment and the applicable workplace regulations.
Types and variants
Under fixed ladders and fall protection we group several designs that differ in construction and location. The actual cat ladders with two parallel stiles and continuous rungs is the basic form. For greater heights, several sections combine into a single run fixed ladder systems.
With the single stile ladders with fall arrest system, a single central stile carries the rungs and the guide rail for the sliding fall arrester is already built in. For double stile ladders you retrofit the fall protection separately as a fall arrest systems for double stile ladders. In tight shafts, pits and ducts you use shaft ladders instead, available in stainless steel, galvanised steel and glass fibre reinforced plastic (GRP).
Fittings and materials
The right fittings depend a lot on the location and the weather:
- materials: galvanised steel for indoor use, stainless steel and GRP for aggressive environments or outdoor use
- shaft ladders with varying numbers of rungs, widths often ranging between roughly 340 and 450 mm depending on the model
- fixed ladders in various lengths for different storey heights
- safety barrier gates at the top exit that block access to the fall edge
- back protection as additional lateral guidance while climbing
The exact dimensions, load ratings and material variants are listed in the individual product description, as they differ from model to model.
Sensible additions
A fixed ladder is rarely complete without further accessories. At the base, floor mounting gives a secure footing, and on the wall a wall brackets keeps the ladder at a distance from the facade. At the top, top entry/exit makes the change onto the roof surface or platform easier, while fixed entry aids and portable entry aids make entry at the foot of the ladder easier.
For the fall protection itself we carry matching accessories for fall arrest systems to DIN EN 353-1 as well as personal equipment from personal protective equipment (PPE).
What to check for safety and inspection
Fixed ladders fall under DIN EN ISO 14122-4, which sets requirements for construction, spacing and back protection. From what fall height a sliding fall arrester to DIN EN 353-1 is additionally required follows from the operator's risk assessment. A classic back protection cage alone is, under current understanding, no longer regarded as sufficient fall protection on its own, it mainly serves as lateral guidance while climbing. Actual fall protection is provided by a fall arrest system to DIN EN 353-1.
Check fixed ladders and fall arrest systems regularly for wear, tight fixings and intact guide rails. Keep to the inspection intervals set by the manufacturer and the operational risk assessment, and document the result, for example with a inspection stickers. Also make sure the entry point is well lit and that rungs stay free of oil, ice or dirt, since many accidents on fixed ladders are not caused by the construction itself but by slippery treads or careless behaviour while climbing.
Advantages at a glance
- permanent access for roofs, tanks, shafts and plant
- designs from the simple fixed ladder to a complete fall arrest system
- materials for indoor use, outdoor use and aggressive environments
- matching accessories for the base, wall mounting and top exit
- designs oriented to the relevant standards for fixed access
With the right combination of fixed ladder, mounting and fall protection you create permanently safe access to hard to reach points in your operation. Our team is happy to help you choose the right design for your location.