How to Choose the Right Ladder

Rating

Ladders are designed and constructed to safely hold up to a specific amount of weight. Werner ladders come in five different Duty Ratings, identified by their Grade and Type. The Duty Rating is defined as the maximum safe load capacity of the ladder. A person's fully clothed weight plus the weight of any tools and materials that are carried onto the ladder must not exceed the Duty Rating.

Ladders are also built to handle the demands of various applications. For example, a ladder used frequently on a construction site by husky workers should typically be stronger and have a corresponding higher Duty Rating than a ladder used by a lighter person for light chores around the home.

The weight of the user, including clothing, tools, and materials must not exceed the duty rating.

Workers should consider both the weight which will be on the ladder and the work application, and select a Grade of ladder that is designed to handle anticipated usage.

The terminology of ladder Grades, Duty Ratings, and Types may initially be confusing. Remember that the Duty Rating is the maximum safe load capacity of the ladder. Hence, Duty Ratings are described in terms of pounds, such as a 300 lbs. Duty-Rated Type IA ladder which is designed for heavy industrial use where the total weight on the ladder must not exceed 300 pounds.

LADDER GRADES
• Economical design for lightweight use - Type III
• Basic design for simple projects - Type II
• Designed to handle most projects and jobs - Type I
• Rugged performance designed with the pro in mind - Type IA
• Maximum performance and durability for the toughest jobs - Type IAA

Size

Choosing the right size or length ladder is just as important as selecting the right style. One of the most common and potentially dangerous ladder selection mistakes is using a ladder which is either too short or too long.

Stepladders
The highest permitted standing level on a stepladder is two steps down from the top. A person standing higher may lose their balance and fall. A person’s maximum safe reaching height is approximately 4' higher than the height of the ladder. For example, a typical person can safely reach an 8' ceiling on a 4' ladder.

Extension ladders
They should be 7 to 10 feet longer than the highest support or contact point, which may be the wall or roof line. This will allow enough length for proper setup, overlap of ladder sections, height restrictions of the highest standing level, and where appropriate, the extension of the ladder above the roof line. The highest standing level is four rungs down from the top. Never stand on the ladder above the support points or roof line.

SIZE SELECTION CHARTS
The selection charts below show what size extension and stepladders to consider based upon height required:

Fiberglass Stepladder

Series Features and Benefits 7300 7400 T7400 P7400 6100 6200 T6200 P6200 6000 T6000 Type/Rating IAA IAA IA IAA IA IAA IA IA IA IA I I Slip-resistant Traction-Tred® steps Slip-resistant foot pad PROGUARD BOOTS™ - 6100 Series Aluminum drill Holster Top® Plastic drill Holster Top® Aluminum top HolsterTop® featuring Lock-In Accessory System Designed for one or two person jobs Slip-resistant Traction-Tred® steps all knee braced Molded braces Rail shields Internal spreaders External spreaders Full set of rear horizontals Platform for comfortable work area Shoulder bolt and nut on top hinge Back-up plates to reinforce top connectors Every rivet backed up by metal plate or washer to protect fiberglass 4 rivets attach top to each front rail Holster Top® now is Tool Lasso® ready IAA IAA IA IAA IA IAA IA IA IA IA I I 7300 7400 T7400 P7400 6100 6200 T6200 P6200 6000 T6000

Aluminum Stepladder

Series Features and Benefits 400 P400 T400 370 P370 T370 Type/Rating IA IAA IA IAA IAA IA IA IA Slip-resistant Traction-Tred® steps Slip-resistant foot pad Dual drill Holster Top® External spreaders 4', 5', 8' 4', 6' 3', 8', 10' . Designed for one or two person jobs Knee-braced top, bottom steps and horizontals Aluminum top Full set of rear horizontals Spill-Proof® pail shelf with rag rack Tool-Tra-Top® Safety guard rail Platform for comfortable work area Paint can hanger on top H-spreader for one-handed carry & close IA IAA IA IAA IAA IA IA IA 400 P400 T400 370 P370 T370

Fiberglass Extension

Series Features and Benefits D7100-2LV D7100-2 7100 D8200-2EQ D6200-1 D6200-2 D6000-2 D5900-2 Type/Rating IAA IAA IAA IA IA I I II Guides at top of base section Guides on bottom of fly section Pulley and rope systems Rail shield & shoe bracket protects rail Shoe with slip-resistant pad and spur plate Rugged gravity spring locks Rope clamp ties rope to rung Alflo®rung joint for Twist-Proof® performance Electrically non-conductive side rails Mar-resistant molded end caps Base section may be used as a single ladder Pre-pierced holes for easy field installation of accessories Plate and rung assembly to allow for rung replacement Interlocking side rails Slip-resistant D-rungs   Slip-resistant round rungs               Direct rung to rail connections Molded rung braces Integrated leveling IAA IAA IAA IA IA I I II D7100-2LV D7100-2 7100 D8200-2EQ D6200-1 D6200-2 D6000-2 D5900-2

Aluminum Extension

Series Features and Benefits D500-2 D1500 D1300-2 560-3 D1800 -2EQ D1200-2 D1700 -2EQ D716-2 D1100-2 Type/Rating IA IAA IA I I I II II III III Rope clamp ties rope to rung Heavy duty shoe with slip-resistant tread and spur plate Removable sections for use as a single ladder External guide brackets Pivoting shoe Slip-resistant shoe with Shu-lok® feature and spur plate Interlocking side rails Rope and pulley system Spring loaded locks Modified I-beam rails Alflo® rung joint for Twist-Proof® performance Mar-resistant end caps Slip-resistant Traction-Tred® D-rungs Slip-resistant Traction-Tred® round rungs Integrated leveling IA IAA IA I I I II II III III D500-2 D1500 D1300-2 560-3 D1800 -2EQ D1200-2 D1700 -2EQ D716-2 D1100-2

Attic Ladder

Product Advantages AA Series AH Series W Series WH Series Material Aluminum Aluminum Wood Wood Style Telescoping/Compact Folding Folding Folding Size 9 ft. 10 ft. 8 ft. 10 ft. 12 ft. 8 ft. 10 ft. 8 ft. 10 ft. Load Capacity Locking Device N/A Struts Spring Spring Ceiling Height Range (FC) 7' 4" to 10' 3" 7' 8" to 12' 7' to 10' 4" 7' to 10' 4" Landing Space Range (LS) 3'6" (Model AA1510) 4' - 5'3" 5' 11" (Model AH2512) 4'2" - 5'3" 4'8" - 6' Swing Clearance (SC) N/A 5' 10" 7' 3" (Model AH2512) 5'4" - 6'2" 5'2" - 6'4" Opening Device Push/Pull Rod Rope Rope Rope Door Material Not Included Plywood Plywood Plywood Frame Material N/A Pine Pine Pine Full Width Door Hinge No Yes Yes Yes Metal-to-Metal Rail Hinge N/A Yes Yes Yes Requires Cutting Foot Angle No No Yes Yes Number Of People For Installation One Two Two Two Step Width 2-7/8" 3-1/4" 3-1/4" 5-1/4" Finished Rails With Eased Edges 2-7/8" Wide 3-1/2" Wide 3-1/2" Wide 4-1/2" Wide