Pine Mountain Georgia Fire Department News

March 17, 2010
Ladders Tested in Pine Mountain

Many volunteer fire departments seldom, if ever, have ladders inspected and tested.

In Pine Mountain this is a matter of firefighter safety and is taken seriously by the department.

On Wednesday, March 17, Quint 1201 and all of the department’s ground ladders were inspected and tested.

The rigorous process included a variety of testing procedures that involved all parts of each and every ladder.

In the most visually remarkable test, each ground ladder was placed on stands and a 500-pound weight placed on the middle of the ladder for a period of five minutes. The ladder could bend, but once the weight was removed the ladder was allowed to retain only a small amount of deflection for a short period of time.

On Quint 1201, a complete inspection of the entire apparatus was made, including frame, outriggers, turntable, control station and more.

During the test, 500 pounds of weight were suspected from the ladder tip for a set amount of time. The ladder had to hold the weight and was then inspected for any deflection after the time period.

A sample of the hydraulic fluid was taken and sent to a lab for testing and analysis.

Again this year, the Hopewell Fire Department joined the effort and had its ground ladders inspected and tested.

New this year, the Hamilton Fire Department also joined the effort and had its ground ladders inspected and tested as well.

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