FAQ - Fixed Ladder Questions Answered

A fixed ladder is a non-self-supporting, non-adjustable ladder that is permanently attached to a structure and installed at an incline of 60–90 degrees. It is built to stay — there is no set-up, no repositioning, and no moving parts.

Any permanently mounted access ladder counts: an "individual rung ladder" with rungs attached to a structure, or a rail ladder with side rails. OSHA 1917.118 groups them with the cage, well or ladder safety device that protects the climb.

Yes. A fixed ladder bolts to the structure with steel brackets and standoff arms — it is not adjustable in length and is not self-supporting. The M12 anchor plan is part of the supplied installation drawings.

Common types are rail ladders, individual-rung ladders, caged ladders, side-step ladders and through ladders. We build all of them — see the types of fixed ladders page for the full breakdown.

Rungs are Φ20 mm (0.79″) steel or stainless, pitched at 280 mm / 11″ center-to-center, which stays inside the OSHA 10–14 in band and the ≤300 mm code limit. Clear width is 500 mm (19.7″).

OSHA requires a climbing width of at least 16 in (41 cm). For a caged ladder, the cage itself is Φ700 mm (27.5″ inside diameter) so the climber has full clearance inside the hoops.

Every rung is rated 1.5 kN, which is about 337 lbf — shown in both metric and US units on our spec sheets. Welding meets ISO 5817 and the full structural calculation is included in the document pack.

Q235B structural steel, SS304 and SS316 stainless, and 6063-T5 aluminum. Finishes: hot-dip galvanizing 85–100 μm per ISO 1461, pickled, painted, or electropolish for stainless in marine environments.

For fixed ladders installed after November 19, 2018 that extend more than 24 ft, OSHA 1910.27 requires a personal fall arrest system (PFAS) or a ladder safety system — a cage alone no longer satisfies. We quote PFAS-ready rails and cage-to-PFAS retrofits.

Rungs must be evenly spaced 10–14 in (25–36 cm) apart, climbing width at least 16 in (41 cm), and at least 7 in of clearance behind the rungs. Cal/OSHA Title 8 tightens rung spacing to ≤12 in.

OSHA 1910.27, ANSI A14.3, BS 4211, EN ISO 14122-4, AS 1657 and Cal/OSHA Title 8. Every order ships with a Declaration of Conformity and Material Test Certificates to EN 10204 3.1.

Declaration of Conformity (DoC), Material Test Certificates (EN 10204 3.1), structural calculations, welding procedure specifications, surface treatment certificates, and PFAS guidance where the ladder exceeds 24 ft.

Yes. Every ladder is pre-assembled and trial-fitted in the factory, so the assembly drawing matches what arrives on site — zero rework. Install uses M12 anchors and the C25 concrete wall spec from the drawing.

Installation PDF, assembly drawings and the anchoring plan ship with every order, following OSHA, BS 4211, EN ISO 14122-4 or AS 1657 as your project requires. Request the guide with your quote.

The cage starts 7–8 ft above the base of the ladder and extends 42 in above the top landing. Hoops are Φ700 mm (27.5″ ID) with vertical bars spaced per the governing standard.

Safety cage, PFAS-ready ladder safety system rail, swing gates at the top, and rest platforms every 50 ft for tall climbs. We flag the fall-protection trigger point on your drawing during the free review.