Factory-Direct Since 2004
Fixed Ladder With
Safety Cage
A fixed safety ladder with a Φ700 mm cage starting at 2.2 m — welded to the stiles, PFAS-ready for OSHA, DoC to BS 4211 and EN ISO 14122-4 included.
Safety Cage Questions, Answered
Fixed Ladder With Safety Cage
The size, start height and code role of the Φ700 mm safety cage — with the numbers we build to on every caged ladder.
It is a fixed ladder with a protective cage around the climbing space — a Φ700 mm (27.5″) assembly of hoops and verticals welded to the stiles. The cage starts at 2.2 m (7–8 ft) above the base and extends 42 in past the top landing, guiding the climber on vertical and near-vertical runs.
A cage is the traditional fall protection for fixed ladders under 24 ft, and OSHA 1910.27 still lists it alongside well enclosures and ladder safety devices. The key change: for ladders over 24 ft installed after Nov 19, 2018, a cage alone no longer satisfies — you need a PFAS or ladder safety system. We build cages for the runs where they apply and quote PFAS-ready rails above.
Standard cage diameter is Φ700 mm (27.5″), with hoops spaced per the applicable standard and verticals welded between them. The base section is flared into a bell to guide entry. If your well opening or code calls for a different envelope, we size the cage to your drawing.
Per the 1910.27 convention, the cage starts 7–8 ft (2.2 m) above the base of the ladder and extends 42 in above the top landing or access level. Those two numbers keep the entry clear and the exit protected — and we hold them on every caged build.
On runs under 24 ft, a cage is the established protection. On runs over 24 ft that are new installations after Nov 19, 2018, OSHA 1910.27 requires a personal fall arrest system or a ladder safety system — the cage no longer counts by itself. When in doubt, we quote both options and let the code for your site decide.
The cage is welded to the stiles — hoops and verticals are fabricated with the ladder, not bolted on site. Welds are made to ISO 5817 class C, and the WPS is part of the documentation. The cage is structurally part of the ladder, which is why the structural calcs cover both together.
Yes — the transition configuration. A cage protects the lower run up to the threshold and a PFAS rail or ladder safety device takes over above it. It is the configuration most plants specify for new tall ladders, and we build it in one factory with one set of drawings.
How a Safety Cage Is Built
The Cage, Part by Part
Four numbers and four components define a fixed safety ladder cage. All of them ship with the structural calcs.
Φ700 mm Diameter
27.5″ hoop ID — enough clearance for a climber with tools, tight enough to guide the body.
2.2 m Start
7–8 ft above the base — the flared bell keeps entry clear and guides the first step in.
Welded Hoops
Hoop pitch and vertical straps welded to the stiles to ISO 5817 — structural, not decorative.
42 in Extension
The cage carries 42 in past the top landing, protecting the exit onto the platform.
Specifications
Fixed Ladder With Safety Cage Specifications & Dimensions
The full dimension sheet for a caged build. Standard heights 10–25 ft, custom engineering up to 40 ft, cage and calcs included.
| Specification | Standard Range | Custom |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 10 – 25 ft (3 – 7.6 m) | Up to 40 ft engineered |
| Material | Q235B / SS304 / SS316 | Duplex / 6063-T5 AL |
| Rung Diameter | Φ20 mm (0.79″) | Per spec |
| Rung Spacing | 280 mm / 11″ (≤300 mm) | Per project spec |
| Clear Width | 500 mm (19.7″) | Custom width |
| Cage Diameter | Φ700 mm (27.5″) | Custom |
| Cage Start | 2.2 m (7 – 8 ft) above base | Per code |
| Cage Extension | 42 in above top landing | Per code |
| Load Rating | 1.5 kN per rung (≈337 lbf) | Engineered |
| HDG Thickness | 85 – 100 μm (ISO 1461) | Heavier coating |
| Fall Protection | Cage + PFAS-ready rail | Ladder safety system |
Caged Configurations
Fixed Safety Ladder Options & Configurations
A fixed vertical ladder with safety cage can be specified with landings, walk-thru tops and PFAS transition — all built together.
Caged Steel Ladder
Q235B with HDG and a welded Φ700 mm cage — the value workhorse for outdoor vertical access.
Caged + Walk-Thru
A walk-thru platform at the top with the cage ending 42 in above the landing — clean egress onto the roof.
Caged + Platform
Rest platforms split tall caged runs every 50 ft — landings engineered and shipped with the ladder.
Factory-Direct Safety Cage Pricing
Factory-Direct Pricing & 24h Quote
The cage is a line item like everything else — hoops, verticals, welding, finishing. Direct prices, no distributor markup on safety.
Custom quotation priced by weight & process. Industry reference: caged ladders ≈ USD 899–1,099/ton.
Certifications
Compliance & DoCumentation (OSHA/BS 4211/EN ISO 14122-4)
- OSHA 1910.27 — Full Compliance
- BS 4211:2005+A1:2015
- EN ISO 14122-4
- AS 1657
- Cal/OSHA Title 8
Documentation Package
Every order ships with complete documentation — no extra cost, no paywall.
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Declaration of Conformity (DoC)
-
Material Test Certificates — EN 10204 3.1
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Structural Calculations (cage + ladder)
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Welding Procedure Specifications
-
Surface treatment certificates (HDG per ISO 1461)
Common questions
40 × 5 mm flat steel hoops and vertical bars — Q235B hot-dip galvanized, or SS304/SS316 on request, welded to ISO 5817 Level C.
Hoops are welded to the side rails at ~300 mm bar centers, with a flared entry at 2.2 m and 42 in extension above the platform.
Yes — retrofit cages are designed to your rail spacing and verified with a structural calculation before production.
No — the cage extends 42 in above the landing with an opening that lets you step through onto the platform.
Yes — HDG as standard, or RAL safety colors (e.g. yellow/black) for high visibility on site.
Fixed Ladder Safety Cage
Safety Cage vs PFAS — and the Cage Built to Spec
The safety cage remains the workhorse of legacy plants — Φ700 mm of hoop and bar around the climber. Here is exactly what we build, and when a cage still meets the rules.
Cage Construction Details
| Cage element | Standard spec |
|---|---|
| Inside diameter | Φ700 mm (≈29″ ID) |
| Hoops | 40 × 5 mm flat steel |
| Vertical bars | On ≈300 mm centers |
| Start height | 2.2 m (7.2 ft) above base |
| Bottom flare | Bell/flared entry at the base |
| Material | Q235B HDG 85–100 µm / SS304 / SS316 |
| Welding | ISO 5817 level C |
Cage vs PFAS — Which One?
| Decision | Cage | PFAS / ladder safety system |
|---|---|---|
| New ladder >24 ft | Not accepted (post-2016 installs) | Required |
| Legacy ladder >24 ft | Accepted until Nov 18, 2036 | Alternative — retrofit any time |
| Climb ≤24 ft | Optional / per spec | Optional |
| Fall outcome | Limits the fall inside the cage | Arrests the fall (max arrest force) |
| Cost | Lower material cost | Higher, includes rail + harness training |
The honest answer: if the ladder is new and the climb exceeds 24 ft, build PFAS-ready. If you maintain a legacy plant, a cage to the spec above keeps you compliant through the 2036 transition — and we can add a PFAS rail to the same ladder later.
Fixed Ladder Safety Cage — FAQ
Φ700 mm inside diameter (≈29″), 40 × 5 mm hoops, vertical bars on ~300 mm centers, starting 2.2 m above the base with a flared entry.
On ladders in service before November 19, 2018, yes — until November 18, 2036. New ladders above 24 ft must use a PFAS or ladder safety system instead.
A cage encloses the climber and limits a fall; a PFAS rail (ladder safety system) arrests it with a sliding sleeve. OSHA requires the arrest type on new ladders >24 ft.
Yes — the rail mounts to the same standoff brackets or a dedicated rail bracket, and our engineers confirm the combined design with a structural calc.
Yes — cage geometry, welding class (ISO 5817 C), and material certificates are covered in the DoC and structural calculation shipped with the ladder.
Proven in real facilities
Reference projects are shown by industry, country and scale. Client names are available on request with approval.
National utility projects — 15+ countries
23 documented projects, 2021-2025 · 2025
All standardsEnergy & industrial clients — Global
500+ projects since 2004 · 2004-2025
Full compliance docsLargest single order — Malaysia
60 units in one project · 2021
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Why Work With Dengtai?
Cage Built In
Hoops welded to the stiles, not bolted on site.
24-Hour Quote
Engineering review + itemized quote within one day.
Full Compliance Docs
DoC, MTC 3.1, structural calcs included free.
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Related Fixed Ladder With Safety Cage Pages
Cages, safety systems and the standards that decide when a cage is enough.
Cage Fixed Ladders
OSHA-style safety cage configurations
Fixed Ladder Safety
Lockout, PFAS-ready and ISO 5817 weld quality
Fixed Ladder Guards
Guard protection around the climb path
Fixed Ladders with Platform
Rest platforms and walk-thru top detail
OSHA Fixed Ladders
1910.27 cage and fall-protection requirements
Compliance Standards
OSHA, BS 4211, EN ISO 14122-4 and AS 1657