Chapter 08

Aerial Apparatus
Driver/Operator Handbook
2nd Edition
Chapter 8 — Operating
Telescoping Aerial Equipment

Learning Objective 1
Discuss raising and lowering the
telescoping aerial device.
8–2
Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator

• Elevating entire assembly from its
stored position to a desired angle and
useful position
• Consists of a series of motions that
include elevating, rotating, extending,
and lowering device to its objective
Raising the Aerial Device
8–3

Series of Motions
8–4

• Place apparatus in proper position.
• Apply all parking brakes.
• Place apparatus into proper gear, and
operate power take-off (PTO).
• Deploy stabilizers.
• Switch selector valve from stabilizer
position to aerial device position.
Tasks Before
Deploying Aerial Device
8–5

• Release the
hold-down locks.
• Move tiller
operator’s station.
• Attach ladder
pipe and make
hose connections.
Procedure for
(Continued)
8–6
Courtesy of Ron Jeffers

• Allow personnel
to board elevating
platform.
• Check intended
path of aerial
device
for obstructions.
Procedure for
(Continued)
8–7

• Operate controls to
elevate aerial device
from bedded position.
• Rotate aerial
device.
• Extend the
aerial device.
Procedure for
(Continued)
8–8

• Lower aerial device to objective.
– Approximately 4 to 6 inches (100 mm to
150 mm) above surface of target
– Allow device to settle onto surface from
weight of fire fighters on board
Procedure for
(Continued)
8–9

Procedure for
(Continued)
8–10

• Activate all aerial
device locks.
• Climb aerial device.
Procedure for
8–11

• Remove personnel
from the aerial
ladder.
• Drain waterway
system and/or
hoselines.
Lowering the Aerial Device
(Continued)
8–12

• Disengage
hoisting cylinder locks,
rotational locks, and
extension fly locks.
• Raise aerial
device away
from work area.
(Continued)
8–13

• Retract aerial device.
• Check intended
path of aerial device
for obstructions.
• Lower aerial device.
(Continued)
8–14

• Allow personnel to exit platform.
• Remove ladder pipe, hose, and
associated equipment.
• Replace tiller operator’s station.
• Activate hold-down locks.
8–15

Describe operating a telescoping aerial
device under adverse conditions.
8–16

• Most aerial ladder failures or
overturning accidents involve
overloading and overextension of
ladder at low angles of elevation
Low-Angle Operations
8–17

• Established by NFPA®
1901
• Ladder must be capable of
accommodating minimum load from tip
of ladder when fully extended
Minimum Load Requirements
8–18

• Not required to meet standard
• Varying load and extension limitations
• More likely to not be capable of
supporting any load
• Possibility of catastrophic failure
Aerial Devices Built Before
1991
(Continued)
8–19

• Failure can occur when water supply to
ladder is shut off
• Can fail when deployed to perform
special rescues
Aerial Devices Built Before
1991
8–20

• Complicates concerns with regard to
dynamic stress place upon aerial device
and its related components
• Can result in twisting force on entire
aerial device system
• Static load requirements established by
NFPA®
1901
Operating on a Grade
8–21

• Optimum positioning
• Proper stabilization of apparatus
• Knowing load restrictions for given
grade
Keys to Operating on a Grade
8–22

• Can adversely
affect operating
capabilities of
aerial device
• Gusts can impose
significant dynamic
loads to device
High Wind Conditions
(Continued)
8–23

• Sustained winds of sufficient velocity
can cause deformation or twisting.
• Most manufacturers allow full operation
in winds of up to 35 to 40 mph (56 km/h
to 64 km/h)
• Wind speeds beyond 40mph (64 km/h)
can be very dangerous.
High Wind Conditions
8–24

• Most reliable – Calibrated wind-
measuring equipment
• Information relayed by dispatch center
• Internet resources
• Rough estimate using information in
Table 8.1
Determining Wind Speed
8–25

• Recommended by manufacturers of
older, light duty ladders
• Used in winds exceeding 35 mph (56
km/h)
• Attached to top end of fly section when
necessary to extend ladder 75 feet (23
m) or more
Guy Ropes
(Continued)
8–26

• Maintain tension in direction from which
wind is coming
• Sufficient size and strength
• Attached to object stronger than
dynamic stress
• Used only if manufacturer specifically
approves
Guy Ropes
8–27

• Result in increased viscosity of
hydraulic oil, slowing overall operation
of equipment
• Physical changes in properties of steel
structural members of device
Low Air Temperature
Conditions
8–28

• Precipitation and/or water droplets from
elevated master stream operation
• Reduces rescue capability and
adversely affects stability
• Damage to structural members or
auxiliary systems
Ice Formation
(Continued)
8–29

• Application of grease
– To exposed sliding surfaces – Effective to
prevent immediate ice adhesion
– Facilitates “shrugging off” – Extending and
retracting device
Ice Formation
8–30

Deicing
8–31

• Should be avoided
whenever possible
• Can be cooled by
protective water
hose streams
Exposure to Fire
8–32
Courtesy of District Chief Chris Mickal,
New Orleans (LA) FD Photo Unit

• Discoloration
• Disfiguration
• Deformed weld
• Improper mechanical response
• Heat sensors
Signs of Heat Damage
8–33

DISCUSSION QUESTION
What should be done when heat
damage is noted to the aerial
device?
8–34

• Leaking fuel
• Leaking hydraulic fluid
• Leaking water from engine
• Leaking motor oil
• Overheating of any component
• Unusual noises or vibrations
Aerial Device
Mechanical or Power Failure
(Continued)
8–35

• Odor of burning fluids
• Drifting of the aerial device when raised
• Overloading of the electric system
• Gauges indicating abnormality
Aerial Device
Mechanical or Power Failure
8–36

DISCUSSION QUESTION
What should be done if any of these
indicators are present?
8–37

Identify general safety guidelines for
operating telescoping aerial devices.
8–38

• Ladders are stronger when load is
applied perpendicular to rungs.
• Shock load imposes stress.
• If unable to extend ladder over exact
front or rear of a straight-chassis, try to
keep it as close to these positions as
possible.
Safe Operating Practices for
Telescoping Aerial Devices
(Continued)
8–39

• When placing ladder, always ease it
gently toward the objective.
• Ladder locks should be engaged and
hydraulic lock valves closed before
loading ladder.
• Aerial ladder should not be overloaded.
(Continued)
8–40

• Aerial ladder must never be used as a
battering ram.
• Do not exceed rated weight capacity of
platform.
• Weight of equipment mounted in
platform after delivery must be
considered when determining rated
capacity of platform.
(Continued)
8–41

• Strong winds will affect load capacity
and stability of aerial device.
• Aerial platform should not be used to lift
items heavier than its rated platform
capacity.
• Driver/operator unsure about safe
operating principles and limitations
should check operator’s manual.
(Continued)
8–42

• Never extend or retract with firefighters
on ladder.
• Be aware of overhead obstructions in
ladder’s path of travel.
8–43

Raise and lower a telescoping aerial
device.
Objective 4 is measured in Skill Sheet 8-1.
8–44

Summary
• Factors such as maintenance, operator
knowledge, and operator awareness
contribute to aerial device failure.
• With a superior training program and
strong fire department SOP’s, aerial
device failures may be eliminated.
8–45

Review Questions
1. What does “raising the aerial
device” mean?
2. What tasks should complete
prior to deploying an aerial device?
3. Why do some fire agencies prefer
that the firefighters in the platform
have primary control of the aerial
device? (Continued)
8–46

Review Questions
4. Why is it important to engage
the extension locks on an aerial
ladder?
5. What is the purpose of draining
the waterway system before lowering
an aerial device?
6. What are the safest conditions
under which an aerial device may be
operated?
(Continued)
8–47

7. Why may aerial ladders fail
when the ladder pipe is operated with
the ladder placed at a low angle of
elevation?
8. What are the keys to operating
at grade?
Review Questions
(Continued)
8–48

9. How does ice reduce rescue
capability?
10. For what signs of mechanical trouble
or impending failure must the
driver/operator continually watch?
Review Questions
8–49

Chapter 08

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