Wooden ladders, which people have been using for more than one century, are gradually becoming a thing of the past. They were replaced by lightweight and durable structures made of aluminum alloys. They provide low weight of the stairs, their resistance to wear, as well as the absence of the need for care.
They are actively used to perform work at heights in both domestic and industrial conditions. Products made of aluminum are produced in different designs and, accordingly, with a different number of sections and steps.
In the manufacture of products that are intended for use in everyday life and in production, anodized aluminum is used. Designs made of this alloy are resistant to corrosion, which is determined by the properties of the metal. A thin oxide film forms on its surface, which provides protection for the base material.
To increase the safety of the people who use them, anti-slip plugs are installed at the ends of the supports. In addition, there are models, and on the steps of which are installed pads that prevent slipping. Also, in their manufacture, for more comfortable and safe work at height, wide steps are installed made of their corrugated aluminum sheet.
Retractable aluminum stairs, with their own low weight, can hold up to 150 kg of cargo. Such a product is guaranteed to last for many years.
In general terms, the design of the folding structure is as follows. The ends are attached to the guides by the ends. There are several mounting options - for rivets or for welding. Folding ladders consist of several such sections, which are interconnected by hinges with limiters mounted on them. Their role is to prevent spontaneous folding of the structure during operation.
Manufacturers of these products are guided in their activities by the requirements of GOST 26887-86. This document defines the general technical requirements for this type of product. So, aluminum sliding stairs and stepladders should have the following properties:
- High strength and reliability.
- Small overall weight parameters.
- Possess mobility and ease of installation.
- Ensure maximum safety of the person working on it.
Ladders
The main condition for the safe operation of such a product is the availability of a reliable support, for example, a wall. Manufacturers produce several options for the design of ladders:
- Telescopic.
- Retractable.
- Traditional.
The latter is the simplest but least functional design.
Ladder
For the use of a stepladder, there is no need for support. It is designed in such a way that it can stand autonomously and maintain balance on its own. The main condition is that the floor must be level, and all four supports on it must be securely installed.
Manufacturers have mastered the release of the following modifications of the stepladder:
- Classical
- Universal.
- Transformer.
What's better
Extensible aluminum stairs of 2 sections, popularly known as the “stepladder”, are needed in every household, especially in the countryside. They come in different sizes, and accordingly each of them may have a different number of steps.
The main advantage that distinguishes the stepladder from most other structures is the presence of the upper platform, which allows you to perform work without the threat of loss of balance. Especially it shows its merits when it is necessary to screw in a light bulb or to lay ceiling tiles in the middle of the room.
The sliding ladder has a simple structure, and a rubber stopper is installed on each leg. Due to their presence, such a product will stand stably on a slippery surface, for example, on a tile.
To ensure the safety of the person working on it, screeds are mounted between the consoles, which are necessary to prevent their spontaneous divergence. The dimensions of the average site are usually not less than 250 by 250 mm, which ensures a comfortable stay on it.
Features of retractable structures
Retractable stairs have a number of features. Let's consider some of them. The design is quite simple to fold out and assemble. It is very convenient to transport from place to place. The sliding ladder is not large and can be hidden anywhere, and when unfolded it can reach a length of 4 meters.
Different models of retractable stairs make steps of various sizes, which is important for ensuring human safety. For example, working with an electric tool on narrow steps is inconvenient, and therefore special wide steps are installed on some stairs.
Thanks to the material from which it is made, the design has small overall weight parameters. For its manufacture, aluminum and its alloys are used. But some parts are also made of steel, which allows it to withstand heavy loads.
A three-section sliding aluminum ladder can be used both as a classic ladder and as a stepladder.
How to choose an aluminum ladder
Before buying a ladder, a consumer must answer a few questions. First of all, you need to determine the height of the structure, and for this you need to understand at what height the work will be performed. For example, to the height of the house where the wiring will be installed.
When choosing a retractable ladder, it is necessary to take into account that due to the angle that occurs after the product is attached to the wall, the height will become less. It makes sense to buy a ladder longer than the highest point in the workplace.
If the height is small, for example, in a city apartment, then it will be enough to use a stepladder. If we are talking about high heights, then it makes sense to buy a 3 or 4 section staircase.
In the market of construction tools and equipment, you can choose a ladder that will fully meet the needs of the consumer. Similar products are produced by both domestic and foreign manufacturers. But we must remember that often domestic products do not differ from imported quality, but are much cheaper.
When buying a ladder, consumers often make mistakes that can adversely affect the safety of future work with her participation. But subject to a number of simple rules, they can be avoided:
- The desire to save. The consumer must understand that the ladder is not the product on which you can save. There are frequent cases when the market offers products below the average price, but here you need to think about how strong and reliable this design is.
- Illiterate length calculation. When installing the staircase at an angle, its working length will be reduced.
- In no case should you buy products that have already been in use. From a monetary point of view, this, of course, is beneficial, but you cannot check the “fatigue” of the metal.