Page 74 - The City and Guilds Textbook: Plumbing Book 1 for the Level 3 Apprenticeship (9189), Level 2 Technical Certificate (8202) and Level 2 Diploma (6035)

The City & Guilds Textbook: Plumbing Book 1

There are three main classifications of ladder:

1 Class 1
2 Class EN 131
3 Class 3.

Each class indicates the safe working load that a ladder is designed to support,
which includes the weight of a single person plus their equipment. This is
referred to as the ‘maximum static load’. Table 1.11 describes the three main
ladder classifications.
 Table 1.11 Safe working loads for ladder classification

Maximum static
Classification Duty rating vertical load Application Symbol
Class 1 130 kg 175 kg Industrial – Class 1 ladders are the highest-
rated ladders in terms of strength and quality. CLASS
These ladders are suitable for use in heavy-duty I
industrial applications and environments. INDUSTRIAL
175 kg

Class EN 131 115 kg 150 kg Commercial – the European Standard EN 131 is
a Europe-wide classification and replaced the old CLASS
British Class II Ladder Standard. Within the UK EN 131
this classification is known as BS EN 131. Ladders COMMERCIAL
of this type are most suitable for commercial light 150 kg
trade work and heavy-duty DIY use.
Class 3 95 kg 125 kg Domestic – Class 3 ladders are suited only
to occasional light domestic use and are not CLASS
suitable for use within any commercial or trade III
environment. DOMESTIC
125 kg

The standards detail factors such as dimensions, markings, and testing requirements
such as deflection, torsion, rigidity, straightness, loading and performance.
Ladders should be colour coded to provide a simple visual indication of their
classification:

● Class 1 ladders are marked in blue
● Class EN 131 ladders are marked in green (or yellow)
● Class 3 ladders are identified by the colour red.

Colour identification can often be found on the rubber feet of ladders
and steps and/or the user instructions and warning labels on the stiles.

Types of ladder

There are several types of ladder available.
Pole ladders are generally made of timber. The stiles are cut from one tree
trunk sliced down the middle. This ensures strength and durability. Pole
ladders are used on fixed ladder installations for access to scaffolds and can
be up to 12 m in length. Some pole ladders have wire reinforcement to provide
extra strength. They have a Class 1 rating and will safely support a maximum
load of 175 kg.

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