TUF LADDER

All TUF LADDER products are custom fabricated to your precise job requirements and are always designed to meet the requirements of OSHA and ANSI-A13.3. Fall arrest devices are typically furnished for ladders exceeding 24 feet.
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TUF LADDER is widely accepted by major design firms and general contractors engaged in factory/industrial work.
An aluminum fixed ladder at a wastewater treatment plant.
An aluminum industrial ladder the goes into a lowered area at a plant.
An aluminum fixed ladder that leads to an access hatch.

The pipe side rails can be configured to tie into the aluminum handrail for added rigidity and increased aesthetics. Also, the side rails can be furnished with a “mill” finish, pre-anodized aluminum finish or Safety Yellow Powder Coat to match our TUF RAIL aluminum component handrail. 

​Thompson Fabricating LLC’s TUF LADDER is the end result of experience gained, since 1953, when we began furnishing safety ladders to the construction industry.

Fixed Ladders

Features of TUF LADDER Fixed Ladders

  • Flat 1″ wide striated non-slip rung with semicircular bottom
  • Side Rail- 1-1/2″ Schedule 40 pipe
  • OSHA and ANSI-A14.3 Code Compliant
  • Rungs capacity 250 LBS. plus 30% impact
  • ​Finish – Rails (Mill, Clear Anodize, or Safety Yellow Powder Coat) rungs & brackets (mill finish)
Fall arrest systems, self-closing safety gates, and ladder-up safety posts are available to meet your specific project needs.

Drawings

A technical drawing of an aluminum fixed ladder with dimensions and lines to features.
A technical drawing of a Ladder Climb Out Device, which ads a place to grasp onto at the top of a fixed ladder.
A blowup technical drawing that details a ladder rung.

Specifications

Aluminum ladder shall be TUF LADDER as manufactured by Thompson Fabricating, LLC (Birmingham, AL.) or approved equal.

Rung Description
The rung shall be designed to provide a non-slip, “power grip” surface with a 1″ wide striated top surface and a semi-circular bottom. The straight sides and semi-circular bottom shall have striations at approximately 5/16″ centers for enhanced gripping. The rung shall be an aluminum extrusion, alloy 6063-T6, of sufficient section modulus and moment of inertia to withstand the design loads.

Side Rail Description
The side rails shall be 1 1/2″ schedule 40 aluminum pipe, alloy 6105-T5, 6063-T6 or 6061-T6. The pipe shall conform to ASTM B-429 or B-221.

Codes
The ladder shall meet the requirements of OSHA and ANSI A14.3

Design Loads

  • Ladder rungs shall be designed to withstand a concentrated load of 250 pounds plus 30% impact. Maximum rung deflection shall not exceed L/360. The design load shall be applied to a 4″ wide area
  • Ladder side rails shall be designed to withstand a minimum live load of two (2), 250 pound loads plus 30% impact concentrated between any two consecutive attachments

Testing
Submit test reports for the Engineer’s approval to verify design loads and deflections on the rungs and rung to side rail attachments. Testing to be verified by an independent testing laboratory. The design load, 325 pounds (250 x 1.3), shall be applied at the center of the rung on an area 4″ wide. The test rung will be attached to the side rails in the same manner as the production ladder. Design loads shall be applied and released a minimum of 200,000 times to demonstrate fatigue resistance and a safe extended service life. Deflection shall be checked periodically and shall not exceed L/360 at any time under full design load. At completion of testing the rung and attachments to the side rail shall be inspected for cracks, looseness, distortion, bending (permanent set) or other obvious damage.

Finish
Pipe for side rails shall have the same finish as the handrail if the ladder is located at an opening in the handrail. Rungs, cage and brackets are to be “mill” finish. 

Guarding Floor and Wall Openings and Holes [OSHA 1910.23(a)(2)]
The ladder walk through may require a self closing gate in accordance with OSHA 1910.23
Every ladderway floor opening or platform shall be guarded by a standard railing with standard toeboard on all exposed sides (except at the entrance to the opening), with the passage through the railing either provided with a swinging gate or so offset that a person cannot walk directly into the opening. Self-closing gates are required only where shown on the plans.
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Ladder Fall Arrest Systems [OSHA 1910.28(b)(9)(i)]

  • For new fixed ladders, over 24 ft, erected on or after November 19, 2018, the employer must equip the ladder with a ladder safety or personal fall arrest system.
  • For ladder repairs or replacements, when an employer replaces any portion of a fixed ladder, the replacement must be equipped with a ladder safety or personal fall arrest system.
  • For caged, fixed ladders erected before November 19, 2018, employers have up to 20 years to install ladder safety or personal fall arrest systems.
  • After November 18, 2036, all fixed ladders MUST be equipped with a ladder safety or personal fall arrest system​

Downloads

TUF Ladder Specs
TUF Ladder Drawing