Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How did the company evolve?

The company evolved from the United Kingdom fire and rescue Services Operational/Training/Specialist line rescue.
A need was highlighted for some type of rescue system using ladders, carry downs were not a safe option with the new foreseeable regulations.
The working at height regulations came in force on the 6th April 2005 consolidate previous legislation and implement European Directive 2001/45/EC, apply to work at height where there is a risk of a fall liable to cause personal injury.

A system of work that was simple and easy to operate, rapid in response and eliminate or reduce the risks whilst working at height or effecting a rescue.
A secure anchor point that could take a rescue load and an accidental dynamic load with safety factors built into the system (a safety margin for operator error).
To comply with current safety standards L.o.l.e.r. (lifting operations lifting equipment regulations) 1998 and the P.u.w.e.r. (provision and use of work equipment regulations).

The representatives of the U.K. Fire Service the C.F.O.A. and a presentation were given to them by the A.C.O. of the South Wales Fire & Rescue Service.
A.S. Ladder Company to agree that the system of work to be used on their ladders would not be detrimental this was undertaken by an A.C.O. of the South Wales Fire & Rescue Service along with the Deputy Prime Minister’s Engineer. A letter is being drafted first for the attention of C.F.O.A. and will be circulated shortly.
Lyon Equipment Ltd was presented with the system of work to be vetted being the main distributors of Petzl climbing and safety systems for the U.K. Several refinements were made to the system of work excluding the Load spreader anchor points to which they had no control over Lyon Equipment Ltd then supplied the first attack packs to the South Wales Fire & Rescue Service to be put on all front line appliances.

Also highlighted was a need for a secure anchor point this I had been working on for some time. Which has UK patent approval and an EC patent applied for (Load spreader). Now there was a need for a manufacturer with credibility in the manufacture of stainless steel and the rescue fraternity one came about Peter Bell of Bell Stretchers in Kendal Cumbria and Makefast Ltd of Newton Mid Wales. Peter Bell is renowned as building some of the strongest rescue stretchers in the UK and Makefast have some of the latest technology for steel cutting of profiles and finishing processes together they have produced a superior product.

Testing of the product was done by Lloyds Beal Test House and subjected to an EN test 1147 rung test (Ladders for fire service use) as the British Standards Institute informed the Company that at present there is no test for any ladder attachments. The test criteria called for a destructive test load of 500kg to be applied over 100mm to the centre of the rung for more than 60 seconds. When the same test was done with the Load spreader attached the ladder failed at 2.8t for the Load spreader 300 series and 2.2t for the Load spreader 500 series.

There was no detrimental effect to the Load spreader even though the ladder failed. This now gave the anchor points on the ladder a far greater safety ratio to undertake rescue loads and dynamic forces that might be applied due to operator error. The load spreader also reduces any wear to the ladder rung as any attachments do not come in contact with the ladder. The now dedicated points of attachment to the ladder can be clearly identified by the load spreader and forces are directed down the centre of the ladder for stability. A reduced setting up time can be achieved because of the simplicity of attachment points.