Fixed Ladder Regulations UK - What You Need To Know: Installation & Use

17 Feb

Fixed ladders (also known as a fixed vertical ladder or fixed access ladder) are common on many tall buildings and construction sites as well as large scale industry structures such as sewage works, petrochemical plants, and oil rigs across the UK - yet many people mistakenly believe that once they’re installed they can simply be forgotten about. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Fixed ladders used for roof access are bound by strict regulations in the UK, both in terms of their installation and their use.

Failing to adhere to these regulations can be costly if individuals working at height at your building or work site slip or fall because of your negligence. You could face prosecution and hefty fines, not to mention the damage to your reputation.

Now, we don’t say these things to scare you. We say it because we know what can happen when access ladders fixed into position aren’t done so in line with work at height regulations. Improper installation and improper maintenance can lead to avoidable injuries and deaths. Relying on our team at Altus Safety to install and maintain your fixed ladders is the best thing you can do to keep everyone safe. But it’ll also help if you’re familiar with fixed ladder regulations, too.

What Are The Key UK Fixed Ladder Regulations?

Fixed access ladders are bound by a few key regulations in the UK. The first, and most obvious, is the Work at Height Regulations (2005). This has since been enhanced by BS 4211:2005+A1:2008 and BS EN ISO 14122-4:2016.

We won’t bore you with the details of exactly what’s covered in each of these regulatory frameworks, but they all have very clear information regarding the design, installation, and maintenance of fixed ladders in the UK.

Interestingly, from a safety perspective, it’s advised that access ladders should only be used when no other suitable access is present on site, for example internal or external fixed staircases or lifts. That’s because even when installed correctly, human error can cause accidents with access ladders.

It might seem like overkill to some, but the importance of proper access ladder use training cannot be overstated. We offer training for workers to ensure they know how to properly use a range of roof access, fall protection, and fall arrest systems via our Altus 360 program. Contact our team to ensure those working at your site are up to date with their height safety training today.

What Are Fixed Ladders?

Fixed ladders are any permanent roof access solution used for a building or site. They’re common at a range of tall buildings, warehouses and factories and on construction sites around the UK.

We offer a full range of fixed ladder installations, which all adhere to the latest regulations and requirements including:

The right access ladder for you can only really be chosen following a thorough risk assessment to determine the best way to ensure safe access at your site/building.

Specific Requirements For Fixed Access Ladders

As a fixed ladder installation company, we guarantee that all our fixed access ladders meet the latest regulations and requirements. But that probably doesn’t mean much to you. So below we’ll break down just some of the specific requirements fixed roof access ladders must meet in order to be compliant, so you know what to expect if you choose us to install a system at your site:

The ladder can’t be installed if a conventional staircase is practical to prevent unnecessary risk
It must be stable and rigid to protect worker safety
It must be of sound construction (typically a mild steel or aluminium), fixed into position securely and properly maintained
Stiles must extend to the height of guarding
It can not extend more than 6m without a landing - if a taller ladder is required suitable platforms must be installed along the way
Handrails must extend 1100mm above any final landing or intermediate landing to protect workers as they disembark
Where necessary, the ladder must have hoops installed
Hoops must be a maximum of 900mm apart for hooped ladders
Width between ladder strings is between 300mm and 600mm - with 400mm considered the gold standard
Fall protection must be installed if there is a risk of falling more than 2m - a safety cage is usually standard for these taller ladders
Rungs must be able to withstand 1.5kN and have a diameter of 20-35mm
The rise between each rung must be between 225mm and 300mm
200mm of clear space must be present behind each rung
The top rung should be level with the platform
On the user side, clear space should be 600mm

Your Role In Getting Your Fixed Ladder Installation Right

The vast majority of those requirements really only concern us as the access ladder provider and installer. We have to make sure that your ladder is designed and constructed properly - and thorough safety tests have been carried out to confirm this - and we have to install the ladder in a suitable location to ensure all conditions are met for safe usage.

Ensuring you find a reputable installer is your first step. Your workers’ safety is at risk if you have a fixed ladder installed by someone who isn’t competent. Our installation team are all highly experienced with the appropriate training and knowledge to back it up. We also have a 100% height safe record, so you know you’re dealing with a reputable company if you choose us.

But there’s also another requirement that concerns you.

It must be of sound construction (typically a mild steel or aluminium), fixed into position securely and properly maintained

We’ll take care of the first part, but ensuring your fixed ladder is properly maintained is key. Having an access ladder installed properly is the first step, but without appropriate maintenance it can quickly fall into disrepair. Thankfully, we offer a reminder service at Altus Safety, whereby we contact you a few months before a maintenance review and compliance test is due to arrange a date and time that suits.

How Often Do Access Ladders Need Compliance Testing?

In accordance with PUWER 1998 and British Standard - BS EN 795 & BS 7883 2019, all height safe equipment needs to be safety tested at least once every 12 months. We offer safety ladder compliance testing services that ensure your access ladder meets the latest standards and height safe requirements.

It's worth noting that this forms part of your maintenance requirements, but you must also regularly inspect the access ladder before and after every use, and if there are any issues at all, take the ladder out of action until a trained professional can identify and rectify the issues.

Fixed Ladder Regulations UK: Final Thoughts

Knowing every regulation as it relates to fixed ladders in the UK isn’t your job as a site or building owner - that’s ours as working at height experts and safety installers. But it is your job to make sure that any roof access installation is carried out by a professional, reputable team and to organise regular inspection and maintenance of the ladder to protect workers at your site.

Contact our team today if you have any concerns over your fixed ladder installations, require a new installation, or are due compliance testing.