This section establishes the minimum requirements for the construction, care and use of fire department ground ladders.

(1) New ground ladders purchased after the effective date of this chapter must be constructed and certified in accordance with the 2004 edition of NFPA 1931, Standard on Design and Design Verification Tests for Fire Department Ground Ladders.

(2) Firefighters must climb and descend ground ladders with the fly in, for safety purposes, when not in conflict with the manufacturer's recommendations. Even when ladders are routinely used in the fly-out configuration, in adverse conditions firefighters must be permitted to climb and descend ground ladders with the fly in to assure secure footing.

(3) All ground ladders must be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations and visually inspected at least once a month and after every use. The following ladder components must be visually inspected:

(a) Heat sensor labels, if provided, for a change indicating heat exposure.

(b) All rungs for snugness and tightness.

(c) All bolts and rivets for tightness.

(d) Welds for any cracks or apparent defects.

(e) Butt spurs for excessive wear or other defects.

(f) Halyards for fraying or breaking.

(g) Roof hooks for sharpness and proper operation.

(h) Beam and rungs for punctures, wavy conditions, worn serrations or deformation.

(i) Surface corrosion.

(4) The following wood ladder components must be checked:

(a) Beams for dark streaks. When a wood ground ladder develops dark streaks in the beams, the ladder must be removed from service and service tested as specified in subsection (9) of this section.

(b) Loss of gloss on the protective finish of fiberglass or wood ladders, signifying damage or wear.

(5) Any sign of damage or defect during a visual inspection must be cause to remove the ladder from service until it has been repaired. Scratches and dents must not be cause for a ladder to fail a test if it passes the appropriate service test.

(6) If the heat sensor label has an expiration date, and that date has passed, the heat sensor label must be replaced.

(7) Whenever any ground ladder has been exposed, or is suspected of having been exposed to direct flame contact, or wherever the heat sensor label has changed to indicate heat exposure, the ladder must be service tested according to subsection (9) of this section.

(8) Temporary repairs must not be made to ground ladders.

(9) When ground ladders are tested, they must be tested in accordance with the strength service testing procedures of the 2004 edition of NFPA 1932, Standard on Use, Maintenance and Service Testing of In-Service Ground Ladders, section 7.2.