scope:

This Standard applies to common types of portable ladders and includes design and performance-related requirements and tests. Guidelines for proper use and care of ladders are included as Appendices A and B.

Ladders covered by this Standard are intended for use by only one person at a time under normal conditions of usage, excepting only trestle ladders designed for use by two persons at the same time.

It is not the purpose of this Standard to specify details of design and construction of portable ladders. The requirements listed herein are intended to specify certain minimum characteristics of strength and stability deemed necessary for the safe use of portable ladders.

This Standard covers single-section ladders, multiple-section, and combination ladders but does not cover special-purpose ladders or ladder accessories such as ladder levelers, ladder stabilizers or stand-off devices, ladder jacks, or ladder straps or hooks, that may be installed on, or used in conjunction with ladders.

Metric units of measurement in this Standard are in accordance with the International System of Units (SI). if a value for measurement as given in this Standard is followed by an equivalent value in other units, the first stated is to be regarded as the requirement. A given equivalent value may be approximate.