Just how do fibre glass step ladders keep me safe?

While we didn’t want to get to scientific about the answer, the question it’s self is not a straight forward yes/no answer. So we have tried to keep it as simple as we can. So here is our top fibre glass step ladders experts answer…

1), In general if electricity touches a ladder it would not pass through you and you would be safe in any case. However, if electricity touched you, and if the ladder could conduct then the electricity may flow through you on its way to the ladder and to the earth. The fibreglass ladder is an insulator. So very little current can flow through it. Which in turn means that very little current could flow through you. And that prevents you from being electrocuted in such a situation.

2) Modern ladders are generally constructed from three materials: wood, aluminium and fiberglass. While each type of ladder has its benefits and trade-offs, a fibreglass ladder does have some advantages to consider.

Perhaps the biggest advantage a fibreglass ladder has over its aluminium counterpart is resistance to electricity. Even though a fibreglass ladder may use aluminium rungs, the rungs themselves are kept separate. Fibreglass does not conduct electricity, so it is much safer to use around power lines than highly conductive aluminium.

A fibreglass ladder is also constructed from man-made material, which gives it an advantage over wooden ladders. Natural materials like wood can have significant variations in quality, so a weaker wooden ladder rung or support beam could fail without warning. Fibreglass beams are uniform and inherently strong. Aluminium may be more consistent than wood, but different manufacturers use different grades of aluminium A cheaper aluminium ladder could bend under a load.

Many handymen and construction workers find that fibreglass step ladders are more resistant to adverse weather conditions. Wood ladders can eventually rot after a few cycles of wet and dry exposure. A fibreglass ladder does not absorb moisture or weaken significantly in the sun.

A fibreglass ladder is also flame resistant, making it ideal for fire-fighters scaling smaller buildings. Fibreglass will scorch and briefly glow under a direct heat source, but will self-extinguish after that source is removed. Aluminium ladders may also be more flame resistant than wood, but they can conduct electricity transferred by water. The main drawback of a fibreglass ladder is weighted versus size. Fibreglass is heavier than either wood or aluminium, so it cannot be used in long extension ladders.

A fibreglass ladder may not be completely problem-free, but it does offer a more durable alternative to natural wood and a safer alternative to conductive aluminium If height or weight is a serious consideration, then fibreglass may not be preferable to wood or aluminium But by and large home-owners do not need extremely tall ladders to perform most chores, so the overall shelf life and inherent strength of a fibreglass ladder may be ideal.

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