Cage ladder in aluminum

Two things to know:

1. In general, fall protection is required on fixed ladders taller than (or that extend beyond) 24 feet.
2. In the industry, although cages are still installed and used to this day, new regulations might soon disrupt the practice. Indeed, for OSHA and as of November 19th 2018, cages are no longer considered a compliant fall protection in newly installed fixed ladders. So, in order to meet OSHA standards, a personal fall arrest system or a ladder safety system is required. At the same date, it is required that a personal fall arrest system or ladder safety system will be used to replace any damaged or nonfunctioning section, cage, or well previously installed on a fixed ladder. As of November 19th 2036, cages will no longer be accepted as a form of fall protection and all fixed ladders taller than 24 feet high must use a personal fall arrest system or a ladder safety system.

In order to access heights in a secure way, the best solution will always be the ladder equipped with a vertical lifeline rail and self-locking mobile carriage, which is connected directly to the user's harness (personal fall protection equipment). Indeed, the cage itself cannot garantee that all falls will be avoided (with the consequences that one can imagine). However, in the case of emergency evacuations, a cage ladder will remain the most practical solution since it does not require personal equipments.

JOMY does not recommend this practice, the reason is simple: the arrest system that equips the vertical lifeline - a self-locking mobile carriage connected to the user's harness - requires a certain space to ensure proper functioning in the event of a fall. The presence of the cage itself could prevent it from triggering and therefore create a danger.

This is not the primary purpose of the cage, however the technical design of the latter allows it to withstand these loads if necessary. Should the user need to rest while climbing, we offer optional folding resting platforms that can be placed wherever desired along the height of the ladder.

For the same access height, the price of a cage ladder will be less than a staircase (which will be more practical) or a retractable ladder (which will be more discreet and secure) but greater than a fixed ladder without cage.

• Ladder with integrated lifeline and self-locking mobile carriage: the best fall protection system since the user is directly connected to a stopping mechanism.
• Retractable ladder: the most aesthetic and secure solution against intrusions, it looks like a drainpipe when in the "closed" position.
• Stairs: the most secure means of access, with the highest flow and greatest accessibility.

Yes, but keep in mind that an emergency ladder remains an alternative solution:

• If there is not enough space for a fire escape staircase (which is the preferred solution).
• If aesthetic and planning requirements require them.
• If the configuration of the building requires it.
• For cost reasons.

• The security door equipped with a padlock.
• The security door equipped with a padlock and an additional gate to block the cage entrance.
• Additional encaging (perforated sheet of aluminium) added to the bottom, outside of the cage, to prevent access from its sides.
• The counterbalanced drop-down ladder which allows the lower flight of the ladder to be slid up and locked out of reach.

• The access balcony: suspended from the facade or any other supporting structure, it allows the user to step onto the ladder safely, whatever the height above the ground.
• The telescopic handle(s): retractable handle allowing the user to hold onto something when entering or exiting the ladder when its height does not exceed the level to be reached. This option is commonly used for pit ladders or when an access hatch is present.
• Upright extensions: extension of the ladder uprights, with external bending (flaring), for the user to hold onto once the last rungs have been climbed or when accessing from the upper level.
• The parapet crossing platform (landing): made up of upright extensions, a platform equipped with guardrails and a second ladder, it allows the safe entry and exit from the ladder when the upper level includes a step, a roof parapet, or any other structure that must be crossed in complete safety.
• Weighted base guardrails: used as collective fall protection equipment, they serve to delimit and secure the access path to a ladder from a flat roof or platform.
• Horizontal extensions of the uprights: sort of guardrails fixed to the upright extensions to delimit the entrance / exit path above the ladder, without having to fix anything additional to the building.
• Safety gate: self-closing gate securing the access to the ladder.

• The 3/4 cage: allows lateral access to the ladder from a balcony or an intermediate level.
• The access balcony: suspended from the facade or any other supporting structure, it allows the user to reach the ladder in a safe way, whatever the height above the ground.

• The drop-down ladder: lower sliding flight used to put the ladder out of reach of unauthorized persons and to clear the ground floor. JOMY's system works with counterweights to allow for a smooth descent and easy raising of the sliding flight. The release can be initiated in two distinct and combinable ways, either from the top and/or the bottom.
• Security door: fitted with a padlock, it allows the ladder to be unclimable by preventing access to the lower rungs and, if it is fitted with a top gate, also to block access to the entrance of the cage itself.
• The 1/2 or 3/4 cage: used like a guardrail, this option secures lateral access to the ladder when a side gap has to be closed. In this case, the cage therefore starts at a height of less than 2.2 m.

The useful width corresponds to the width of the rungs between the uprights. At JOMY, we supply the width of 600 mm as standard, but other custom dimensions are also available on demand.

A JOMY fixed ladder passes the tests and examinations of standards ANSI A14.3 (4.2.1) and OSHA (1926.1053(a)(1)(iii)). The minimum design live load shall be two loads of 250 pounds each concentrated between any two consecutive attachments. Each step or rung in the ladder shall be designed for a single concentrated live load of 250 pounds minimum.

For a JOMY fixed ladder, the rungs have a center distance of 280 mm as standard. Other measurements are available on request.

Yes, at JOMY we use rungs that are ribbed both on top and bottom to guarantee maximum grip, both for the feet and for the hands.

You will find all the dimensions of our ladders in the official technical documents below:

• Cage ladder, width 600 mm (our standard size) - Useful dimensions
• Cage ladder, width 400 mm - Useful dimensions

If necessary, other dimensions are available on request.

We offer 3 types of cages. Depending on the needs, situation and technical feasibility, the three variants may be present on the same cage ladder:

• 1/2 cage: used when a side protection is required on one of the ladder's entrance or exit.
• 3/4 cage: used for lateral access at a given level.
• Complete 4/4 cage.

There is no height limit for a cage ladder. However, the OSHA standard states that a single flight cannot exceed 24 feet. Beyond this height, the ladder should be divided into several sections of no more than 24 feet each. These will be interconnected by intermediate resting platforms (or balconies) in order to allow the user to transit safely from one section to another.

Note that in certain situations this will not be feasible (because of the size of the cage itself for example), in which case we advise to opt for a ladder with an integrated lifeline equipped with folding rest platforms.

Aluminium has many advantages over steel: find them all in our dedicated page " Why aluminum? ".

Yes, we have indeed already built this type of ladder for our customers.

Yes, a paintjob with polyester powder coating is available as an option and in the RAL color of your choice.

JOMY cage ladders can be installed on many supports. Except in special settings, these methods will apply:

• Traditional wall in good shape: fixing with mechanical anchors and standard fixing brackets.
• Traditional wall in moderate shape: fixing via chemical anchors and standard fixing brackets.
• Sandwich panel: mechanical fixing with clamps placed on either side of the wall.
• Cladding and insulation: mechanical or chemical fixing (depending on the condition of the load-bearing wall) and use of a spacer - of the combined thickness of the insulation and the cladding - to connect the brackets to the load-bearing wall.
• Wall with plaster: mechanical or chemical fixing (depending on the condition of the load-bearing wall) and use of a spacer - of the combined thickness of the plaster plus insulation if present - to connect the fixing brackets to the load-bearing wall.

It is possible to fix a ladder at up to 1m from the façade. Beyond about 600mm it will be necessary to engineer a specially designed support structure in order to guarantee the rigidity of the whole.

Yes, we provide mounting brackets specially designed for this purpose.

We provide brackets equipped with stiffeners allowing the ladder to be suspended from the supporting structure. Obviously, it will be necessary for the latter to be able to bear the loads.

Via fixing clamps specially designed by JOMY and that connect the hoops to the uprights directly. Resistant and practical, they allow:

• A simple and quick assembly,
• Fine adjustments.

Not in the US, but installation can be done easily by any general contractor or equivalent that will follow our installation manual. Don't hesitate to contact us for help on whom to contact in your region.

To ensure safety, we strongly recommend a visual inspection of the anchors (and the condition of the load-bearing wall) every year or more, depending on the frequency of use.

If necessary, the ladder can be cleaned in order to remove environmental stains and residues. This can be done either with a pressure washer or by using standard household detergent, water and a soft sponge.