Wanted-- 10mtr wire ladder
- Thread starter stealth
- Start date
hell little caver
New member
Hi Stealth,
It may make more financial sense to join a local club (Wessex / BEC) and then use their tackle.
Just a thought.
Stu.
It may make more financial sense to join a local club (Wessex / BEC) and then use their tackle.
Just a thought.
Stu.
Smithers
New member
The UNCC has loads of Electron ladders, not sure what lengths we have as we haven't used them for ages. In fact I can't really find much documentation on them. except an old inventory sheet from 1988.
Does anyone know if these have been left in a dry store whether they would still be safe, or even ethical to sell them to someone? They're all coiled up, would that affect the metal or possibly have caused them to fatigue in 1 direction?
Anyway if people think they're safe I'll talk to our president and we might be able to sort you something out, because they're just knocking about atm.
Smithers
Does anyone know if these have been left in a dry store whether they would still be safe, or even ethical to sell them to someone? They're all coiled up, would that affect the metal or possibly have caused them to fatigue in 1 direction?
Anyway if people think they're safe I'll talk to our president and we might be able to sort you something out, because they're just knocking about atm.
Smithers
Smithers said:
Speaking as an absolute non-scientist (and, therefore, not really knowing what I'm taking about!), I think you can be fairly certain that the coiling will have affected the strength of the metal to an extent. However, assuming they withstand a couple of people hanging together on them, since they will always be used with a lifeline (won't they??), I wouldn't have the slightest problem using them.
I bet you're not the only University club with loads of ladders spare. You are probably aware that ladders seem to go for at least ?35 each on E-bay ... think of the rope you could buy with that!
Charlie
New member
damian said:
there will be no loss of strength if the ladders were stored under reasonable conditions [in this case (low stress deformation/creep) reasonable conditions means less than 40% of the metals melting temperature, ie less than 550c]
I think that you would be fulfilling your moral obligations if prior to selling them you proof loaded them by hanging a couple of people off them, a proof load of 120-150kg for a ladder should indicate that there is no immediate problem with using them. especially as they will be used with a lifeline!
You also need to check very carefully for broken strands, tight ferrules and undistorted/ worn thimbles, undistorted c links (if present), and check whatever type of rung attachment was used. The wire immediately each side of the rungs and by the ferrules is a common area for damage and/or broken strands. Twist the wire lay apart and check for corrosion. If you find a hemp core, (and we don't know the age of the ladders - so could have), bin them.
Applying a load only checks for that instance and of course too much load will break something. A thorough visual check is a better indication of condition.
From time to time questions like this appear on the forum.
The BCA website gives links to equipment check schedules from the main manufactures.
However, cave and mountain rescue teams send equipment officers on a one day Equipment Inspection course. To have someone trained in equipment inspection delivering a course is by far a better way.
Might it not be a good idea if the BCA could part fund and organise these for member clubs on a regional basis?
This would not require other than BCA organising the venue, (via clubs?), not delivering the course - there are professionals to do this.
I am sure a lot of club tackle officers would benefit and equipment inspection knowledge would trickle down.
Jopo
Applying a load only checks for that instance and of course too much load will break something. A thorough visual check is a better indication of condition.
From time to time questions like this appear on the forum.
The BCA website gives links to equipment check schedules from the main manufactures.
However, cave and mountain rescue teams send equipment officers on a one day Equipment Inspection course. To have someone trained in equipment inspection delivering a course is by far a better way.
Might it not be a good idea if the BCA could part fund and organise these for member clubs on a regional basis?
This would not require other than BCA organising the venue, (via clubs?), not delivering the course - there are professionals to do this.
I am sure a lot of club tackle officers would benefit and equipment inspection knowledge would trickle down.
Jopo
cap n chris
Well-known member
Excellent advice and a thoughtful suggestion.
If you aren't desperate for the money, hold onto them. They'll keep well. In a couple of years' time the next exec might decide to take ladder trips with their freshers (or whatever). I suspect that once they're gone, you wouldn't be able to replace them (i.e. because they fetch good money...).Smithers said:
Just a thought...
Ian.
p.s. you've got a PM
