Ships Ladders Buying Guide
In commercial, industrial, retail, and residential facilities, ladders are an important accessory as they provide instant access to elevated spaces. Now, where standard stairs are found to be too big, the more compact-sized ships ladders are the recommended alternative, both by OSHA and ANSI, two regulatory bodies that advocate for safety in the workplace.
Data centers, too, have come to rely on these ship ladder units for accessing equipment and elevated rooms for service and maintenance purposes.
Buying ships ladders
If you’re shopping for a ship ladder unit for the first time, understand that not all ship ladders you see being sold online and in brick-and-mortar showrooms are designed, built, and manufactured the same way. You must be picky about what you choose, whether you’re an experienced building or roofing contractor, a spec writer, an architect, or a safety engineer.
On that note, here are a few buying tips from Alaco Ladder, the most trusted ladder manufacturer in the country for over 100 years:
1. Choose your brand or manufacturer wisely
The very first thing you must consider when shopping for a ship ladder unit for your worksite is the brand or manufacturer. You want someone who’s been in the business for a long time because often, longevity is a good indication of a manufacturer’s commitment to quality and excellence. Suffice it to say that they wouldn’t have lasted that long if people didn’t trust them.
2. Know specific OSHA standards that cover ships ladders
Since workers’ safety is a priority, don’t just take the word of the manufacturer for it; inspect the units yourself to make sure they follow OSHA standards. Usually, a company’s safety officer will know these OSHA standards, so make sure to have them inspect the ship’s ladders before making a purchase.
3. Aluminum vs steel
In the world of ladders for offices and job sites, two primary materials are being used: aluminum and steel. These days, professionals choose aluminum over steel because of its longevity, lightweight characteristics, sturdiness, and durability. These ladders are more portable than steel, making them easy to transport to the workplace and install immediately.
Additionally, aluminum, according to experts and professionals, is the new material for the Modern Age, which is why aluminum ships ladders are now preferred over steel.
Alaco Ladder’s Heavy Duty Aluminum Ladders are as strong as steel ladders but lighter, easier to handle, install, maintain, and more sustainable than steel. Alaco also manufactures and assembles Fall Arrest Systems, the newest things in access solutions.
Call Alaco Ladder at (888) 310-7040 to discuss your access needs. You may also out fill out the Contact Form here.