To make a ladder in Advance Steel, rotate the UCS so the ladder will face the right way, start Cage Ladder (Home tab > Extended Modeling panel), pick the bottom point and then a point for the height. The dialog opens, where you set the width, stringers, rungs, wall connections, exit and cage. The same tool makes simple ladders without a cage.
Fixed ladder rung spacing, clear width, clearances and fall protection are set by OSHA and the building code. Check the current rules, the project specs and the engineer of record before you detail a real ladder.
Where is the Cage Ladder tool?
Home tab > Extended Modeling panel > Cage Ladder:
Extended Modeling tab > Structural Elements panel > Cage Ladder:
Why does my ladder face the wrong way?
The ladder is built with its bottom at the current UCS origin, in the +X +Y quadrant. You can move a ladder after it’s created, but you can’t rotate it. So rotate the UCS around Z before you place the ladder.
The UCS tools are in the Advance Steel Tool Palette (Home tab). Go to the UCS section and use Rotate UCS around Z.
More on this in UCS in Advance Steel explained.
Can I make a simple ladder without a cage?
Yes. The Cage Ladder tool makes both. With the cage set to None, you get a simple ladder.
How do I place a ladder?
- Set the UCS (see above).
- Start Cage Ladder.
- Pick the start point (the bottom of the ladder).
- Pick a second point for the height. You can change it in the dialog later.
The dialog opens:
How do I set the ladder size, rungs and connections?
Ladder
- Height extension. How far the ladder extends above the top.
- Width layout. Width measured to the inside, outside or center of the stringers.
- Width. The ladder width. If the connection box turns red after you type it, other values don’t fit that width. Adjust the cage.
Sections
The stringer and rung sections.
Rung distances
- Distance layout. Rung spacing measured from the bottom, middle or top.
- Position. Rung position from the bottom or top.
- Start distance. Distance to the first rung.
- Spacing by. By distance between rungs, or by number of rungs.
- Rest distance. The leftover distance.
- Offset on top. Moves the top rung up (positive) or down (negative).
Additional rungs
Usually needed when you extended the ladder with Height Extension. Off by default; check Additional rungs to turn them on, then set the start distance (from the last rung) and the spacing.
Rung connection
- Connection at side 1. Flush (rungs flush with the inside of the stringers), Straight (rungs straight to the stringers) or Extended (rungs go through the stringers; set the extension at each side and the hole gap).
- Same for other side. Uses the same connection on the other stringer. On by default.
- Offset. Offsets the rungs from the middle of the stringers.
Wall connection
None by default. The options:
- Section. A steel section to the wall. Pick the section and set the wall distance.
- Folded plate. A bent plate to the wall, with a wall distance.
- Plate. A flat plate; set its thickness and height.
Then set the Positioning on the stringer, the Start distance (from the bottom or top), the Spacing between brackets and any Offset along ladder.
How do I set the ladder exit?
Ladder exit
Exit type is Straight by default. There are five more:
Ladder dimensions
The exit dimensions on this tab change with the exit type.
How do I add a cage?
General
- Cage. The cage type. None by default.
- Height to the first brace. From the bottom of the ladder to the first cage hoop.
- Double up start. Doubles the first hoop; set the Distance between doubles.
- Create intermediate brace. Adds an intermediate hoop at the start.
- Finish cage at exit level. With a height extension, stops the cage at the exit level.
- Brace section. The hoop section.
Brace distances
- Distance for first brace different. Lets the first hoops have their own spacing.
- Distance 1st to intermediate. Only with an intermediate brace.
- Spacing by. Distance between hoops or number of hoops.
- Offset at top. Offset for the top hoop.
Brace dimensions and connections
Brace dimensions sets the hoop size. Create as poly beam makes each hoop one part; unchecked, the straight and curved pieces are separate parts welded together.
Brace connection sets whether hoops are welded or bolted to the stringers, and Brace connection details sets the bolt or weld values.
First bottom brace
If the first hoop isn’t Same as other, these tabs set its own size and connection. The bottom hoop usually has a bigger radius than the rest.
Bands
The vertical bars of the cage.
- Band location. Inside, outside or in the middle of the hoops.
- Separate bands. One band running through all cages, separate bands per hoop, or per cage. Per cage is easier to control, especially with a cage at the exit too.
- Gap. With per-hoop or per-cage bands, the gap at the start and end of the bands.
- Band sections. The band size.
- Number on the straight part, Start straight distance and Straight intermediate distance. Bands on the straight part of the hoop.
- Number on outside part, Create middle band and Angle. Bands on the curved part.
Band connection sets how the bands attach.
How do I set the top cage and exit opening?
The Exit category works like the cage tabs, with two differences: the top cage and the opening post.
Top cage
Only with a straight exit and Finish cage at exit level checked. You can choose from four cage types, with a left or right exit.
Exit braces and bands
Opening post
Only with a cage type that has an opening.
- Same as stringer. Uses the stringer section for the post. Uncheck to pick another.
- Offset from exit level.
- Height layout. Same as stringer, Distance from brace or Total height.
What rules apply to fixed ladders?
For general industry, OSHA’s 29 CFR 1910.23 says fixed ladder rungs are spaced 10″ to 14″ on center, have at least 16″ clear width, and have at least 7″ from the rung centerline to the wall behind. Side rails of through or side-step ladders extend at least 42″ above the landing.
Cages are being phased out. Under 29 CFR 1910.28(b)(9), fixed ladders that extend more than 24′ above a lower level and were installed on or after November 19, 2018 need a personal fall arrest system or a ladder safety system; a cage alone doesn’t count. By November 18, 2036, every fixed ladder over 24′ needs one. Construction work and the building code have their own rules (29 CFR 1926.1053 and IBC 1011.16), so check which ones apply to your project.
What mistakes should I avoid with ladders?
- Forgetting the UCS. You can’t rotate a ladder after it’s placed.
- A cage on a new tall ladder. On a new fixed ladder over 24′, the spec probably calls for a ladder safety system. Ask before you detail a cage.
- Rung spacing that doesn’t match the floor-to-floor height. Check the top rung lines up with the landing.
- Wall bracket spacing by guess. Bracket size and spacing come from the engineer.
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