TECHNICAL CORRECTION

February 2002

Process Industry Practices

Structural

SAMPLE
PIP STF05501
Fixed Ladders and Cages

NOT FOR
COMMERCIAL USE
 PURPOSE AND USE OF PROCESS INDUSTRY PRACTICES

In an effort to minimize the cost of process industry facilities, this Practice has
been prepared from the technical requirements in the existing standards of major
industrial users, contractors, or standards organizations. By harmonizing these technical
requirements into a single set of Practices, administrative, application, and engineering
costs to both the purchaser and the manufacturer should be reduced. While this Practice
is expected to incorporate the majority of requirements of most users, individual
applications may involve requirements that will be appended to and take precedence
over this Practice. Determinations concerning fitness for purpose and particular matters
or application of the Practice to particular project or engineering situations should not
be made solely on information contained in these materials. The use of trade names
from time to time should not be viewed as an expression of preference but rather
recognized as normal usage in the trade. Other brands having the same specifications
are equally correct and may be substituted for those named. All Practices or guidelines
are intended to be consistent with applicable laws and regulations including OSHA
requirements. To the extent these Practices or guidelines should conflict with OSHA or
other applicable laws or regulations, such laws or regulations must be followed.
Consult an appropriate professional before applying or acting on any material
contained in or suggested by the Practice.

This Practice is subject to revision at any time by the responsible Function Team
and will be reviewed every 5 years. This Practice will be revised, reaffirmed, or
withdrawn. Information on whether this Practice has been revised may be found at
www.pip.org.

Process Industry Practices (PIP), Construction Industry Institute, The

University of Texas at Austin, 3925 West Braker Lane (R4500), Austin,
Texas 78759. PIP member companies and subscribers may copy this Practice
for their internal use. Changes, overlays, addenda, or modifications of any
kind are not permitted within any PIP Practice without the express written
authorization of PIP.

PIP will not consider requests for interpretations (inquiries) for this Practice.
PRINTING HISTORY
November 1994 Issued August 2000 Technical Correction
December 1999 Revision February 2002 Technical Correction

Not printed with State funds

 TECHNICAL CORRECTION
February 2002

Process Industry Practices

Structural

SAMPLE
PIP STF05501
Fixed Ladders and Cages
Table of Contents

1. Introduction .................................. 2 List of Details

1.1 Purpose ............................................. 2
1.2 Scope................................................. 2
2. References.................................... 2
2.1 Process Industry Practices................ 2
2.2 Industry Codes and Standards.......... 2
NOT FOR
2.3 Government Regulations................... 3
Side Elevation............................................ 4
Minimum Clearances at Unavoidable
Obstructions ...................................... 4
Minimum Clearances for Ladder Wells
and Platforms .................................... 4
Section A-A - Step Through....................... 5
Detail 1 - Rung Detail ................................ 5
Section B-B - Typical Cage ....................... 6

COMMERCIAL USE
3. Design........................................... 3
Ladder Cage at Elevated Platform ............ 6
Section C-C ............................................... 6
Side-Step Ladders ..................................... 7
Section D-D - Cage at Side Step............... 7
Detail 2 - Supporting Connection to
Concrete ............................................ 8
Detail 3 - Ladder Base Details................... 8
Detail 4 - Supporting Connection to
Steel................................................... 9
Detail 5 - Guide Connection to Steel ......... 9

Process Industry Practices Page 1 of 9

PIP STF05501 TECHNICAL CORECTION
Fixed Ladders and Cages February 2002

1. Introduction

1.1 Purpose
This Practice provides the fabricator and erector with a standard fixed ladder and
cage design to be used in process industry facilities. This Practice also provides
process industry companies with design guide information to be used in specifying
and locating fixed ladders and cages.

1.2 Scope

SAMPLE
This Practice shows the design details for fabrication and installation of typical
Occupational Safety and Health Administration-regulated ladders for structures,
miscellaneous platforms, and vessels for regular operational access/egress.
These details are intended to be issued to the fabricators supplying these ladders and
to the erectors for use in installation.
Any conflicts or inconsistencies between this Practice, the design drawings, or other
contract documents shall be brought to the attention of the buyer for resolution.

2. References
Applicable requirements in the following PIP Practices, codes and standards, and government
regulations shall be considered an integral part of this Practice. The edition in effect on the
date of contract award shall be used, except as otherwise noted. Short titles will be used
herein when appropriate.

2.1 Process Industry Practices (PIP)

NOT FOR
PIP STS05120 - Fabrication of Structural and Miscellaneous Steel
PIP STS05130 - Erection of Structural and Miscellaneous Steel

2.2 COMMERCIAL USE

Industry Codes and Standards

American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

ANSI A14.3 - American National Standard for LaddersFixedSafety
Requirements
American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM)
ASTM A36/A36M - Standard Specification for Carbon Structural Steel
ASTM A123 - Standard Specification for Zinc (Hot Galvanized) Coatings on
Products Fabricated from Rolled, Pressed, and Forged Steel Shapes, Plates,
Bars, and Strips
ASTM A307 - Standard Specification for Carbon Steel Externally Threaded
Standard Fasteners
ASTM A385 - Standard Practices for Providing High-Quality Zinc Coatings
(Hot-Dip)

Page 2 of 9 Process Industry Practices

TECHNICAL CORRECTION PIP STF05501
February 2002 Fixed Ladders and Cages

2.3 Government Regulations

The following government document has been used as a reference in the development
of this Practice.

U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Regulations 29 CFR 1910 Subpart D (Walking-Working Surfaces)
Modifications or deviations from this Practice should be reviewed by appropriate
personnel to assure compliance with applicable safety regulations and requirements
by state or local agencies that have jurisdiction where the ladder is to be erected.

SAMPLE
3. Design
3.1 The project design drawings and data sheets specify the location, orientation, and
safety gate (when required), and arrangement of ladders for regular operational use,
special fabrication details, and any changes to the requirements of this Practice.The
project design drawings and data sheets specify the ladder location and orientation,
whether or not a cage is required, special fabrication details, and any changes to the
requirements of this Practice. Unless noted otherwise on the contract documents, a
self-closing double bar safety gate, in conformance with OSHA, shall be provided for
all ladders.
3.2 All structural material shall be ASTM A36 steel unless otherwise noted.
3.3 The entire ladder shall be welded construction except as shown. All welds shall be
smooth, continuous, and sealed. Fabrication shall comply with PIP STS05120.
3.4 All ladder bolts shall be 5/8-inch (16-mm) ASTM A307 bolts unless otherwise noted.
3.5 Ladder rung design is based on a 200-pound (890-N) concentrated live load.
3.6
NOT FOR
Ladder connections are designed for a maximum total load (dead plus live) of
1000 pounds (4.4 kN) on one side rail.

COMMERCIAL USE
3.7 Cages shall be provided on ladders of more than 20 feet to a maximum unbroken
length of 30 feet. Ladder safety devices may be used on ladders over 20 feet in
unbroken length in lieu of cage protection. Cages shall be provided on ladders of
more than 20 feet to a maximum unbroken length of 30 feet;, where the length of
ladder refers to the vertical distance between landings. Also, cCages are also required
on ladders less than 20 feet in length whenre the ladder is located at an elevated
platform that does not provide adequate fall protection. Consideration of cage
protection for these applications should be made in the design process for each
particular case. Ladder safety devices may be used in lieu of the required cage
protection.
3.8 Ladder assemblies shall be coated after fabrication in accordance with the design
drawings and specifications governing the project.
3.8.1 Galvanizing (when required) shall be done after fabrication and in
accordance with PIP STS05120.
3.9 Erection of ladders shall comply with PIP STS05130.

Process Industry Practices Page 3 of 9

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