Use and Care Manual

FIBERGLASS LADDER TECHNICAL MANUAL
8
SPECIAL ELECTRICAL TESTS
Time Applied Voltage
After Spray Wood Fiberglass Wood Fiberglass
10 minutes 5 KV 50 KV 1000 0.50
20 minutes 5 KV 50 KV 810 0.45
30 minutes 5 KV 50 KV 605 0.40
60 minutes 5 KV 50 KV 130 0.35
120 minutes 5 KV 50 KV 27 0.30
180 minutes 50 KV 50 KV 260 0.30
240 minutes 50 KV 50 KV 170 0.29
300 minutes 50 KV 50 KV 140 0.29
2. DC leakage current as related to conditioning for 10" electrode spacing, 80%
relative humidity conditioned at 22° C.
Applied Voltage
Time Wood Fiberglass Wood Fiberglass
As Received 90 KV 90 KV 7.0 1.0
24 hours 50 KV 90 KV 48.0 1.4
48 hours 50 KV 90 KV 67.0 1.9
72 hours 50 KV 90 KV 120.0 2.4
3. Fiberglass (FRP) ladder DC current leakage related to conditioning and electrical spacing
80% relative humidity, conditioned at 22° C.
Time Applied Voltage 20" 40" 60"
As Received 100 KV 0.75 0.65 0.55
24 hours 100 KV 1.10 0.80 0.75
48 hours 100 KV 1.50 1.10 1.00
72 hours 100 KV 2.10 1.40 1.20
DC LEAKAGE CURRENT (MICROAMPERES)
DC LEAKAGE CURRENT (MICROAMPERES)
DC LEAKAGE CURRENT AT
ELECTRODE SPACING OF: (MICROAMPERES)
A fire retardant resin is not employed in fiberglass ladder rails as its use would
seriously reduce outdoor weathering qualities.
Two (2) tests are used to evaluate combustibility or flammability:
1. Oxygen Index (ASTM D2863) which is laboratory procedure. Bell Labs prefer materials
whose index is 28% or better. Wood ladders test at 20.0% — 21.6% depending upon
the species. Werner Co. fiberglass rails test at 20.5% minimum.
2. Werner Co. developed a field propane burner test. Craftsmen commonly use a
propane torch on cable strand repair. The flame, for test purposes, was directed at the
rails. The results were:
a. At a 6" spacing, there was no char or discoloration up to 5 seconds.
b. At a 3" spacing, the rail was exposed to the torch in separate locations for time
periods ranging from 5 seconds through 2 minutes.
1) 5 seconds created limited burning and char.
2) The degree of burning and extent of char increases with time exposure.
Flame extinguishes itself rapidly through 30 seconds exposure.
3) At a 1 or 2 minute exposure, the flame and smoke fumes will continue for
sometime but finally extinguishes itself.
When the flame or heat source was taken away, the ladder rail would not continue to burn.
FLAMMABILITY TESTS
1. DC leakage current after water spraying sample for 5 minutes, wiped dry and
tested. The electrodes were 50" apart.