Which NFPA standard covers the use, maintenance, and service testing of in-service fire department ground ladders?

• A. NFPA 1561
• B. NFPA 1932
• C. NFPA 1901
• D. NFPA 1051

Answer: (B)

Ground ladders that firefighters use every day must be kept safe through regular inspections, proper maintenance, and periodic service testing. The standard that governs these activities for in-service ground ladders is NFPA 1932. It lays out how to inspect ladders for damage or wear, how and when to perform maintenance or repairs, and how to conduct service testing to verify the ladder remains safe and reliable for use in real incidents. This ensures ladders perform as expected during climbs, rescues, and other operations, reducing the risk of failure.

The other standards cover different areas: one focuses on incident management and emergency response organization, another addresses the equipment and performance requirements of firefighting apparatus, and the last relates to qualifications for wildland firefighters. None of those specifically prescribe the use, maintenance, and service testing of in-service ground ladders, so NFPA 1932 is the one that applies here.