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ANSI Ladder Types

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is an organization that has the objective of acting as the national institution which establishes, improves on and accredits certain standards. ANSI stands as an international non-treaty institute that publishes standards to which public health, welfare, environment, commercial and communications companies have conformed. ANSI has published its approved ladder types so that the make and safety of ladders could be consistent.
  1. Type I Industrial Stepladders

    • The ANSI has a type I industrial step ladder which measures 3-feet-by-20-feet. ANSI's type I ladders are fitted with a metal spreader or locking device which keeps the front and back sides of the ladders open and in a fixed position. This mechanism steadies the ladder for easier climbing. The distance between the top side rails at the inside should not be less than 11.5 inches. Heavy duty industrial ladders can weigh between 250 to 375 Ibs.

    Type II Commercial Stepladder

    • The type II commercial stepladder has a maximum height of 12 feet with the apex width of 3 feet and has similar features and definitions as type I, with locking devices to balance and fix the ladder in one position. The medium-duty commercial ladders can weigh up to 225 Ibs.

    Type III Household Ladder

    • The Type III household ladder has dimensions 3-feet-by-6-feet. This light duty ladder type carries about 200 Ibs. These ladders can be either wooden or metal, depending on preference. The ANSI definition of this ladder follows that the rails must interlock into one another.