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They mention that their data actually admits the opposite, that they're less economical, costing about $100/foot. They don't mention what the alternative ladder

by d2viant 16y ago

They mention that their data actually admits the opposite, that they're less economical, costing about $100/foot. They don't mention what the alternative ladders cost, but it sounds like their argument is because wood ladders gain them advantages that others don't: nonconductive material, heavier weight against winds, etc.

Retric 16y ago
They also say that they last several times as long. Considering they have a large stock to begin with spending buying a 30' ladder @ 100$ / foot vs 30$ a foot X 3 replacements works out to about the same amount of money. http://www.duosafety.com/price_list.html http://www.duosafety.com/price_list.html
anthonyb 16y ago
According to the video they're $100/foot, but last a long time. Update: check starpilot's link here: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1854136 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1854136, which has a lot more information on the reasoning behind the use of wood.
- electromagnetic 16y ago
  I work on decade old aluminum ladders on a daily basis, I fail to see how wooden ladders last longer under regular conditions. An aluminum ladder conducts electricity, but also conducts heat. I let a ladder on a black shingle roof one day in the middle of summer and I had to get gloves to hold it long enough to literally throw it off the roof. > "You don't want to use a 50-foot lightweight aluminum ladder in heavy winds -- it's too dangerous," Cohane said. Can and do, but fixing the feet and using tie-offs isn't exactly practical for firefighters. > The largest ladder they make is 50 feet, weighs 350 pounds and takes six firefighters to lift. Compare this to the largest ladder we use, which is IIRC 40 feet and is easily moved by one man if done properly (we've had guys fall with them before).
anamax 16y ago
> advantages that others don't: nonconductive material, heavier weight against winds, etc. There are other large US cities with wind, one is even known as the "Windy City" (although it isn't the windiest). All of them need nonconductive and heat resistant. So, what makes SF's ladder needs unique?

by d2viant 16y ago

Retric 16y ago

They also say that they last several times as long. Considering they have a large stock to begin with spending buying a 30' ladder @ 100$ / foot vs 30$ a foot X 3 replacements works out to about the same amount of money. http://www.duosafety.com/price_list.html http://www.duosafety.com/price_list.html

anthonyb 16y ago

According to the video they're $100/foot, but last a long time. Update: check starpilot's link here: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1854136 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1854136, which has a lot more information on the reasoning behind the use of wood.

electromagnetic 16y ago
I work on decade old aluminum ladders on a daily basis, I fail to see how wooden ladders last longer under regular conditions. An aluminum ladder conducts electricity, but also conducts heat. I let a ladder on a black shingle roof one day in the middle of summer and I had to get gloves to hold it long enough to literally throw it off the roof. > "You don't want to use a 50-foot lightweight aluminum ladder in heavy winds -- it's too dangerous," Cohane said. Can and do, but fixing the feet and using tie-offs isn't exactly practical for firefighters. > The largest ladder they make is 50 feet, weighs 350 pounds and takes six firefighters to lift. Compare this to the largest ladder we use, which is IIRC 40 feet and is easily moved by one man if done properly (we've had guys fall with them before).

anamax 16y ago

> advantages that others don't: nonconductive material, heavier weight against winds, etc. There are other large US cities with wind, one is even known as the "Windy City" (although it isn't the windiest). All of them need nonconductive and heat resistant. So, what makes SF's ladder needs unique?