Why should you not ladder a Facade?

• A. If the fire runs the Facade, your exit is now gone
• B. Ladders are always safe on Facades
• C. The Facade is protected by shields
• D. Laddering Facade is recommended in most cases

Answer: (A)

Laddering a facade is risky because the exterior can become a fire path that rapidly drives flames and heat upward along the wall, endangering your ladder and your escape route. If the fire runs the outside of the building, the ladder and the window you’re using for egress can be overwhelmed by heat, smoke, or flame, potentially trapping you above the ground or knocking the ladder away. Materials used on facades, such as vinyl siding or EIFS, can ignite and spread quickly, and radiant heat can compromise ladder stability before you can descend. Because of that possibility, this tactic is not a safe default, and you shouldn’t rely on exterior ladders when the fire could travel up the facade. Your best option is to maintain a safe egress path or use alternative means that don’t rely on an exterior ladder under those conditions.