Ferrara’s ladders and platforms all have wide, easy to climb aerial sections.  The electrical wiring is run through the base cord to keep the climbing sections clear.  Pulleys are always sheaved to prevent gear from being caught when cables are moving. 

Handrail heights exceed NFPA requirements and are at a natural, comfortable height for climbing.  Ferrara aerials all top out at a 72 degree climbing angle, making it safe and easy to climb or descend.

Our aerial ladders and platforms are all designed with a substantial number of safety interlocks.  Ladders have a system to prevent accidental retraction of the ladder when someone is at the tip.  All aerials have cab and body collision interlocks to prevent the aerial from coming into contact with the apparatus structure. 

Also, each model has rotation interlock to allow the operator and another firefighter to short jack the aerial, should the fire ground require.  The aerial cannot be rotated out of the cradle until it has sufficiently cleared the vehicle. The aerial ladder positional waterway cannot be activated when the ladder is not fully retracted.

Each aerial ladder features an 11 degree downward angled egress section, making entry to a window or roof top much safer.  And because the egress section is bolt on, if it comes in contact with a structure and is damaged, it is easily and inexpensively replaced.

Ferrara’s rubber covered rungs are slip resistant, giving firefighters sure footing with climbing or descending the ladder or platform.  The rubber covers are designed for the life of the aerial and are attached with a spray adhesive and slip on metal cleat.

One of the most important safety features on Ferrara aerials is our LED blue light rung illumination.  Flooding the area around with soft, blue light, the climbing area is fully illuminated for maximum safety.  Because the light is blue, you will not have any adjustment period for your eyes.  Why settle for iridescent paint?

Today, the topic of positional waterways is a hot one in the fire service.  Some manufacturers use a pin or shifter that requires the operator to walk out to the tip of the ladder and reposition.  Ferrara’s electric actuator is located at the turntable, meaning the operator does not have to walk the distance of the ladder and back to reposition the waterway.  Also, it includes an interlock that prevents movement of the shift mechanism once the ladder is out of the fully retracted position.