Ladder Contest

The Ladder Race consists of a five member team competing to hook up to a hydrant and nozzle to an inch and a half hose; run the 100 foot course with ladder and hose; climb the ladder on an arch and flow water threw the nozzle knocking down a target in the quickest time.

Equipment Required

• Three 50-foot 1 ½ inch lengths of hose

• Hydrant wrench

• 1 ½ shutoff nozzle

• 16 foot, one-piece, side rail ladder

• 2 ½ to 1 ½ inch hydrant adapter

• 12-foot horizontal bar arch with 2 safety stops

• 30 square inch target

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Course Setup

Each team shall be allowed 5 minutes to drain hose, lay out equipment and be on the starting line ready to run. The three lengths of hose are individually rolled to drain. The hose must be “hand un-rolled” NOT thrown. After the hose is drained, three 50-foot lengths of 1 ½ inch hose shall be coupled with each open end on the hydrant line, together with hydrant wrench, shutoff nozzle, and 16-foot, one-piece, straight side rail ladder centered lengthwise on line with top toward target. The hose must lay flat on the street when set up. The ladder usually is marked to indicate where it is to be placed on the starter line. Open couplings may be in any position on hydrant line and hose shall be within boundary of course between hydrant line, ladder arch, and sidelines which will be no more than 24 feet wide. The hose is laid out in a bottom eight figure shape with the female end closest to the hydrant, male end at the opposite end of the starting line. The male hose line is on TOP at the eight cross. Starting line will be 3 feet behind hydrant line.

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Lineup

The team lineup along the starter line should be as follows: Cap person closest to hydrant, hose/hydrant hookup person, hydrant person, ladder person, nozzle person.

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Race

Once the team assembles on the starting line the judge will ask the team captain if the team is ready. Once the team captain verbally signals the team is ready the judge starts the race with flag and verbal command to start. At starting signal, contestants will couple hose to hydrant, attach nozzle, set (not throw) ladder against arch 125 feet from hydrant and climb same. Ladder shall be set in safe position with the tip of each side rail over the horizontal bar of the arch and between the safety stops. Shutoff nozzle has to remain closed until tip of the nozzle is placed between ladder side rails higher than the arch. The time for the race is to be taken from starting signal to when solid stream of water makes a direct hit on target 25 feet beyond arch.

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Team Assignments

• Cap Person – The cap person starts closest to the hydrant on the starting line. Upon the starting signal the cap person spins the 1 ½ cap off of the hydrant then runs down the street to assist the nozzle person up the ladder. The cap person should try and grab the hose ¾ the way down the street and shuttle the hose up the ladder while the nozzle person climbs the ladder.

• Hydrant Hookup Person – The hydrant hookup person is second in line on the starting line and hooks the 1 ½ female end of the hose to the hydrant after the cap person spins the cap off. Upon the starting signal, the hydrant hookup person grabs the hose, comes into position on both knees, square to the hydrant, and hooks the hose up to the hydrant. Knee pads are not required but a good idea. The hydrant hookup person should be low enough to the ground so the hydrant person can turn the hydrant on. The coupling should be attached all the way to the hydrant. Any “turns” on the coupling result in a second penalty per turn. The hydrant hookup person should verbally tell the hydrant person they “are on” once the hose is connected so the hydrant person can begin turning the hydrant on and flowing water.

• Hydrant Person – The hydrant person is third in line on the starting line. Upon the starting signal the hydrant person grabs the hydrant wrench, places the wrench on the hydrant, and turns the hydrant on after the hydrant hookup person says they are on. The hydrant person turns the hydrant off after the target is knocked down.

• Ladder Person – The ladder person is fourth in line on the starting line. Upon the starting signal the ladder person grabs the ladder and runs down the street. The ladder person places the ladder on the arch at an angle at least two ladder rungs above the arch top beam. The ladder person then braces the ladder while nozzle person climbs the ladder.

• Nozzle Person – The nozzle person is fifth in line on the starting line, farthest away from the hydrant. Upon the starting signal the nozzle person connects the 1 ½ nozzle to the 1 ½ male hose end and runs down the street. While running the hose should be place over the shoulder. The nozzle should be brought down to the waist level after connected while running. While running the nozzle person should align themselves with the ladder person and climb the ladder. The nozzle can not be opened until it is past the top arch beam or the team will be disqualified. The nozzle must be placed between the ladder rungs above the arch top beam, opened, and water stream directed at the target. Any “turns” on the nozzle/coupling connection result in a second penalty per turn.

A good Ladder Contest time is between 10 and 15 seconds depending upon water pressure.