When calculating the distance to place a ladder away from a building, what should you divide the length of the ladder by?

To determine the appropriate distance to place a ladder away from a building, you should divide the length of the ladder by a factor that accounts for safety and stability when the ladder is positioned. The correct approach to calculating this distance is to divide the length of the ladder by 4, with a common guideline suggesting that for every 4 feet of ladder length, you should place the base of the ladder 1 foot away from the building. However, in this case, you are given a choice of dividing by 5.

Dividing the length of the ladder by 5 provides a safe distance that ensures the ladder is stable and that firefighters can climb it effectively. A distance equivalent to one-fifth of the ladder length maintains the ladder at an appropriate angle, reducing the risk of slipping and enhancing the overall safety of the firefighting operation.

The other options reflect different factors, which may either lead to an insufficient distancing for safety or may be overly conservative. For example, dividing by a smaller number would place the base of the ladder too close to the building, increasing the risk of tipping, while dividing by larger factors may not effectively allow for safe climbing distance. Ultimately, using a factor like 5 supports guidelines that help ensure a safe operating environment when