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Discussion Forum

17 Ft. Ceiling – 16 Ft. ladder

shakersteve | Posted in General Discussion on September 25, 2009 04:07am

I just bought a house with a 17 foot ceiling.  I want to replace a light fixture in the middle of the room.  I have a 12 ft. A-frame ladder with a 16 ft reach – can I build a strong, steady platform, about 1.5 ft and put the ladder on it?  Or I am playing with the devil?  I have two dedicated assistants to help. 

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  1. jimAKAblue | Sep 25, 2009 04:11pm | #1

    Use a coffee table. If that don't reach, put a lamp table on top of it.

    I've set many a ladder on top of sawhorses and plywood.

  2. ptp | Sep 25, 2009 04:15pm | #2

    If you're standing on the last "allowable" rung of that ladder, your feet should be ten feet off the ground. If you're of average height with average length arms, you should be able to reach something seven feet above your feet. It seems to me that you should be able to change that light fixture from the ladder you have. Did you set the ladder up and climb it yet?

    1. shakersteve | Sep 25, 2009 04:41pm | #3

      yes i did set it up, I am 6 ft, and need another ft, maybe a ft and a half.  I think a SOLID platform will work, just wanted to see if others have tried this before.  Accidental falls kill more people in homes than any other accident,  I don't want to become a statistic.

      1. AitchKay | Sep 25, 2009 04:56pm | #4

        How about the sofa?AitchKay

  3. renosteinke | Sep 25, 2009 05:13pm | #5

    I think the tone of the replises so far imply that you are suggesting a bad solution.

    Let me tell you my experiences in similar situations.

    Moving even an eight foot ladder into a room, then setting it up, can be a real challenge - it seems there's always something for you to hit. It seems there's always furniture in the way. It seems the ladder just can't get close enough to the wall. Etc.

    So, what are you to do? If it's herd with an eight footer, with a 16 ft. ladder it's nearly impossible.

    One word: Scaffolding. "Baker" scaffolding. These set-ups are maybe 30" wide by 72" long at the top, with strudy outriggers. Carry each piece inside, assemble it, climb aboard and work at your leisure. You can move about some, have a place for your tools and parts. Add rope, bucket, helper ... and you'll only climb it once.

     

     

    1. User avater
      BillHartmann | Sep 25, 2009 05:42pm | #7

      Probably 90% of all ladders used inside houses are set on Platforms.Anyone ever hear of Platform Framing.Correctly build it should be safe.However, if you have something like a heavy fan or chandelier then working off a ladder can be difficult no matter what the height..
      William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe

  4. DonCanDo | Sep 25, 2009 05:37pm | #6

    I have set up an 8' stepladder on 2 of these:

    View Image

    I felt quite safe without "spotters", but it was only an 8' ladder.  There's a lot move movement in a 12' ladder, but I would probably be tempted to try it if I had 2 assistants watching (or maybe even sitting on) the platforms.

    One thing that I would do at that height is to figure out a way to temporarily support the weight of the light fixture while a make the electrical connections, much like ceiling fans are usually done.

    Normally, I hold the fixture AND 1 wire with 1 hand and use the other hand to twist the wires together and wire-nut them.  Then, while still holding the fixture, I move on the the next wire since I don't want the weight of the fixture to pull on the connections.  Doing this 17' in the air on anything other than scaffolding could be pretty tricky so you should figure out a way to support the fixture until you're ready to attach it to the box.

    Edit: Thinking about it some more... I would rent a 16' stepladder.  Other than scaffolding, it's a safer way to go.



    Edited 9/25/2009 11:11 am ET by DonCanDo

  5. JTC1 | Sep 25, 2009 07:46pm | #8

    And I thought this thread would be about having difficulty setting up a 16' ladder in room with 17' ceilings.

    I have rented 16' step ladders on several occasions and they are a bear to handle in finished spaces. Good you have 2 helpers.

    In fact, I am not positive this could be done.  You certainly cannot stand the ladder straight up to open........you may not be able to open the ladder while laying on it's side and rocking it up sideways once opened and locked.  Although the ladders do taper significantly at the top -- might make it but it wil be very close at best. 16' ladders have a huge leg spread and the individual sides are considerably longer than 16'.....

    Of the solutions offered, I would vote with BillHartmann's idea - build yourself a couple of "platforms" one for front legs, one for back legs. Maybe you could build them so they will nest for storage......

    Open your 12' ladder and raise one side at a time onto the platforms.

    Bear in mind you will probably have to reach this fixture more than once in your house.

    Jim

    Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
  6. florida | Sep 25, 2009 11:59pm | #9

    Here you go, glad I could help. Not!

    1. User avater
      Dam_inspector | Sep 26, 2009 12:06am | #10

      The old ladder stilt trick!

      1. florida | Sep 26, 2009 02:05am | #11

        It's not like it's unsafe or anything. I'm sure those are the new structural zip ties holding the extensions on.

        1. JTC1 | Sep 26, 2009 02:08am | #12

          structural wire ties....

          Took me a while and some zooming to figure out what those were!

          JimNever underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.

          1. florida | Sep 27, 2009 12:53am | #16

            Didn't know they made them did you? Me either. I suppose there is no way to stop men fro being men. My DIL was complaining about my 10 year old grandson doing stupid stuff. I told her he was just coming into his own.

  7. Dudley | Sep 26, 2009 03:54pm | #13

    I know we are not supposed to stand any where near the top of a ladder - however in a pinch, I have stood on the top of a 8 foot ladder to change bulbs - seems you have enough suggestions and 2 helpers that this will not be necessary.  Good Luck - Dudley

  8. Kivi | Sep 26, 2009 08:13pm | #14

    All I can advise is to be very cautious and careful.  Two weeks ago or so my neighboour (who has a ceiling height about the same as yours) was painting at the top of her ladder and she fell. She broke a femur, and shoulder and was carted off to the hospital in an ambulance. Last week, while still healing at the hospital she got a blood clot which travelled to her lungs and almost did her in permanently. So she got very close to being one of your statistics.

    I am sure you can build a "safe" platform.  I would just advise that you don't cut corners in doing so.

  9. Shoemaker1 | Sep 27, 2009 12:44am | #15

    Forget the ladder Hire an electrician. Put in a new LED light and forget about for life.
    as the last poster said gravity sucks.
    I used to be an RN worked in Regional hospital. A lot of ladder falls don't make it to the OR.

    My neighbor fell between my house and his. We heard him hit called 911. My brother was out and his son. Sent the son up the hill to direct ambulance, I did first aid he was barely concious.
    The EMS come 2 small ladies, this guy was well over 6 feet tall and lying at the bottom of a retaing wall. So I put his neck collar on. rolled him to the stretcher and it took 4 of us to lift him out, and up the hill.

    Lucky as only had cracked ribs, a punctured lung, concussion. DW and I visited him a week later he looked good. Went septic and his wife had to pull the plug on him one month later.

    He was 1 of 2 that week plus a broken pelvis and another two femurs.

    I installed tie off anchors on my house and shop.

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