ASTM F2175-23

Standard Specification for Portable and Permanent Emergency Escape Ladders for Residential Use

ABSTRACT
This specification establishes the recognized performance requirements and corresponding test procedures for portable and permanent emergency escape ladders for residential use. The ladder shall show evidence of good workmanship and meet the requirements specified for the following: vertical static load; horizontal static load; rung/step strength; rung/step/side support shear; deployment weight; deployment time; hook or attachment stability; rung/step size; rung/step release mechanism; heat deflection temperature; standoff; designed length; rung/step spacing; rungs/steps; rated load; stress relief; and heat aging.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification establishes recognized performance requirements for portable and permanent emergency escape ladders for residential use.  
1.2 This specification replaces provisional standard PS 117.  
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Jul-2023
• ICS: 97.145 - Ladders
• Technical Committee: F15 - Consumer Products
• Drafting Committee: F15.47 - Fire Ladders

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM F2175-07(2015) - Standard Specification for Portable and Permanent Emergency Escape Ladders for Residential Use
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2023

Overview

ASTM F2175-23 is the international standard specification developed by ASTM International for portable and permanent emergency escape ladders intended for residential use. This standard establishes clear performance requirements and testing procedures to ensure the reliability and safety of emergency escape ladders during situations such as fires and other home emergencies. ASTM F2175-23 addresses both portable and permanently installed escape ladders, setting benchmarks for their structural integrity, functionality, and labeling.

This specification replaces the earlier provisional standard PS 117 and aligns with globally recognized principles for standardization. It supports manufacturers, regulators, and consumers in selecting and installing emergency ladder systems that meet rigorous safety and performance standards.

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Key Topics

• Performance Requirements: The standard stipulates requirements for vertical and horizontal static load capacity, rung and step strength, rung/step/side support shear, and overall deployment reliability.
• Design Specifications: Criteria cover minimum rung and step dimensions, anti-slip surfaces, adjustable standoffs, designed ladder length, and correct spacing of steps for user safety.
• Reliability and Durability: Provisions cover deployment weight and time (ladders must be deployable in under 60 seconds), stress relief, heat deflection temperature, and resistance to heat aging.
• Safety and Usability: Includes requirements for hooks or attachments, release mechanisms, labeling, and detailed usage instructions to prevent misuse or hazardous deployments.
• Testing Procedures: Specifies test methods to verify the ladder’s ability to withstand loads, resist heat effects, and maintain performance over time.
• Labeling and Instructions: Mandates visible warning labels, manufacturer information, product ratings, compatible window types, and clear user instructions for deployment and maintenance.

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Applications

Emergency escape ladders conforming to ASTM F2175-23 are widely used in the following contexts:

• Residential Buildings: Ensures reliable emergency egress from multi-story homes, apartments, and condominiums, particularly in cases where primary exits are blocked.
• Fire Safety Planning: Essential component of comprehensive fire evacuation plans, supplementing smoke alarms, fire drills, and exit strategies.
• Homeowner and Family Safety: Ladders built to this standard help provide peace of mind for families by creating an additional, escape route during emergencies.
• Building Inspections: Used as a benchmark by safety inspectors and regulatory authorities assessing emergency egress options in residential settings.
• Manufacturing and Product Certification: Provides manufacturers and testing laboratories with clear protocols for producing, testing, and certifying compliant emergency escape ladders.

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Related Standards

When selecting or specifying emergency escape ladders, consider referencing or integrating these related standards:

• ASTM D648: Test Method for Deflection Temperature of Plastics Under Flexural Load in the Edgewise Position - ensures materials withstand high temperatures.
• UL 746B: Standard for Oven Aging Techniques - evaluates long-term heat aging effects on components.
• Building and Fire Codes: Local, state, and international fire safety codes may mandate compliance with emergency escape ladder standards.
• ASTM International Standards: Refer to other ASTM consumer product standards for complementary safety and performance requirements.

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By adhering to ASTM F2175-23, manufacturers, builders, and homeowners ensure that emergency escape ladders are reliable, safe, and effective for residential emergency egress, thereby enhancing overall home safety and compliance with fire safety regulations. For more information, always consult the full text of the standard and stay updated with the latest revisions from ASTM International.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F2175 − 23
Standard Specification for
Portable and Permanent Emergency Escape Ladders for
Residential Use
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2175; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.1.2 Horizontal Static Load—The ladder components shall
not show evidence of failure (material or joint separation,
1.1 This specification establishes recognized performance
cracking, or collapse) when tested in accordance with 4.3.
requirements for portable and permanent emergency escape
3.1.3 Rung/Step Strength—The rungs/steps shall not show
ladders for residential use.
any evidence of failure (material or joint separation, cracking,
1.2 This specification replaces provisional standard PS 117.
or collapse) when tested in accordance with 4.4.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1.4 Rung/Step/Side Support Shear—The rungs/steps and
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
side support shall not show evidence of failure (material or
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
joint separation, cracking, or collapse) when tested in accor-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
dance with 4.5.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.1.5 Deployment Weight—Maximum weight of the ladder
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
shall be less than or equal to 20 lb (9.0 kg) for a 20 ft (5.1 m)
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ladder and not more than 0.75 lb (0.34 kg) per foot (30 cm) of
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
additional length.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3.1.6 Deployment Time—Deployment of the ladder shall be
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
less than 60 s as tested in accordance with 4.6.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3.1.7 Hook or Attachment Stability—The unit shall have
hooks or other means of attachment to the window or perma-
2. Referenced Documents
nent structural attachment that are stable. With the ladder in
2.1 ASTM Standards:
place, no hazardous condition shall be created when tested in
D648 Test Method for Deflection Temperature of Plastics
accordance with 4.7.
Under Flexural Load in the Edgewise Position
3.1.8 Rung/Step Size—Rungs/steps shall be 0.97 in.
2.2 Underwriters Laboratories Standard:
(25 mm) minimum in depth and greater than 10 in. (254 mm)
UL 746b Oven Aging Techniques
in width. For rungs made from round tubing, the minimum
rung depth can be reduced at each end for attachment to side
3. Requirements
supports.
3.1 The ladder shall show evidence of good workmanship
3.1.9 Rung/Step Release Mechanism—For ladders having
and meet the following requirements:
rung/step release mechanisms, the pull force to release and
3.1.1 Vertical Static Load—The ladder components shall not
deploy the ladder shall be 5 lb (2.3 kg) or less.
allow evidence of failure (material or joint separation,
3.1.10 Heat Deflection Temperature—All materials that
cracking, or collapse) when tested in accordance with 4.2.
soften or melt by heat used in support components of the ladder
including the rungs, rung supports, and hooks, shall have a heat
deflection temperature, as measured by Test Method D648, of
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F15 on
not less than 150 °C at 66 psi (455 kPa).
Consumer Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F15.47 on Fire
Ladders. 3.1.11 Standoff—Standoffs for each rung/step shall be sup-
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2023. Published December 2023. Originally
plied with each ladder. Minimum distance between the outer
approved in 1999 as PS 117, which was adopted as F2175 in 2002. Last previous
face of the rung/step and standoff contact at building shall be
edition approved in 2015 as F2175 – 07 (2015). DOI: 10.1520/F2175-23.
2 not less than 3.6 in. (9.1 cm). If standoffs are shipped
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
unattached, the label shown in Section 5 shall be used on
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
opposite sides of the final package.
the ASTM website.
3.1.12 Designed Length—Designed for a maximum use of
Available from IHS, 15 Inverness Way East, Englewood, CO 80112, http://
www.global.ihs.com. three (3) stories (unless specified for less than three stories).
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F2175 − 23
3.1.13 Rung/Step Spacing—Rungs/steps shall be spaced at a components, or any other failure. The ladder hooks shall
uniform distance and spaced at intervals of 13 in. 6 2 in. remain below the window sill, not creating any hazardous
(325 cm 6 5 cm). conditions with respect to the attachment to the permanent
3.1.14 Rungs/Steps—Rungs/steps are to be corrugated, structure.
serrated, knurled, dimpled, embossed, or coated with slip-
4.6 Deployment Test:
resistant material.
4.6.1 A lab technician shall deploy and use the ladder
3.1.15 Rated Load—The rated load shall be indicated for
through a window opening specified for the product and per the
each ladder and shall be rated at 250 lb or more.
manufacturer’s instructions. The lab technician shall evaluate
3.1.16 Stress Relief—Rungs/steps, rung/step supports,
the ease of deployment and document any discrepancies in the
hooks or permanent structural attachment assembly shall stand
provided instructions. The deployment shall be timed.
conditioning at 70 °C for 7 h without significant deformation or
4.6.2 The lab technician shall accomplish deployment
any cracking that would, in any way, adversely affect the
through an opening in 1 min or less.
functionality of the ladder.
NOTE 1—The time period shall start at the time the person grasps the
3.1.17 Heat Aging—Polymeric components shall have a
ladder and shall end when the ladder is fully deployed (as intended for
calculated use temperature of 75 °C or more when heat aged
use).
according to UL 746b or shall be heat aged at 100 °C for
4.7 Abnormal Operation Test—A representative sample of
1000 h without a 25 % or more decrease (unaged to aged) in
the ladder shall be mounted as intended and subjected to the
tensile properties.
following test: A 250 lb (113 kg) load shall be placed 10 ft
(3.0 m) below the hooks or permanent structural attachment.
4. Test Methods
The bottom end of the ladder shall be displaced 10° to the right
4.1 Test Fixture—A test fixture that represents the type(s) of
from vertical. With the load applied, the ladder shall remain
window openings specified for the product shall be used to
attached to the test fixture with no breakage, separation of
conduct the tests of 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, and 4.7.
components, or any other failure. The ladder hooks shall
remain below the window sill, not creating any hazardous
4.2 Vertical Static Load Test—The ladder shall be mounted
conditions with respect to the attachment to the permanent
as intended and subjected to a vertical static load of three times
structure.
the rated load to evaluate the hook or anchoring, rung/step, and
rung/step support components. The loads sh
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: F2175 − 07 (Reapproved 2015) F2175 − 23
Standard Specification for
Portable and Permanent Emergency Escape Ladders for
Residential Use
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2175; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This specification establishes recognized performance requirements for portable and permanent emergency escape ladders for
residential use.
1.2 This specification replaces provisional standard PS 117.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to consult and establish appropriate safety and healthsafety, health, and environmental practices and
determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D648 Test Method for Deflection Temperature of Plastics Under Flexural Load in the Edgewise Position
2.2 Underwriters Laboratories Standard:
UL 746b Oven Aging Techniques
3. Requirements
3.1 The ladder shall show evidence of good workmanship and meet the following requirements:
3.1.1 Vertical Static Load—The ladder components shall not allow evidence of failure (material or joint separation, cracking, or
collapse) when tested in accordance with 4.14.2.
3.1.2 Horizontal Static Load—The ladder components shall not show evidence of failure (material or joint separation, cracking,
or collapse) when tested in accordance with 4.24.3.
3.1.3 Rung/Step Strength—The rungs/steps shall not show any evidence of failure (material or joint separation, cracking, or
collapse) when tested in accordance with 4.34.4.
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F15 on Consumer Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F15.47 on Fire Ladders.
Current edition approved April 1, 2015Aug. 1, 2023. Published August 2015December 2023. Originally approved in 1999 as PS 117, which was adopted as F2175 in 2002.
Last previous edition approved in 20072015 as F2175 – 07.F2175 – 07 (2015). DOI: 10.1520/F2175-07R15.10.1520/F2175-23.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Available from Global Engineering Documents, IHS, 15 Inverness Way East, Englewood, CO 80112.80112, http://www.global.ihs.com.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F2175 − 23
3.1.4 Rung/Step/Side Support Shear—The rungs/steps and side support shall not show evidence of failure (material or joint
separation, cracking, or collapse) when tested in accordance with 4.44.5.
3.1.5 Deployment Weight—Maximum weight of the ladder shall be less than or equal to 20 lb (9.0 kg) for a 20-ft (5.1-m)20 ft
(5.1 m) ladder and not more than 0.75 ft (.34lb (0.34 kg) per foot (30 cm) of additional length.
3.1.6 Deployment Time—Deployment of the ladder shall be less than 60 s 60 s as tested in accordance with 4.54.6.
3.1.7 Hook or Attachment Stability—The unit shall have hooks or other means of attachment to the window or permanent
structural attachment that are stable. With the ladder in place, no hazardous condition shall be created when tested in accordance
with 5.14.7.
3.1.8 Rung/Step Size—Rungs/steps shall be 0.97 in. (25 mm) minimum in depth and greater than 10 in. (254 mm) in width. For
rungs made from round tubing, the minimum rung depth can be reduced at each end for attachment to side supports.
3.1.9 Rung/Step Release Mechanism—For ladders having rung/step release mechanisms, the pull force to release and deploy the
ladder shall be 5 lb (2.3 kg) or less.
3.1.10 Heat Deflection Temperature—All materials that soften or melt by heat used in support components of the ladder including
the rungs, rung supports, and hooks, shall have a heat deflection temperature, as measured by Test Method D648, of not less than
150°C150 °C at 66 psi (455 kPa).
3.1.11 Standoff—Standoffs for each rung/step shall be supplied with each ladder. Minimum distance between the outer face of the
rung/step and standoff contact at building shall be not less than 3.6 in. (9.1 cm). If standoffs are shipped unattached, the label shown
in Section 5 shall be used on opposite sides of the final package.
3.1.12 Designed Length—Designed for a maximum use of 3 three (3) stories (unless specified otherwise).for less than three
stories).
3.1.13 Rung/Step Spacing—Rungs/steps shall be spaced at a uniform distance and spaced at intervals of 13 6 2 in.
(325 6 5 cm).13 in. 6 2 in. (325 cm 6 5 cm).
3.1.14 Rungs/Steps—Rungs/steps are to be corrugated, serrated, knurled, dimpled, embossed, or coated with slip-resistant
material.
3.1.15 Rated Load—The rated load shall be indicated for each ladder and shall be rated at 250 lb or more.
3.1.16 Stress Relief—Rungs/steps, rung/step supports, hooks or permanent structural attachment assembly shall stand conditioning
at 70°C70 °C for 7 h without significant deformation or any cracking that would, in any way, adversely affect the functionality of
the ladder.
3.1.17 Heat Aging—Polymeric components shall have a calculated use temperature of 75°C75 °C or more when heat aged
according to UL 746b or shall be heat aged at 100°C100 °C for 1000 h without a 25 % or more decrease (unaged to aged) in tensile
properties.
4. Test Methods
4.1 Test Fixture—A test fixture that represents the type(s) of window openings specified for the product shall be used to conduct
the tests of 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, and 4.7.
4.2 Vertical Static Load Test—The ladder shall be mounted as intended and subjected to a vertical static load of three times the
rated load to evaluate the hook or anchoring, rung/step, and rung/step support components. The loads shall be evenly distributed
along length of the ladder, with a maximum of 250 lb (113 kg) per rung, for 1 min. Following the test, With the loads applied, the
ladder shall be examined for evidence of failure.remain attached to the test fixture with no breakage, separation of components,
or any other failure. The ladder hooks shall remain below the window sill, not creating any hazardous conditions with respect to
the attachment to the permanent structure.
F2175 − 23
4.3 Horizontal Static Load Test—The ladder shall be mounted as intended and subjected to a horizontal static load of 200 lb (91
kg) to evaluate the hook (for portable ladders) or permanent structural attachment (for permanent ladders) and standoff
components. The load(s) shall be applied at the point where it would cause the greatest stress on the component for 1 min.
Following this test, the components shall be visually examined for evidence of failure.With the loads applied, the ladder shall
remain attached to the test fixture with no breakage, separation of components, or any other failure. The ladder hooks shall remain
below the window sill, not creating any hazardous conditions with respect to the attachment to the permanent structure.
4.4 Rung/Step Strength Test—Rungs/steps shall be mounted as intended to the side supports and subjected to a static load of 750
lb (340 kg) applied at the center of the rung/step of a 4-in. (10-cm)4 in. (10 cm) width for 1 min. Following the test, With the load
applied, the rung/step and side support shall be visually examined for evidence of remain intact
...