Multipurpose ladders (also known as combi or combination ladders) are a must for any workplace and home. They are an essential piece of equipment for trade professionals such as electricians, roofers and maintenance workers. Ideal for DIY tasks, they allow us to work at height without risking accident or injury. Removing the need for multiple different ladders.
As the name suggests, multipurpose ladders are suitable for a wide range of jobs, and you can adjust them to use as a step ladder, extension ladder, workbench, or work platform. They are cost-effective, practical, and perfect for everyday tasks – an investment for private residences, commercial premises, businesses, and schools.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about multipurpose ladders, to help you choose the best model for you.
A multipurpose ladder is a versatile piece of equipment that you can use in many different ways. It’s a step ladder, an extension ladder, a surveyor ladder, a low-level platform, a workstation, and safety steps all rolled into one piece of equipment. Most models are fully foldable for storage and transport, and adjustable to suit any job above ground level.
Multipurpose ladders are perfect for performing odd jobs around the home. They’re ideal for hanging pictures, plastering walls, painting ceilings, clearing gutters, roof repairs, and reaching those hard-to-reach spaces, and they fold neatly for storage when not in use.
In the workplace, it can help improve performance and productivity. With a set of safety steps at their disposal, your employees will feel more confident when carrying out their everyday tasks. While being less likely to have a falling accident.
There is no need to buy a stepladder when you have a multipurpose ladder – it fits the bill nicely. You can work at low heights without risking injury by standing on a chair and perform everyday tasks at speed. While some telescopic models require wall support, most multipurpose ladders are freestanding by design, so you can pitch them anywhere to change a lightbulb, retrieve items from top shelves, or hang wallpaper.
Extension ladders remain a popular choice for tradespeople. But why buy several pieces of equipment when a multipurpose ladder offers endless height setting options? You can safely use combi ladders on almost any surface, including steps, ramps, and curbs, and when you need a little extra height, you can extend as necessary by adjusting the frame.
Many multipurpose ladders, such as the Little Giant Revolutionary Ladder, double-up as a workbench or low-level platform and remove the need for decorating tables and bulky workstations. These are ideal for keeping tools close to hand when performing DIY jobs or work tasks, and best of all, they fold neatly for storage in the back of a works van or car boot.
If you are buying a multi-purpose ladder for home use, you don’t have to spend a fortune on a professional-grade model. However, you should choose one with a suitable weight load capacity. Standard combi ladders can support up to 150kg. Heavy-duty ladders, such as industrial safety steps, can hold up to 300kg.
When choosing multi-purpose ladders for the workplace, you have two main options available – aluminium ladders and fibreglass ladders. Aluminium combi ladders are lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and ideal for painting, roofing, and warehouse jobs. Fibreglass multipurpose ladders are durable, weather-resistant, and non-conductive, making them perfect for electrical work. You can also use these safety steps for heavy-duty construction, wiring, and outdoor jobs.
As with all workplace equipment, your multipurpose ladders should be EN131 compliant. While being designed for daily use in demanding working environments. If you’d like more tips and articles on all things ladders, check out the rest of our blog.