What is the maximum reach of a 28 ft ladder?

What is the maximum reach of a 28 ft ladder?

• A. The first story floor
• B. Ground level
• C. The third story
• D. The second story roof

Answer: (D)

The main idea is that how high you can reach with a ladder is about safe positioning, not the ladder’s full length. With a 28 ft ladder you place it at the proper angle (roughly 75 degrees) so the base sits about 7 ft from the wall. At that angle the top of the ladder sits just under its full length, and you also want the ladder to extend several feet above the level you’re reaching for stability before you step off. Taking these factors into account, a 28 ft ladder can reliably reach up to the second-story roof. Reaching the third story would require a longer ladder or a different setup, while the first story floor and ground level are clearly lower than what the ladder can safely reach at the recommended angle.