Equipment for Lifting Up and Tearing Down: Manual Hoists in Firefighting

Firefighter equipment such as manual hoists allow firefighters and rescuers to tear down structures, lift heavy loads, and save victims. Due to their flexibility and ease-of-use, these simple machines are among the most important pieces of equipment firefighters have at their disposal.

What Are Manual Fire Fighting Hoists?

A manual hoist is a portable piece of equipment that incorporates a sturdy housing that holds a strong wire rope and a reversible mechanism.  A firefighter will use the lever in a back-and-forth ratcheting motion to engage the jaws and facilitate the lift or pull. They are particularly beneficial to firefighters and rescuers because they are portable, can be used to pull or lift in virtually any direction, and require no electric source.

How Does a Manual Hoist Work?

As with any other type of hoist, wire hoists for firefighting need an anchor point to do their work. A manual hoist can be secured to any sturdy, stationary object at the scene of a major incident; this could be a firefighting vehicle but could also be a nearby structure. Once the hoist is anchored:

• A wire rope is passed through the housing and gears of the hoist mechanism.

• Once the wire is properly threaded, it is locked into place and the hoist is ready to use.

• A hand lever is then used to operate the hoist. 

• At one end of the wire rope, a swivel hook is attached. This hook allows for rescue equipment, straps, a harness D-ring, or other equipment to help lift or pull people and objects. 

• When engaged, two jaws within the hoist mechanism pull the wire rope similar to the way you'd pull a rope in hand-over-hand. 

What is the Advantage of Using a Manual Hoist?

The simple fact that a manual hoist doesn't require an electric source makes it an ideal choice for the emergency settings fire crews face every day. In addition, fire fighting hoists are extremely portable and can be carried easily by a single person without additional equipment or manpower. In moments, the hoist can be set up, anchored, and there is no need to reposition as this style hoist can handle any length of wire rope. A manual hoist is also capable of pulling horizontally, vertically, diagonally, as well as in reverse.

What Kind of Loads Can a Manual Hoist Handle?

Firefighters never truly know what to expect when they arrive on scene. It's essential then, to carry firefighter equipment that's versatile, quickly deployable, and strong enough to handle the task. When brute strength and determination can't get the job done, a manual hoist can. 

Pulling, Lifting, & Clearing Debris

When an incident occurs and people are hurt or trapped, it's imperative that they're rescued as quickly as possible. When firefighters can't easily get to victims because of a collapsed ceiling, unsteady walls or other structural elements, mangled vehicles, storm debris, and more, a manual hoist can help clear the way for rescuers to enter. Types of jobs, materials and debris a manual hoist can handle include:

• Building materials and structural elements

• Pulling apart roofs and walls to assist in venting fires

• Mangled, crushed, and overturned vehicles

• Trees, boulders, and other natural materials

• Machinery and equipment that poses a threat

Moving People In and Out of Dangerous Spaces

When a victim or rescuer becomes trapped in a hazardous situation, fast action is imperative. Environmental factors like smoke, chemicals, or low oxygen levels can make these spaces particularly dangerous. Manual fire fighting hoists can quickly be engaged to get firefighter equipment and rescuers into these spaces to save lives. Before engaging a manual hoist for lifting people remember:

• Make sure that any hoist you use is certified for man-riding,

• Never exceed the nominal capacity for man-riding (generally less than for materials),

• Inspect the hoist and wire rope for damage, flaws, or defects before use.

• Only use OSHA-compliant safety harnesses and other personal protective equipment in conjunction with a manual hoist.

How Much Weight Can a Manual Hoist Handle?

If you're considering adding a wire rope hoist to the firefighter equipment your station uses, you may be wondering what size hoist you're going to need. When it comes to choosing the right fire fighting hoists, keep in mind that whatever make and model you choose, it needs to be compliant with federal regulations. Consult a qualified safety expert with regards to compliance with OSHA in the US and CCOHS in Canada. 

Standard nominal weight capacities for a wire rope hoist:

• 1-Ton Capacity: 2,000 lbs. for material handling, 1,500 lbs. for man-riding - Wire Rope Dia.: 5/16 in.

• 2- Ton Capacity: 4,000 lbs. for material handling, 3,000 lbs. for man-riding - Wire Rope Dia.: 7/16 in.

• 4-Ton Capacity: 8,000 lbs. for material handling, 6,000 lbs. for man-riding - Wire Rope Dia.: 5/8 in.

Are Manual Hoists Safe?

While you might expect a stationary hoist to be safer, more secure, and stronger than one that can be quickly set up on site, you'd be wrong. Portable manual hoists are extremely safe due to the self-gripping jaw mechanism they use. Heavy loads aren't a problem. The fact of the matter is that when lifting or pulling a heavier load, the hoist's jaws clench tighter around the wire rope, holding it fast in place, making their use in a variety of situations safe and reliable.

Tractel Provides Essential Firefighter Equipment

Your fire brigade is charged with protecting people and property and you're certainly up to the challenge. But no matter how strong each member of your team is, there are some tasks that simply cannot be done by manpower alone. When you equip your firefighters with a portable wire rope hoist, you empower and protect them. Contact Tractel®, today to discuss your lifting and pulling requirements. You can rest assured that we're not only highly qualified to assist your fire department, we're also the safety industry leader providing hoists, harnesses, and other fire fighting equipment to fire departments and brigades of all sizes in countries around the world.