1 Product Definitions (4 Q&A)
What is a fixed steel ladder? +
A fixed steel ladder is a permanently installed vertical ladder anchored to a wall or structure, designed for repeated access to roofs, platforms, mezzanines, and equipment. Available in HDG, SS304, and SS316, with standard widths of 600mm and rung spacing of 300mm. Browse Fixed Steel Ladders
What is a caged ladder? +
A caged ladder is a fixed vertical ladder with a surrounding hoop guard (safety cage) that provides passive fall protection. The cage — an 800mm diameter series of hoops at 300mm spacing — prevents a climber from falling backward. Per OSHA 1910.23, a cage is required on ladders exceeding 24 feet (7.3m). Browse Caged Ladders
What is a cat ladder? +
A cat ladder is the British English term for a fixed ladder with a safety cage — used in the UK, Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong, governed by BS 4211. Structurally identical to a caged ladder; the difference is regional terminology. Learn More
What is a monkey ladder? +
A monkey ladder is the term used in India and parts of Africa for a vertical fixed ladder with side hoops, governed by IS 3696. It serves the same function as a caged ladder but uses different hoop configurations specific to the Indian market.
2 Product Selection (3 Q&A)
Which type of ladder do I need? +
Choose based on three factors: your market terminology, the ladder height, and regulatory requirements. UK/Singapore/Malaysia/HK: cat ladder (BS 4211). North America/global: caged ladder (OSHA/EN). Under your jurisdiction cage threshold: fixed ladder without cage. Contact us for a recommendation.
What material should I choose? +
HDG (hot-dip galvanized): indoor and non-coastal outdoor, most cost-effective ($23-30/m). SS304: food processing, pharmaceutical, urban outdoor, architectural ($55-77/m). SS316: coastal (within 5km of sea), chemical plants, water treatment, offshore ($85-115/m). Full Material Selection Guide
What is the difference between OSHA, EN, BS, and AS standards? +
OSHA 1910.23 (US): cage above 24 ft. EN ISO 14122-4 (EU): cage above 3m. BS 4211 (UK): cage above 2.5m. AS 1657 (AU/NZ): cage above 4m. Your project location determines the applicable standard. Dengtai manufactures to all four. Standards Comparison
3 Ordering and Pricing (6 Q&A)
How much does a steel ladder cost? +
Standard fixed ladders start at $23/m. Caged ladders start at $30/m. Stainless steel models range from $61.50/m (SS304 fixed) to $115/m (SS316 caged). All prices FOB Tianjin. Pricing guide
What is the minimum order quantity? +
Standard models: 1 unit. Custom-engineered models: 5 units minimum. Large projects benefit from volume pricing.
How do I get a quote? +
Email sales@dtsteelladder.com with: ladder type, height, material, quantity, and destination port. Include drawings or site photos for accurate technical recommendation. Quote within 24 hours. Request a Quote
What payment terms do you accept? +
Standard: T/T 30% deposit, 70% balance before shipment. Orders over $10,000: L/C at sight available. Custom terms for long-term supply agreements.
Can I get a sample before ordering? +
Yes. Standard models shipped as samples for evaluation. Buyer covers courier cost (FedEx/DHL). Sample cost credited toward first bulk order.
Do you offer OEM/ODM services? +
Yes. OEM (branded production with your logo) and ODM (custom design to your specification). Minimum quantities and setup fees apply.
4 Standards and Compliance (3 Q&A)
Are your ladders OSHA compliant? +
Yes. All Dengtai ladders meet OSHA 1910.23 design and load requirements. For new installations over 24 ft after Nov 2018, OSHA requires a ladder safety system or PFAS — a cage alone is not sufficient. OSHA compliance guide
Do you provide compliance documentation? +
Yes. Every shipment includes: Declaration of Conformity, material test certificates, dimensional inspection report, weld quality records per ISO 5817, and coating thickness test results.
Are cage ladders being phased out? +
OSHA requires ladder safety systems or PFAS (not solely cages) for new ladders over 24 ft after Nov 2018. Existing caged ladders must be retrofitted by Nov 2036. Cages are not banned — they are no longer sufficient as the sole fall protection on new tall installations. Read more
5 Delivery and Logistics (4 Q&A)
How long does delivery take? +
Standard models: 15-20 working days to shipment. Custom/bulk: 30-45 days. Sea freight: 15-25 days to US West Coast, 25-35 days to Northern Europe, 7-12 days to Southeast Asia.
How are ladders packaged and shipped? +
VCI (Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor) wrapped, vacuum-sealed, packed in wooden crates. Multi-section ladders: each section individually wrapped. Container loading supervised with photo documentation.
What shipping terms do you offer? +
FOB Tianjin standard. CIF to destination port available. DDP for qualified buyers. Import guide
Which countries do you ship to? +
50+ countries across six continents: US, Canada, UK, Germany, Netherlands, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Australia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, South Africa, and more. Not listed? Contact us.
6 Installation and Maintenance (4 Q&A)
How are fixed ladders installed? +
Wall brackets anchored at max 2.0m vertical intervals. Wall must be structurally sound (brick, concrete, structural steel). Installation instructions with anchor specs and torque values provided. Typically two installers needed. Installation Guides
What maintenance does a steel ladder require? +
Annual visual inspection: bracket tightness, corrosion spots, cage integrity, rung stability. HDG in non-coastal: inspection only. SS316: minimal maintenance. Inspection checklist
What warranty do you provide? +
5-year manufacturing warranty (weld integrity, structural, material compliance). Corrosion warranty: HDG 2 years, SS304 5 years, SS316 10 years. Detailed in quotation.
What if dimensions are wrong on delivery? +
If delivered dims do not match confirmed order, Dengtai covers replacement cost including product and freight. Send photos and measurements to sales@dtsteelladder.com. Resolution within 48 hours.
7 About Dengtai (3 Q&A)
Who is Dengtai? +
Dengtai Staircase Manufacturing Co., Ltd., founded 2003, based in Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China. 3,000 sqm factory, ISO 9001:2015 certified. 500+ projects across 50+ countries. About Dengtai
How do I verify Dengtai as a supplier? +
ISO 9001:2015 certificate available for review. Third-party factory audit welcome (SGS/Bureau Veritas/TUV). Video factory tour on request. Customer references from your region available. Sample order before full production.
How do I contact Dengtai? +
Email: sales@dtsteelladder.com | WhatsApp: +86 155 1187 9488 | Address: No.1 Yixin Road, Shankou Coal Mine, Jingxing Mining District, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China. Contact page
Still have a question?
If your question is not answered above, send it to our engineering team. We respond to all technical and commercial inquiries within 24 hours.