Telescopic Ladders

How do telescopic ladders work and are they safe?

Telescopic ladders work differently from traditional ladders, extending like a telescope, with each rank of the ladder sliding down to pile on the following rung and pretty much collapsing on itself to create space. Telescopic ladders are usually constructed of lightweight aluminium or fibreglass and typically compact to approximately one third of their maximum height. This makes them highly portable so that they can easily be manoeuvred, carried, and conveniently stored without any real worry about storage space.

For the telescopic ladder to work each step locks into place when extended, meaning the ladder doesn’t have to be completely extended to the full height before you can use it – you can part extend the ladder to the height you need. It’s important to make sure the section securely clicks into place and as always, you should inspect telescopic ladders before each use for your own safety.

Why choose telescopic ladders from BPS?

You could be forgiven for thinking that one telescopic ladder is pretty much the same as another, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. There are a lot of imported cheap models on the market which are more often than not, uncertified and likely to fail safety tests. All telescopic ladders should be purchased from reputable specialists like BPS to ensure safety standards are met.

Our models are tested to the latest EN131-6:2019 standards, proving they have undergone and passed strength and durability tests. You should avoid selecting ladders without EN131-6 certification, as these could compromise safety.

All our telescopic ladders are made of lightweight material and superior to other models offered elsewhere. You can be certain that they’re UK-made, of the highest quality, and exceed any tradesperson’s high expectations for usability and safety.

With a weight rating (maximum load) of 150kg (23.5 stone) for user, tools and materials, our telescopic ladders are very strong and possess a number of additional safety features. This includes revolutionary air compression soft close anti-pinch technology to avoid trapping your fingers, rubber bungs at the top of the ladder to push it away from the wall slightly and provide extra grip, plus anti-slip feet made of durable, over-moulded rubber at the base to provide excellent grip with surfaces.

Our 2.9m, 3.2 and 3.8m maximum height models come with a stabiliser bar at the base for enhanced stability, helping you enjoy extended height safely.

The compact design of our anodised aluminium finished telescopic ladders makes them easy to transport and store. They are suitable for use at home or in the workplace and can be used both indoors or outdoors. With a free no quibble guarantee you can be sure of a quality product that will serve you well for many years.

How do you use a telescopic ladder safely?

Knowing how to use any type of leaning ladder beforehand is essential for safe use. You should ensure that you do not choose a ladder that is too short, it must extend sufficiently for access.

When setting up and using your telescopic ladder, you should follow these steps:

• Release the strap to secure the retracted ladder
• Place the ladder in an upright position ready for use
• Step on the bottom rung and hold the ladder firmly in place
• Take out the top rung’s connector using both your hands
• Pull up each rung to its full extension and ensure that the locking mechanism is engaged before attempting to extend the next rung
• Repeat for several steps until you reach the desired height
• Avoid stepping on the top rung

There are certain things you should avoid during the actual use of your telescopic ladder. Firstly, don’t try to adjust the rungs whilst you are using the ladder as this would tamper with the locking mechanism. Also, you should make sure that the ladder is resting on a smooth, clean floor and lastly, never attempt to increase the height by placing objects underneath the ladder. Adhering to these precautions when using the ladder will help to avoid any risks and help you get the most efficient use from your telescopic ladder.

Retracting the ladder

When you have finished using the ladder you will need to collapse it ready for storage. Our ladder meets the very latest standards and has soft close technology – which means you can’t get your fingers caught between the ladder rungs.

This soft close tech simplifies the process for retracting the ladder. With only two buttons at the bottom of the ladder to press, all the sections will come down automatically, allowing easy storage.

In what ways can a telescopic ladder be used?

The versatile construction of telescopic ladders makes them well suited for a range of jobs, particularly those that may have traditionally been done using a rigid wooden ladder. For example, telescopic ladders are incredibly convenient to use for DIY jobs such as painting, roofing, or window cleaning.

Their easy set up means jobs can be done much quicker and more efficiently, plus the aluminium material ensures they are not vulnerable to the problems that some wooden ladders can experience (such as rotting in damp conditions) making telescopic ladders safer too.

Telescopic ladders can also be used as access solutions instead of loft ladders too, particularly if you don’t access your loft often enough to require a permanent fixture like the ones we offer at BPS Depot.

Are telescopic ladders suitable for tradesmen use?

Whether you’re looking for the perfect ladder for home DIY or for trade, a telescopic ladder from BPS can suit any of your needs. Explore our range of telescopic ladders and make the most of our unbeatable deals today.

We offer the only telescopic ladder on the market fully certified to EN131-6 – a brand new standard solely for telescopic ladders, so tradesmen can have certainty that the ladder they are using meets all the necessary critical safety considerations. Other ladders just conform to or are tested to outdated EN131 standards.

For tradesmen who require a ladder for frequent or heavy duty or high altitude work, a traditional industrial-grade extension ladder or scaffold tower would likely be the recommended choice.

We check our competitors’ prices daily to ensure you get the best deal. All prices include free delivery to the mainland UK – others hide delivery costs until the last moment. We Will Not Be Beaten On Price!

All of our friendly staff are trained to the highest standards and will be able to assist you with any query before you buy. We also have a quality after sales service for any help you may require after your purchase.

* Delivery charges will apply to the Islands and Scottish Highlands on some of our larger products – please proceed to checkout for details or contact us beforehand for upfront guidance.

Telescopic Ladders FAQs

Are telescopic ladders, collapsible ladders and retractable ladders the same thing?

No, they’re actually distinct products that are only confused because of their collapsible, easy to store nature, but they do have different functions. At BPS we offer telescopic ladders because we see them as the better option amongst them all, but here’s a quick breakdown of the different types:

• Telescopic ladder: Known for their ability to collapse into themselves like a telescope, these collapse down to a compact size.
• Collapsible ladder: Made up of high quality materials these do still collapse in on themselves and click smoothly into place, locking the ladder in a closed position. They aren’t as lightweight as telescopic ladders, however, and don’t tend to reach the same heights.
• Retractable ladder: Not all retractable ladders are telescopic ladders, but all telescopic ladders are retractable, and therein lies the main difference between these products. You can find a retractable ladder that’s only designed to function as a step ladder, whereas telescopic ladders are designed to reach great heights. That’s why we only stock larger telescopic ladders at BPS that can be used at various heights.

How much do your telescopic ladders cost?

It depends on which one you choose and the height you require, but prices for a telescopic ladder purchased from BPS start from just £119.99, inc VAT, and with free delivery anywhere in the UK as standard.

The price will increase if you opt for a multipurpose telescopic ladder for example, or need a ladder that is capable of safely reaching higher locations, but ultimately you’ll find all of our ladders to be reasonably priced and offer several advantages compared to cheaper less safe options.

Do telescopic ladders require maintenance?

While the internal mechanisms of telescopic ladders are protected from weather damage by their collapsible design, they nonetheless require some degree of maintenance to ensure critical moving parts don’t fail. The ladder should be inspected before every use – checking for bent rungs, faulty locking pins, or loose rivets.

Keep the ladder clean by wiping it down as dirt and grit can affect the mechanism. Store the ladder in a cool, dry place and only use lubricants on parts as recommended by the manufacturer. Our after sales support can advise you if you are not sure about maintaining your ladder.