Folding ladder

A folding ladder (1) for accessing a cavity of a lift shaft comprising:

• a first side rail (2);
• a second side rail (3) that is parallel to the first side rail (2);
• a plurality of rungs (10), each rung (10) of the plurality of rungs having a first end portion (10a) pivotally attached to the first side rail (2) and a second end portion (10b) pivotally attached to the second side rail (3) in such a way that each rung (10) of the plurality of rungs is movable between a use position in which each rung of the plurality of rungs is substantially perpendicular to both the side rails (2, 3) while said side rails are laterally spaced, and a rest position in which each rung of the plurality of rungs is substantially parallel to both the side rails (2, 3) while said side rails abut one another;
• a locking arm (34) having a first end portion (34a) pivotally attached to the first side rail (2);
• a stop (15) located on the first side rail (2);
• and
• a locking member (16) located on the second side rail (3), the locking arm (34) having a second end portion (34b) that is movable between an unlocking position in which the second end portion (34b) of the locking arm (34) is magnetically coupled to said stop (15) so that the locking arm (34) abuts the first side rail (2), and a locking position in which the second end portion (34b) of the locking arm (34) is magnetically coupled to said locking member (16) so that the locking arm (34) is diagonally arranged with respect to both the side rails (2, 3);
• wherein the second end portion (34b) of the locking arm (34) includes a permanent magnet (17) positioned thereon, the locking member (16) comprises a L-shaped bracket (18) made of steel and having two limbs (18a, 18b) projecting from the second side rail (3),
• wherein the permanent magnet (17) is located in a corner defined by the two limbs (18a, 18b) of the L-shaped bracket (18) in the locking position.