Not sure which way to go with this. Either the owner couldn’t put in a cross bar lock to keep the door closed because of the electrical panel or the owner was really concerned about someone stealing the ladder. Either way, this one would give both the Fire Department and the Building Code Officials nightmares.

but but but you can operate this in one motion:
Pick up the ladder, push it against the alarm paddle, keep leaning on it, and then the door will open.
Of course, you’ll have to listen to complaints from someone who wants to use the ladder, about all of that chain and the lock with the lost key ..

I suspect the ladder is being used to barricade the door closed; to make it nearly impossible to pull it open from the exterior side. There is the little problem of preventing somebody from exiting, but heck, mission accomplished.