Chapter 6 Ropes & Knots

Question 1

Types of Rope

Answer 1

• Life safety, used to support rescuers and victims

- Utility, used in any instance, excluding life safety

Question 2

Life Safety rope

Answer 2

“rope dedicated solely for the purpose of supporting people during rescue, fire fighting, or other emergency operations, or training evolutions

Only block creal construction using continuis filament virgin fiber for load bearing elements is suitable for life saftey application.

Question 3

NFPA 1983

Answer 3

Standard on Fire Service Life Safety Rope & System components.

Rope Manufactuer must supply info regarding, use criteria, inspection procedures, maintenance & retiring procedures.

Only block creal construction using continuis filament virgin fiber for load bearing elements is suitable for life saftey application.

Question 4

Criteria to consider before life safety rope is reused

Answer 4

• Rope Hasnt been exposed to heat, not been visibly damaged, direct flame impingement, or abrasion
• Rope hasnt been subect to impact load, not been exposed to liquids, solids, gases, mists, or vaports if any chemical or material that can deteriorate rope

Question 5

Rope Materials

Answer 5

• Natural Fiber (Utility only)
  (Manila, sisal, Cotton)
• Synthetic
• resistance to mildew & rotting, excelent strength, east to maintane
• Continues fibers running intire length

Question 6

Rope Construction for life safety

Answer 6

• Dynamic (high stretch) rock climbing long falls, reduce shock of impact
  
  • Disadvantage stretching while trying to raise and lower heavy loads.
• Static (low stretch) rope of choice for rescue, used for hauling, rescues rappelling, where no falls are likely to occur only very short distances

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Question 7

Most Common types of construction

Answer 7

• Laid (twisted)
• Braided
• Braid on Braid
• Kernmantle

Question 8

Laid (twisted)

Answer 8

• Generally 3 strands twisted together
• Susceptible to abrasions
• All 3 strands exposed at various points

Question 9

Braided

Answer 9

Most are made of synthetic

• Uniformly intertwinning strands together (like hair)
• Subject to direct abrasion & damage

Question 10

Braid on Braid

Answer 10

Very strong Core strenth 50% sheath 50%

• because its jacketed it confused with kernmantle
• Braided core & Sheath. Sheath has a herring bone pattern.
• Disadvantage, doesnt resist abrasion as well as kernmantle & sheath may slide along inner core

Question 11

Kernmantle

Answer 11

Jacketed rope, composed of a braided covering of sheath ( mantle) over the main load bering strands (kern) Comes both static & Dynamic

• Core runs parrallel with the covering, increases strength, made of high strech fibers, most of total strength.
• Sheath, small amount of overall strength, absorbs most abrasions, Protects core.

Question 12

Rope Maintenance

Answer 12

Inspecting after each use, visually & tactilely (by touch), for shards of glass, metal shaving, wood splinters, or foreign objects,

If any are found remove from servise

Question 13

Inspecting laid rope

Answer 13

Soft, crusty, Stiff or Brittle spots, untwisted

Mildew does not necessarily indicate a problem. Fowl smell might indicate rotting ro mildew in manila rope

Question 14

Inspecting Braided rope

Answer 14

Inspect for exterior damage (heat stress, nicks, cuts) excess of unusual fuzziness.

Question 15

Inspecting Braid on Braid

Answer 15

Heat sears, nicks, cuts, sheath sliding on core.
If found cut the end & pull off excess material then sew the end.

Inspect for lumps that indicate core damage

Question 16

Inspecting kernmantle

Answer 16

May be difficult
-Putting slight tension while feeling for lumps, depressions, or soft spots.
damage to outer sheath indicates probable damage to the core.
Inspect for irregulations in shape of weave, foul smells, discoloration, roughness, abrasions, fuzziness

Question 17

Log Book

Answer 17

Helps to determine when rope should be retired

• Date of each use & inspection
• Keep in water proof envelope sewn in side of ropes storage bag

Question 18

Cleaning ropes

Answer 18

• Natural fibers cannot be cleaned effectivley because water cannot be used. wipe or gently brush
• Continual exposure to wetting & drying, water weaken & damages the fibers
• Synthetic fibers Cool water & mild soap
  Handwashing, special rope washer, regular clothes washer. Front loader with out plastic window.

Question 19

Knots

Answer 19

are used to join or connect objects or to form loops

Question 20

Running end

Answer 20

Part for hoisting, pulling or belaying

Question 21

Working End

Answer 21

Part used in forming the knot also know as the (loose or bitter end)

Question 22

Standing part

Answer 22

Part between the working & running end

Question 23

Safety knots

Answer 23

single or doubly overhand knots

Question 24

Elements of a knot

Answer 24

Rope stregth is reduced whenever it is bent

• Bight, formed when bending the rope back on its self while keeping sides parallel
• Loop, Crossing the side of the bight over the standing part
• Round turn, Consists of further bending one sode of a loop

Question 25

Bight

Answer 25

Formed when bending the rope back on its self while keeping side parallel

Question 26

Loop

Answer 26

Crossing the side of the bight over the standing part

Question 27

Round Turn

Answer 27

Consists of further bending one side of a loop.