Chapter 8: Ropes, Webbing, and Knots Flashcards
Life Safety Rope
Rope designed exclusively for rescue and other emergency operations; used to raise, lower, and support people at an incident or during training. Must meet the requirements established in NFPA 1983, Standard on Life Safety Rope and Equipment for Emergency Services. Also known as Lifeline.
Utility Rope
Rope designed for any use except rescue; can be used to hoist equipment, secure unstable objects, or cordon off an area.
Block Creel Construction
Method of manufacturing rope without any knots or splices; a continuous strand of fiber runs the entire length of the rope’s core.
Impact Load
Dynamic and sudden load placed on a rope, typically during a fall.
Synthetic Fiber Rope
Rope made from continuous, synthetic fibers running the entire length of the rope; it is strong, easy to maintain, and resist mildew and rotting.
Natural Fiber Rope
Utility rope made of manila, sisal, or cotton; not accepted for life safety applications.
Kernmantle
Rope that consists of a protective shield (mantle) over the load-bearing core strands (kern).
Dynamic Rope
Rope designed to stretch under load, reducing the shock of impact after a fall.
Static Rope
Rope designed not to stretch under load.
Laid Rope
Rope constructed by twisting several groups of individual strands together.
Braided Rope
Rope constructed by uniformly intertwining strands of rope together (similar to braided hair).
Braid-on-Braid Rope
Rope that consists of a braided core enclosed in a braided, herringbone patterned sheath.
Rope Log
Record of all use, maintenance, and inspection throughout a rope’s working life; also includes the product label of manufacturer’s recommendations.
Webbing
Device used for creating anchors and lashings, or for packaging patients and rescuers; typically constructed from the same material as synthetic rope.
Ladder Belt
Belt with a hook that secures the firefighters to the ladder.
Knot
Term used for tying a rope around itself.
Working End
End of the rope used to tie a knot. Also known as Bitter End or Loose End.
Running Part
Free end of the rope used for hoisting, pulling, or belaying.
Standing Part
Middle of the rope, between the working end and the running part.
Overhand Safety Knot
Supplemental knot tied to prevent the primary knot from failing; prevents the running end of the rope from slipping back through the primary knot.
Hitch
(1) Temporary knot that falls apart if the object held by the rope is removed. (2) Loop that secures the rope but is not part of a standard rope knot.
Bowline Knot
Knot used to form a loop; it is easy to tie and untie, and does not constrict.
Half-Hitch
Knot typically used to stabilize long objects that are being hoisted; always used in conjunction with another knot.
Clove Hitch
Knot that consists of two half-hitches; tis principal use is to attach a rope to an object such as a pole, post, or hose.
Handcuff (Rescue) Knot
Knot tied in a bight with two adjustable loops in opposing directions; used during rescues to secure hands or feet, so that a victim can be raised or dragged to safety. Also known as Rescue Knot.
Becket Bend
Knot used for joining two ropes; particularly well suited for joining ropes of unequal diameters or joining a rope and a chain. Also known as Sheet Bend.
Tag Line
Non-load-bearing rope attached to a hoisted object to help steer it in a desired direction, prevent it form spinning or snagging on obstructions, or act as a safety line.
Mechanical Advantage
(1) Advantage created when levers, pulleys, and tools are used to make work easier during rope rescue or while lifting heavy objects. (2) The ratio of the force applied by a simple machine, such as a lever or pulley, to the force applied to the machine by the user.
