Chapter 8: Ropes, Webbing, and Knots

Question 1

Life Safety Rope

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

Utility Rope

Answer 2

Rope designed for any use except rescue; can be used to hoist equipment, secure unstable objects, or cordon off an area.

Question 3

Block Creel Construction

Answer 3

Method of manufacturing rope without any knots or splices; a continuous strand of fiber runs the entire length of the rope’s core.

Question 4

Impact Load

Answer 4

Dynamic and sudden load placed on a rope, typically during a fall.

Question 5

Synthetic Fiber Rope

Answer 5

Rope made from continuous, synthetic fibers running the entire length of the rope; it is strong, easy to maintain, and resist mildew and rotting.

Question 6

Natural Fiber Rope

Answer 6

Utility rope made of manila, sisal, or cotton; not accepted for life safety applications.

Question 7

Kernmantle

Answer 7

Rope that consists of a protective shield (mantle) over the load-bearing core strands (kern).

Question 8

Dynamic Rope

Answer 8

Rope designed to stretch under load, reducing the shock of impact after a fall.

Question 9

Static Rope

Answer 9

Rope designed not to stretch under load.

Question 10

Laid Rope

Answer 10

Rope constructed by twisting several groups of individual strands together.

Question 11

Braided Rope

Answer 11

Rope constructed by uniformly intertwining strands of rope together (similar to braided hair).

Question 12

Braid-on-Braid Rope

Answer 12

Rope that consists of a braided core enclosed in a braided, herringbone patterned sheath.

Question 13

Rope Log

Answer 13

Record of all use, maintenance, and inspection throughout a rope’s working life; also includes the product label of manufacturer’s recommendations.

Question 14

Webbing

Answer 14

Device used for creating anchors and lashings, or for packaging patients and rescuers; typically constructed from the same material as synthetic rope.

Question 15

Ladder Belt

Answer 15

Belt with a hook that secures the firefighters to the ladder.

Question 16

Knot

Answer 16

Term used for tying a rope around itself.

Question 17

Working End

Answer 17

End of the rope used to tie a knot. Also known as Bitter End or Loose End.

Question 18

Running Part

Answer 18

Free end of the rope used for hoisting, pulling, or belaying.

Question 19

Standing Part

Answer 19

Middle of the rope, between the working end and the running part.

Question 20

Overhand Safety Knot

Answer 20

Supplemental knot tied to prevent the primary knot from failing; prevents the running end of the rope from slipping back through the primary knot.

Question 21

Hitch

Answer 21

(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.

Question 22

Bowline Knot

Answer 22

Knot used to form a loop; it is easy to tie and untie, and does not constrict.

Question 23

Half-Hitch

Answer 23

Knot typically used to stabilize long objects that are being hoisted; always used in conjunction with another knot.

Question 24

Clove Hitch

Answer 24

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.

Question 25

Handcuff (Rescue) Knot

Answer 25

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.

Question 26

Becket Bend

Answer 26

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.

Question 27

Tag Line

Answer 27

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.

Question 28

Mechanical Advantage

Answer 28

(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.