Ropes and knots

Question 1

Uses for rope

Answer 1

halyards, swift water rescue, high angle rescue confined space rescue, hoisting, and many more

Question 2

life safety rope make

Answer 2

100% nylon

Question 3

Swift water rescue make

Answer 3

polypropylene

Question 4

utility rope make

Answer 4

usually nylon

Question 5

Types of rope

Answer 5

“a. Kernmantle

b. Laid (twisted)
c. Braided
d. Braid-on-braid
e. Nylon webbing”

Question 6

Dynamic kernmantle

Answer 6

has twisted bundle construction- normally 8% stretch with 200lb. load, 60% near failure

Question 7

Static Kernmantle

Answer 7

“core has parallel bundle construction

Elongation: Normally 1% minimum- 10% maximum of 10% of the rated breaking strength”

Question 8

Strength of kernmantle is found where?

Answer 8

“c. Kern: Core, containing approximately 75% of strength

d. Mantle: Sheath, containing approximately 25% of strength”

Question 9

Sheath of kernmantle can be either ____ or ____

Answer 9

“i. ‘Tight” weave- better abrasion resistance but harder to tie into knots.
ii. “Loose” weave- easier knot tying but less abrasion resistance. “

Question 10

NFPA for ropes

Answer 10

1983

Question 11

Stats for TFD kernmantle use

Answer 11

“i. ½” diameter

ii. Minimum breaking strength: 9000lbs.
iii. Maximum working load: 600lbs.
1. Ropes hold to 15:1 safety ratio, ie 9000lb max load to 600lb working load.
iv. Weight: approximately 7lbs. per 100’.
v. Suppression units carry 150’ in length.
vi. TRT/RRT carry up to 600’ in length”

Question 12

Laid

Answer 12

“a. Natural fibers (Manila hemp) – three twisted fibers (yarns) bundled together to form strands.

b. Rope will twist in the opposite direction of lay when under load.
c. All fibers are exposed.
d. High stretch characteristics.”

Question 13

Braided

Answer 13

“a. No core or outer sheath.

b. Load-bearing fibers are exposed to direct abrasion and damage”

Question 14

Braid on braid

Answer 14

“a. Synthetic- Nylon and polypropylene.

b. Braided fibers through each other.
c. Less abrasion resistance than kernmantle.
d. High stretch characteristics.
e. Load is share- 50% with core and 50% with sheath”

Question 15

nylon webbing

Answer 15

“a. Issued to all uniformed members.

i. Recruits will be issued enough red to make a Hansen seat, and enough blue to lift items.
b. Red: Used exclusively for class 3 rappelling harness (Hansen Harness).
c. Blue: Utility purposes only.
d. Constructed of continuous nylon fibers woven in a spiral weave to produce tubular shape.
e. Minimum breaking strength of 4000lbs.
i. 15:1 ratio is about 250lbs.
ii. Used only in an emergency because SCBA FF is normally +250lbs”

Question 16

Manila Hemp

Answer 16

Has been replaced by ropes made from synthetic fibers, though there may be a few left

Question 17

Define Newton

Answer 17

The amount of force needed to accelerate 1 kilogram of mass at the rate of 1 meter per second squared

Question 18

1 N=

Answer 18

.225 lbs thus one kN = 225lbs

Question 19

OATH rope signals

Answer 19

"O = OK – 1 tug
A = Advance – 2 tugs
T = Take up slack – 3 tugs
H = Help – 4 tugs

Question 20

NFPA 1983 requirements

Answer 20

1. Standard on Fire Service Life Safety Rope, Harness, and Hardware
2. Class I load— 300lbs.
3. Class II load— 600lbs.
4. Minimum 15:1 safety margin.

Question 21

Class I

Answer 21

Fastens around the waist and around the thigh or under the buttocks. Intended to be used for emergency escape with a load of up to 300lbs. (136kg.)

Question 22

Class II

Answer 22

Same a Class I, but rated for loads up to 600lbs. (272kg.)

a. Looks exactly like Class I harness, so attached label must be used to verify its rating.

Question 23

Class III

Answer 23

Fastens around the waist, around the thigh or under the buttocks, and over the shoulders.

a. Rated for loads up to 600lbs. (272kg.)
b. Also known as ‘full body’ harness.

Question 24

Carabiners

Answer 24

a. Aluminum or steal connectors that link the rapeller’s webbing to the rope
i. Aluminum – rated to 6000lb (personal load 300lb, max 400)
ii. Steel – rated to 9000lb, rescue load 600lb

Question 25

Figure 8 descenders

Answer 25

used for descending | a. Same specs for steel and aluminum carabineers

Question 26

OATH rope signals

Answer 26

``` O = OK – 1 tug A = Advance – 2 tugs T = Take up slack – 3 tugs H = Help – 4 tugs ```

Question 27

Types of damage to rope

Answer 27

``` Abrasion Chemical Heat/fusion/friction UV Moisture Shock Loading ```

Question 28

Abrasion

Answer 28

(90% of all damage) a. Stepping on, driving over, chaffing b. Do not step on, place on sharp edges, rope sharp stuff, swing around while rappelling

Question 29

Chemical damage

Answer 29

If it can hurt you, it can hurt the rope

Question 30

heat friction/heat fusion

Answer 30

a. Heat fusion is when rope rubs against rope | b. Heat friction is when rope rubs against other stuff

Question 31

Kernmantle heat damage stats

Answer 31

i. Will yellow after 5 consecutive hours of 300 degree heat ii. Becomes sticky at 445 iii. Melts at 480 (per NFPA 1983, life safety rope must have a minimal melting temp of 400)

Question 32

Manila hemp heat damage stats

Answer 32

i. Progressive heat loss above 180 degrees | ii. Sunlight also greatly weakens rope

Question 33

UV damage

Answer 33

Duh. The sun burns stuff.

Question 34

Moisture damage stat

Answer 34

a. Kernmantle – water weakens the rope by 10-15% but it recovers HP when dried b. Manilla Hemp – irrevocably loses 50% tensile strength when wet

Question 35

Shock loading

Answer 35

a. Excess G forces damage internal rope tensile strength.

Question 36

How are webbing and polypropylene affected by rope damage?

Answer 36

8. Webbing and polypropylene rope are affected similarly, but polypropylene is more easily damageable.

Question 37

When and what do you inspect on ropes?

Answer 37

a. Inspect quarterly and after each use b. Information is kept in rope history log (on trucks) i. List ID info, manufacture info, what the rope is used for, date/location/reason for use, comments on exposure/damage. c. Inspect ladder halyards monthly during ladder inspections

Question 38

What should you look for during inspection?

Answer 38

i. Discoloration ii. Glossy marks iii. Cuts/tears in sheath iv. Obvious changes in diameter v. Fraying vi. Chemical contamination vii. Other evidence of damage (burns, etc)

Question 39

How do you clean a rope?

Answer 39

e. Clean rope by chaining it and putting it in washing machine with a mild soap NO BLEACH

Question 40

A good knot is _____

Answer 40

a. Easy to tie b. Easy to untie c. Remains tied d. Easily identifiable e. Minimal reduction of breaking strength of rope f. Resistance to jamming under load

Question 41

Define knot

Answer 41

Rope tied to self

Question 42

Define bend

Answer 42

Rope tied to other rope

Question 43

Define hitch

Answer 43

Rope tied to thing

Question 44

Define working end/bitter end/tag end

Answer 44

the end of the rope used to tie the knot

Question 45

Define standing end

Answer 45

The other end, the one with all rope

Question 46

Define bight

Answer 46

The U shape section of the rope

Question 47

a. Overhand knot and double overhand

Answer 47

Stopper and back up knots

Question 48

Slip knots

Answer 48

Used to draw tight on something

Question 49

Square knot

Answer 49

i. Connects two ropes of equal diameter | ii. Decreases tensile strength by 50%

Question 50

Family of eights

Answer 50

i. Figure eight 1. Decreases tensile strength by 20% 2. Stoppers and basis for many other knots ii. Figure eight on a bight 1. anchor iii. Figure eight follow through 1. anchor iv. Rescue eight 1. Two loop eight 2. Used for rescue. Hence the name.

Question 51

Bowline family

Answer 51

i. Bowline 1. Decreases tensile strength by 33% 2. Used for anchoring ii. Bowline on a bight 1. Rescue knot similar to rescue 8 iii. Running bowling 1. Used to tighten down on an object

Question 52

Butterfly knot

Answer 52

i. Used to make an anchor point in the middle of a rope | ii. Decreases the tensile strength by 30%

Question 53

Half hitch

Answer 53

i. Used to secure line to object ii. Basis for other knots iii. Not sufficient to use by self

Question 54

Clove hitch

Answer 54

Secures line to object

Question 55

Munter Hitch

Answer 55

Used with carabiners for emergency rappels

Question 56

Becket (sheet) bend

Answer 56

i. Reduces tensile strength by 50% | ii. Used to tie two ropes of unequal diameter together

Question 57

Water Bend

Answer 57

i. Used to tie ends of webbing together | ii. Not to be used on rope!