Ropes & Knots Flashcards
Detail the types of rope used within HFRS
General purpose cordage - usually of small diameter and is of hawser laid, braided or kernmantle construction. Often in the form of personal line, may be used for attaching or securing equipment, but should not be used in safety critical applications.
Rope access, rescue or personal safety - generally of kernmantle construction. A nominal diameter of 10.5-13mm with a minimum tensile strength of 3000kg is recommended.
Floating ropes - specifically designed for use in connection with water based activities. This rope will float even after submersion for long periods of time. 5mm for lightweight throw lines up to 16mm for general purpose ropes. Always yellow in colour. Plaited or kernmantle in design, with a polyester sheath to provide abrasion and heat resistance and a polypropylene core to maintain buoyancy. They will not shrink when wet.
Detail the standard terms used for describing the part of a knot or rope
Bend - to fasten a rope to another rope or object
Bight- the looped or loose part of a rope between two ends
Hitch - a simple fastening of a rope to some object by passing the rope round the object and crossing one part over another
Running end - the free end of a rope
Running part - the moving part of a rope that is used to hoist and lower
Seizing - the binding together of two or more ropes
Standing part - the part of the rope that is fixed
Whipping - the binding of the end of the rope with twine to prevent it un-laying.
State the requirements of a good knot
It shall carry out the function for which it is intended, safely without slipping
It shall be easy to tie
The knot and its intended use will not damage the rope
It shall be easy to untie
State the principles of knot tying
All knots will weaken rope
To reduce the effect of weakening the rope, all knots shall be laid correctly
A stopper knot should be used to maintain the integrity and security of a knot. It should be tied at the running end of the rope and the most common types of stopper knot are overhand knot or figure of eight.
The tail of the running end should be at least 100mm to allow for slippage and ensure that the knot remains secure
Knots and tying methods should be as simple and effective as possible
Detail the care and use of ropes
Do not stand on rope. This forces grit and dirt into the rope that will damage fibres, this weakening the rope and reducing its lifespan
Protect rope and webbing from wear by reducing both the duration and extent of contact with sharp edges and abrasive or rough surfaces. This can be achieved by a range of actions from padding contact points to deviating ropes through pulleys
Do not allow textile based equipment to come into contact with rust, oils, chemicals or heat sources
Minimise the exposure of textile based equipment to sunlight as UV light has a detrimental effect on long term performance
Where possible, keep ropes dry and clear of muddy conditions as wet and muddy ropes have a reduced performance
Where possible reduce shock loading of ropes and rope equipment. Forces generated by a fall greatly exceed the forces applied to the rope during static loading.
Describe the rope bag and its use
Made from tough yellow PVC coated nylon. Numbered with its general purpose rope number and marked 15m and 30m respectively.
Detail the care, inspection and examination of the GP rope
Must be inspected on acceptance, after use and quarterly
Must be cleaned using a mild detergent solution
After use, ropes should be re-stowed clean and dry
Defects recorded and reported
Six monthly thorough examination to be completed
Inspections and defects to be recorded on HFRS/48/1
Efforts to be made to keep ropes with respective bags and as far as possible at their usual stations.
