Ropes, Knots & Harnesses

Question 1

Advantages of a good knot

Answer 1

T - Ties Easily
R - Easily Recognizable
U - Easy to Untie
S - Should not Slip or over tighten 
S - Won't significantly reduce the strength of the rope, when tied correctly

Question 2

General Purpose Knots include:

Answer 2

• Overhand Knot
• Half Hitch
• Clove Hitch
• Rolling Hitch
• Bowline
• Double Sheet Bend
• Round Turn Two Half Hitches

Question 3

General Purpose (GP) Ropes Specifications:

Answer 3

Colour - White (when new) 
Diameter - 12mm
Construction - 3 strand right hand lay 
Fibre - Polyester 
Melting Point - 250 C
Min Breaking Strength - 2200kg (when new)
Safe Working Load - 450kg 
Length - 30 metres (Div A) 10, 20, 30 metres (Div B)

Question 4

Rope line deterioration can be caused by:

Answer 4

C - Chemicals
A - Abrasion
M - Mechanical Load (truck running over, or even standing on the rope)
S - Shock Load (dropping something heavy while attached to the rope)
U - Ultra Violet Rays
E - Extreme heat

Question 5

Cleaning Ropes:

Answer 5

Ropes lines must be cleaned after use by soaking and agitating in a container of warm water then hung out to dry away from direct sunlight & heat

Question 6

Knot Protocol:

Answer 6

Correct Knot - Ensure the correct knot is selected
Tension - Place tension on the line to set and tighten the knot
Remove - All knots much be removed / released from the line after use
Inspect - All knots much be inspected after tying. Look away and re-check
Checked by another - All knots must be checked by another firefighter (Life Rescue Line ONLY)
150mm Tail - All knots must have no less than 150mm tail after tightening.

Question 7

Life Rescue Line (LRL) Knots

Answer 7

• Figure 8 Stopper - basis of figure 8 knots
• Figure 8 On The Bight - non-slip loop to attach a harness
• Figure 8 Follow Through - connects line to object where a loop cannot be thrown over
• Double Fishermans - Strong, non-slip join between to two lines of equal strength
• Butterfly Knot - mid-line attachment point, or to isolate a damaged section of rope

Question 8

Life Rescue Line (LRL) Specifications (Div A):

Answer 8

Colour - Blue with orange flecks
Diameter - 13mm
Length - 1 x 50mm and 1 x 25mm on primary and rescue appliances
Working load limit - 272kg maximum, 15:1 safety factor, One person load per line
Fibre - Nylon 66 core / polyester sheath
Melting point - 220 C approx.
Elongation - 3% at 80kg load

Question 9

Life Rescue Line (LRL) Construction

Answer 9

‘Kernmantle’ construction:
Core (Kern), and a Sheath (Mantle). Has the ability to elongate under load, which enables it to absorb a shock load that would normally break the line - or injure the attached person

Question 10

Karabiners:

Answer 10

• Load must be supported along the major axis
• Must not be cross or tri-loaded (ie. do not load the gate)
• Locking sleeve must be at its lowest point when closed

Question 11

Harnesses:

Answer 11

Dorsal - Fall arrest (arial appliances)
Sternal - Fall arrest (arial appliances)
Ventral - Fall Prevention (safe work at heights)
Waist side - Work positioning (use in pairs)

Soft Attachment point -Use to connect chest to harness
Equipment loops - Attach equipment ONLY
Fall Arrest Lanyard Connecter Holder - Store lanyard hooks when not in use
Adjustable Leg Loop to Waist Belt Straps - Allow length of leg loops to waist belt straps to be adjusted to remove slack