Ropes, Knots & Harnesses Flashcards
List the (5) advantages of a good knot:
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
List and define General Purpose Knots:
- Half Hitch: Prevents knots from unravelling, often used with a CH
- Overhand Knot: Stopper knot to prevent a lie unreeving through a pulley
- Clove Hitch: Secures end of rope to an object & when hauling small gear aloft.
- Rolling Hitch: Secures small gear such as extinguishers, ceiling hooks and hose lengths as the design prevents slip in one direction
- Bowline: A secure loop at the end of a rope that doesn’t slip under load, used for raising & lowering tool kits and other small gear
- Double Sheet Bend: Joins ropes of different diameters
- Round Turn Two Half Hitches: Secures a line to a spar or other round object, doesn’t jam under load.
General Purpose (GP) Ropes Specifications:
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)
List the six (6) causes of rope line deterioration:
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
Cleaning Ropes:
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
List and Define the six (6) Knot Protocols:
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.
List and Define Life Rescue Line (LRL) Knots:
- Figure 8 Stopper: Forms the basis of figure 8 group of knots, can also be placed on the running end as a stopper knot
- Figure 8 On The Bight: Common figure 8 knot incorporating a non-slip loop that can be used for attachment to a safety harness or stretcher.
- Figure 8 Follow Through: Connects line to object where a loop cannot be thrown over.
- Double Fishermans: Ensures strong, non-slip join between 2 lines of equal diameter without significant loss in strength
- Butterfly/Alpine Knot: Used as a mid-line attachment point, or to isolate a damaged section of rope. 3 way loading at standing end, running end and loop
Life Rescue Line (LRL) Specifications (Div A):
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
Life Rescue Line (LRL) Construction
‘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
State three (3) safety and correct use considerations for Karabiners:
- 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
Harnesses:
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
