Ropes, Knots & Harnesses Flashcards
Advantages of a good knot
T - Easy to TIE
R - Easily RECOGNISED when correctly tied
U - Is easy to UNTIE
S - Should not SLIP excessively or over tighten
S - Will not significantly reduce the STRENGTH of the rope when tied correctly
Knot Protocol:
S - Ensure the correct knot is SELECTED for the task
T - Place TENSION on the line to set and TIGHTEN the knot
R - All knots must be REMOVED / RELEASED from the line after use
I - All knots must be INSPECTED after tying. Look away and recheck
C - All knots must be CHECKED by another firefighter (LRL only)
T - All knots must have no less than 150 mm TAIL after tightening
Deterioration can be caused by
C - Chemicals: Bleaches, phenols & alkalis
A - Abrasion: Common in LRL, dragging the line across the ground, standing/walking on the line causes grit or sharp particles to enter the line > damaged filaments > loss of strength
M - Mechanical: impact from solid objects
S - Shock Load: sudden force or pulling on a rope over a small time
U - Ultra violet light: exposure to the sun for an extended period of time
E - Extreme heat: exposure to fire
Cleaning
Rope line must be cleaned after use by soaking and agitating in a container of warm water then hung out to dry away from the direct sunlight & heat.
GP Rope: Colour
White when new
GP Rope: Diameter
12mm
GP Rope: Construction
3 strand right hand lay
GP Rope: Fibre
Polyester
GP Rope: Melting point
250 C
GP Rope: Min Breaking Strength
2200kg/22kN (when new)
GP Rope: Safe working load
450kg
GP Rope: Length
30m (Div A)
10, 20 & 30m (Div B)
Name GP Knots and their uses
Half Hitch - Prevents knot from unravelling
Overhand knot - Stopper knot to prevent a line unreeling through a pulley
Clove Hitch - Secures end of rope to an object & when hauling small gear aloft
Rolling Hitch - Secures small gear (extinguishes, ceiling hook, hoses) as the design prevents slip in one direction
Round turn two half hitches - secures a line to a spar or any round object. Doesn’t jam under load
Double sheet bend - joins ropes of different diameters
Bowline - a secure loop at the end of a rope that doesn’t slip under load, used for a raising & lowering toolkits and other small gear
LRL Div A - Colour
Orange with blue fleck
Blue with orange fleck
LRL Div A - Diameter
13mm
LRL Div A - Length
50 meters (orange) and 25 meters (blue) on primary and rescue appliances
LRL Div A - Working load limit
272kg max
15:1 safety factor
One person load per line
LRL Div A - fibre
Nylon 66 core/polyester sheath
LRL Div A - melting point
220 C approx
LRL Div A - Elongation
3% at 80 kg load
LRL Div B - Colour
Orange with blue fleck
Blue with orange fleck
LRL Div B - Diameter
13 mm
LRL Div B - length
50m, 100m and up to 200m at rope Rescue locations
LRL Div B - Work Load Limit
410kg maximum
10:1 safety factor
LRL Div B - Fibre
Nylon
LRL Div B - Melting Point
Approx 220 C
LRL Div B - Elongation
2-4%
LRL Construction
- Kernmentle construction
- Consists of a ‘core’ and sheath
- Has the ability to elongate under load which absorbs shock loading which would normal long break the line or injure person attached
LRL Knots and uses
Figure 8 stopper: forms the basis of the 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 the attachment to a safety harness or stretcher
Figure 8 follow through: connects line to an object where a loop cannot be thrown over
Double fishermans: ensures strong no slip joint between 2 lines of equal diameter without significant loss in strength
Butterfly knot: used as a mid-line attachment point or to isolate a damaged selection of rope. 3 Way loading at standing end, running end and loop
Karabiners
- load must be supported along the major axis
- must not be cross or tri-loaded (don’t load the gate)
- locking sleeve must be at its lowest point when closed
Harnesses (Petzl Full Body)
- Dorsal attachment D: fall arrest
- Sternal attachment D: fall arrest
- Ventral attachment D: fall prevention
- Waist side Attachment D: work position, use in pairs
- Soft attachment point: connects chest harness karabiner to waist belt
- Equipment loops: don’t secure persons
- Fall Arrest Lanyard Connect Holder: stores lanyard hooks when not in use
- Adjustable leg loop to waist belt straps: allow length of leg loop to waist belt straps to be adjusted to remove slack
