Ropes, their uses and their working load limit Flashcards
What is material handling?
Material handling is the practice of safely and smoothly lifting objects into position for the purpose of construction and/or maintenance of residential, commercial and industrial plants
Fibre rope is made from either ________ or ________ fibres
Natural; synthetic
Give two examples of natural fibres
Manila, and sisal
Give three examples of synthetic fibres
Nylon, polyester, and polypropylene
The manufacturing of rope begins with fibres that are twisted into ________
Yarns
When manufacturing rope, fibres are initially twisted into yarns. Next the yarns are twisted into ________, which are then twisted into ________
Strands; lays
The term “________” means the direction that the lay turns
“Lay of the rope”
Describe the colour and texture of manila rope
Light yellow in colour, with a smooth, waxy surface
Manila rope is available in six grades. List the six grades from strongest to weakest
- Yacht rope
- Bolt rope
- No. 1 grade
- No. 2 grade
- No. 3 grade
- Hardware store rope
Describe the colour and texture of sisal rope
White, or off white in colour, with a coarse texture that is rough to the touch
True or false: Sisal rope is weaker than manila rope and should be used only where cost rather than strength is the major factor
True
Describe the colour and texture of nylon rope
Pure white in colour, with a soft, pliable texture. Smooth to the touch
Nylon rope is ________ times stronger than manila rope
Three
What are the unique characteristics of nylon rope?
- Nylon rope loses about 10% of its strength when wet, but regains its original strength when dried
- Nylon does not rot and is unaffected by mildew
- Can withstand temperatures up to 150 degrees celsius
- Highly elastic. Capable of withstanding repeated shock loads
Nylon rope has an elastic quality that allows it to stretch up to ________ of its original length
40%
Describe the colour and texture of polyester rope
Similar to nylon rope. Pure white in colour, with a soft, pliable texture. Smooth to the touch
What are the two main differences between nylon rope and polyester rope?
- Unlike nylon rope, polyester rope is not elastic. It will only stretch 5% before breaking.
- Unlike nylon rope, polyester rope is unaffected by acids or alkalines, though polyester ropes should be washed with cold water after exposure to chemicals
Describe the colour and texture of polypropylene rope
Available in wide range of colours, though yellow is the most common. It is smooth and somewhat slippery in texture
What are the unique characteristics of polypropylene rope?
Polypropylene is lightweight, and floats when placed on water. Of all the rope types, polypropylene has the best insulating properties against electrical shock
Of all the rope types, ________ has the best insulating properties against electrical shock
Polypropylene
The ________ is a rating given to all rigging hardware, including fibre and wire rope
Working load limit (WLL)
Working load limits for ropes are calculated by dividing the rope’s ________ by the ________
Breaking strength; design factor set by WorkSafeBC
________ is a wrapping applied at the end of a rope to prevent the rope strands from unraveling
Whipping
An alternative to whipping can be used in the case of ________ where the fibres are melted together by a hot iron or flame
Nylon, polyester, and polypropylene ropes
List eight tips for properly storing and caring for ropes
- Ropes should be kept clean
- Ropes should not be overloaded
- Avoid exposing ropes to direct sunlight for long periods of time
- Do not use frozen ropes
- Avoid making sharp bends in rope
- When attaching a small-diameter object such as a hook or ring, use a thimble to protect the eye of the rope
- To remove new rope from its shipping coil, place the coil on its side, reach down inside and pull the rope up from inside the coil. Leave the outer wrapping intact
- When storing rope, coil it in a clockwise direction, then hang it on large-diameter pegs in a cool, dry room with good air circulation to prevent mildew
To remove new rope from its shipping coil, you should ________
Pull it from the inside of the coil
Sharp bends, including those made by knots, can reduce a rope’s strength by up to ________
50%
What are the 8 key points when inspecting a fibre rope
- Check for broken strands
- Wear and abrasion
- Heat damage, such as melting
- Contamination from petroleum products
- Inspect for evidence of rot or damage from exposure to the elements (rain, direct sunlight)
- Crushing, twisting, or kinking
- Loose, broken or damaged thimbles
- Any damage that will affect the lifting capacity of the rope
The portion of the rope that forms the loop is called the “________”. The long portion of the rope is called the “________”
Bight; standing part
Which knot forms a non-slip loop at the end of a rope?
Bowline
When securing a rope to a fixed object, such as a post, which type of knot is recommended?
Clove hitch
The ________ is used to secure a rope to a plank, timber, post, tube, or pipe when you want to lift that object in a vertical position
Timber hitch
A ________ is often used together with a round turn and two half hitches, the clove hitch, and the timber hitch
Running half hitch
Which knot is typically used when tying down a load?
Single Dutchman
Which knot forms a slip resistant loop that acts like a pulley in a block and tackle system?
Single Dutchman
A popular variation of the single Dutchman knot, also known as the trucker’s knot, is the ________
Trucker’s hitch
Use a ________ when fastening together two ropes of equal diameter
Reef knot, or square knot
Use a ________ when fastening together two ropes of unequal diameter
Sheet bend
