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ROPES AND KNOTS
FVCC Fire Rescue
LIFE SAFETY & UTILITY ROPE APPLICATIONSLife Safety
Used solely to support rescuers/victimsMust be synthetic, block creel, virgin fiberMay not be reused unless meets all reuse
criteriaUtility
Used for any but life safety applicationsMay be synthetic or natural fiberMay be reused
TS 6–1
CRITERIA FOR REUSING LIFE SAFETY ROPEHas no visible damage
Has never been exposed to heat, flame, or abrasion
Has never been subjected to any impact load
Has never been exposed to harmful chemical liquids, solids, gases, mists, or vapors
Passes inspection before and after each use
TS 6–2
Homework Distinguish between life safety and utility rope applications. Mark “A”
for life safety applications or “B” for utility rope applications.1. __ Pulling someone from the water2. __ SCBA guide rope3. __ Tag line4. __ Securing backpack assembly to confined space rescuer's harness
when rescuer cannot enter space wearing standard SCBA5. __ Securing a victim in a Stokes basket6. __ Cordoning off an area7. __ Hanging a salvage cover to dry8. __ Hoisting a tool or piece of equipment9. __ Safety harness tie-in during confined space entry10. __ Securing a charged hose to a ladder11. __ Drying clothes12. __ Lowering a victim from a building during training exercise13. __ Rappelling14. __ Roping off an area15. __ Stabilizing a vehicle for extrication
ROPE TERMINOLOGYVS 6-1
StrandYarns
Fibers
Sheath or Jacket Core
MantleKern
ROPE CONSTRUCTIONVS 6-2
Laid (Twisted) Braided
Braid-on-Braid
Static Kernmantle Dynamic Kernmantle
Homework Match rope materials to their descriptions. Write the correct letters on the
blanks. 16. Strong, hard fiber from the abaca plant; type #1 best for rope and identified
by a colored string twisted into the fibers; short, non-continuous strands provide poor tensile strength
17. Synthetic rope with three to three and one-half times the tensile strength of manila, but may lose up to 15 percent of its strength when wet; stretches under load so is not suitable for vehicle stabilization or similar applications
18. Synthetic fiber sometimes known as Dacron®; particularly suitable to high-strength, low-stretch applications such as vehicle stabilization; very susceptible to damage by alkalis
19. Very lightweight synthetic rope used for water rescue because it absorbs no water and floats; difficult fiber to secure into solid knots and hitchesa. Manila
b. Nylonc. Polyethylened. Polyester
Homework Match rope materials to their descriptions. Write the correct
letters on the blanks. 20. Same synthetic fiber as that used in bulletproof vests; also
known as Kevlar®; easily damaged by abrasion so must be sheathed in polyester or nylon; very difficult to knot
21. Soft, pliable natural fiber; generally white or light colored; most susceptible to physical abrasion and damage of all natural fiber ropes
22. New synthetic fiber with a high molecular weight; strongest of the synthetic rope fibers; also known as H. Spectra®
23. Very lightweight fiber from same synthetic family as polypropylene; surface has slick, oily feel; can be manufactured in bright colors for good visibilitya. Gel spun polyethylene
b. Cottonc. Polypropylened. Aramid
NATURAL FIBER ROPETypes
Manila
Sisal
Cotton
Used for many years
Is no longer accepted for life safety applications
TS 6–3
SYNTHETIC ROPETypes
Nylon
Polypropylene
Polyester
Polyethylene
Preferable to natural fiber rope
Excellent resistance to mildew and rotting
Excellent strength
TS 6–4
Aramid
Gel spun polyethylene (H. Spectra®)
DYNAMIC (HIGH STRETCH) ROPE Used when long falls are a possibility
Designed for high stretch without breaking
Not considered practical for hauling applications
TS 6–5
STATIC (LOW STRETCH) ROPE Preferred for rescues requiring raising and
lowering heavy loads
Designed for low stretch without breaking
Used for hauling, rescue, rappelling, and where no falls are likely to occur or only very short falls are possible
TS 6–6
LAID (TWISTED) ROPE CONSTRUCTION
Constructed by twisting yarns together to form strands; three strands twisted together make final rope
Susceptible to abrasion and other types of physical damage
TS 6–7
BRAIDED ROPE CONSTRUCTION Is constructed of uniformly intertwined
strands
Reduces or eliminates twisting common to laid ropes
Is subject to direct abrasion and damage
TS 6–8
BRAID-ON-BRAID (DOUBLE BRAID) ROPE CONSTRUCTION
Is constructed with both a braided core and a braided sheath
Is very strong
Does not resist abrasion as well as kernmantle; sheath may slide along the inner core of the rope
TS 6–9
KERNMANTLE ROPE CONSTRUCTION Has braided covering or sheath over main
load-bearing strands
Comes in both dynamic and static types
TS 6–10
Homework Select facts about rope construction. Write the correct letters
on the blanks.
23. What type of rope construction is illustrated above?a. Laid b. Braided c. Braid-on-braid d. Kernmantle24. Firefighter A says that static rope stretches very little.
Firefighter B says that dynamic lines stretch more than static lines under weight and shock loads.Who is right?
a. Firefighter A b. Firefighter B c. Both A and B d. Neither A nor B25. Why is static rope preferred for rescue work?a. Its elasticity absorbs the weight of a fallb. It has a low stretch factorc. It has a high stretch factord. It stretches more than dynamic rope under weight and shock loads
Homework26. What statement below is true in regard to laid (twisted) rope
construction?a. The tightness of the lay (twist) determines the rope’s properties.b. Generally six strands are twisted together to make the final rope.c. Twisted rope is resistant to abrasion and other types of physical
damage.d. Twisted rope is difficult to inspect.27. What type of rope construction is illustrated below? a. Laidb. Braidedc. Braid-on-braidd. Kernmantle28. Firefighter A says that braided rope eliminates the twisting
common to laid ropes.Firefighter B says that braided rope is constructed mostly of natural fibers though some are made from synthetic fibers.Who is right?
a. Firefighter A b. Firefighter B c. Both A and B d. Neither A nor B
Homework29. What type of rope construction is illustrated below?
a. Laid
b. Braided
c. Braid-on-braid
d. Kernmantle
30. How many strands are there generally in a laid rope?
a. Seven b. Five c. Three d. Two
31. Which of the following ropes possesses half its strength in its sheath and the other half in its core?
a. Laid b. Braided c. Braid-on-braid d. Kernmantle
Homework
32. Which type of rope construction is also called twisted construction?
a. Kernmantle b. Braided c. Laid d. Woven
33. Which of the following ropes possesses three-quarters of its strength in its core and the remaining quarter in its sheath?
a. Laid b. Braided
c. Braid-on-braid d. Kernmantle
34. Which rope construction is most easily inspected, but also most susceptible to physical damage?
a. Braided b. Laid
c. Braid-on-braid d. Kernmantle
Homework35. Which of the following is the most commonly used
rescue rope?
a. Dynamic braid-on-braid b. Static braid-on-braid
c. Dynamic kernmantle d. Static kernmantle
36. What type of rope construction is illustrated below?
a. Laid c. Braid-on-braid
b. Braided d. Kernmantle
ROPE CARE & MAINTENANCE Number or otherwise identify all ropes.
Inspect after each use.
Make periodic inspections.
Use approved inspection methods.
Immediately red-label rope damaged on scene.
Keep a rope logbook.
Remove used life safety rope from service per manufacturer’s criteria.
TS 6–11
REASONS TO REMOVE ROPE FROM SERVICE
Excessive sheath wear
Severely shock loaded
Overloaded
Chemically contaminated
Old
TS 6–12
• Lacks uniform diameter
• Lacks uniform texture
• Does not meet manufacturer’s criteria for reuse as life safety rope
GUIDELINES FORINSPECTING ROPE Inspect visually and tactilely after each use.
Remove damaged rope from service.
Inspect for flaws and damage specific to rope type.
TS 6–13
INSPECTING LAID ROPE Look for . . .
Soft, crusty, stiff or brittle spots
Cuts
Nicks
Abrasions
Internal mildew
TS 6–14
INSPECTING BRAIDED ROPE Look for . . .
Heat sears
Nicks
Cuts
Excess or unusual fuzziness
TS 6–15
INSPECTING BRAID-ON-BRAID ROPE
Look for . . .
Heat sears
Nicks
Cuts
Lumps that indicate core damage
Sliding sheath
TS 6–16
INSPECTING KERNMANTLE ROPELook for . . .
Lumps
Depressions
Soft spots
Irregularities in shape or weave
Foul smells
TS 6–17
• Discoloration
• Roughness
• Abrasions
• Fuzziness
MAINTAINING A ROPE LOGBOOKStart record with purchase of each piece of
rescue rope.
Keep track of each use and the inspection/ maintenance records of the rope.
Keep log in waterproof envelope.e
The rope log is usually placed in a pocket sewn on the side of the rope’s storage bag.
TS 6–18
CLEANING NATURAL FIBER ROPES
Do not use water; ropes cannot be cleaned effectively.
Wipe or gently brush to remove as much dirt and grit as possible.
TS 6–19
CLEANING SYNTHETIC ROPEBY HAND
Use cool water and mild soap (no detergents, bleaches, or solvent-based cleaners).
Wipe with damp cloth that has been dipped in cool soapy water and then wrung out, or scrub gently with brush.
Rinse thoroughly.
Dry out of direct sunlight.
TS 6–20
CLEANING SYNTHETIC ROPEIN ROPE WASHER
Use cool water.
Feed through washer to remove larger particles of dirt.
Remove stubborn dirt by hand with cloth or scrub brush.
Dry thoroughly out of direct sunlight.
TS 6–21
CLEANING SYNTHETIC ROPEIN CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE
Use a front-loading, tumbling-type machine without a plastic window.
Place rope in cloth bag in bird's-nest coil.
Wash and rinse in cool water for recommended period of time.
TS 6–22
• Use mild soaps (no detergents, bleaches, or solvent-based cleaners), and follow mfgr.’s directions.
• Dry thoroughly out of direct sunlight.
• Contact the rope mfg. for special cleaning problems.
ROPE DRYING METHODSSpread out on a hose rack out of sunlight
Suspended in a hose tower
Loosely coiled in a hose dryer
TS 6–23
LIFE SAFETY ROPE STORAGEIn clean, dry spaces that have adequate
ventilation
Coiled
In bag
Best for kernmantle rope and other life safety rope
Allows easy carrying; keeps dirt and grime from rope
TS 6–24
COILING ROPEVS 6-3
1 2
3 4
BAGGING ROPEVS 6-4
Homework Select facts about rope cleaning and storage. Write the
correct letters on the blanks.37. How should natural fiber ropes be cleaned?a. In cool water with a brushb. By wiping or gently brushingc. By coiling in a cloth bag and washing in a clothes washing machined. By feeding through a rope washer
38. Which of the following is not an approved method of drying rope?a. Air dryingb. Drying in a hose tower or on hose racksc. Drying in a clothes dryerd. Looping over clothesline and drying in the sun39. What water temperature should be selected when using a clothes
washer to clean rope?a. Warm b. Hot c. Cold d. Any of the above
Homework
40. What type of machine should be used for washing ropes in a clothes washing machine?
a. Front-loading b. Commercial c. Top-loading d. Heavy-duty
41. What type of cleaning agent should be used for cleaning rope?
a. Bleachb. Solvent-based cleanerc. Soap d. Detergent
42. What should the water temperature be for cleaning a rope with a rope washer?
a. Warm b. Coldc Hot d. Any of the above
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT KNOTS
The ability to tie knots is a vital part of fire and rescue operations.
Synthetic rope material has changed methods of selecting and tying knots:Manila and other natural fiber ropes are no
longer considered safe for life safety use.Synthetic rope is slick and may slide under
load, so it requires an overhand or half hitch safety knot on the working end.
The bends in knots weaken rope: outside fibers are stretched; inside fibers are bent or crushed.
TS 6–25
DESIRABLE KNOT ELEMENTS
Easy to tie
Easy to identify
Easy to untie
Secure under load (not subject to slippage)
Tied with few abrupt bends
Strong enough for required job
TS 6–26
ELEMENTS OF A KNOT IVS 6-5
Bight
Underhand Loop
Loop
Round Turn Overhand
Loop
ELEMENTS OF A KNOT IIVS 6-6
Working End
Standing Part
Running End
KNOT TERMS Working end — Used for forming knot
Standing part — Between working and running ends
Running end — Used to hoist, pull, belay, etc.
Bight — Loop that does not cross over itself
Loop — Side of bight crossed over or under standing part
Round turn — End of rope continued around top of loop until standing lengths are parallel
TS 6–27
PRIMARY KNOT APPLICATIONSOverhand knot
A foundation knot for beginning other knotsA safety knot or backup to secure other knots
(particularly those of synthetic rope) to prevent the working end from slipping back through the knot and causing it to fail
Half hitchHoisting toolsStabilizing tall objects
TS 6–28a
PRIMARY KNOT APPLICATIONS (cont.)Bowline — Various utility and life safety
(rope rescue harness) applications
Clove hitchAttaching ropes to objectsHoisting (with overhand knot)
Figure-eight — Foundation knot for other knots in family
Figure-eight follow through — Joining ropes of equal diameters
TS 6–28b
PRIMARY KNOT APPLICATIONS (cont.)Figure-eight on a bight — Securing a loop in
middle or end of a rope for a safety line, safety harness, litter and rescue equipment, anchor lines
Double-loop figure-eight — Constructing a rope rescue harness
Becket bend (sheet bend)Joining ropes of unequal diameterJoining rope to chain
TS 6–28c
HALF HITCH & OVERHAND SAFETY
VS 6-7
1
2
3
Overhand SafetyTwo Half Hitches
BOWLINEVS 6-8
1 2
3 4
BOWLINE KNOTIs used to form a loop that will not constrict
the object it is placed around
Is untied easily
Shares degree of acceptability in both life safety and utility applications
TS 6–29
CLOVE HITCH IN OPENVS 6-9
1 2
3 4
CLOVE HITCH AROUND OBJECT
VS 6-10
21 3
CLOVE HITCHIs easily formed of two half hitches
May be used with overhand safety knot for hoisting tools and equipment
May be formed anywhere on the rope
Withstands pull in either direction without slipping, when properly tied
TS 6–30
FIGURE-EIGHTVS 6-11
1 2 3 4
FIGURE-EIGHT FOLLOW THROUGH
VS 6-12
1 2 3
FIGURE-EIGHT FOLLOW THROUGH AROUND OBJECT
VS 6-13
1 2
3 4
FIRGURE-EIGHT ON A BIGHTVS 6-14
1 2 3
DOUBLE-LOOP FIGURE-EIGHT
VS 6-15
1 2 3 4
FIGURE-EIGHT KNOTHas replaced the bowline since the
introduction of synthetic rope
Is not as likely as the bowline to damage the rope
Is stronger than the bowline
Is an easy knot to tie, untie, inspect, and keep neat
TS 6–31
BECKET BEND OR SHEET BEND
VS 6-16
1 2
3 4
BECKET BEND (SHEET BEND)Is not likely to slip when the rope is wet
Is dependable and useful for fire service utility applications
TS 6–32
HomeworkVS 6-5
a. Bight b. Loop c. Overhand Loop d. Round Turn e. Underhand Loop
43.
47.
46.
44.
45.
Homework
a. Running End
b. Standing Part
c. Working End 50.
49.
48.
Homework Match knots to their primary
applications. Write the correct letters on the blanks.
51. __ Joining ropes of unequal diameters, joining rope to chain
52. __ Joining ropes of equal diameters
53. __ Securing a loop in a rope for a safety line, safety harness, litter and rescue equipment, anchor lines
54. __ Foundation knot for other knots in family
55. __ Safety backup
a. Overhand knotb. Figure-eightc. Becket bend or sheet bendd. Figure-eight on a bighte. Figure-eight follow through
Homework
56. Attaching ropes to objects; hoisting (with overhand knot)
57. Forming a loop that will not constrict the object it is placed around
58. Constructing rope rescue harnesses when webbing harness is unavailable
59. Hoisting tools; stabilizing tall objects
a. Bowlineb. Clove hitchc. Half hitchd. Double-loop figure-eight
SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE HOISTING
Plan carefully, and complete all preparations.
Ensure solid footing.
Choose an area clear of electrical hazards if possible.
Know that pressurized cylinders such as SCBA bottles and fire extinguishers should NOT be hoisted.
TS 6–33
SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS DURING HOISTING
Use hand-over-hand method to control rope.
Use edge rollers to protect rope pulled over sharp edges.
Work in teams when working from heights.
Look to ensure all personnel are clear of hoisting area.
Use extreme caution if you must work near electrical hazards.
TS 6–34a
SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS DURING HOISTING (cont.)
Secure nozzle handle on charged lines to prevent accidental discharge.
Use a tag line as necessary to prevent equipment from contacting building or other objects.
Secure knots with overhand safety knots as appropriate.
TS 6–34b
HOISTING A LADDERVS 6-17
1 3
2
HOISTING A LADDERUse bowline or figure-eight on a bight.
Place knot through two rungs of ladder about one-third down from top.
Place loop over top of ladder.
TS 6–35
HOISTING HOSELINESVS 6-18
Charged LineDry Line
HOISTING TOOLS & EQUIPMENT
VS 6-19
Pike Pole
Axe
Portable Fan
Half Hitch
Half Hitch
Half Hitch
CloveHitch
CloveHitch
WorkingEnd
Tag Line
Bowline
TagLine