Chapter 15

1. Chapter 15 Ropes and Knots

2. Introduction • Rope is one of the most important and routinely used tools in the fire service • In this chapter, you will learn: • How to select the proper rope • The proper uses of rope in fire service • The essential skill of knot tying • How to properly inspect, maintain, and store rope

3. Rope Materials andTheir Characteristics • Constructed of a wide variety of materials • Each material has different characteristics • Earliest ropes were made of natural materials • The fire service has re-examined the type of rope materials being utilized as life safety lines

4. Natural Materials • Materials that fall into this category • Manila, sisal, and cotton • Share same poor characteristics with regard to: • Rot • Mildew • Abrasion resistance • Natural deterioration • Low shock load absorption capability

5. Figure 15-2 Type 1 manila rope.

6. Synthetic Materials • Primary synthetic materials utilized: • Nylon • Polypropylene • Polyethylene • Polyester • Today, ropes made of these are the rule rather than the exception • High strength-to-weight ratio

7. Figure 15-6 Brightly colored polyethylene rope floating on water.

8. Construction Methods andTheir Characteristics • Natural fiber ropes dominating fire service were constructed using laid method • Modern ropes utilize a number of different construction techniques • Two broad categories: • Static • Dynamic

9. Laid (Twisted) • Most common type of construction for natural fiber ropes • Formed by twisting individual fibers together to form strands or bundles • Tends to accentuate spinning and twisting • Advantage is that all fibers are exposed • Easy to inspect • Exposed fibers also susceptible to damage

10. Figure 15-7 Example of laid construction method.

11. Braided • Utilized predominantly with synthetic fibers • Formed by weaving small bundles of fibers together, much the same as braided hair • Smooth to touch, high flexibility • Does not accentuate spinning • Every fiber exposed to abrasion, sunlight, and physical damage

12. Braid-on-Braid • Formed by braiding a sheath over a smaller braided core • Ropes of this kind are quite dynamic • Soft sheath more susceptible to damage from abrasion Figure 15-9 Example of braid-on-braid construction method.

13. Kernmantle • Kern is a derivative of the term kernel • Mantle is defined as “anything that cloaks, envelops, covers, or conceals” • Kern carries vast majority of load • Can be dynamic or static depending on configuration of fibers of kern • Quite resistant to abrasion

14. Figure 15-10 Example of kernmantle construction method with the outer kern cut and pulled back at the end, showing the inner mantle section.

15. Primary Uses • Fire service utilizes ropes on a regular basis • Operations divided into two classifications: • Utility • Safety • Firefighter should be familiar with department standard rope use

16. Utility • Rope used for utility purposes has no governing standards • Firefighters must take extra precautions when using utility rope • Firefighters should become familiar with common uses within their own department

17. Firefighting and Rescue Uses • Ropes for structural search and rescue guide ropes do not fall into category of life safety ropes • Ropes, harnesses, and hardware utilized anywhere there will be life supported must comply with NFPA 1983 • NFPA 1983 categorizes life safety ropes as: • Light-use • General-use • NFPA 1983 also sets tensile strength requirements for each

18. Fire Service Knots • Each service will have preferred methods and knots • Consult local protocol, policies or SOPs to find which knots expected for various situations • Some knots introduced with switch to synthetic fibers

19. Terms Used for Ropeand Knots • Three separate and distinct parts of a rope: • Working end • Standing part • Running end • Firefighters need to know terms used to describe elements combined to form knots

20. Figure 15-12 The three parts of a rope: working end, standing part, and running end.

21. Figure 15-13 Left to right: a round turn, a bight, and a loop. Take the loose end of the working end after tying the primary knot, and secure it by making a round turn around the standing knot and bringing the loose end through. Make a round turn in the standing portion of the rope, and slide the round turn down over the object being hoisted.

22. Knots • Dressing: make sure parts of the knot are lying in the proper orientation to other parts • Setting: make sure knot is snug in all directions • Most commonly used: • Half hitch and overhand (safety) knot • Clove hitch • Becket bend and double becket bend • Bowline knot and figure eight knots • Rescue knot and water knot

23. (B) (A) Figure 15-14 (A) A loose and sloppy knot. (B) A knot properly dressed and set.

24. Inspection • All ropes must be inspected and properly maintained • Inspections should be a matter of department policy • Life safety rope found damaged must be removed from service • Ropes should be inspected along their entire length

25. Figure 15-16 It is very important that rope is inspected as it is being put back into a rope bag.

26. Laid (Twisted) • Firefighters should look and feel for: • Foreign matter • Slippery spots • Voids in center fibers • Stiff or hard spots and soft spots • Laid ropes should be untwisted at random intervals to inspect between strands

27. Figure 15-18 It is important to twist apart a laid rope to inspect between strands.

28. Braided • Should be visually and tactilely inspected as well • Inspecting inside is not possible • All strands appear on the surface somewhere along the rope

29. Braid-on-Braid • When inspecting braid-on-braid rope, there is no way to see the inside braided rope • Pay attention to tactile inspection • Watch and feel for damage • Outside braid will sometimes slip over the inner braid causing the rope to invert • Immediately remove from service • Outside braid represents 50 percent of strength

30. Kernmantle • Cannot see kern portion • Represents 75 percent of total strength of rope • Tactile inspection is best and only way to discover damage to kern • Key is to search for a different feel • Flat spots, voids, bunches, stiffness, and limpness

31. Maintenance • Maintenance of ropes is not difficult • Firefighter may be called on to assist with placing new rope into service • Carefully adhere to manufacturer's instructions

32. Cleaning • Follow manufacturer's instructions • Brush dirt off natural materials; do not use water • Lose 50 percent of strength when wet • Do not regain strength when dry • Ropes manufactured from synthetic materials can be cleaned in a number of ways • Hand wash • Rope washer • Clothes washing machine

33. Figure 15-24 A kernmantle rope can also be “chained” and washed in a front-loading washing machine.

34. Drying • Rope must be completely dried prior to storage • Different drying methods: • Lay flat to dry • Hang to dry • Use clothing dryer with extreme caution • Even a low temperature setting could surpass manufacturer’s recommendations

35. Storage • Quick identification is important • Type • Length • Different material types, sizes, or colors of bags or tags can be used to differentiate • Each department needs to establish policy • Standard coiling • Utilization of special bags

36. Figure 15-27 The two most common methods of storing life safety ropes (bagged or coiled).

37. Rigging for Hoisting • One of the primary uses of rope on emergency scene • Much smaller rope can be utilized • Can be stored bagged or coiled • Some departments have policies governing the use of tag/guide lines

38. Specific Tools and Equipment • Small figure eight on a bight with half hitch up handle is easiest and quickest way to hoist an ax • Pike poles should be hoisted point up • Hoselines can be hoisted charged or uncharged • Power tools have closed handles or support pieces • Ladders are hoisted on regular basis

39. Securing a Rope betweenTwo Objects • Need to secure a rope between two objects may arise at any emergency scene • Rope may be used as a barrier using one of two methods • Figure eight on a bight may be used to secure an anchor point

40. Lessons Learned • Ropes have many uses • Fire service uses ropes on a regular basis • Experience is the most effective teacher • Firefighters are encouraged to practice the basics learned • Maintenance of rope is not difficult or complicated