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FIRE SERVICE Ropes & Knots IFSTA Ch. 6

FIRE SERVICE Ropes & Knots IFSTA Ch. 6. Objectives. Identify the different materials that fire service rope is constructed from Define Basic Rope Terminology Rope Construction Rope use Classifications Utility Life Safety. Objectives. Fire Service use of Ropes

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FIRE SERVICE Ropes & Knots IFSTA Ch. 6

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  1. FIRE SERVICERopes & KnotsIFSTA Ch. 6

  2. Objectives • Identify the different materials that fire service rope is constructed from • Define Basic Rope Terminology • Rope Construction • Rope use Classifications • Utility • Life Safety

  3. Objectives • Fire Service use of Ropes • Proper methods of inspection, maintenance, and storage of ropes. • Identify basic knots used in the fire service. • Describe methods of rigging basic equipment to be hoisted.

  4. Rope Materials & Their Characteristics Natural materials: • Manila ( was the most common in FD) • Sisal • Cotton • Hemp Refer to Table 6.1 page 149 IFSTA Manual

  5. Manila Rope Made from the fibers that grow in the leafstalk of the abaca plant.

  6. Rope Materials & Their Characteristics Common Synthetic materials: • Nylon • Polypropylene • Polyethylene • Polyester • There are various other proprietary materials too Refer to Table 6.1 page 149 IFSTA Manual

  7. Resist mildew/rot Increased strength Flexibility Resists abrasions Lighter Higher melting point Non-conductive Many float General Advantages of Synthetic Rope

  8. Polyethylene Rope

  9. Dynamic: Designed for high stretch without breaking Used in rock climbing where falls are possible Static: Designed with low stretch Rope of choice for most rescue incidents, rappelling and hauling/hoisting equipment Rope Categories

  10. Rope Construction Methods and Their Characteristics

  11. Laid Rope • Fiber > Yarns > Strands • Constructed by twisting yarns together to form stands • Generally three strands are twisted together to make rope • How tightly twisted and type of fiber dictate ropes properties • Susceptible to abrasion and physical damage • Easy to inspect

  12. Examples of Laid Rope

  13. Braided Rope • Most are made from synthetic rope • Made by uniformly intertwining strands together • Doesn’t twist like laid ropes • Load bearing fibers are exposed to direct abrasion and damage

  14. Braid-on-Braid Rope • Often confused with kern mantle rope • Braided core and braided sheath • Sheath has herring-bone pattern • Very strong rope • Strength divided equally between core/sheath • Doesn’t resist abrasion as well as kern mantle • Sheath may slide along inner core

  15. Kern Mantle • “jacketed rope” • Braided sheath (mantle) • Main load bearing strands in core (kern) • Load characteristics dependant on manufacturing method • Sheath provides some strength but protects kern from abrasion • Dynamic and static

  16. Rope Use ClassificationsPrimary Uses Utility Rope Uses

  17. Just to prove it does get done… sometimes

  18. Rope Use ClassificationsPrimary Uses Utility Rope Uses • Safe Working Strength – 1/5 of Breaking strength (as determined by manufacturer) • Safety factor of 5 – allows “room” for knots, bends, etc… • i.e. Breaking Strength 1200 kg means safe working strength of 240 kg

  19. Rope Use ClassificationsPrimary Uses Life Safety Rope • Ropes, harnesses and hardware must comply with NFPA 1983. • NFPA 1983 categorizes ropes and sets strength requirements.

  20. NFPA 1983 “Standard on Fire Service Life Safety Rope & System Components”

  21. NFPA 1983 • Defines life safety rope as… “rope dedicated solely for the purpose of supporting people during rescue, fire fighting, or other emergency operations, or during training evolutions”

  22. Life Safety Rope • The NFPA recognizes a 15:1 safety factor. • According to NFPA 1983, a one person rope requires a minimum tensile strength of 4500 pounds, a two person rope requires a minimum tensile strength of 9000 pounds.

  23. 300lbs = 1 person 300 x 15 = 4500lbs Most 7/16” rope meets or exceeds this criteria. 600lbs = 2 persons 600 x 15 = 9000lbs Most 1/2” rope meets or exceeds this criteria. Life Safety RopeSafe Working Loads • Strength of rope is dramatically increased as diameter increases • ALWAYS use manufacturer’s safe working loads

  24. Static Kernmantle Rope Strength(polyester sheath/nylon core)(Adapted from CMI Gear Catalogue 37)

  25. Inspection • Ropes must be inspected and properly maintained. (SOG’s) • Life safety rope inspections should be logged. • Damaged rope should be removed immediately. • Training ropes should be inspected after every use.

  26. Rope Inspection • Inspect all types of rope after each use • Visual and tactilely • Use methods appropriate to type of rope • WATCH for shards of glass, metal, etc…

  27. Laid Rope • Visual inspection • Physical damage • Untwist and check internally • Mildew/rot in natural ropes (smell?) • Tactile inspection • Lumps • Soft spots

  28. Braided Rope • Visual inspection • Heat • Nicks • Cuts • Excess or unusual fuzziness • Tactile • Permanent mushy spots or other deformities

  29. Braid-on-Braid Rope • Visual inspection • Heat • Nicks • Cuts • Sheath sliding? (how to correct?) • Tactile inspection • Lumps (internal damage?) • Reduced diametre (core broken?)

  30. Kernmantle Rope • Inspection is difficult to do as damage may be hidden • Visual inspection • Irregularities in shape or weave • Foul smells • Discolouration or fuzziness

  31. Kernmantle Rope • Tactile inspection • Put slight tension on rope • Lumps • Depressions • Soft spots (knots can mimic this) • Carefully inspect sheath to look for potential problems • IF IN DOUBT REMOVE AS LIFE SAFETY ROPE

  32. Care & Maintenance • Ropes must be properly maintained. • Follow manufacturer’s recommendation • Natural fibers limited to brushing off. • Synthetic materials can be washed. • Ropes must be dried prior to use. • Ropes can be stored in bags or coiled.

  33. Care & Maintenance • Store out of direct sunlight, away from heat & chemicals. • Avoid dragging / unnecessary kinking. • Use rope rollers where abrasion is a factor. • Do not use damaged or questionable rope. • Do not stand on rope.

  34. Care & Maintenance • Do not overload or shock load. • Carefully handle frozen rope. • Avoid oil, grease, tar & water runoff from fires.

  35. Cleaning Rope • Something for you guys to look up… • Will be on quizzes and exams!

  36. Bagged Coiled Rope Storage

  37. Clean, dry and adequate ventilation NOT with chemical contaminants NOT with gas or in battery compartments Rope Storage

  38. Rope Logbook • Required under NFPA 1983 • Record… • In-service date • Date of use and type of use/load? • Impact loads! • Inspection and maintenance records • Kept in waterproof place WITH rope

  39. Other Uses?

  40. Other Uses?

  41. Break Time

  42. Playing with Rope… • Knot – ties a rope to itself • Bend – ties a rope to another • Hitch – fastens a rope to an object • Bight – turned rope back in the direction it came from Combinations of these are required to form recognized fire service knots.

  43. Knots and their affect on rope strength (approximate) • Bowline and clove hitch  40% • Sheet bend  45% • Reef Knot  55% • Timber Hitch  30-35%

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