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FIRE SERVICERopes & Knots

IFSTA Ch. 6

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Objectives

Identify the different materials that fire service rope is constructed from

Define Basic Rope Terminology Rope Construction Rope use Classifications

– Utility– Life Safety

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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.

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Rope Materials & Their Characteristics

Natural materials:Manila ( was the most common in FD)

SisalCottonHemp

Refer to Table 6.1 page 149 IFSTA Manual

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Manila Rope

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

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Rope Materials & Their Characteristics

Common Synthetic materials:NylonPolypropylenePolyethylenePolyesterThere are various other proprietary

materials tooRefer to Table 6.1 page 149 IFSTA Manual

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General Advantages of Synthetic Rope

Resist mildew/rot

Increased strength

Flexibility

Resists abrasions

Lighter

Higher melting point

Non-conductive

Many float

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Polyethylene Rope

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Rope Categories

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

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Rope Construction Methods

and Their Characteristics

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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

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Examples of Laid Rope

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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

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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

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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

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Rope Use ClassificationsPrimary Uses

Utility Rope Uses

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Just to prove it does get done… sometimes

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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

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Rope Use ClassificationsPrimary Uses

Life Safety Rope

Ropes, harnesses and hardware must comply with NFPA 1983.

NFPA 1983 categorizes ropes and sets strength requirements.

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NFPA 1983

“Standard on Fire Service Life Safety

Rope & System Components”

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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”

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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.

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Life Safety RopeSafe Working Loads

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.

Strength of rope is dramatically increased as diameter increases

ALWAYS use manufacturer’s safe working loads

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Diameter Weight (lbs/30m)

Strength (lbs)

Elongation

@450lbs @900 lbs

3/8” 3.8 5600 2% 3%(2545 kg)

7/16” 5.4 7800 2% 3%(3545 kg)

1/2” 7.0 10 000 2% 3%

(4545 kg)

5/8” 10.2 12 700 2% 3%

(5772 kg)

Static Kernmantle Rope Strength(polyester sheath/nylon core)

(Adapted from CMI Gear Catalogue 37)

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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.

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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…

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Laid Rope

Visual inspection- Physical damage- Untwist and check internally- Mildew/rot in natural ropes (smell?)

Tactile inspection- Lumps- Soft spots

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Braided Rope

Visual inspection– Heat– Nicks– Cuts– Excess or unusual fuzziness

Tactile– Permanent mushy spots or other

deformities

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Braid-on-Braid Rope Visual inspection

– Heat– Nicks– Cuts– Sheath sliding? (how to correct?)

Tactile inspection– Lumps (internal damage?)– Reduced diametre (core broken?)

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Kernmantle Rope

Inspection is difficult to do as damage may be hidden

Visual inspection– Irregularities in shape or weave– Foul smells– Discolouration or fuzziness

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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

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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.

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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.

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Care & Maintenance

Do not overload or shock load.

Carefully handle frozen rope.

Avoid oil, grease, tar & water runoff from fires.

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Cleaning Rope

Something for you guys to look up…

Will be on quizzes and exams!

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Rope Storage

Bagged

Coiled

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Rope Storage

Clean, dry and adequate ventilation

NOT with chemical contaminants

NOT with gas or in battery compartments

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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

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Other Uses?

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Other Uses?

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Break Time

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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.

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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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Knots and Hitches

QUALITIES OF A GOOD KNOT OR HITCH

1) Easy to tie.

2) Easy to identify.

3) Knot is secure under load.

4) Has a minimal effect on rope strength.

5) Easy to untie quickly.

6) Knot is complete when an overhand (safety) knot is tied to back it up.

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OFM Sign-offs Required to do the following in 30-40

seconds, leaving 30-40 cm (working end) and finishing with overhand safety:

– Clove Hitch– Half Hitch– Bowline– Sheet bend (becket bend)– Figure 8 Family– Overhand Safety knot– Half-hitch

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Common Fire Service Knots, Bends and Hitches

Half Hitch* Overhand Safety* Bowline * Running Bowline Clove Hitch* Figure 8 Series*

* Required for OFM Signoff

Becket / Sheet Bend*

Timber Hitch Sheepshank Square / Reef

Knot Chimney Hitch Rescue Knot

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Half Hitch

Used for back up or safety with clove hitches to secure long objects for hauling.

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Overhand Safety Knot

Used primarily as a back up safety knot.

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* Coupling ropes of unequal diameter

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Timber Hitch

Good for dragging heavy objects and holds firmly as long as there is a steady pull.

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Chimney Hitch

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Sheepshank This knot is

used to shorten a rope that is fastened at both ends.

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Reef Knot

Good multi purpose knot.

Secure knot, easy to untie.

To couple two ropes of equal diameter

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Rescue Knot

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Practical Learning Outcomes

Describe types of ropes. Describe types of rope construction. Care and maintenance of ropes. Terms used in tying ropes and knots. Tie the knots that are used in the fire

service. Use the recognized knots for raising /

lowering firefighting equipment.