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Ropes and

Knots

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Objectives (1 of 4)

• Describe the differences between life

safety rope and utility rope.

• List the three most common synthetic fiber • List the three most common synthetic fiber

ropes used for fire department operations.

• Describe the construction of a kernmantle

rope.

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Objectives (2 of 4)

• Describe how to use rope to support

response activities.

• Describe how to clean and check ropes.• Describe how to clean and check ropes.

• Describe how to record rope maintenance.

• List the reasons for placing a life safety

rope out of service.

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Objectives (3 of 4)

• Describe the knot types and their usage in

the fire service.

• Describe how to tie safety, half hitch, clove • Describe how to tie safety, half hitch, clove

hitch, figure eight, figure eight on a bight,

figure eight with a follow-through, bowline,

and sheet bend or Becket bend knots.

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Objectives (4 of 4)

• Describe the types of knots to use for

given tools, ropes, or situations.

• Describe hoisting methods for tools and • Describe hoisting methods for tools and

equipment.

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Introduction

• Ropes are widely used in the fire service.

• May be your only means for rescue

• Ropes and knots are an important part of • Ropes and knots are an important part of

training.

• A fire fighter must be able to tie simple

knots accurately and without hesitation.

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Types of Rope

• Life safety

– Used solely for

supporting people

– In training or in an

actual emergency

• Utility

– Used in most cases

when it is not

necessary to support a

person

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Life Safety Rope (1 of 2)

• Never used as utility rope

• Must be used when supporting the weight

of one or more personsof one or more persons

• National Fire Protection Association

(NFPA) 1983 specifies design,

construction, and performance criteria.

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Life Safety Rope (2 of 2)

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Personal Escape Rope

• Self-rescue in an extreme situation

• Designed for the • Designed for the weight of one person

• Should be replaced after one use

• Use the rope only as a last resort.

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Utility Rope

• Is not used to support a person

• Used for hoisting, • Used for hoisting, lowering, and securing equipment

• Requires regular inspection

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Rope Materials

• Ropes can be made of many types of

materials.

• Earliest ropes were made from natural • Earliest ropes were made from natural

vines woven together.

• Now ropes are made of synthetic material.

• Different materials are used for different

situations.

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Natural Fiber Ropes

• Natural fiber ropes were often made of manila.

• Current use for utility, not life safety tasks

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Synthetic Fiber Rope

• Nylon first manufactured in 1938

• Synthetic fibers have • Synthetic fibers have been used for ropes ever since.

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Advantages of Synthetic Fiber

Rope• Stronger than natural fibers

• Use fibers that run the entire length of the

rope for greater safety and strengthrope for greater safety and strength

• More resistant to rotting and mildew

• More resistant to melting and burning

• Less absorbent and can be washed

• Some will float on water

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Disadvantages of Synthetic

Fiber Rope• Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light,

strong acids, or alkalis can damage the

rope.rope.

• Highly susceptible to abrasions and cutting

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Synthetic Rope and Life

Safety• Life safety rope is always synthetic.

• NFPA 1983 specifies:

– Continuous filament, virgin fiber– Continuous filament, virgin fiber

– Block creel construction: no knots or splices

• Fiber comparison

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Rope Construction

• There are several types of rope construction.

• The best choice depends on specific application.

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Twisted Rope Construction (1 of 2)

• Also called laid ropes

• Made of individual fibers twisted into

strandsstrands

• Strands are twisted to make the rope.

• Both natural and synthetic fibers can be

twisted.

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Twisted Rope Construction (2 of 2)

• Exposes all fibers to abrasion

• Twisted ropes stretch • Twisted ropes stretch and are prone to unraveling.

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Braided Rope Construction

• Strands woven like hair braiding

• Exposes all of the • Exposes all of the strands to abrasion

• Fibers stretch

• Double-braiding

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Kernmantle Rope

Construction (1 of 2)

• Kern is the center core and provides 70% of rope’s strength.strength.

• Mantle is the sheath-like braided covering that protects kern from dirt and abrasion.

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Kernmantle Rope

Construction (2 of 2)

• Kern and mantle are synthetic but may be

different materials.

• Each fiber in the kern extends the entire • Each fiber in the kern extends the entire

length of the rope.

• Provides a very strong and flexible rope

that is thin and lightweight

• Well-suited for rescue work

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Dynamic and Static

Rope Construction• Dynamic

– Designed to be elastic

– Usually used by mountain climbers– Usually used by mountain climbers

• Static

– Will not stretch under load

– More suitable for rescue situations

• Difference due to the fibers used and the

construction method

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Dynamic and Static

Kernmantle Rope• Dynamic is constructed with overlapping

or woven fibers in the core; when loaded,

the fibers pull tighter, giving elasticity.the fibers pull tighter, giving elasticity.

• Static is constructed with all fibers parallel

to each other, little elasticity, and limited

elongation when loaded.

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Rope Strength

• Rated for specific amounts of weight

• Minimum breaking strength based on

loading of 300 lb. person with safety factor loading of 300 lb. person with safety factor

of 15:1

• Safety factor allows for knots, twists,

abrasions, and other causes.

• Also considers shock loading

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Technical Rescue

• Ropes often used to access and extricate individuals

• Several hardware components may also be needed.

• Carabiner secures and connects lines.

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Harnesses (1 of 2)

• Harness used to secure a person to a rope

or object

– Ladder belt harness– Ladder belt harness

– Seat harness

– Chest harness

• Harnesses must be cleaned and inspected

regularly.

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Harnesses (2 of 2)

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Rope Rescue (1 of 3)

• Most involve people trapped in normally inaccessible locations

• Rescuers often have to lower themselves using anchors, webbing, ropes, and carabiners.

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Rope Rescue (2 of 3)

• Person may have to be lowered or raised to safety.

• Extreme cases could even involve using a helicopter.

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Rope Rescue (3 of 3)

• The type and number of ropes used will

depend on the situation.

– A primary rope is used by the rescuer.– A primary rope is used by the rescuer.

– A secondary rope is used as a belay (safety) on the rescuer.

– Additional lines may be needed for the trapped individual.

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Trench Rescues

• Often are complicated and require a

number of skills

– Shoring– Shoring

– Air-quality monitoring

– Confined space operations

– Ropes

• Ropes are often used to remove the

trapped person.

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Confined Space Rescue

• Often difficult to extricate victim due to poor ventilation and limited entry/exitlimited entry/exit

• Often very complex

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Water Rescue

• The simplest situation may involve throwing a rope to a person in the water.the water.

• Complex situations may require ropes stretched across the stream with a tethered boat.

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Rope Maintenance

• All ropes require proper care.

• Maintenance is essential for life safety

rope.rope.

• Four parts to maintenance:

– Care

– Clean

– Inspect

– Store

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Care

• Protect from sharp and abrasive surfaces,

as well as heat, chemicals, and flame.

• Avoid prolonged sunlight exposure.• Avoid prolonged sunlight exposure.

• Never step on a rope.

• Follow manufacturer’s care guidelines.

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Clean (1 of 2)

• Use mild soap and water for synthetic fibers.

• Use a rope washer with a garden hose.

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Clean (2 of 2)

• May be able to use a mesh bag in a front-

loading washer

• Use a mild detergent and no bleach.• Use a mild detergent and no bleach.

• Do not pack or store wet or damp.

– Air dry but not in direct sunlight.

– Do not use a mechanical dryer.

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Rope Inspection (1 of 2)

• Inspect life safety rope after each use and on a regular schedule when schedule when unused.

• Look for cuts and damage as you run it through your fingers.

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Rope Inspection (2 of 2)

• Life safety rope that can no longer be used

must be destroyed.

– Sometimes it can be downgraded to utility – Sometimes it can be downgraded to utility rope if clearly marked.

• Maintain record for life safety rope.

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Storing Rope (1 of 2)

• Avoid temperature extremes and keep out of sunlight and away from fumes of away from fumes of gasoline, oils, and hydraulic fluids.

• Use a separate apparatus compartment.

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Storing Rope (2 of 2)

• Do not place any heavy objects on the

rope.

• Use rope bags to protect and store the • Use rope bags to protect and store the

rope.

• If shock loaded, inspect and consider

removing from service.

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Knots

• Knots are prescribed ways of fastening

ropes and webbing to objects or each

other.other.

• Fire fighters must know how and when to

use knots.

• Knots are used for multiple purposes.

• Knots reduce rope load-carrying capability.

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Knot Terminology (1 of 4)

• Working end

– Used in forming knots

• Running end• Running end

– Used in lifting or

hoisting

• Standing part

– Between the working

and the running end

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Knot Terminology (2 of 4)

• Bight

– Reverse direction to

form U-bend

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Knot Terminology (3 of 4)

• Loop

– Makes a circle in the

rope

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Knot Terminology (4 of 4)

• Round turn

– Makes a loop with

parallel ends

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Eight Basic Fire Service

Knots• Safety knot (overhand knot)

• Half hitch

• Clove hitch• Clove hitch

• Figure eight

• Figure eight on a bight

• Figure eight with a follow-through

• Bowline

• Bend (sheet or Becket bend)

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Safety Knot (1 of 2)

• Also called an overhand or keeper knot

• Secures the leftover working end to standing part

• Guards against loosening or untying

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Safety Knot (2 of 2)

• Always used to finish other knots

• Tied as an overhand knot in the loose end

around the standing partaround the standing part

• Secures loose end to prevent slippage

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Hitches

• Wrap around an object

• Used to secure working end to a solid

object or to tie a rope to an object before object or to tie a rope to an object before

hoisting it

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Half Hitch

• Not intrinsically secure; used with other knots

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Clove Hitch

• Attaches rope to a round object

• Attaches hoisting • Attaches hoisting rope around an object

• Attaches anywhere in rope

• Can be tied open or around an object

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Loop Knots

• Used to form a loop in the end of a rope

• Loops may be used for hoisting tools,

securing a person, or for identifying the securing a person, or for identifying the

end of a stored rope.

• Will not slip easily but are easy to untie

• Includes

– Figure eight family of knots

– Bowline

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Figure Eight

• Basic knot used to produce a family of other knots

• Seldom used alone

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Figure Eight on a Bight

• Creates a loop at the working end of a rope

• Used to attach rope to • Used to attach rope to a fixed object or around a person

• Loop may be any size in diameter

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Figure Eight

with a Follow-Through• Used when the

working end must be wrapped around an object or passed object or passed through an opening

• Also used to tie two ropes together

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Bowline

• Forms a loop to secure the rope end to an object or anchor pointpoint

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Sheet Bend or Becket Bend

• Used to join two ropes together

• Can join two ropes of • Can join two ropes of unequal size

• Can join rope to a chain

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Methods of Knot Tying

• Find a method and use it all the time.

• Your department may require a specific

method.method.

• You should be able to tie knots while

wearing gloves, in the dark, and behind

your back.

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“Dressing” a Knot

• Knots are “dressed” by tightening and

removing twists, kinks, and slack.

• Firmly finish in a fixed position• Firmly finish in a fixed position

• Makes for easy inspection

• Always secure loose ends with safety knot

to avoid accidental release of primary

knot.

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Knot Tying Practice

• Skills can be quickly lost without practice.

• Consider practicing • Consider practicing while on the telephone or watching TV.

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Hoisting Equipment

• In an emergency, you may have to raise or

lower tools and equipment.

• Important that the object is properly • Important that the object is properly

secured

• Co-workers must be able to quickly

remove the object.

• When lowering, be sure no one is under

the object.

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Hoisting an Axe

• Place in vertical position with head down.

• Figure eight on a bight or • Figure eight on a bight or a clove hitch on head

• Half hitches along the handle

• Keep the handle parallel to the rope.

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Hoisting a Pike Pole

• Hoist in a vertical position for immediate

use when untied.

• Secure clove hitch close to the pole head.• Secure clove hitch close to the pole head.

• Half hitches keep the handle parallel to the

rope.

• Secure the pole with second half hitch.

• Leave length for a tag line.

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Hoisting a Ladder

• Hoist vertically

• Attach a tag line for control.control.

• Retract hooks on all roof ladders.

• Tie a figure eight on a bight for a secure hoist and easy release.

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Hoisting a Charged Hose Line

• It is preferable to hoist a dry hose line.

• Water weight makes hoisting difficult.

• Secure the nozzle in a closed position.• Secure the nozzle in a closed position.

• For easy release, remove tension, and slip

the bight over the nozzle.

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Hoisting an Uncharged Hose

Line• Fold the hose back on itself, with the

nozzle on top.

• Hoist the hose with the fold at the top and • Hoist the hose with the fold at the top and

the nozzle pointing down.

• Use a half hitch at the fold and a clove

hitch at the nozzle.

• To avoid weight drag, pull up sufficient

hose before release.

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Hoisting an Exhaust Fan

or Power Tool• Secure handles with a

figure eight with a follow-through, and half hitches for half hitches for balance.

• Hoist power saws level to avoid leaks.

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Hoisting Tips

• Practice hoisting the actual tools used in

your department.

• You should be able to hoist tools • You should be able to hoist tools

automatically and in adverse conditions.

• Always use utility rope for hoisting tools

and equipment.

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Summary (1 of 3)

• Ropes and knots are widely used in fire

service.

• Two primary types of fire service rope:• Two primary types of fire service rope:

– Life safety

– Utility

• Ropes are made from many types of

materials.

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Summary (2 of 3)

• There are several types of rope

construction.

• Life safety rope is designed to carry a • Life safety rope is designed to carry a

specific amount of weight.

• Ropes are often used in technical rescue

incidents.

• All ropes require proper care.

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Summary (3 of 3)

• Knots are used to fasten rope to objects or

each other.

• Fire fighters must know how to raise and • Fire fighters must know how to raise and

lower tools and equipment using ropes

and knots.