chapter 7 ropes & knots. 7–2 chapter 7 lesson goal after completing this lesson, the student...

Chapter 7— Ropes & Knots

7–2

Chapter 7 Lesson Goal

After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to apply basic use of ropes & knots

7–3

Life-Safety Rope

• Used to support rescuers and/or victims during actual accidents or training

• Must conform to NFPA 1983

• Must be block creel construction using continuous filament new fiber for load-bearing elements

7–4

Utility Rope

• Used in instances where rope is required but not used to support rescuer/victims

• Industry standards exist concerning physical properties

• No standards for applications

• Regularly inspect for damage

7–5

DISCUSSION QUESTION

What experiences have you had w/ life-safety rope and/or utility rope?

7–6

NFPA 1983

Rope manufacturers must supply purchasers with information about:

• Use criteria

• Inspection procedures

• Maintenance procedures

• Criteria for retiring life-safety rope from service

(Continued)

7–7

NFPA 1983

Criteria to consider before life-safety rope is reused in life-safety situations:

• Must not be visibly damaged

• Must not show abrasions or have been exposed to high temps/direct flame contact

• Has not been impact loaded

(Continued)

7–8

NFPA 1983

Criteria to consider before life-safety rope is reused in life-safety situations

• Must not have been exposed to any substance that can deteriorate rope

• Must pass inspection made by qualified person before AND after use

7–9

Removing Life-Safety Rope From Service

• Impact loaded: Force applied to a rope in a sudden stop

• Life-safety rope that fails to pass inspection or has been impact loaded should be destroyed immediately

• Destroy = Altered in such a manner that it cannot be mistaken for life-safety rope

(Continued)

7–10

Removing Life-Safety Rope From Service

• Rope subjected to impact loading must have entry made in log because there is no way to determine by inspection if it has been impact loaded

7–11

Natural Fiber Rope

• Primary type of rope used for rescue until last half of 20th century

• Most made of hemp or cotton

(Continued)

Courtesy of BlueWater Ropes.

7–12

Natural Fiber Rope

• No longer accepted in life-safety applications

• Can be used for utility purposes

• Made of short overlapping strands of fiber

7–13

Synthetic Rope

• Preferred for life-safety applications

• Excellent resistance to mildew & rotting, excellent strength, easy to maintain

• Continuous fibers running entire length of rope

(Continued)

7–14

Dynamic Rope

• Used when long falls are possible

• Designed to stretch without breaking

• Elasticity a disadvantage when raising/lowering heavy loads

• Not practical for rescue or hauling applications

• Not used in FrPD

7–15

Static Rope

• Used for most rope-rescue incidents

• Low stretch without breaking

• According to NFPA 1983, must not elongate more than 10 percent when tested under load equal to 10% of breaking strength

• Used for rescue, rappelling, hauling

7–16

NFPA 1983 Light Use Rope

• ⅜-inch (9.5 mm) diameter or greater, less than ½-inch (12.5 mm), intended to support one person’s weight

• Minimum breaking strength of 4,500 pounds (20 k/N)

• Maximum safe working load limit of 300 pounds (136 kg)

7–17

NFPA 1983 General-Use Rope

• 7/16-inch (11 mm) diameter or greater, less than or equal to ⅝-inch (16 mm), intended to support two persons



7–18

NFPA 1983 Throwline

• 19/64-inch (7 mm) diameter or greater, but less than 3/8-inch (9.5 mm), used to tether rescuers during water rescues or to throw to victim in water



7–19

NFPA 1983 Escape Rope

• Not life-safety or utility rope; constructed in same manner as life-safety rope

• Must meet generally the same requirements as throwline

• Intended to be used only one time then destroyed

7–20

Common Rope Construction

Kernmantle rope

• Kern: core

• Mantle: jacket

• 75% strength from the kern

• 25% strength from the mantle

• Used by FrPD

(Continued)

Common Rope Construction

Kernmantle rope advantages

• Resists, rot, mold & mildew

• Fibers are continuous

• No permanent loss of strength when wet

• Easy to maintain

7–21

(Continued)

7–22

General Rope Maintenance Guidelines

• Inspect all types after each use

• Unused should be inspected at least annually

• Inspect visually & by touch

• Rope’s core can be damaged without the sheath showing damage

General Rope Maintenance Guidelines

Inspect for:

• Soft spots

• Foreign objects

• Lumps

• Depressions

• Abrasions & other damage

• Bad odors

• Fuzziness

• Burned marks

• Slick or glazed spots

• Discoloration

7–23

7–24

Maintaining Rope Log/Record

• When rescue rope is purchased, it must be permanently identified

• Record must be started & kept throughout rope’s working life, i.e. each time it is used

7–25

Cleaning Rope

• Methods vary by manufacturer; contact for specific instructions

• Synthetic fibers

• Do not use bleach

• Chained or in a mesh bag

7–26

Cleaning Rope

• Dry in open area out of direct sunlight

Be sure area is well ventilated

• Can be chained & put in hose dryer

• Suspended in hose tower

• Do not use clothes dryer

• Do not send to laundry

7–27

General Rope Storage Considerations

• Can be stored in coils or rope bags

• Should be stored in clean, dry spaces w/ adequate ventilation

• Not exposed to chemical contaminants

• Not stored in same space w/ gas-powered tools, spare fuel

• Protect from sunlight – UV damages rope

(Continued)

7–28

Bagging Rope

• Best method for life-safety rope is to place in storage bag

• Bag makes rope easy to transport, protects rope from contamination

• Advantage of storing synthetic rope in bag is that rope can be deployed quickly

(Continued)

7–29

Bagging Rope

• Weight of rope in bag carries it toward target & rope pays out as bag travels through air

• Bag may have drawstring & shoulder straps for ease in carrying

7–30

Coiling/Uncoiling Rope

• Coiling necessary so rope may be placed into service w/ minimum delay important in fire service

• Improperly coiled rope may become tangled & fail to uncoil

7–31

Webbing

• Often used with ropes

• Most made from same materials as synthetic rope; same precautions, maintenance procedures apply

• Size needed varies with intended use

7–32

Types of Webbing Construction

Two designs

Flat webbing Tubular webbing

(Continued)

TubularFlat

7–33

Types of Webbing Construction

• Both look the same unless viewed at ends

• Tubular is of 2 designs: spiral & chain weave

• Spiral stronger, more resistant than chain

7–34

Parts of Rope

• Running end — Free end used for hoisting, pulling, belaying

• Working end

Part of the rope used to tie knots

End tied to object being raised, lowered, stabilized

• Standing part — Section between working end & running end

7–35

Knot-Tying Considerations

• Knots are used to join or connect ropes or webbing, form loops in ropes or webbing or attach ropes or webbing to objects

• Should be dressed after tied

• Even properly dressed knots can fail

7–36

DISCUSSION QUESTION

Why are knots important in the fire service?

7–37

Knot Characteristics

• Easy to tie/untie, secure under load, reduce rope’s strength minimally

• All knots reduce rope’s strength

• Rope’s strength reduced whenever bent

• Bight, loop, round turn — Bends in rope

• Knots, hitches formed by combining bending elements

7–38

Knot Elements

BightBight — Formed by bending rope back on itself while keeping sides parallel

(Continued)

7–39

Knot Elements

LoopLoop — Made by crossing side of bight over standing part

(Continued)

7–40

Knot Elements

Round turn Round turn — Consists of further bending one side of loop

7–41

Commonly Used Knots

Single/double overhand safety knots

• Can be used when tying any type of knot

• Best to provide highest level of safety

• Stops end of rope from slipping back through knot & causing failure

(Continued)

7–42

Commonly Used Knots

Bowline

• One of the most important in fire service

• Easily tied, untied; good for forming single loop that will not constrict object it is placed around

• FFs should be able to tie in the open as well as around objects

(Continued)

7–43

Commonly Used Knots

Half-hitch

• Particularly useful in stabilizing tall objects being hoisted; always used with another knot or hitch

• Formed by making round turn around object

• Several can be applied in succession if required

(Continued)

7–44

Commonly Used Knots

Clove hitch

• May be formed by several methods

• Essentially 2 half-hitches

• Highly susceptible to failure

• May be formed anywhere in rope

• Must be backed up w/ an overhand/safety knot

• Most useful for round objects – pole, post, hoselines

Commonly Used Knots

• Figure-eight family of knots

Figure eight

Figure-eight bend

Figure eight on a bight

Figure-eight follow through

• Most popular family of knots in the fire service

7–45

(Continued)

7–46

Commonly Used Knots

Becket bend (sheet bend)

• Used for joining 2 ropes of unequal diameters or joining rope & chain

• Unlikely to slip when rope is wet

• Advantages make it useful, dependable in fire service rope work

• Not suitable in life-safety applications

(Continued)

7–47

Commonly Used Knots

Water knot

• Preferred knot for joining 2 pieces of webbing or ends of same piece when loop needed

• Formed by tying simple overhand knot in one piece or end & following through in reverse direction w/ another piece or end

7–48

Commonly Used Hardware

• Carabiner

• Figure-eight plate (descender)

(Continued)

7–49

• Brake bar rack (descender)

• Ascender

• Pulleys

Commonly Used Hardware

(Continued)

7–50

Using Rope for Hoisting

• One of most common uses of rope in fire service — Raise or lower tools & pieces of equipment from one elevation to another

(Continued)

7–51


• Thorough knowledge of knots, hitches makes this a safe, efficient practice

• Anything with closed-type D-ring handle can be raised, lowered with bowline or figure-eight bend

• Hoisting pressurized cylinders not recommended

(Continued)

7–52


• Using proper knots, securing procedures helps prevent dropping of equipment

• Separate guideline should be used when hoisting any equipment

• Objects may also be tied in center of rope

7–53

Hoisting Safety — General

• Have solid footing, make necessary preparations beforehand

• Use hand-over-hand method

• Use edge roller or padding

• Work in teams

(Continued)

7–54

Hoisting Safety — General

• Look to ensure all personnel clear of hoisting area

• Avoid hoisting operations near electrical hazards

• Secure nozzles of charged hoselines

• Use guideline to help control object being hoisted

7–55

Using Ropes for Hoisting

Items that can be hoisted:

• Axe

• Pike pole

• Ladder

• Hoselines

• Portable fans

• Fire extinguisher

7–56


Most common combination used:

• Clove hitch w/

• Half hitches

(Continued)


When hoisting a pike pole

• With the point up

• Clove hitch & half hitches on shaft

• Final half hitch on point

• Use a guideline

7–57

(Continued)


When hoisting a ladder

• Using a Figure 8, make a loop

• 1/3 distance from top, pass loop through rungs

• Pull rope up & over top of ladder

• Attach guide line to ladder

7–58

(Continued)

7–59

Rescue Rope

• Used when victims located above, below grade & need to be rescued

• Technical skill that requires specialized training

• Used for variety of purposes

Rescue Harness

Three classes

• Class I: Seat harness rated for 300 lbs (145 kg)

• Class II: Seat harness rated for 600 lbs. (285 kg)

• Class III: Seat & chest harness rated for 600 lbs. (285 kg)

7–60

7–61

Summary

• Rope is one of the oldest & most basic tools used by FFs.

• It is used to stabilize vehicles & other objects, hoist tools & equipment aloft, & to allow FFs to access & rescue victims who are stranded above or below grade, or in bodies of water.

(Continued)

7–62

Summary

• Rope is also used to help FFs escape from life-threatening situations.

• To use rope safely & effectively during fires & rescue operations, FFs must know the various types of rope & their applications.

• They must also be capable of tying a variety of knots & hitches quickly & correctly — and that takes practice.

(Continued)

7–63

Summary

• FFs must know how to inspect, clean, & store ropes so that they are ready for use when needed.

7–64

Skills

• Inspect, clean, & store rope

• Bag a rope

• Tie the single overhand knot

• Tie a clove hitch

• Tie a clove hitch around an object

7–65

Skills

• Tie a figure eight

• Tie a figure-eight bend

• Tie a figure eight on a bight

• Hoist an axe

• Hoist a pike pole

7–66

Skills

• Hoist a roof ladder

• Hoist a dry hoseline

• Hoist a fan. (Skill Sheet FF-I-103)

• Perform Exercise 3A-N, Knot Tying & Hoisting

chapter 7 ropes & knots. 7–2 chapter 7 lesson goal after completing this lesson, the student...

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