FIRE SERVICE Ropes & Knots IFSTA Ch. 6 Seneca College FIR 005 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 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.

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

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

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

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

Polyethylene Rope

Seneca College FIR 005 Spun

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

Rope Construction Methods and Their Characteristics

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

Examples of Laid Rope

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

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

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

Rope Use Classifications Primary Uses Utility Rope Uses

Just to prove it does get done… sometimes

Rope Use Classifications Primary 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

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

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

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”

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.

Life Safety Rope Safe 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

Static Kernmantle Rope Strength (polyester sheath/nylon core) (Adapted from CMI Gear Catalogue 37) Diameter Weight (lbs/30m) Strength (lbs) Elongation @450lbs @900 lbs 3/8” 3.8 5600 2% 3% (2545 kg) 7/16” 5.4 7800 (3545 kg) 1/2” 7.0 10 000 (4545 kg) 5/8” 10.2 12 700 (5772 kg)

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.

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…

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Seneca College FIR 005 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. UV will cause degradation, chemicals cause deterioration, avoid abrasion.

Care & Maintenance Do not overload or shock load. Seneca College FIR 005 Care & Maintenance Do not overload or shock load. Carefully handle frozen rope. Avoid oil, grease, tar & water runoff from fires. UV will cause degradation, chemicals cause deterioration, avoid abrasion.

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

Rope Storage Bagged Coiled

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

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

Other Uses?

Other Uses?

Break Time

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.

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

Knots and Hitches QUALITIES OF A GOOD KNOT OR HITCH Easy to tie. Seneca College FIR 005 Knots and Hitches QUALITIES OF A GOOD KNOT OR HITCH Easy to tie. Easy to identify. Knot is secure under load. Has a minimal effect on rope strength. Easy to untie quickly. Knot is complete when an overhand (safety) knot is tied to back it up. Other ff is anticipating the knot that will be used, recognized knots are easy to untie, even in the dark.

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

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

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

Overhand Safety Knot Used primarily as a back up safety knot.

* Coupling ropes of unequal diameter

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

Chimney Hitch

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

Reef Knot Good multi purpose knot. Secure knot, easy to untie. To couple two ropes of equal diameter

Rescue Knot

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.