CHAPTER 9 Ropes and Knots Knowledge Objectives Describe

CHAPTER 9 Ropes and Knots

Knowledge Objectives • Describe the four primary types of fire service rope. • List the two types of life safety rope and their minimum breaking strength. • Describe the characteristics of escape rope and fire escape rope. • Describe the characteristics of water rescue throwlines. • Describe the characteristics of utility ropes.

Knowledge Objectives • Describe the characteristics of webbing. • List the disadvantages of natural fiber ropes. • List the advantages and disadvantages of synthetic fiber ropes. • List the types of synthetic fibers that are used in fire service rope. • Describe how twisted, braided, and kernmantle ropes are constructed. • Explain the differences between dynamic and static kernmantle rope.

Knowledge Objectives • List the four components of the rope maintenance formula. • Describe how to preserve rope strength and integrity. • Describe how to clean and inspect a rope. • Describe how to keep an accurate rope record. • Describe how to store rope properly. • List the terminology used to describe the parts of a rope when tying knots.

Knowledge Objectives • List the terminology used to describe the bends in rope that are formed when a knot is tied. • List the common types of knots that are used in the fire service. • Describe the characteristics of a safety knot, half hitch, clove hitch, figure-eight knot, bowline knot, sheet bend, and water knot. • Describe the methods used to hoist a tool.

Skill Objectives • • Care for life safety ropes. Clean and inspect fire department ropes. Place a life safety rope in a rope bag. Tie a safety knot, half hitch, clove hitch in the open, clove hitch around an object, a figureeight knot, a figure-eight on a bight, a figureeight follow-through, a figure-eight bend, a bowline, a sheet or Becket bend, and a water knot.

Skill Objectives • Hoist a(n) – Axe – Pike pole – Ladder – Charged hose line – Uncharged hose line – Exhaust fan or power tool

Introduction • Ropes are widely used in the fire service. • Ropes may be your only means for rescue. • Learning about ropes and knots is an important part of your training. • A fire fighter must be able to tie simple knots accurately and without hesitation.

Types of Rope • Life safety rope – Used solely for supporting people • Escape rope and fire escape rope – Single-purpose self-rescue ropes • Water rescue throwlines – Floating ropes used in water rescue • Utility ropes – Used in most cases when it is not necessary to support a person

Life Safety Rope • Never used as utility rope • Must be used when supporting the weight of one or more persons • NFPA 1983 specifies design, construction, and performance criteria. © Jones & Bartlett Learning. Photographed by Glen E. Ellman.

Types of Life Safety Rope • Technical use life safety rope – 3/8 in (9. 5 mm) or greater, but is less than 1/2 in (12. 5 mm) in diameter – Minimum breaking strength of 4, 496 lbf (20 k. N) • General-use life safety rope – No larger than 5/8 in (16 mm) and no smaller than 7/16 in (11 mm) in diameter – Minimum breaking strength of 8. 992 lbf (40 k. N)

Escape Rope • Used for self-rescue in extreme situations • Designed for the weight of one person • Fits easily in small pouch; easy to carry • Should be replaced after one use © Jones & Bartlett Learning. Photographed by Glen E. Ellman.

Water Rescue Throwline © fotomy/Alamy Stock Photo. • Ranges from 50 -100 (15 -30 m) feet long • Kept in a special throw bag • Made from materials that float • Does not have strength to be used as life safety rope

Utility Rope © Jones & Bartlett Learning. Photographed by Glen E. Ellman. • Is not used to support a person • Used for hoisting, lowering, and securing equipment • Requires regular inspection

Webbing • Woven flat or tubular weave in a long strip • Often used in conjunction with rope • Made of nylon or polyester • Ranges from ½ in to 6 in wide Courtesy of Skedco, Inc.

Rope Materials • Ropes can be made of many types of materials. • Earliest ropes were made from natural vines woven together. • Now ropes are made of synthetic material. • Because ropes have many different uses, different materials may work better than others in various situations.

Natural Fibers • In the past, ropes were made from natural fibers, such as manila or cotton, because there were no alternatives. – The natural fibers are twisted together to form strands. • Today, ropes made from natural fibers are still used as utility ropes but are no longer acceptable as life safety ropes. • Natural fiber ropes can be weakened by mildew and deteriorate with age

Synthetic Fibers • Nylon first manufactured in 1938 • Synthetic fibers, such as polyester, polypropylene, and polyethylene, have been used for ropes ever since. © Jones & Bartlett Learning. Photographed by Glen E. Ellman.

Synthetic Fibers: Advantages • Generally stronger than natural fibers • Can produce very long fibers that run the full length of a rope to provide strength and safety • More resistant to rotting and mildew than natural fiber ropes • May provide more resistance to melting and burning than natural fiber ropes. • They also absorb much less water when wet and can be washed and dried. • Some types float on water

Synthetic Fibers: Disadvantages • Prolonged exposure to UV light and exposure to strong acids or alkalis can damage a synthetic rope and decrease its life expectancy. • Need to be protected from abrasion and sharp objects that can damage or cut the rope fibers

Synthetic Fibers • Life safety rope is always synthetic. – Nylon (most common) – Polyester (second most common) – Polypropylene (lightest; often used for water rescue) © Jones & Bartlett Learning. Photographed by Glen E. Ellman.

Rope Construction • There are several types of rope construction. – Twisted – Braided – Kernmantle • The best choice depends on the specific application.

Twisted Rope • Also called laid ropes • Individual fibers twisted into strands • Strands are twisted to make the rope. • Both natural and synthetic fibers can be twisted. © Jones & Bartlett Learning. Photographed by Glen E. Ellman.

Braided Rope • Strands woven like hair braiding • Exposes all of the strands to abrasion • Fibers stretch • Double-braided rope has an inner core covered by a braided sleeve © Jones & Bartlett Learning. Photographed by Glen E. Ellman.

Kernmantle Rope • Kern is the center core. • Mantle is the sheathlike braided covering that protects kern from dirt and abrasion. • Both made of synthetic fibers Courtesy of Steve Hudson.

Kernmantle Rope • Each fiber in the kern extends for the entire length of the rope without knots or splices. – Core is stronger than one constructed of fibers that are twisted or braided together. • Produces a very strong and flexible rope that is relatively thin and lightweight • Well-suited for rescue work and is very popular for life safety rope. Courtesy of Steve Hudson.

Dynamic Kernmantle Rope Construction Courtesy of Pigeon Mountain Industries. • Designed to be elastic; will stretch when loaded • Constructed with overlapping/woven core fibers

Static Kernmantle Rope Construction Courtesy of Pigeon Mountain Industries. • Has a limited range of elasticity • In the core, all fibers are parallel • More suitable for rescue situations

Rope Maintenance • Maintenance is necessary for all kinds of equipment and all types of rope, and it is absolutely essential for life safety ropes. – Lives depend on the proper maintenance • Four parts to maintenance: – Care – Clean – Inspect – Store

Care for the Rope • Protect the rope from – sharp and abrasive surfaces. – rubbing against another rope or webbing. – heat, chemicals, and flames. – prolonged exposure to sunlight. • Never step on a rope! • Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for rope care.

Clean the Rope • Use mild soap and water for synthetic fibers. • Do not use bleach. • Follow manufacturer’s recommendations. • Do not pack or store wet or damp rope. Courtesy of Captain David Jackson, Saginaw Township Fire Department.

Inspect the Rope • Inspect life safety rope after each use and on a regular schedule. • Look for – Cuts and damage – Depressions – Flat spots/lumps – Discolorations – Abrasions © Jones & Bartlett Learning. Photographed by Glen E. Ellman.

Inspect the Rope • If you have any doubt about whether the rope has been damaged, consult with your company officer. • A life safety rope that is no longer usable must be pulled from service and either destroyed or marked as a utility rope. – A downgraded rope must be clearly marked so that it cannot be confused with a life safety rope.

Rope Record • This record should include a history of – When the rope was purchased – Each time it was used – How it was used – The types of loads applied to it Courtesy of Pigeon Mountain Industries.

Store the Rope • Avoid temperature extremes and keep out of sunlight and away from fumes of gasoline, oils, and hydraulic fluids. • Use a separate apparatus compartment. © Jones & Bartlett Learning. Photographed by Glen E. Ellman.

Store the Rope • Do not place heavy objects on the rope. • Rope bags may be used or rope may be coiled. – Each bag should contain only one rope • Long pieces are sometimes stored on spools. © Able. Stock.

Knots • Ways of fastening ropes and webbing to objects or each other. • Fire fighters must know how and when to use knots. – Knots are used for multiple purposes. – Knots reduce rope load-carrying capability.

Terminology • Working end • Running end • Standing part © Jones & Bartlett Learning. Photographed by Glen E. Ellman.

Terminology • Bight • Loop • Round turn © Jones & Bartlett Learning. Photographed by Glen E. Ellman.

Basic Fire Service Knots • • • Safety knot Half hitch Clove hitch Figure-eight on a bight • Figure-eight followthrough • • Figure-eight bend Bowline Sheet bend Water knot

Methods of Knot Tying • There are many ways to tie each of these knots. – Find a method and use it all the time. – Your department may require a specific method. • A knot should be properly “dressed” by tightening and removing twists, kinks and slack from the rope. – The finished knot is firmly fixed in position and easily inspected.

Methods of Knot Tying • Knot-tying skills can be quickly lost without practice. • Practice tying knots while you are doing other things • For added practice, try tying knots with gloves on or in the darkness. © Jones & Bartlett Learning. Photographed by Glen E. Ellman.

Safety Knot • Secures the leftover working end of the rope to the standing part of the rope. • Ensures primary knot will not become undone • Should always be used to finish other basic knots. • To test, try sliding it on the standing part of the rope. – A knot that is tied correctly will slide.

Hitches • Wrap around an object • Used to secure working end to a solid object or to tie a rope to an object before hoisting it

Hitches • Half hitch – Used only in conjunction with other knots. – Long objects may need several half hitches. • Clove hitch – Used to attach rope to a round object – Can be tied anywhere in a rope – Will hold if tension is applied – 2 methods: in the open and around an object

Loop Knots • Used to form a loop in the end of a rope • May be used for hoisting tools, securing a person, or identifying the end of a stored rope. • Will not slip easily but are easy to untie

Loop Knots • Figure-eight knot – Used to produce a family of other knots – Seldom used alone • Figure-eight on a bight – Secures loop at the working end – Can be used to attach rope to fixed object or a piece of equipment

Loop Knots • Figure-eight follow-through – Useful for attaching a rope to a fixed ring or a solid object with an “eye” • Figure-eight bend – Used to join two ropes together • Bowline – Can also be used form a loop – Used to secure a rope to an object or anchor point or hoist equipment

Bends • Used to join two ropes together • Sheet bend – Can be used to join two ropes of unequal size. – Should not support a human load • Water knot – Used to join webbing of the same or different sizes together.

Hoisting • In an emergency, you may have to raise or lower tools and equipment. – Important that the object is properly secured. – Coworkers must be able to quickly remove the object. • When hoisting or lowering, be sure no one is under the object. – Keep scene clear – Attach a tag line for extra control.

Hoisting • An axe should be hoisted in a vertical position with the head of the axe down. • A pike pole should be hoisted in a vertical position with the head at the top. • A ladder should be hoisted in a vertical position. – A tag line should be attached to the bottom.

Hoisting • It is almost always preferable to hoist a dry hose line. – Water adds considerable weight. – Fold the hose back on itself and place the nozzle on top of the hose. – Also eliminates stress by ensuring rope does not pull directly on the nozzle

Hoisting • Several types of tools and equipment can be hoisted using the same technique. – Rope is secured to the object, usually through handle opening – A figure eight closes the loop. • Some types of equipment require that you use additional half hitches to balance the object. • Practice hoisting the actual tools and equipment used in your department.

Summary • Four primary types of fire service rope: – Life safety – Escape – Throwline – Utility • Ropes can be made of natural or synthetic fibers. Natural fibers can be weakened by abrasion, mildew, and age. Synthetic fibers are generally stronger than natural fibers and are used in life safety ropes.

Summary • Synthetic fibers can be damaged by ultraviolet light and abrasion. • Nylon, polyester, and polypropylene are common synthetic fibers used in life safety ropes. Polypropylene does not absorb water, so it is often used for water rescues. • Three common rope construction types: – Twisted rope – Braided rope – Kernmantle rope

Summary • All ropes need proper care to perform in an optimal manner. The rope maintenance formula consists of four parts: care, clean, inspect, and store. • The principles of caring for a rope include protecting the rope from: – Sharp and abrasive surfaces. – Rubbing against another rope or webbing. – Heat, chemicals, and flames. – Prolonged exposure to sunlight.

Summary • When inspecting life safety rope, consider these questions: – Has the rope been exposed to heat or flame? – Has the rope been exposed to abrasion? – Has the rope been exposed to chemicals? – Has the rope been exposed to shock loads? – Are there any depressions, discolorations, or lumps in the rope?

Summary • A rope record for a life safety rope includes a history of when the rope was purchased, when it was used, how it was used, each inspection, and what kinds of loads were applied to it. • Ropes should be stored away from temperature extremes, out of sunlight, and in areas with good air circulation. Rope bags can be used to protect and store ropes.

Summary • Knots can be used for particular purposes. – Safety knots, such as the overhand knot, are used to secure the ends of ropes to prevent them from coming untied. – Hitches, such as the clove hitch, are used to attach a rope around an object. – Loop knots, such as the figure-eight and the bowline, are used to form loops. – Bends, such as the sheet bend or Becket bend, are used to join two ropes together.

Summary • Specific terminology is used to refer to the parts of a rope when describing how to tie knots: – The working end is the part of the rope used forming the knot. – The running end is the part of the rope used for lifting or hoisting. – The standing part is the rope between the working end and the running end.

Summary • Specific terminology is used when describing the bends in rope that are formed when a knot is tied: – A bight is formed by reversing the direction of the rope to form a U bend with two parallel ends. – A loop is formed by making a circle in rope. – A round turn is formed by making a loop and then bringing the two ends of the rope parallel to each other.

Summary • The knots that a fire fighter should know how to tie are as follows: – Safety knot – Half hitch – Clove hitch – Figure-eight on a bight – Figure-eight followthrough – Figure-eight bend – Bowline – Sheet bend – Water knot

Summary • In emergency situations, a fire fighter might need to hoist a tool to other fire fighters. Fire fighters should practice hoisting the tools and equipment used in their departments.