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

2. Objectives
Identify the different materials that fire service rope is constructed from
Define Basic Rope Terminology
Rope Construction
Rope use Classifications
Utility
Life Safety

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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

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

8. Polyethylene Rope

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Spun

10. 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

11. Rope Construction Methods and Their Characteristics

12. 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

13. Examples of Laid Rope

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

18. Rope Use Classifications Primary Uses
Utility Rope Uses

19. Just to prove it does get done… sometimes

20. 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

21. 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.

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

23. 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”

24. 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.

25. 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

26. 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)

29. 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.

30. 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…

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

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

33. 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?)

34. 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

35. 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

36. 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.
UV will cause degradation, chemicals cause deterioration, avoid abrasion.

38. 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.

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

40. Rope Storage
Bagged
Coiled

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

42. 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

44. Other Uses?

45. Other Uses?

46. Break Time

49. 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.

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

51. Knots and Hitches QUALITIES OF A GOOD KNOT OR HITCH Easy to tie.
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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.

52. OFM Sign-offs
Required to do the following in seconds, leaving 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

53. 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

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

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

65. * Coupling ropes of unequal diameter

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

67. Chimney Hitch

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

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

71. Rescue Knot

77. 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.