Ropes & Knots (IFSTA) Flashcards
(215 cards)
1
Q
One of the oldest and most common tools used by firefighters
A
Rope
2
Q
Applications for rope
A
- Rescues
- Hoisting tools
- Securing unstable objects
- Cordoning off areas
- Gaining access to areas above and below ground level
3
Q
Designed to be used only for rescue and other emergency operations or to raise, lower, or support firefighters during training
A
Life safety rope
4
Q
Life safety rope should not be used for ___
A
Other utility purposes
5
Q
Only rope of ___ is suitable for life safety applications
A
Block creel construction using continuous filament virgin fiber for load-bearing elements
6
Q
Specifies the only rope construction suitable for life safety applications
A
NFPA 1983
7
Q
Requires manufacturers to provide info regarding proper use, inspection, and maintenance procedures and criteria for retiring life safety rope from service
A
NFPA 1983
8
Q
In order to be reused in life safety applications, NFPA 1983 requires that rope meet what criteria?
A
- No abrasions or visible damage
- No exposure to heat or direct flame
- No exposure to any impact load
- No exposure to liquids, solids, gases, mists, or vapors of any chemical or other material that can deteriorate raw rope
9
Q
Impact loading cannot be detected by the ___
A
Manufacturer’s regularly scheduled inspections
10
Q
Start and keep a rope log throughout the rope’s ___
A
Working life
11
Q
Maintaining accurate rope logs ensures that ___
A
Life safety ropes remain a reliable source of protection for rescuers and victims
12
Q
When life safety rope is purchased, it must be permanently ___
A
Identified
13
Q
Common method of marking life safety rope
A
Mark the ends of the ropes with the unit number and date placed into service
14
Q
Marking the ends of new ropes can be done with ___
A
A printed label sealed to the rope ends with a liquid compound made for this purpose
15
Q
Remove a life safety rope from service if ___
A
It has been subjected to an impact load, fails inspection, has been used only as utility rope, or is marked for destruction
16
Q
If a life safety rope is repurposed as a utility rope, you must ___
A
Alter it in some way so that it cannot be mistaken for a life safety rope
17
Q
Life safety rope that has been converted to utility rope is referred to as ___
A
Downgraded
18
Q
Can be used to hoist equipment, secure unstable objects, or cordon off an area
A
Utility rope
19
Q
Ensure that downgraded life safety rope is clearly marked as ___
A
Utility rope
20
Q
Downgraded life safety rope can be used as utility rope if it is ___
A
Still in good condition
21
Q
NFPA standard on utility rope
A
None
22
Q
Fire service rope can be constructed from ___
A
Synthetic or natural fibers
23
Q
___ fibers are used to construct both life safety and utility ropes
A
Synthetic
24
Q
___ fibers are only permitted for utility ropes
A
Natural
25
The main difference between synthetic and natural fiber ropes
The material used for construction
26
How does the material used for rope construction affect the rope?
The use and longevity of each type
27
Natural fiber rope loses its strength when it ___
Gets wet and rots rapidly
28
Synthetic fibers include ___
1. Polypropylene
2. Nylon
3. Kevlar
4. Polyester
5. Polysteel
6. Spectra
29
Disadvantage of synthetic fibers
Melt when exposed to heat
30
Advantages of synthetic fiber rope
1. Excellent resistance to water, mildew, mold, rotting, and shrinkage
2. Longer life span than natural fiber rope
3. Lightweight yet very strong
4. Easy to maintain
31
Most natural fiber rope is made from ___
Plant fibers such as:
1. Manila
2. Sisal
3. Hemp
4. Cotton
32
Disadvantage of natural fiber rope
1. Being prone to mildew and mold
2. Deteriorates when exposed to chemicals
3. Burns when in contact with embers or open flame
33
Natural fiber ropes should not be used for ___
Life safety applications
34
Advantages of natural fiber rope
1. More resistant to sunlight than synthetic rope
2. Chars rather than melts (fails) when exposed to heat
35
Most common types of rope construction
1. Kernmantle
2. Laid
3. Braided
4. Braid-on-braid
36
Jacketed synthetic rope composed of a braided covering or sheath over a core of the main load-bearing strands
Kernmantle rope
37
Sheath
Mantle
38
Core
Kern
39
The kernmantle rope core strands run ___ and work in conjunction with the covering to ___
1. Parallel with the rope's length
2. Increase the rope's stretch resistance and load characteristics
40
The core of a kernmantle rope is made of ___
High-strength fibers, usually nylon
41
The core of a kernmantle rope accounts for ___ of the total strength of the rope
75%
42
The sheath of a kernmantle rope accounts for ___ of the total strength of the rope
25%
43
Function of the sheath in a kernmantle rope
Protects the core from abrasion and contamination as well as some strength of the rope
44
Kernmantle construction is used for ___ rope
Life-safety
45
Kernmantle rope types
1. Dynamic (high stretch)
2. Static (low stretch)
46
Used when long falls are a possibility
Dynamic rope
47
___ rope is designed to stretch without breaking
Dynamic
48
Why is dynamic rope designed to stretch?
To reduce the shock of impact in falls
49
Why is dynamic rope not used for hoisting applications other than a belay line?
The elasticity is a disadvantage when trying to raise or lower heavy loads
50
___ rope is used for most rope-rescue operations
Static
51
Rope designed for low stretch without breaking
Static
52
Low-stretch rope must not elongate more than ___ when tested under ___
1. 10%
2. A load equal to 10% of its breaking strength
53
Static rope is used for ___
Rescue, rappelling, and hoisting and where falls are not likely to occur or only very short falls are possible
54
Constructed by twisting fibers together to form strands, then twisting the strands (typically 3) together to make the final rope
Laid (twisted) rope
55
Most natural fiber ropes and some synthetic ropes are of this type
Laid (twisted) rope
56
Laid ropes are used exclusively as ___
Utility ropes
57
Disadvantage of laid ropes
1. Susceptible to abrasion and other physical damage
2. Damage immediately effects the ropes strength because such a large portion of load bearing strands are exposed
58
Advantage of laid rope strand exposure
Easy to inspect
59
Constructed by uniformly intertwining strands of rope together in a diagonally overlapping pattern
Braided rope
60
Braided rope is less likely to ___ than laid rope, but its load-bearing fibers are ___
1. Twist during use
2. Still vulnerable to direct abrasion and damage
61
Braided rope is most commonly used as ___
Utility rope
62
Most braided ropes are made with ___
Synthetic fibers, although some use natural fibers
63
Consists of a braided core enclosed in a braided sheath
Braid-on-braid rope
64
Braid-on-braid rope is also known as ___
Double-braided rope
65
Difference between braid-on-braid rope and kernmantle rope
Kernmantle rope has a core rope strand running the length of the rope while braid-on-braid rope has a braided core running the length of the rope
66
Strength of braid-on-braid rope
Very strong. Half the strength is in the core and half in the sheath
67
Disadvantage of braid-on-braid rope
1. Does not resist abrasion as well as kernmantle rope
2. The sheath may slide along the inner core of the rope
68
Braid-on-braid rope is most often used as a ___
Utility rope
69
A rope log must be kept so that personnel can record the rope's ___
Use and maintenance history
70
Ropes should be inspected ___
1. After each use
2. At least once a year if unused
71
Damage to rope that requires removal from service
1. Imbedded shards of glass
2. Metal shavings
3. Wood splinters
4. Foreign objects that can damage the fibers
72
Inspecting kernmantle rope is somewhat difficult because the damage may not ___
Be obvious
73
When inspecting kernmantle rope ___
Put a slight tension on the rope while feeling for lumps, depressions, or soft spots
74
Soft spots in kernmantle rope is caused by ___, but they may not be signs of permanent damage to the core because ___
1. Knots or bends
2. Core fibers may only be temporarily misaligned
75
If you feel a soft spot in kernmantle rope ___
Inspect the outer sheath, if the sheath is damaged, the core is probably damaged as well
76
The core of a kernmantle rope can be damaged without ___
Visible evidence on the outer sheath
77
If there is any doubt about the kernmantle rope's integrity, it should be ___
Removed from service, downgraded to utility status, or destroyed
78
In addition to inspecting kernmantle rope for damage to the core or sheath, inspect the rope for ___
1. Irregularities in shape or weave
2. Foul smells
3. Discoloration from chemical contamination
4. Roughness
5. Abrasions
6. Deterioration (fuzziness)
79
Rope that is excessively fuzzy in one spot or overall should be ___
Removed from service
80
Inspecting synthetic laid rope
Should be untwisted so that all sides of each strand can be inspected
81
In synthetic laid rope, mildew is not necessarily an option because ___. However ___
1. The fibers resists rotting and molding
2. Mildew must always be removed, after which the rope should be cleaned and reinspected
82
When inspecting synthetic laid rope, look for ___
1. Soft, crusty, stiff, or brittle spots
2. Cuts, nicks, or abrasions
3. Dirt or grease
4. Excessive stretching
5. Chemical damage
6. Other obvious flaws
83
Natural fiber laid rope deteriorates with ___
Age
84
When natural fiber rope reaches the end of its manufacturer's recommended service life, it must be ___
Removed from service
85
The rope's age can be determined from the ___
Rope log
86
When inspecting natural fiber laid rope look for ___
1. Ruptured fibers and powdering between strands
2. Dark red, brown, or black spots between the strands, along with a sour, musty, or acidic odor
3. Powdering between strands
4. Brittle or ruptured fibers, dark red or brown spots, salt encrustation, or swollen areas
5. Rust spots
6. Accumulation of heavy, greasy materials
87
Ruptured fibers and powdering between strands on a natural fiber laid rope indicates ___
The rope has been overloaded
88
Dark red, brown, or black spots between the strands, along with a sour, musty, or acidic odor on a natural fiber laid rope indicates ___
Rot and mildew
89
Powdering between strands on a natural fiber laid rope indicates ___
Internal wear
90
Brittle or ruptured fibers, dark red or brown spots, salt encrustation, or swollen areas on a natural fiber laid rope indicates ___
Chemical damage
91
Rust spots on natural fiber laid ropes occurs ___
On ropes in pre-rigged pulley systems or ropes that are stored with other metal devices
92
Rust spots on natural fiber laid rope indicates ___
Weakened fibers and reduced holding power
93
Accumulations of heavy, greasy materials on natural fiber laid rope indicates ___
Adverse effects on rope strength and reduced holding power
94
Rot will quickly spread from a rotten rope to a new rope if they are ___
Stored next to each other
95
When rot is discovered, ___
The rotten rope and any surrounding rope must be immediately removed from service, cleaned, and reinspected. The storage area should be cleaned, dried, and ventilated before putting the rope back into it
96
Inspect braided rope for ___
Visually look for exterior damage, such as nicks, cuts, heat sears, and excessive or unusual fizziness. Inspect for permanent mushy spots or other deformities by feeling and squeezing the surface of the rope
97
Visually inspect braided rope for ___
Exterior damage, such as nicks, cuts, heat sears, and excessive or unusual fizziness. Inspect for permanent mushy spots
98
Inspect braid-on-braid rope for ___
Visually look for heat sears, nicks, or cuts. Feel for lumps, check to see if the sheath slides on the core, and see if the diameter has shrunk
99
Cause of heat sears
Friction or fire
100
Lumps in braid-on-braid ropes indicates ___
Core damage
101
Braid-on-braid rope shrunk diameter indicates ___
A break in the core
102
In a braid-on-braid rope, if the sheath slides on the core ___
Cut the end of the rope, pull off excess material, and then seal the end
103
If not properly maintained, synthetic and natural fiber ropes can be ___
Easily damaged
104
Guidelines to ensure rope remain in good condition
1. Avoid abrasions and unnecessary wear
2. Avoid sharp angles, bends, and knots
3. Protect ends from damage
4. Avoid sustained loads
5. Avoid rust
6. Prevent contact with chemicals
7. Reverse ends of the rope periodically
8. Do not walk on rope
105
Sharp angles, bends, and knots can reduce strength by as much as ___
50%
106
How to prevent ends of the rope from unravelling
Whip or tape cut ends
107
Never subject a rope to sustained loads for more than ___
Two days
108
___ ropes have less ability to bear sustained loads than ___ ropes
1. Natural fiber
2. Synthetic fiber
109
A natural fiber rope subjected to heavy loads for long periods of time can ___
Break well below the rated load limit
110
Rust can weaken rope within ___
One or two weeks
111
If the rust stain is halfway through the rope, then the rope may have ___
Lost as much as half its strength
112
Ensures even wear along all portions of the rope
Reversing the ends periodically
113
Walking on rope ___
Grinds dirt and debris into the strands and bruises the strands by compressing them
114
After use, visually inspect the rope to determine if it has been ___
Contaminated or soiled
115
If the rope is contaminated or soiled ___
Use a stiff bristle brush to remove loose surface debris and grime. If additional cleaning is needed follow the manufacturer's instructions
116
To loosen embedded dirt particles, wash synthetic fiber ropes with ___. Do not use ___
1. A mild detergent or fabric softener added in lukewarm to warm water
2. Bleaches or strong cleansers
117
Three methods for cleaning synthetic rope
1. Washing by hand
2. Rope-washing device
3. Washing machine
118
How to clean synthetic rope by hand
Place into a utility sink filled with water and detergent. Scrub with a bristle brush. Can also place in a mesh bag, allow it to soak, and then agitate it by hand. When clean, rinse thoroughly in clean water to remove detergent
119
Commercial rope washing devices consist of ___
A bristle-lined plastic tube that has a garden hose connection at the side
120
Rope-washing devices do not address ___
Deeper cleaning problems
121
How to wash synthetic rope in a washing machine
1. Place in a mesh bag and place in machine (must not have a center agitator)
2. Set the washer on the coolest wash/rinse temp and use only a small amount of mild detergent
3. May also be used to rinse rope that was cleaned with a high-pressure washer
122
After you have washed and rinsed the rope, you must ___
Dry the rope immediately
123
How to dry rope
1. Spread in a hose drying rack
2. Suspend in a hose tower
3. Loosely coil it in a hose dryer
124
Never use a heated dryer to dry rope because ___
Heat can reduce the rope's tensile strength
125
Avoid drying or storing rope in direct sunlight because ___
UV light can weaken the rope
126
The rope log must include ___
1. Product label, ID label, and manufacturer's instructions
2. Info regarding purchase date, use, maintenance, and inspection
3. Incidents that result in impact loading
127
The rope log may be stored ___
At the station or in the rope storage bag
128
Helps ensure that a rope maintains its condition and rated load strength and reaches its life expectancy
Proper rope storage
129
Rope should be stored in a ___
Clean, dry, unheated area with freely circulating air currents
130
Ropes should not be stored in the same compartments where ___ are stored
Gasoline-powered tools or fuel containers
131
New rope is generally stored on ___ until it is placed into service
Reels
132
Best method for storing rope
Place it into a nylon or canvas storage bag
133
Advantage of storing rope in a nylon or canvas bag
Makes the rope easy to transport and protects it from abrasion and contamination
134
Mark the rope bag to indicate ___
The type, diameter and length of rope and the unit to which it has been assigned
135
Ropes stored in bags can be deployed quickly by ___
Holding the end of the rope and dropping or throwing the bag
136
Webbing is used ___
In conjunction with rope for both life safety and utility applications
137
Webbing comes in many forms and may be a ___
1. Piece of material
2. Ladder belt
3. Loop
4. Rescue harness
138
Webbing is constructed from the same materials used to make ___
Synthetic rope
139
Webbing can be ___
Flat or tubular in either a spiral-weave or chain-weave design
140
Most common webbing size used
1"
141
Any webbing used for life-safety applications must be ___ compliant
NFPA 1983
142
Flat webbing is constructed of ___
A single layer of material that resembles an automobile seat belt
143
Advantage of flat webbing
Cheaper than tubular tubing
144
Disadvantage of flat webbing
Stiffer and more difficult to tie into knots
145
In rescue applications, flat webbing is mainly used for ___
Straps and harnesses
146
Tubular webbing is commonly used for ___
Rescue applications
147
Advantage of tubular webbing
Easier to tie than flat webbing
148
Two types of tubular webbing
1. Edge-stitched
2. Spiral weave
149
Formed by folding a piece of flat webbing lengthwise and sewing the edges together
Edge-stitched webbing
150
Spiral weave tubular webbing is also known as ___
Shuttle-loom construction
151
Spiral weave tubular webbing is preferred for ___
Rescue work
152
Care, cleaning, and maintenance of webbing follow the same guidelines used for ___
Synthetic rope
153
Many firefighters carry a ___-foot length of utility webbing in their coat pocket
20 to 30
154
How to store long lengths of webbing
Roll or daisy chain
155
Three parts of a rope when tying knots
1. Working end
2. Running part
3. Standing part
156
The part of the rope used to tie the knot or hitch
Working end
157
The part of the rope that is the free end used for hoisting or pulling
Running part
158
The part of the rope that is the section between the working end and the running part
Standing part
159
Tighten knots until ___
Snug
160
The process of removing the slack from a knot
Dressing
161
Even dressed knots can loosen or fail because of ___
Repeated loading and unloading of the rope
162
One way to prevent failure of a knot
Tie an overhand safety knot in the tail of the working end or a hitch
163
Temporary knot that can be undone by pulling against the strain that holds it
Hitch
164
To be suitable for use in the fire service, a knot must be ___
Easy to tie and untie, be secure under load, and reduce the rope's strength as little as possible
165
A rope's strength is reduced to some degree whenever it is ___
Bent
166
The tighter the bend, the more ___ is lost
Strength
167
Knots and hitches are a combination of ___
Bights, loops, and round turns
168
Bend the rope back on itself, keeping the sides parallel
Bight
169
Cross the side of a bight over the standing part
Loop
170
Continue bending one side of the loop
Round turn
171
Most common knots and hitches used in the fire service
1. Overhand safety
2. Clove hitch
3. Figure-8
4. Figure-8 on a bight
5. Figure-8 follow-through
6. Water knot
172
An overhand safety knot is often called a ___
Safety
173
An overhand safety knot can be used when tying ___
Any type of knot
174
Eliminates the danger of the running end of the rope slipping back through the knot and causing the knot to fail
Overhand safety knot
175
Principally used to attach a rope to an object such as a pole, post, or hoseline
Clove hitch
176
A clove hitch is not appropriate for life safety applications because ___
Repeated loading and unloading will cause it to fail
177
The foundation for an entire family of figure-8 knots is the ___
Figure-8
178
Used primarily on life safety rope to tie ropes of equal diameters together
Figure-8 bend
179
The figure-8 on a bight is a good way to tie a ___
Closed loop
180
The figure-8 follow through is used for ___
Securing objects
181
Preferred knot for joining two pieces of webbing or the ends of the same piece when a loop is needed
Water knot
182
Because the water knot has a tendency to slip, ___
Dress the knot properly and have the webbing as flat as possible. Allow at least 3" of tail
183
What does OSHA prohibit be hoisted?
Pressurized cylinders, such as SCBA cylinders
184
Non-load-bearing and help tools from spinning or snagging while being hoisted
Tag line
185
Firefighters on the ground use the ___ to prevent the equipment from striking the structure or other objects
Tag line
186
Common hardware used in hoisting
1. Carabiners
2. Pulleys
187
A snap link made from aluminum, titanium, or steel, with a spring or screwed gate that connects ropes to other mechanical gear
Carabiner
188
A simple device used to create a mechanical advantage or a change in direction
Pulley
189
A pulley consists of ___
A grooved wheel through which a rope can run to change the direction or point of application of a force applied to the rope
190
When hoisting tools or equipment, the primary consideration is ___
Safety
191
Be sure that you are ___ before starting a hoisting operation
Balanced and standing firmly
192
How to handle rope when hoisting
Hand over hand
193
Use ___ to protect the rope from physical damage when pulling it over sharp edges
An edge roller or padding
194
Use a ___ for heavy objects
Pulley system
195
Work in ___ when working from heights
Teams
196
Avoid hoisting operations near ___
Electrical hazards
197
Before hoisting a charged hoseline, ensure ___
The nozzle is secured
198
Avoid hoisting tools and equipment if ___
It is safer to hand-carry them up stairs, a ladder, or an aerial device
199
Hoist a pike pole with the pike ___
Up
200
Hoisting an axe
The procedure is the same for either a pick-head or flat-head axe. Hoisting rope can also be the tag line
201
Hoisting a pike pole
Tie a clove hitch near the butt end of the handle, followed by a half hitch in the middle of the handle, and another half hitch around the head
202
Hoisting a ladder
Tie a figure-8 on a bight and slip it through the two rungs of the ladder, about 1/3 of the way from the top. Pull the loop through and slip it over the top of the ladder. Secure the tag line to the ladder near the foot
203
It is safer to hoist ___ hoseline
Dry
204
Hoisting a power saw
Tie a figure-8 on a bight through the closed handle, then attach the tag line through the handle
205
Most common use of utility rope other than hoisting
Designating control zones, establishing a search lifeline, and stabilizing objects
206
Uses of life safety rope
1. Rappelling
2. Lifting victims and rescuers
3. Removing victims from ice and swift water situations
207
Used to tie ropes used for establishing a control zone perimeter
Clove hitch
208
___ has become popular for control zone perimeters
Polyvinyl barrier tape
209
Used to assist search teams working in dark, smoke-filled, or confined spaced
Search lines
210
Search lines allow team members to ___
Remain in contact with each other and with firefighters at the line's entry point. Also provide a physical means of finding an exit route
211
___ are sometimes attached to the main search line
Branch lines
212
Branch lines allow team members to ___
Search larger areas away from the search line while still remaining in contact with the team
213
Search lines can be useful when searching ___
Large open areas
214
Sometimes used to stabilize an object
Utility rope and webbing
215
Before any work is performed around a stabilized object, you must be certain that ___
1. The rope or webbing and the anchor point are strong enough to hold the weight of the object
2. Knots are tight and safety knots are in place
3. Attachment points at both ends are secure and will not pull free
4. Personnel are clear from the stabilizing line in case it breaks and snaps back
