- Firefighters use rope, webbing, and knots for hoisting tools and equipment, stabilizing objects, designating control zones, performing rescues, and escaping dangerous situations. - Proper rope use requires understanding types of rope, their applications, and how to tie knots quickly. Ropes and webbing also require regular inspection, cleaning, maintenance, and storage to ensure readiness. - Firefighters must know guidelines for hoisting safely as well as how to inspect, clean, maintain, store, and tie specific knots.

1. Essentials of Fire Fighting
6th Edition
Firefighter I
Chapter 8 — Ropes, Webbing,
and Knots

2. Compare and contrast the
characteristics of life safety rope and
utility rope.
Learning Objective 1
8–2

3. Fire service rope is divided into
two classifications.
8–3
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4. NFPA®
1983 classifies two
additional types of ropes used in
rescue.
8–4

5. NFPA®
1983 sets requirements and
regulations for life safety rope.
8–5
(Cont.)

6. NFPA®
1983 sets requirements and
regulations for life safety rope.
8–6

7. While NFPA®
does not regulate utility
rope it should be inspected regularly.
8–7

8. Synthetic and natural fiber rope are
constructed from different
materials.
8–8

9. Synthetic fiber ropes are made from
a variety of materials and have many
advantages and disadvantages.
8–9

10. Natural fiber ropes have distinct
advantages and disadvantages.
8–10

11. REVIEW QUESTION
What are the differences in the
characteristics of life safety and utility
rope?
8–11

12. Use only kernmantle rope
construction for life safety
operations.
8–12

13. Kernmantle rope is made of
synthetic material and consists of
two main components.
8–13
Braided
covering or
sheath
(mantle)
Core (kern)
of main load-
bearing
strands

14. Kernmantle rope can be either
dynamic or static and should be
used in different circumstances.
8–14
Dynamic rope
Static rope

15. Laid (twisted) rope can be either
synthetic or natural and is used only
for utility rope.
8–15
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16. Braided rope is less likely to twist
than laid rope, but is still
vulnerable.
8–16
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17. Braid-on-braid (double braided) is
often confused with kernmantle.
8–17

18. Summarize basic guidelines for rope
maintenance.
Learning Objective 2
8–18

19. Explain reasons for placing rope out
of service.
Learning Objective 3
8–19

20. Four aspects of maintenance help
keep rope ready to use when needed.
8–20

21. All rope must be inspected after
use or at least once a year.
8–21

22. Inspect kernmantle rope by
applying slight tension and feeling
for irregularities.
8–22
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23. Untwist synthetic laid rope so each
strand can be inspected.
8–23

24. Remove natural fiber laid rope at
manufacturer’s end of service
period.
8–24
(Cont.)

25. Remove natural fiber laid rope at
manufacturer’s end of service
period.
8–25

26. Ensure that rot does not
spread to new rope.
8–26

27. Inspect braided rope visually
and by touch.
8–27

28. Inspect braid-on-braid rope visually
and by touch.
8–28

29. REVIEW QUESTION
What are the basic guidelines for
rope maintenance?
8–29

30. Avoid abrasion and unnecessary
wear while using any type of rope.
8–30

31. Avoid sharp angles and bends,
which can reduce rope strength up
to 50%.
8–31

32. Protect rope ends from damage by
taping or whipping them.
8–32

33. Avoid exposing rope to sustained
loads.
8–33

34. Avoid exposing rope to rust, which can
weaken rope within one or two weeks.
8–34

35. Prevent chemicals from coming into
contact with any rope.
8–35

36. Reverse ends of the rope
periodically to ensure an even
wear.
8–36

37. Do not walk on rope, which can
weaken it by bruising and grinding
dirt into the strands.
8–37

38. Cleaning rope involves two basic
steps.
8–38

39. Do not use bleaches or strong
cleaners on synthetic fiber rope;
wash in warm water and mild
detergent.
8–39
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40. Dry synthetic fiber rope
immediately after washing and
rinsing.
8–40

41. Wipe or gently brush natural fiber
rope, but do NOT use water.
8–41
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42. All life safety rope must be
permanently identified with a rope log
once purchased.
8–42
(Cont.)

43. All life safety rope must be
permanently identified with a rope log
once purchased.
8–43

44. Follow these general guidelines for
storing rope.
8–44

45. Storing ropes in a bag provides
several advantages.
8–45

46. REVIEW QUESTION
Why would a rope need to be placed
out of service?
8–46

47. Describe webbing and webbing
construction.
Learning Objective 4
8–47

48. Webbing comes as either flat or
tubular in either spiral or chain weave.
8–48

49. Life safety webbing is used for four
different purposes.
8–49

50. NFPA®
1983 provides standards for
life safety webbing and describes
three separate classes.
8–50
Class I and II Class III

51. Utility webbing is not regulated
by a standard.
8–51

52. REVIEW QUESTION
What are the two main uses for
webbing?
8–52

53. Webbing care and maintenance
procedures are similar to rope.
8–53

54. Webbing is stored in several ways.
8–54

55. Describe parts of a rope and
considerations in tying a knot.
Learning Objective 5
8–55

56. Describe knot characteristics and
knot elements.
Learning Objective 6
8–56

57. Knots play a critical part in fire
fighting and are made up of three
parts.
8–57
Working end
Standing part
Running part

58. Tighten all knots, remove all slack
after tying (dressing), and use safety
knots to ensure safety.
8–58
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59. All knots tied by firefighters follow
these basic principles.
8–59

60. Three bends are created when
tying a knot or hitch.
8–60

61. REVIEW QUESTION
What are the three parts of a knot?
8–61

62. Describe characteristics of knots
commonly used in the fire service.
Learning Objective 7
8–62

63. Firefighters use several types of
knots for a variety of reasons.
8–63
(Cont.)
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64. Firefighters use several types of
knots for a variety of reasons.
8–64
(Cont.)

65. Firefighters use several types of
knots for a variety of reasons.
8–65
(Cont.)

66. Firefighters use several types of
knots for a variety of reasons.
8–66
(Cont.)

67. Firefighters use several types of
knots for a variety of reasons.
8–67
(Cont.)

68. Firefighters use several types of
knots for a variety of reasons.
8–68

69. REVIEW QUESTION
What are the three main elements of
a knot that can be combined to
create knots and hitches?
8–69

70. Select commonly used rope
hardware for specific applications.
Learning Objective 8
8–70

71. Summarize hoisting safety
considerations.
Learning Objective 9
8–71

72. Ropes and webbing have five main
uses at emergency incidents.
8–72
Never exceed the load ability of a rope.

73. Specially trained rescuers use life
safety rope, never utility rope.
8–73

74. Always keep safety first when
hoisting tools and equipment.
8–74

75. Carabiners and pulleys are the most
common type of rope equipment used
in hoisting.
8–75
Connects rope to
mechanical gear
Creates
mechanical
advantage

76. REVIEW QUESTION
What kinds of rope hardware may
be encountered when hoisting using
rope?
8–76

77. Follow these general safety
guidelines when hoisting.
8–77
(Cont.)

78. Follow these general safety
guidelines when hoisting.
8–78
(Cont.)

79. Follow these general safety
guidelines when hoisting.
8–79

80. Firefighters must learn to hoist
several types of equipment.
8–80
(Cont.)
Ax
e
Pike Pole

81. Firefighters must learn to hoist
several types of equipment.
8–81
(Cont.)
- Often fastest
and safest
- Dry hoseline
safer than
charged
- Often fastest
and safest
- Dry hoseline
safer than
charged
Ladder Dry hoseline

82. Firefighters must learn to hoist
several types of equipment.
8–82
(Cont.)
- Knot and
tagline through
closed handle
- Knot and
tagline through
closed handle
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Rotary saw

83. REVIEW QUESTION
What are three safety guidelines
that must be used when hoisting tools
or equipment?
8–83

84. Utility rope has traditionally been
used for control zone perimeters.
8–84
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85. Search lines help firefighters stay in
contact and provide a physical means
of finding an exit.
8–85 CourtesyofShadCooper/WyomingStateFireMarshal’sOffice

86. Utility rope is used to stabilize
objects and prevent vehicles from
falling or rolling over.
8–86

87. Before stabilizing any object, be
sure to complete the following.
8–87

88. • Firefighters use rope and webbing to
hoist tools and equipment, stabilize
objects, designate control zones,
perform rescues, and escape from life-
threatening situations.
Summary
8–88

89. • To use them safely and effectively, you
must know the various types of ropes,
their applications, and how to tie a
variety of knots quickly and correctly.
• Finally, you must know how to inspect,
clean, maintain, and store ropes and
webbing so that they are ready for use
when needed.
Summary
8–89

90. Inspect, clean, and store a rope.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 8-I-1.
Learning Objective 10
8–90

91. Tie an overhand knot.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 8-I-2.
Learning Objective 11
8–91

92. Tie a bowline knot.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 8-I-3.
Learning Objective 12
8–92

93. Tie a clove hitch.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 8-I-4.
Learning Objective 13
8–93

94. Tie a clove hitch around an object.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 8-I-5.
Learning Objective 14
8–94

95. Tie a handcuff (rescue) knot.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 8-I-6.
Learning Objective 15
8–95

96. Tie a figure-eight knot.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 8-I-7.
Learning Objective 16
8–96

97. Tie a figure-eight bend.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 8-I-8.
Learning Objective 17
8–97

98. Tie a figure-eight on a bight.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 8-I-9.
Learning Objective 18
8–98

99. Tie a figure-eight follow through.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 8-I-10.
Learning Objective 19
8–99

100. Tie a Becket bend.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 8-I-11.
Learning Objective 20
8–100

101. Tie a water knot.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 8-I-12.
Learning Objective 21
8–101

102. Hoist an axe.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 8-I-13.
Learning Objective 22
8–102

103. Hoist a pike pole.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 8-I-14.
Learning Objective 23
8–103

104. Hoist a roof ladder.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 8-I-15.
Learning Objective 24
8–104

105. Hoist a dry hoseline.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 8-I-16.
Learning Objective 25
8–105

106. Hoist a charged hoseline.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 8-I-17.
Learning Objective 26
8–106

107. Hoist a power saw.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 8-I-18.
Learning Objective 27
8–107