In this blog, we explore how to inspect life safety rope and keep an accurate history to determine whether it can remain in service or must be retired.
In our previous post, we discussed NFPA requirements for cleaning and storing rope-procedures which extend a life safety rope’s service life. Proper inspection and record-keeping are essential to determine if the rope is still safe for use during rappelling or rescue operations.
Life safety ropes are regularly exposed to conditions that could lead to dangerous damage and put firefighter’s lives at risk. As with any other suspected damage to a life safety rope, if there are any doubts about its condition, retire it from service.Life safety rope service life and NFPA requirements for inspection Often there is a mixture of chemicals whose identity and concentrations are unknown. This discoloration causes no physical damage to the rope and may be washed off with warm water and a mild detergent.ĭetermining whether an exposure to a chemical, either in liquid or gas form, has caused significant damage to a rope is always difficult, particularly when there is no visible indication of the damage. The discoloration, which is a topical effect, can occur due to the reaction between the NOx compound and the spin finish, which may be present on the rope yarns. However, ropes may discolor (turn yellow) if they are exposed to nitrogen oxide (NOx) combustion by-products.
Life safety rope stored in rope bags under ambient conditions are only exposed to low concentrations of CO on an intermittent basis, and as result they should not suffer any damage due to the CO exposure. Reactions involving CO require elevated temperature and pressure to proceed.
It is a combustion by-product that has a very low reactivity. This is usually due to exhaust from the apparatus or other power equipment leaking into storage compartments through ventilation openings.Ĭarbon monoxide is an inert, hydrocarbon compound that exists in a gaseous state. Life safety rope stored on fire apparatus may be exposed to carbon monoxide (CO).
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