COMOX FIRE RESCUE
OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES
SUBJECT:RESCUE ROPES / O.G.#1.07.13
PURPOSE:To ensure that Fire Department rescue ropes are identified, kept in safe working condition, and tested regularly, so that firefighters or victims are not injured by rope failures.
DEFINITION: Ropes used for human loads including rescue, rappelling or safety lines will be referred to as rescue ropes.
SCOPE:This Operational Guideline applies to all Fire Department personnel.
POLICY:Rescue ropes must be maintained as per manufacturers' guidelines and inspected and tested at least annually in accordance with this procedure.
Only those ropes that have been identified and inspected as rescue ropes shall be used for human loads.
Rescue ropes shall be identified and inspected on a regular basis to ensure that they are safe for use.
RATIONALE: The Fire Department uses ropes for many different purposes. Firefighters need to know which ropes are inspected and maintained as rescue ropes.
PROCEDURE:
1.It is the responsibility of the Fire Chief to ensure that proper care and procedures are utilized during the maintenance and testing of rescue rope.
Each length of rescue rope will have an inspection log and will be marked with a Fire Department identification number and a rescue rope inspection log started for it.
- Rescue ropes must be maintained according to manufacturers' recommendations.
In the absence of specific manufacturers' guidelines, the following inspection criteria apply:
a)Rescue ropes will be inspected after each use and at least annually.
b)A visual and tactile inspection must be done on each rescue rope after each use to detect possible damage or weaknesses.
c)Rescue ropes must be kept clean. If dirty or chemically stained, they must be washed with clear water and allowed to dry.
d)After the rope has dried, it must be checked again before storing.
e)Any kinks must be straightened before storage.
- Damaged rescue ropes must be retired from uses involving human loads.
Damage includes evidence of:
a)cuts or severe abrasions.
b)musty odours or brownish spots.
c)bunching or thinness of core in kernmantle rope.
d)spots or severe discolouration.
e)kinks that are impossible to remove.
f)strand hockles.
Ropes with minor damage that are unsuitable as rescue ropes may be used for utility work providing that they are in acceptable condition for this work.
4.Rescue ropes must be kept in a cool, dry storage area.
5.Records of the use and inspection of rescue ropes will be maintained in a rescue rope inspection log. See the annex for an example.
6.New rescue rope will be checked for defects and damage, and measured for length. They must then be tested as outlined for annual testing. Each length of new rope will be marked with a Fire Department identification and a rope inspection log started for it.
ATTACHMENTS
7.Included as part of this procedure are:
a.Rescue Rope Inventory Form
- Rescue Rope Inspection Form
- Rescue Rope Tag/Log
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Signature of Fire Chief / Originally issued:991123
Last amended:000502
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COMOX FIRE DEPARTMENT
OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE
RESCUE ROPE INVENTORY
ID number:______
Manufacturer:______Tensile:______
Date in service:______Diameter:______
Length:______Fibre:______Construction: ______
ID number:______
Manufacturer:______Tensile:______
Date in service:______Diameter:______
Length:______Fibre:______Construction: ______
ID number:______
Manufacturer:______Tensile:______
Date in service:______Diameter:______
Length:______Fibre:______Construction: ______
ID number:______
Manufacturer:______Tensile:______
Date in service:______Diameter:______
Length:______Fibre:______Construction: ______
ID number:______
Manufacturer:______Tensile:______
Date in service:______Diameter:______
Length:______Fibre:______Construction: ______
ID number:______
Manufacturer:______Tensile:______
Date in service:______Diameter:______
Length:______Fibre:______Construction: ______
ID number:______
Manufacturer:______Tensile:______
Date in service:______Diameter:______
Length:______Fibre:______Construction: ______
ID number:______
Manufacturer:______Tensile:______
Date in service:______Diameter:______
Length:______Fibre:______Construction: ______
ID number:______
Manufacturer:______Tensile:______
Date in service:______Diameter:______
Length:______Fibre:______Construction: ______
Rescue Rope Inspection Records
I D Number : ______Date of Inspection: ______
The rescue rope has been inspected for the following issues:
Ensure rescue rope has appropriate tag on it. Tag to include I.D. number, length of rope, use log and date of last inspection.
a.Cuts or severe abrasionsYesNo
b.Musty odour or brownish spotsYesNo
c.Bunching or thinness of core in kernmantle rope.YesNo
d.Discolouration or spotting.YesNo
e.Kinks YesNo
f.Strands HocklesYes No
Ropes with minor damage that are unsuitable as rescue ropes may be used for utility work providing that they are in acceptable condition for this work. Utility ropes will be tagged as “Utility Ropes”.
Rescue Rope Tag/ Log
I.D. #______Length ______
Last Inspection: ______
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