ASTM F1740-96(2012)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Inspection of Nylon, Polyester, or Nylon/Polyester Blend, or Both Kernmantle Rope
Standard Guide for Inspection of Nylon, Polyester, or Nylon/Polyester Blend, or Both Kernmantle Rope
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The purpose of this guide is to assist the user in developing procedures to determine the serviceability of rope based upon visual and tactile inspection of the rope and the rope history as documented in the rope log.
This guide is intended for use by experienced personnel deemed qualified by the user to assess the viability of rope, according to the specific needs of that user.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers procedures to assist in the management and care of kernmantle nylon, polyester, or nylon/polyester, or both kernmantle ropes by rescue personnel.
1.2 This guide provides information intended to assist qualified, experienced personnel in establishing procedures for determining whether a rope should be placed into or returned to service. Such procedures may be used to assist in determining serviceability of used rescue ropes. Other factors which may not be included in this guide may also need to be considered when evaluating ropes.
Note 1—Interpretation of the terms “qualified” and “experienced” when referring to individuals inspecting ropes may be debatable. Because rope evaluation is a subjective practice, it is in the best interest of the user to clearly define the needs of the user, and then to train personnel according to those needs. Needs and priorities may vary greatly between users.
1.2.1 A rope which has been used in any manner should not be returned to service without first undergoing a thorough inspection to include rope log review, visual inspection, and tactile inspection.
1.2.2 It is the responsibility of the user to understand that evaluation of a used rope is a subjective process. Due to the strength and longevity of kernmantle ropes presently used in rescue operations, it is perfectly reasonable, and even advisable, for these ropes to be reused on future operations unless the rope is physically compromised in some way. If the user chooses to reuse ropes, then the user should also establish specific guidelines, including and possibly in addition to those set forth in this guide, and provide training for personnel who will be responsible for examination of ropes.
1.3 This standard does not imply approval of any specific type of rescue rope, nor does it purport to ensure the ability of any rope to function as desired. The information included here is not to be considered the only criteria for evaluating the serviceability of rescue rope.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Designation: F1740 − 96 (Reapproved 2012)
Standard Guide for
Inspection of Nylon, Polyester, or Nylon/Polyester Blend, or
Both Kernmantle Rope
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1740; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.1 This guide covers procedures to assist in the manage-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
ment and care of kernmantle nylon, polyester, or nylon/
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
polyester, or both kernmantle ropes by rescue personnel.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.2 This guide provides information intended to assist
qualified, experienced personnel in establishing procedures for
2. Terminology
determining whether a rope should be placed into or returned
2.1 core—interior (kern) of a kernmantle rope. The core
to service. Such procedures may be used to assist in determin-
supports the major portion of the load on a kernmantle rope.
ing serviceability of used rescue ropes. Other factors which
may not be included in this guide may also need to be
2.2 in-service—a rescue rope is considered to be “in ser-
considered when evaluating ropes.
vice” if it is available for use in life safety applications.
NOTE 1—Interpretation of the terms “qualified” and “experienced”
2.3 kernmantle—a rope design consisting of two elements:
when referring to individuals inspecting ropes may be debatable. Because
an interior core (kern) and an outer sheath (mantle).
rope evaluation is a subjective practice, it is in the best interest of the user
to clearly define the needs of the user, and then to train personnel
2.4 rescue rope—rope which is used for rescue purposes.
according to those needs. Needs and priorities may vary greatly between
users. 2.5 retire—permanent removal of a rope from service such
that it is no longer used for life safety purposes.
1.2.1 Arope which has been used in any manner should not
be returned to service without first undergoing a thorough
NOTE 2—When a rope is retired it should be cut into short lengths
inspection to include rope log review, visual inspection, and
which will discourage future use. It should not be stored, kept, or
tactile inspection. maintained in such a way that it could inadvertently be used as a lifeline.
In some cases, when only a single point or a small area of a rope has been
1.2.2 It is the responsibility of the user to understand that
damaged and the rest of the rope is still in good condition, the user may
evaluation of a used rope is a subjective process. Due to the
elect to cut that section out of the rope and continue to use the shorter
strength and longevity of kernmantle ropes presently used in
rope(s)inlifelineapplications.Thisdecisionislefttotheusers’discretion.
rescue operations, it is perfectly reasonable, and even
2.6 rope log—a written reference kept separately for each
advisable, for these ropes to be reused on future operations
rope.Arope log should contain pertinent information about the
unless the rope is physically compromised in some way. If the
rope and conditions under which it was used.
user chooses to reuse ropes, then the user should also establish
specific guidelines, including and possibly in addition to those
2.7 sheath—outer cover (mantle) of a kernmantle rope. The
set forth in this guide, and provide training for personnel who sheath serves to protect the core of a kernmantle rope and may
will be responsible for examination of ropes. also support a portion of the load.
1.3 This standard does not imply approval of any specific
2.8 use—one or more individual applications during the
type of rescue rope, nor does it purport to ensure the ability of
course of an operation.
any rope to function as desired. The information included here
2.9 user—may be an individual, a department, a team, or
is not to be considered the only criteria for evaluating the
any other entity using the products discussed herein.
serviceability of rescue rope.
3. Significance and Use
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F32 on Search and
Rescue and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F32.03 on Personnel,
3.1 The purpose of this guide is to assist the user in
Training and Education.
developing procedures to determine the serviceability of rope
Current edition approved July 1, 2012. Published August 2012. Originally
based upon visual and tactile inspection of the rope and the
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as F1740 – 96 (2007).
DOI: 10.1520/F1740-96R12. rope history as documented in the rope log.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F1740 − 96 (2012)
3.2 This guide is intended for use by experienced personnel 5.3.6 If the diameter of a rope is smaller (or larger) in one
deemed qualified by the user to assess the viability of rope, area than throughout the rest of the rope, its condition shall be
according to the specific needs of that user. suspect.
NOTE 3—This refers to enough of a variation in the rope’s diameter to
4. Procedure for Recording Rope History
suggest that the core of the rope has been damaged and closer inspection
is needed. Holding the section of rope in question under constant tension
4.1 Rope logs should be designed by the user according to
aids in visualizing the extent of the change in diameter. A significant
the needs of the user and practices established by the user to
decrease in diameter, hour-glass appearance, is usually caused by separa-
ensure maintenance and monitoring of these records.
tion of core fibers and the rope should be retired.Asignificant increase in
the diameter may be caused by a bunching of the core or sheath, or some
4.2 Rope logs should include, but not be limited to, the
internal contamination of the core, and may require the rope to be retired.
information outlined herein:
5.3.7 When sections of rope are formed into approximate
4.2.1 Rope Iden
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