ASTM F1740-96(2002)
(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
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 2002)
Standard Guide for
Inspection of Nylon, Polyester, or Nylon/Polyester Blend, or
Both Kernmantle Rope
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 1740; 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 (e) 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
2.2 in-service—a rescue rope is considered to be “in ser-
may not be included in this guide may also need to be
vice” if it is available for use in life safety applications.
considered when evaluating ropes.
2.3 kernmantle—a rope design consisting of two elements:
NOTE 1—Interpretation of the terms “qualified” and “experienced”
an interior core (kern) and an outer sheath (mantle).
when referring to individuals inspecting ropes may be debatable. Because
2.4 rescue rope—rope which is used for rescue purposes.
rope evaluation is a subjective practice, it is in the best interest of the user
2.5 retire—permanent removal of a rope from service such
to clearly define the needs of the user, and then to train personnel
that it is no longer used for life safety purposes.
according to those needs. Needs and priorities may vary greatly between
users.
NOTE 2—When a rope is retired it should be cut into short lengths
which will discourage future use. It should not be stored, kept, or
1.2.1 Arope which has been used in any manner should not
maintained in such a way that it could inadvertently be used as a lifeline.
be returned to service without first undergoing a thorough
In some cases, when only a single point or a small area of a rope has been
inspection to include rope log review, visual inspection, and
damaged and the rest of the rope is still in good condition, the user may
tactile inspection.
elect to cut that section out of the rope and continue to use the shorter
1.2.2 It is the responsibility of the user to understand that
rope(s)inlifelineapplications.Thisdecisionislefttotheusers’discretion.
evaluation of a used rope is a subjective process. Due to the
2.6 rope log—a written reference kept separately for each
strength and longevity of kernmantle ropes presently used in
rope.Arope log should contain pertinent information about the
rescue operations, it is perfectly reasonable, and even advis-
rope and conditions under which it was used.
able, for these ropes to be reused on future operations unless
2.7 sheath—outer cover (mantle) of a kernmantle rope. The
the rope is physically compromised in some way. If the user
sheath serves to protect the core of a kernmantle rope and may
chooses to reuse ropes, then the user should also establish
also support a portion of the load.
specific guidelines, including and possibly in addition to those
2.8 use—one or more individual applications during the
set forth in this guide, and provide training for personnel who
course of an operation.
will be responsible for examination of ropes.
2.9 user—may be an individual, a department, a team, or
1.3 This standard does not imply approval of any specific
any other entity using the products discussed herein.
type of rescue rope, nor does it purport to ensure the ability of
any rope to function as desired. The information included here
3. Significance and Use
is not to be considered the only criteria for evaluating the
3.1 The purpose of this guide is to assist the user in
serviceability of rescue rope.
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 under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F32 on Search and
Rescue and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F32.03 on Personnel,
Training, and Education.
Current edition approved Nov. 10, 1996. Published January, 1997.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
F1740
NOTE 3—This refers to enough of a variation in the rope’s diameter to
3.2 This guide is intended for use by experienced personnel
suggest that the core of the rope has been damaged and closer inspection
deemed qualified by the user to assess the viability of rope,
is needed. Holding the section of rope in question under constant tension
according to the specific needs of that user.
aids in visualizing the extent of the change in diameter. A significant
decrease in diameter, hour-glass appearance, is usually caused by separa-
4. Procedure for Recording Rope History
tion of core fibers and the rope should be retired.Asignificant increase in
4.1 Rope logs should be designed by the user according to
the diameter may be caused by a bunching of the core or sheath, or some
the needs of the user and practices established by the user to
internal contamination of the core, and may require the rope to be retired.
ensure maintenance and monitoring of these records.
5.3.7 When sections of rope are formed into approximate
4.2 Rope logs should include, but not be limited to, the
30-cm (circumference) loops, the consistency of the loop
information outlined herein:
should be uniform throughout. If it is not, retire the rope.
4.2.1 Rope Identification,
5.3.8 Es
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