ASTM F1740-96
(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.
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: F 1740 – 96
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 priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.1 This guide covers procedures to assist in the manage-
ment and care of kernmantle nylon, polyester, or nylon/
2. Terminology
polyester, or both kernmantle ropes by rescue personnel.
2.1 core—interior (kern) of a kernmantle rope. The core
1.2 This guide provides information intended to assist
supports the major portion of the load on a kernmantle rope.
qualified, experienced personnel in establishing procedures for
2.2 in-service—a rescue rope is considered to be “in ser-
determining whether a rope should be placed into or returned
vice” if it is available for use in life safety applications.
to service. Such procedures may be used to assist in determin-
2.3 kernmantle—a rope design consisting of two elements:
ing serviceability of used rescue ropes. Other factors which
an interior core (kern) and an outer sheath (mantle).
may not be included in this guide may also need to be
2.4 rescue rope—rope which is used for rescue purposes.
considered when evaluating ropes.
2.5 retire—permanent removal of a rope from service such
NOTE 1—Interpretation of the terms “qualified” and “experienced”
that it is no longer used for life safety purposes.
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 NOTE 2—When a rope is retired it should be cut into short lengths
to clearly define the needs of the user, and then to train personnel which will discourage future use. It should not be stored, kept, or
according to those needs. Needs and priorities may vary greatly between maintained in such a way that it could inadvertently be used as a lifeline.
users. In some cases, when only a single point or a small area of a rope has been
damaged and the rest of the rope is still in good condition, the user may
1.2.1 A rope which has been used in any manner should not
elect to cut that section out of the rope and continue to use the shorter
be returned to service without first undergoing a thorough
rope(s) in lifeline applications. This decision is left to the users’ discretion.
inspection to include rope log review, visual inspection, and
2.6 rope log—a written reference kept separately for each
tactile inspection.
rope. A rope log should contain pertinent information about the
1.2.2 It is the responsibility of the user to understand that
rope and conditions under which it was used.
evaluation of a used rope is a subjective process. Due to the
2.7 sheath—outer cover (mantle) of a kernmantle rope. The
strength and longevity of kernmantle ropes presently used in
sheath serves to protect the core of a kernmantle rope and may
rescue operations, it is perfectly reasonable, and even advis-
also support a portion of the load.
able, for these ropes to be reused on future operations unless
2.8 use—one or more individual applications during the
the rope is physically compromised in some way. If the user
course of an operation.
chooses to reuse ropes, then the user should also establish
2.9 user—may be an individual, a department, a team, or
specific guidelines, including and possibly in addition to those
any other entity using the products discussed herein.
set forth in this guide, and provide training for personnel who
will be responsible for examination of ropes.
3. Significance and Use
1.3 This standard does not imply approval of any specific
3.1 The purpose of this guide is to assist the user in
type of rescue rope, nor does it purport to ensure the ability of
developing procedures to determine the serviceability of rope
any rope to function as desired. The information included here
based upon visual and tactile inspection of the rope and the
is not to be considered the only criteria for evaluating the
rope history as documented in the rope log.
serviceability of rescue rope.
3.2 This guide is intended for use by experienced personnel
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
deemed qualified by the user to assess the viability of rope,
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
according to the specific needs of that user.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4. Procedure for Recording Rope History
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F-32 on Search and
4.1 Rope logs should be designed by the user according to
Rescue and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F32.03 on Personnel,
the needs of the user and practices established by the user to
Training, and Education.
ensure maintenance and monitoring of these records.
Current edition approved Nov. 10, 1996. Published January, 1997.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
F 1740
decrease in diameter, hour-glass appearance, is usually caused by separa-
4.2 Rope logs should include, but not be limited to, the
tion of core fibers and the rope should be retired. A significant increase in
information outlined herein:
the diameter may be caused by a bunching of the core or sheath, or some
4.2.1 Rope Identification,
internal contamination of the core, and may require the rope to be retired.
4.2.2 Date of rope purchase,
5.3.7 When sections of rope are formed into approximate
4.2.3 Date rope was put into service. (See 5.5.2 for infor-
30-cm (circumference) loops, the consistency of the loop
mation regarding use of dates.),
should be uniform throughout. If it is not, retire the rope.
4.2.4 Dates and conditions under which rope is used,
5.3.8 Establish additional criteria for visual rope inspection
including weather, approximate load, unusual circumstances
by the user in accordance with the spe
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.