ASTM F1740-96(2018)
(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
3.1 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.
3.2 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F1740 − 96 (Reapproved 2018)
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, health, and environmental practices and deter-
polyester, or both kernmantle ropes by rescue personnel.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.2 This guide provides information intended to assist
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
qualified, experienced personnel in establishing procedures for
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
determining whether a rope should be placed into or returned
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
to service. Such procedures may be used to assist in determin-
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
ing serviceability of used rescue ropes. Other factors which
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
may not be included in this guide may also need to be
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
considered when evaluating ropes.
NOTE 1—Interpretation of the terms “qualified” and “experienced”
2. Terminology
when referring to individuals inspecting ropes may be debatable. Because
2.1 core—interior (kern) of a kernmantle rope. The core
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 supports the major portion of the load on a kernmantle rope.
according to those needs. Needs and priorities may vary greatly between
2.2 in-service—a rescue rope is considered to be “in ser-
users.
vice” if it is available for use in life safety applications.
1.2.1 Arope which has been used in any manner should not
be returned to service without first undergoing a thorough 2.3 kernmantle—a rope design consisting of two elements:
inspection to include rope log review, visual inspection, and
an interior core (kern) and an outer sheath (mantle).
tactile inspection.
2.4 rescue rope—rope which is used for rescue purposes.
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
2.5 retire—permanent removal of a rope from service such
strength and longevity of kernmantle ropes presently used in that it is no longer used for life safety purposes.
rescue operations, it is perfectly reasonable, and even
NOTE 2—When a rope is retired it should be cut into short lengths
advisable, for these ropes to be reused on future operations
which will discourage future use. It should not be stored, kept, or
unless the rope is physically compromised in some way. If the
maintained in such a way that it could inadvertently be used as a lifeline.
user chooses to reuse ropes, then the user should also establish
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
specific guidelines, including and possibly in addition to those
elect to cut that section out of the rope and continue to use the shorter
set forth in this guide, and provide training for personnel who
rope(s)inlifelineapplications.Thisdecisionislefttotheusers’discretion.
will be responsible for examination of ropes.
2.6 rope log—a written reference kept separately for each
1.3 This standard does not imply approval of any specific
rope.Arope log should contain pertinent information about the
type of rescue rope, nor does it purport to ensure the ability of
rope and conditions under which it was used.
any rope to function as desired. The information included here
is not to be considered the only criteria for evaluating the
2.7 sheath—outer cover (mantle) of a kernmantle rope. The
serviceability of rescue rope
sheath serves to protect the core of a kernmantle rope and may
also support a portion of the load.
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F32 on Search and
2.8 use—one or more individual applications during the
Rescue and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F32.03 on Personnel,
course of an operation.
Training and Education.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2018. Published November 2018. Originally
2.9 user—may be an individual, a department, a team, or
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as F1740 – 96(2012).
DOI: 10.1520/F1740-96R18. any other entity using the products discussed herein.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F1740 − 96 (2018)
3. Significance and Use during the course of the tactile inspection to evaluate for
indication of further damage.
3.1 The purpose of this guide is to assist the user in
5.3.5 Retire a rope whose sheath has been cut through or
developing procedures to determine the serviceability of rope
abraded to the extent that the core is visible.
based upon visual and tactile inspection of the rope and the
5.3.6 If the diameter of a rope is smaller (or larger) in one
rope history as documented in the rope log.
area than throughout the rest of the rope, its condition shall be
3.2 This guide is intended for use by experienced personnel
suspect.
deemed qualified by the user to assess the viability of rope,
NOTE 3—This refers to enough of a variation in the rope’s diameter to
according to the specific needs of that user.
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. Procedure for Recording Rope History
aids in visualizing the extent of the change in diameter. A significant
4.1 Rope logs should be designed by the user according to
decrease in diameter, hour-glass appearance, is usually caused by separa-
the needs of the user and practices established by the user to tion of core fibers and
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