RIFA Rope Ops - RI Firefighter Instructors Associationrifireinstructors.org/wp-content/uploads/RIFA-Rope-Rescue... · NFPA 1983 • Standard on Life Safety Rope and Equipment for

Technical Rescuer Rope Rescue Technician: Level INFPA 1006 - Pro Board Course

© Rhode Island Fire Academy

Rhode Island Fire Academy

RHODE ISLAND FIRE ACADEMY -‐ OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Technical Rescue StandardsNFPA 1983

• Standard on Life Safety Rope and Equipment for Emergency Services 2012 ed.

NFPA 1670• Standard on Operations and Training for Technical

Search and Rescue Incidents 2014 ed. NFPA 1006

• Standard on Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications 2013 ed.

2


NFPA 1983 – 2012 edition• Chapter 4 – Certification • Chapter 5 – Labeling and information • Chapter 6 – Design and construction requirements • Chapter 7 – Performance requirements • Chapter 8 – Test methods

3


NFPA 1670 - Awareness• 4.1.4 (1) – Awareness Level • This level represents the minimum capability

of organizations that provide response to technical search and rescue incidents

4


NFPA 1670 - Operations4.1.4 (2) – Operations Level • This level represents the capability

of organizations to respond to technical search and rescue incidents and to identify hazards, use equipment, and apply limited techniques specified in this standard to support and participate in technical search and rescue incidents

5


NFPA 1670 - Technician4.1.4 (3) - Technician Level

• This level represents the capability of organizations to respond to technical search and rescue incidents, and to identify hazards, use equipment, and apply advanced techniques specified in this standard necessary to coordinate, perform and supervise technical search and rescue incidents

6

RHODE ISLAND FIRE ACADEMY -‐ OFFICIAL USE ONLY7

NFPA 1006 (2013 ed.)Chapter 5 – Job Performance Requirements • 5.1 – General Requirements • 5.2 – Site Operations • 5.3 – Victim Management • 5.4 – Maintenance


NFPA 1006 (2013 ed.)5.5 – Ropes/Rigging

• Tie knots • Single point anchors • Place edge protection • Simple mechanical advantage • Direct the operation of a simple MA

in low angle • Litter attendant in low angle • Construct a lowering system • Direct a lowering operation in low

angle • Construct and operate a belay system • Belay a falling load in high angle • Perform a system safety check


NFPA 1006 (2013 ed.) Chapter 6 – Rope Rescue

• 6.1 – Level I General requirements • 6.1.1 Direct a team in the operation of a simple MA system in

high angle environment • 6.1.2 Direct a lowering operation in a high angle environment • 6.1.3 Construct a multiple-point anchor system • 6.1.4 Construct a compound rope mechanical advantage

system • 6.1.5 Construct a fixed rope system • 6.1.6 Direct the operation of a compound rope mechanical

advantage system in a high-angle • 6.1.7 Ascend a fixed rope in a high-angle environment • 6.1.8 Descend a fixed rope in a high-angle environment


Types of RescueROPE AS A TOOL FOR RESCUE • Belay or Safety Line • High Angle • Low Angle or Slope Evacuation • Confined Space • Trench rescue • Water/ice rescue • Search an area (ex. Wilderness

search)


Definitions• Low angle rescue – when more than half of the

weight of the rescuer, equipment, and/or patient is supported by the ground (floor, beam, structure, etc.)

• High angle rescue – when more than half of the weight of the rescuer, equipment, and/or patient is supported by the rope system.

11


Definitions• Vertical rescue – when the movement is at right

angles to the horizon. All the weight of the rescuer, equipment, and/or patient is supported by the rope system.

• Slope rescue – when there is continual contact with the ground, usually low angle rescue but could include some high angle.

12


SITUATIONS THAT MAY REQUIRE ROPE RESCUE TECHNIQUES• Areas inaccessible to ladder trucks, or height

greater than that of a ladder truck’s aerial device.

• The need to raise a person from an excavation, trench, construction site, or other rescue scenes involving movement of people in areas involving significant obstacle negotiation

13


Size Up• Distinction between rescue and recovery • Scope and Magnitude • Additional Resources • Location and Number of Victims • Risk Benefit Analysis

Hazards-‐ utilities, mechanical, hazmat Access to Scene Environmental Factors Separation, isolation, interviewing, security of witnesses


Rescue vs. Recovery

• Based on Risk/Benefit Analysis • Duration of the operations • Mechanism of Injury • Environmental conditions • Victim access


Risk vs. Benefit Analysis

Frequency

Risk

High Frequency High Risk

Emergency Vehicle Operations

High Frequency Low Risk

Medical calls

Low Frequency Low Risk

Lock Outs

Low Frequency High Risk

Technical Rescue


Identify Needed Support Resources• Equipment Cache • Scene lighting • Environmental concerns • Personnel rehab


Managing Incidents Hazards

• Scene control barriers • PPE • Specialized equipment and resources


Technical Rescue Positions


Conducting a SearchSearch specific PPE • Ex. – hearing protection, fall protection, PFD

Pertinent search equipment • Ex. – GPS, helicopters, ATV’s

Victim information • Age, LSP, Number of victims,

Accountability • Personnel assignments match their expertise


Helicopter

• 100’ X 100’ Landing Zone • Slope of ground & type of

ground • Obstructions/Hazards –

Trees, wires, light poles, and antennas.

• Hazardous Materials • Crowds • Communication

GROUND SUPPORT OPERATIONS


Termination of OperationsMost Dangerous Point • Breaking down equipment. • Edge tethers left in place. • Safety precautions left in place.

Accountability Demobilization Plan

Releasing Companies / Teams

Documentation Consider CISD


Time Constraints

• Is EMS with you? • Do you have Firefighter Paramedics? • Consider - “Suspension Trauma”

• Still dealing with the Golden Hour


EMS• Access - “given tool kits, personal protective equipment and

other equipment designed to allow for physical approach to the victim….”

• Assess and Stabilize – “given personal protective equipment to include protection from airborne and blood borne pathogens and a basic first aid kit…..treatment priorities are established.”


EMS• Triage – “given triage tags and local protocol, so that

rescue versus recovery factors are assessed…..”

• Package – “an ill or injured victim, given basic first aid kit and other specialized equipment…illness or injuries are managed, and potential for further injury is minimized.”


EMS• Transfer – “to EMS, given local medical protocols,

so all pertinent information is passed from rescuer to EMS, and the victim can be transported to a medical care facility”


Personal Protective Equipment• Helmet • Gloves • Eye Protection • Ear Protection • For both Rescuer and

Victim • Footwear


Inspection and Maintenance• Personal Protective

Equipment (Including respiratory equipment)

• Clean • Inspection • Maintenance • Sanitization

★Follow manufacturer recommendations


Inspection and Maintenance• Rescue Equipment • Clean • Wash or dry equipment • Proper inspection after each

use (Identify wear and damage) • Log equipment use • Record time and date of usage • Replace equipment when

needed • Proper disposal methods


Rope – Inspection and MaintenanceDO NOT • Step on the rope • Drag rope on ground • Leave rope under tension • Smoke around ropes • Store a rope in a poorly vented

area • Store in direct sunlight • Expose a rope to high temperature • Run nylon over nylon • Subject rope to chemicals,oils,

acids, etc • Use life safety rope for towing • Cause undo abrasion to rope • Shock load the rope

DO: • Inspect a rope for damage • Clean a rope after each use • Use edge protection • Bag rope, ready for use • Remove knot as soon as possible • Keep rope log • Treat equipment with respect


AnchorsAnchor Point • A single, structural

component used either alone or in combination with other components to create an anchor system capable of sustaining the actual and potential load on the rope rescue system


Single Point Anchors

• Solid • Bomb proof • Critical angle (degrees)

✴ Less than 120 ✴ Under 90 preferred


Anchors = Good

Bollard’s

Structural Components

Eye Bolt

Live, Solid Tree


Anchors = Bad

Shallow Roots

Roof Vents

Mortar, Chimney

Cast Iron

Girth Hitch


Other Anchor Examples

35

Rock

Pickets

Building

Vehicle

Tree


Software as Edge Protection• Used to protect rope and webbing from sharp or

abrasive edges • Types of edge protection • Software – when rope is not moving under load


Hardware as Edge Protection• Used to protect rope and webbing from sharp or

abrasive edges • Types of edge protection • Hardware - when rope is moving under load


Two Important Causes of Rope FailureUnprotected Edges

• At exit point • At anchor

• Shock Load

Unprotected Edges


Preventing a Shock Load • Keep ropes taught • Always be paying full attention


Belay a Falling Load• Only have 8-12” of slack in system at a time • Use the “Z” system of pulling slack out of the tandem

prussic (prusik) belay

IF A SHOCK LOAD SHOULD HAPPEN: Let go and set the second prusik!


Conducting a systems safety check• Tech rescue safety officers • Acronym - ABCDE • Never check something you built • Start at the anchor end • Check all knots • Check all carabiners • Check edge protection • Proof load entire system


Rope Rescue• The ability to move up

and down the rope • To move side to side • Engineering lowering/

hauling systems • Descending • Ascending


Things to Consider • Anchoring • Lowering and Hauling lines • Rescuers • Patient Packaging • Other equipment • Time constraints


Concept• Technical Rescue • Need to be able to move up, down, vertically,

horizontally, or diagonal • Safety of who?

Safety of Rescuer First!


Termination Procedures• Dangerous phase of operation • Remove equipment in reverse order • Give personnel a break • Don’t rush • Clean-up • Critique • CISD

45


NFPA 1983 Standard• SOFTWARE • Ropes – General or light

use • Accessory Cord • Emergency Escape • Webbing • Harnesses • Etriers (8-tree-A)


ALL ABOUT ROPE


ROPE PROPERTIES

Different combinations make one kind of rope more suitable than another for rescue operations. Rescuers must determine the material a rope is made of and the way it is constructed.

48


FIBERS USED TO MAKE ROPESNylon • About 10% stronger than polyester • Good shock loading capability • Loses approximately 10-15% when wet (will

regain the strength back when dry) • Susceptible to certain strong acids

49


FIBERS USED TO MAKE ROPESPolyester • High tensile strength • Good abrasion • Cannot handle shock loading as well as nylon • Susceptible to damage from alkalis • Resistant to damage from acid

50


FIBERS USED TO MAKE ROPESPolyethylene / Polypropylene • Designed usually for water rescue activities • Not designed for direct loading in life safety

operations • Floats • Does not absorb water • Relatively low tensile strength • Good Chemical Resistance

51


FIBERS USED TO MAKE ROPESKevlar • Generally considered unsuitable for rescue

activities • Resistant to high temperature • High tensile strength • Easily damaged by abrasion • Poor shock loading capacity

52


FIBERS USED TO MAKE ROPESSpectra • VERY STRONG • Very static • Also very expensive • Easily damaged by abrasion • Low shock absorption

53


FIBERS USED TO MAKE ROPESNatural fibers • Manila • Hemp • Sisal • Cotton

54


FIBERS USED TO MAKE ROPESNatural fibers • Are not used in rescue due to • Random length fibers • Susceptible to chemicals • Susceptible to environmental conditions • Deteriorate in time • Low tensile strength

55


ROPE CONSTRUCTIONLaid Rope • Synthetic fiber or natural fiber in random

lengths • Built-in spin and stretch • Bundles easy to pick, if not tight bundles • Load bearing fibers are susceptible to

abrasion

56


ROPE CONSTRUCTIONLaid • Fibers untwist

✴Spin ✴Kink

• Fibers exposed to abrasion • Stretchy • Second weakest in tensile strength

57


ROPE CONSTRUCTIONBraid • Solid braid • 100% of the fibers come to the surface • Fiber bundles vulnerable to destruction

• Hollow braid • Essentially a sheath • Not for life safety

58


ROPE CONSTRUCTIONBraided ropes • Built in stretch with no spin • Easy to pick bundles • Susceptible to abrasion • When cut around the diameter of the outer

sheath, the sheath tends to slip down around the core with doubled braided rope

• Types: Hollow and Solid

59


ROPE CONSTRUCTION Double Braided ropes • Solid braid covered with a hollow braid • Soft and Flexible • Susceptible to contamination, picking, and

abrasion.

60


ROPE CONSTRUCTIONEight-stranded plaited rope • Soft and pliable • Prone to “picking” • Built-in stretch due to its construction • No spin

61


ROPE CONSTRUCTION

Kernmantle • Kern = Core • Mantle = Sheath • Continuous core fibers (Block Creel

Construction)

62


ROPE CONSTRUCTIONKern-mantle cont. ★Kern-mantle (Static) • Used mostly in rescue • Parallel core fibers possessing low stretch &

no spin • Tightly braided protective sheath • Not designed for lead climbing due to its low

stretch compared to dynamic kern-mantle • No greater than 20% at break

63


ROPE CONSTRUCTION★Kern-mantle (Static)

64


ROPE CONSTRUCTION★Kernmantle (Dynamic) • Stretches - as much as 60% at failure • Used in lead climbing, mountain climbing,

etc. • Stretch is built into rope by twisting the

core fibers & braiding the sheath

65


ROPE CONSTRUCTION★Kernmantle (Dynamic)

66


Rope StrengthMajor factors affecting rope strength: • Type of Construction • Material used • Diameter of rope • History

67


Rope StandardsProviding standards on rope & equipment • ANSI – American National Standard Institute • IAFF - International Association of Fire Fighters • NASAR – National Association for Search & Rescue • NFPA – National Fire Protection Association • NFPA 1983, Standard on Fire Service Life Safety

Rope and System Components 2012 Edition • NCRC – National Cave Rescue Commission • OSHA – Occupational Safety & Health Administration • ATSM – American Society of Testing Materials • UIAA – International Union of Alpine Association

68


Classification of Rope• Life Safety Rope • Technical Use • General Use

• Personal Escape Rope

• Throw-line

69


Ropes• NFPA 1983 – performance based standard • Implied 15:1 safety factor • 1 – Person Working Load 300 lbs. • 2 – Person Working Load 600 lbs. • Virgin fiber • Marking systems


Classification of Life Safety Rope

Technical Use life safety rope • 4496 lbs. minimum breaking strength • 3/8” Diameter minimum • ½” Diameter maximum • Rope Inspection

71


Classification of Life Safety RopeGeneral Use life safety rope • 8.992 lbs. minimum breaking strength • ½ ” Diameter minimum • 5/8 ” Diameter maximum • Rope Inspection

72


CRITERIA FOR RESCUE ROPERope used for rescue should meet the NFPA Standards for rescue rope • Life safety compliance • General – classification recommended ★Tensile strength vs. working load ★15:1 Safety factor (600 lb. working load)

73


NFPA CLASSIFICATIONSPersonal Escape Rope • Single-purpose for emergency self-rescue

rope; not classified as a life safety rope • 3034 lbs. minimum breaking strength • 7.5mm to 9.5mm diameter minimum • Rope Inspection

74


NFPA CLASSIFICATIONSThrow-line • Used for water rescue • 2923 lbs. minimum breaking strength • 7mm to 9.5mm diameter minimum • Rope Inspection • Must float ex. polypropylene • Not for vertical ops

75


CordageAccessory/Prusik Cord • Static Kern-mantle • 9mm or less • Average around 3000 pounds • Usages


Webbing

77


Webbing Usages

• Anchors • Packaging • Emergency Harness


Webbing construction• 1 inch tubular • Average 4000 lbs tensile strength

• 1 inch flat • Average 6000 lbs tensile strength

• 2 inch tubular • Average 6000 lbs tensile strength

FlatTubular


WEBBING CONSTRUCTION• Types of webbing • Tubular – • Shuttle Loom • Edge Stitched

• Chain Stitched • Solid

80


WEBBING

Slings • Commercial • Tied

81


HarnessesClass II

• fastens around waist and thighs

• design load of 600 lbs, for rescue

Class III • fastens around waist, thighs

and over shoulders • design load of 600 lbs, for

rescue ★Gear loops are not rated! ★Side mount positioning tabs


NFPA 1983 StandardHARDWARE • Carabiners • Pulleys • Swivels • Ascenders • Descenders – 8 Plates &

Rappel Racks • Edge rollers, roof rollers


HardwareCarabiner • Steel • Aluminum • 9000 lbs + tensile

strength • Different types • Do not side load • General use – 40 kN (8992 lbs) • Technical use – 27 kN (4496 lbs)

• kN = 225 lbs


CARABINERS

85

Hinge

Gate

LatchNose

Spine


HardwarePulleys • Double Sheath becketed • Knot Passing • Different Ratings • 4-1 Rule • Fixed side plates • Open side plates


HardwareAscender • Gibbs • Rescu-cenders • Open faced Handled Ascenders


HardwareDescent Control Devices • Figure 8 • Bar Rack • Petzl ID • CMC –MPD (Multi-purpose Device) • Various personal escape devices


DESCENDERSFigure “8” descender with or without “ears”

• Aluminum/steel • Puts a lot of twist in the rope • Limited means of adjusting friction • Limited to short drops of 150’ or less

89


DESCENDERSBrake bar rack

• Stainless Steel or aluminum bars

• Bent or straight rack • Friction can be

changed will under load

• Rope doesn’t twist • Requires more training

90


Hardware

• Edge Protection • Edge Rollers • Roof Rollers • Edge plate


Screw Links

Types • Triangular (Delta) • Oval • Semi-circle • Square

92


RIGGING PLATESKeeps various system components organized.

93

Rigging or Anchor Plate


FAILURE✴ F - Failure to understand or underestimating the

environment ✴ A - Additional medical implications not

considered ✴ I - Inadequate rescue skills ✴ L - Lack of team work and experience ✴ U - Underestimating the logistical need of the

operation ✴ R - Rescue versus recovery mode not considered ✴ E - Equipment not mastered


Main LineThis rope carries the weight of and controls the load during rappelling, lowering, and hauling operations

Load: The total weight of persons and equipment being lowered or raised on a rope system


Belay The second rope in the two rope system

This rope is our safety. It is in place in the event of a failure in the Main Line or any components of the main line system

The function of using a rope to arrest the fall of a person. DOES NOT PREVENT A FALL

All rescue operations should be belayed. Situations for not using a belay are rare.


Belay

Tandem prusik belay -‐Tandem prusik w/prusik minding pulley and load releasing hitch


Other Belay Devices

98

540 Belay

CMC -‐ MPD

Petzl iD


Main Line & Belay

Belay Line

Main Line


Main Line & Belay

Belay line

Main line


DescendingMOVING DOWN • Rappelling – Advantages and Disadvantages • Lowering - Advantages


AscendingMOVING UP • Ascending: Climbing up the rope • Hauling: Using a hauling system


HAUL SYSTEMS

103


Mechanical AdvantageDefinition – A force created through mechanical means, including but not limited to, a system of ropes and pulleys usually creating an output force greater than the input force.

• Simple • Compound • Complex


Simple Mechanical Advantage• One or more moving pulleys • Both traveling at the same speed and direction • Forces are evenly distributed throughout the system • Ex. – 2:1, 3:1, 4:1 Rescuemate


3:1 Z RIG

106


3:1 ATTACHED


4:1 SIMPLE SYSTEM BLOCK & TACKLE


Compound Mechanical Advantage

• One single pulley system pulling another single pulley system

• Analyze at the end with moving pulleys by multiplying the mechanical advantage of each pulley system

109


4:1 Compound


Safety for Haul Systems• If any increase in resistance, haulers stop and

call “stop” • People powered systems and not mechanical

systems • Generally not more than 4:1 mechanical

advantage • Generally not more than 4 haulers

111


Commands

112


Commands• SLACK: let out more rope, introduce slack into

the system. (ex.“slack on blue line 1”) • UP ROPE: Take up the slack in the line. ex. “up

rope on red line” • TENSION: Remove all slack and put some load

on the line. (ex.“tension on blue belay”)


Commands• STOP: This can be called out by anyone, anytime.

If you see an unsafe situation or what you think is an unsafe situation call out STOP! With this everything stops immediately

• ON BELAY?: This is a question rappeller asks the edge manager before approaching the edge/window. He is asking if everyone is ready for him to approach the edge

• BELAY IS ON: The belayer answers, acknowledging that they are ready


Commands• ON RAPPEL?: Done after tensioning the system,

the rappeller asking the edge manager if he’s ready for him to exit the window/edge

• RAPPEL AWAY: The edge manager’s answer that he is ready for the rappeller to exit


Commands While on Rope:• STOP: The rappeller telling the edge manager

he’s stopping • WHY STOP?: The edge manager asking why the

rappeller is stopping. ex. locking off, adjusting my harness, etc

• UNLOCKING: The rappeller telling the edge manager he is unlocking

• UNLOCKING: The edge manager acknowledging the unlocking and that he’s ready for it


Commands While on Rope:• ON RAPPEL?: The rappeller asking the edge

manager if he’s ready for him to continue • RAPPEL AWAY: Edge manager to rappeller --

ready for you to continue • SAFE ON BLUE: Rappeller to edge manager -- I

am on the blue line and I’m safely on the ground, not off belay at this time

• OFF ON BLUE BELAY: Rappeller to edge manager -- I am safely off the blue line’s belay


Personal Equipment Needed for ClassLeather work gloves • non-firefighting • non-lined • clean

Boots • over the ankle • firefighting boots are ok

Dress appropriate • cold / warm weather • rain / snow

★Water for rehydration


Summary• NFPA 1006 • NFPA 1670 • NFPA 1983 • Software – Rope, webbing, etc. • Hardware – Carabiners, eight plate, etc. • Anchors • Ascending • Descending • Mechanical Advantage Systems • Commands


Questions?

120

Documents

RIFA Rope Ops - RI Firefighter Instructors Associationrifireinstructors.org/wp-content/uploads/RIFA-Rope-Rescue... · NFPA 1983 • Standard on Life Safety Rope and Equipment for