Chapter 9 Ropes and Knots

Which is an advantage of tubular webbing over flat webbing? A) Easier to work with B) Less stretch C) Costs less D) Holds a knot better

A) Easier to work with

Which NFPA standard covers the criteria for design, construction, and performance of life safety rope and related equipment? A) 1981 B) 1982 C) 1983 D) 1984

C) 1983

Which knot decreases the load-bearing capacity of rope the most? A) Figure eight on a bight B) Bowline C) Figure eight follow-through D) They all decrease load capacity about equally

B) Bowline

An escape rope should be _______ if exposed to an IDLH environment. A) replaced B) inspected C) cleaned D) tested

A) replaced

Which is formed by making a loop in a rope and then bringing the two ends of the rope parallel to each other? A) Eye B) Cinch C) Round turn D) Bend

C) Round turn

What is another term for a sheet bend? A) Lark's foot B) Round turn C) Becket bend D) Water knot

C) Becket bend

A figure eight on a bight is used to: A) create a secure loop at the working end. B) wrap a loop around an object. C) attach a rope to an eye or ring. D) join two ropes together.

A) create a secure loop at the working end.

Which statement about natural fiber ropes is correct? A) Natural fiber ropes are no longer approved for fire service use. B) Natural fiber ropes absorb less water than synthetic ropes. C) Some natural fiber ropes are approved for life-safety use. D) Natural fiber ropes deteriorate even if stored properly.

D) Natural fiber ropes deteriorate even if stored properly.

Which knot is used only in conjunction with other knots? A) Half hitch B) Water C) Clove hitch D) Figure eight bend

A) Half hitch

Which class of rope is designed to stretch significantly when loaded? A) Dynamic B) Rescue C) Technical use D) Kernmantle

A) Dynamic

Which type of life safety rope, as defined by the NFPA, is predominantly used by the fire service? A) Technical use B) General use C) Extreme duty D) Severe duty

B) General use

Which is the term for a rope used on an extension ladder to raise a fly section? A) Uphaul B) Bunt C) Fly line D) Halyard

D) Halyard

Which method of construction is required for life safety rope? A) Plaited B) Woven C) Block creel D) Solid braid

C) Block creel

Which type of rope consists of individual strands twisted together? A) Braided B) Laid C) Twine D) Twisted

D) Twisted

A rope with minimal stretch under load is: A) dynamic. B) fixed. C) static. D) pliant.

C) static.

Which is a defining characteristic of utility rope? A) It is de-rated or expired rescue rope. B) It must not be used to support the weight of a person. C) It features natural fiber construction. D) It has a minimum breaking strength of 300 lb (135 kg)

B) It must not be used to support the weight of a person.

Which is the preferred type for rope for life safety? A) Braided B) Twisted C) Plaited D) Kernmantle

D) Kernmantle

Which is a common synthetic fiber used for life safety ropes? A) Polyester B) Rayon C) Monoester D) Polypropylene

A) Polyester

When is the use of utility rope appropriate? A) When the total load is less than 750 lb (340 kg) B) For static loads only C) When the rope will not be supporting people D) In situations where the rope will likely be damaged

C) When the rope will not be supporting people

Which natural fiber is commonly used to make ropes? A) Manila B) Wool C) Horse hair D) Coir

A) Manila

What is a common sign of damage to a kernmantle rope? A) Discoloration B) Loose or twisted sheath C) Flat spots or lumps D) Fuzziness of the mantle

C) Flat spots or lumps

What is the term for preparing a knot by tightening it and removing twists, kinks, and slack from the rope? A) Dressing B) Squaring C) Finishing D) Following

A) Dressing

Natural fiber ropes are created using which type of construction? A) Twisted B) Braid-on-braid C) Kernmantle D) Plaited

A) Twisted

Which item is necessary to include in a life safety rope's documentation? A) History of use B) Capacity C) Recommended storage method D) Expiration date

A) History of use

Which knot is used to join webbing ends together? A) Square B) Sheet bend C) Figure-eight follow-through D) Water

D) Water

Knots that wrap around an object, such as a pike pole, are: A) hitches. B) bends. C) bights. D) loops.

A) hitches.

Which knot component is part of a clove hitch? A) Round turn B) Loop C) Follow-though D) Bight

B) Loop

Which is a commonly used safety knot? A) Rescue B) Finishing C) Overhand D) Half hitch

C) Overhand

Which knot is typically used to tie together two ropes of unequal size? A) Bowline B) Half hitch C) Square D) Becket bend

D) Becket bend

Ropes should be cleaned with: A) a mild bleach solution. B) castile soap. C) mild detergent. D) water only.

C) mild detergent.

Which is one of the four parts of the maintenance formula for ropes? A) Store B) Dry C) Coil D) Feel

A) Store

Which item is used to protect a rope when it must be dragged over a sharp or abrasive surface? A) Edge protector B) Sheath C) Pulley D) Bolster

A) Edge protector

A safety knot is most typically used to: A) secure the loose ends of a rope. B) prevent a rope from slipping through a pulley or eye. C) attach a belay line. D) connect two ropes together.

A) secure the loose ends of a rope.

Which is the term for the part of a rope used to form a knot? A) Running end B) Standing part C) Bight D) Working end

D) Working end

Which knot is used to keep the hoisting rope aligned with the handle of a tool being hoisted? A) Half sheepshank B) Directional figure eight C) Half hitch D) Overhand

C) Half hitch

Which fiber is commonly used in life safety rope? A) Sisal B) Rayon C) Nylon D) Olefin

C) Nylon

A rope is attached to a ladder for hoisting using a(n): A) clove hitch. B) bowline. C) figure eight on a bight. D) overhand safety.

C) figure eight on a bight.

What is formed by reversing the direction of a rope to form a "U" bend with two parallel ends? A) Loop B) Bend C) Round turn D) Bight

D) Bight

Which is one of the four primary classifications of rope based on function? A) Static B) Rigging C) Utility D) Rescue

C) Utility

The kern of a kernmantle rope is its: A) core. B) sheath. C) strand. D) weave.

A) core.

Which rope construction type consists of a braided outer sheath surrounding a load-bearing core? A) Braid-on-strand B) Laid C) Braid-on-braid D) Kernmantle

D) Kernmantle

The minimum breaking strength of general use life safety rope is approximately: A) 5000 lbf (20 kN). B) 7000 lbf (30 kN). C) 9000 lbf (40 kN). D) 11000 lbf (50 kN)

C) 9000 lbf (40 kN).

Which is formed by making a circle in a rope? A) Bight B) Snub C) Loop D) Coil

C) Loop

Which question is important to consider when inspecting life safety ropes? A) Has the rope ever been under load? B) How long has the rope been in storage? C) Has the rope been subject to shock loading? D) Has the rope been exposed to sunlight?

C) Has the rope been subject to shock loading?

Which is the preferred type of rope for fire department life safety use? A) Dynamic B) Resilient C) Static D) Tractable

C) Static

The term for a rope that is suddenly put under unusual tension is __________ loading. A) impact B) drop C) tensile D) shock

D) shock

A rope carried by a fire fighter only for self-rescue from an extreme situation is called a(n) __________ rope. A) self-rescue B) bail-out C) escape D) personal emergency

C) escape

Prolonged exposure to __________ light can damage synthetic ropes. A) ultraviolet B) infrared C) polarized D) spectral

A) ultraviolet

Which part of a rope is used for hoisting? A) Running end B) Working end C) Standing part D) Free end

A) Running end

Which method is usually recommended for drying ropes? A) A laundry dryer B) A hose dryer C) Air drying D) Direct sunlight

C) Air drying

The individual fibers of a natural fiber ropes are twisted together to form a: A) twill. B) plait. C) strand. D) creel.

C) strand.

Which is a common cause of deterioration in natural fiber ropes? A) Storage in a low-humidity environment B) Mildew C) Storage in a rope bag D) Infrequent use

B) Mildew

For which application is dynamic rope especially well suited? A) Rescue B) Mountain climbing C) Hoisting D) Static loads

B) Mountain climbing

Which knot is frequently used to secure the end of the rope to an anchor point? A) Overhand safety B) Becket bend C) Bowline D) Square

C) Bowline

Which fiber is commonly used in water rescue rope? A) Polyester B) Spectra C) Olefin D) Polypropylene

D) Polypropylene

When hoisting a ladder, a __________ line should be attached to the bottom of the ladder to help control it as it is hoisted. A) tag B) safety C) downhaul D) backstay

A) tag

Compared to a natural fiber rope, a synthetic fiber rope: A) has a smaller diameter than a natural fiber rope of equal strength. B) is weakened to a lesser degree by knots. C) is more susceptible to heat damage. D) is less susceptible to damage from acid or alkali exposure.

A) has a smaller diameter than a natural fiber rope of equal strength

From which end of the rope can a clove hitch accept tension without coming untied? A) Either end B) The working end only C) The running end only D) Neither end

A) Either end

Which knot would typically be used to attach a rope to a tree or pole? A) Square knot B) Bowline on a bight C) Figure eight on a bight D) Clove hitch

D) Clove hitch

Which knot is used to prevent the end of a rope from slipping through the primary knot? A) Bowline B) Safety C) Half hitch D) Clove hitch

B) Safety