YOUR ROPE.
Photo Above: Notice that we use a different color rope for each worker. It helps avoid tangles and crossing lines. Also notice that we use our Pre-Sternal fall arrest rings so that we can monitor our ropes better, avoid slack, and avoid deadly dorsal ring suspensions. For more information, Google "suspension trauma". Here, while eating ... we are learning skills from our great metal roof mentor, Mr. John Sheridan of Sheridan Metal Resources.
If you have a "compliance in a bucket" kit, then it came with two decent things.
First, who doesn't have enough good buckets? Right! You even get a lid. It's a good bucket.
Secondly, that rope is pretty darn tough, abrasion resistant, and comes with connectors and a load limiting lanyard.
So, if you've got that, don't fret because it can be used safely.
The disadvantages of this rope include:
Lengths are generally 50' or 100'.
They are heavy.
They are usually white, yellow or green and most often I see all one color of rope on the roof, which all looks the same in a tangled mess.
A new one costs more than the kit it came in.
The connector which attaches to the harness has to stay on the rope.
So, suppose you want to leave a safe access rope at the ladder (which goes to the roof). Worker #1 goes up, but worker #2 can't use the rope because the connector is stuck at the top.
First, who doesn't have enough good buckets? Right! You even get a lid. It's a good bucket.
Secondly, that rope is pretty darn tough, abrasion resistant, and comes with connectors and a load limiting lanyard.
So, if you've got that, don't fret because it can be used safely.
The disadvantages of this rope include:
Lengths are generally 50' or 100'.
They are heavy.
They are usually white, yellow or green and most often I see all one color of rope on the roof, which all looks the same in a tangled mess.
A new one costs more than the kit it came in.
The connector which attaches to the harness has to stay on the rope.
So, suppose you want to leave a safe access rope at the ladder (which goes to the roof). Worker #1 goes up, but worker #2 can't use the rope because the connector is stuck at the top.
My preferred ropes meet the following criteria:
Professional working low stretch and static kernmantle lifelines (used by rope access and rescue personnel).
11 mm to be compatible with Petzl's mobile fall arrester system (ASAP Lock).
Note: The Ray 11 lifeline is the only lifeline that Petzl has tested and certified for use with the ASAP and ASAP Lock to meet ANSI Z359.15.
Energy developed during a fall will be mainly dissipated by the ASAP'SORBER when using a Ray lifeline. The ASAP'SORBER keeps average arresting forces at or below 4kN (896 pounds).
The RAY 11 lifeline meets the ANSI Z359.15 standard with or without a sewn termination.
It is the responsibility of the Competent Worker to tie the correct anchoring knots.
An 11mm rope is also compatible with descender and ascender equipment, which is critical for working safely on steep pitches.
Ropes that meet certification ANSI Z359.15, meet or exceed the OSHA standard.
Ropes are available with or without sewn terminations.
Buying ropes with a sewn termination on one end reduces variables, reduces knot tying, and maintains rope strength.
I prefer to have each worker on a different color rope, and/or a different color rope to each anchor point.
After assessing each job site, the first thing I do is set up my access and anchor points and attach a fall protection rope to each anchor point. This allows a worker to transfer from one rope to another rope easily, keeping their anchor point above them to minimize hazards.
The ropes below are light in weight and easy to tie knots in for rigging as necessary.
Professional working low stretch and static kernmantle lifelines (used by rope access and rescue personnel).
11 mm to be compatible with Petzl's mobile fall arrester system (ASAP Lock).
Note: The Ray 11 lifeline is the only lifeline that Petzl has tested and certified for use with the ASAP and ASAP Lock to meet ANSI Z359.15.
Energy developed during a fall will be mainly dissipated by the ASAP'SORBER when using a Ray lifeline. The ASAP'SORBER keeps average arresting forces at or below 4kN (896 pounds).
The RAY 11 lifeline meets the ANSI Z359.15 standard with or without a sewn termination.
It is the responsibility of the Competent Worker to tie the correct anchoring knots.
An 11mm rope is also compatible with descender and ascender equipment, which is critical for working safely on steep pitches.
Ropes that meet certification ANSI Z359.15, meet or exceed the OSHA standard.
Ropes are available with or without sewn terminations.
Buying ropes with a sewn termination on one end reduces variables, reduces knot tying, and maintains rope strength.
I prefer to have each worker on a different color rope, and/or a different color rope to each anchor point.
After assessing each job site, the first thing I do is set up my access and anchor points and attach a fall protection rope to each anchor point. This allows a worker to transfer from one rope to another rope easily, keeping their anchor point above them to minimize hazards.
The ropes below are light in weight and easy to tie knots in for rigging as necessary.
ALWAYS INSPECT EVERY ROPE PRIOR TO EVERY USE AND PRIOR TO STORAGE.
PETZL
Ray 11 mm with sewn termination.
Certified ANSI Z359.15 Available in 25, 50, 75, 100, and 200 foot lengths. Currently, only available in white. |
Ray 11 mm (no sewn term.)
ANSI Z459.1 White, Black, Yellow, Blue, in 150 foot lengths. |
Protect your rope when it goes over or around corners and edges.
|
PMI
11 mm EZ Bend PMI Hudson Classic Professional Rope.
Available in custom lengths and 8 different colors. ANSI Z359.15 |
11 mm PMI Extreme Pro (G) Rope with UNICORE.
The Unicore technology bonds the sheath and core, ensuring sheath slippage is nearly zero. 4 different colors. Custom lengths are available. |
Add a sewn termination to your rope at the factory to:
Maintain rope strength & reduce variables. Keep from having to tie a figure 8 knot every time you use the rope. |
PMI Supermantle Rope guard.
|
KNOTS:
Knots reduce rope strength, pretty much the same as with fishing line.
The strength of the Ray 11 mm shown above, tied with a figure 8 knot is 3,808 pounds.
The Ray rope with a sewn termination (no knots) has a strength of 5,152 pounds.
Be aware of the strength changes in your rope once a knot is tied.
Learn to tie 2 knots proficiently.
Learn more if you like, but these are all I've needed for steep roof work so far. They have the least effect on rope strength, while also being easy to tie and untie.
Search these on YouTube and you will find lots of videos.
Figure 8 on a bight.
Butterfly knot.
The strength of the Ray 11 mm shown above, tied with a figure 8 knot is 3,808 pounds.
The Ray rope with a sewn termination (no knots) has a strength of 5,152 pounds.
Be aware of the strength changes in your rope once a knot is tied.
Learn to tie 2 knots proficiently.
Learn more if you like, but these are all I've needed for steep roof work so far. They have the least effect on rope strength, while also being easy to tie and untie.
Search these on YouTube and you will find lots of videos.
Figure 8 on a bight.
Butterfly knot.
CUTTING YOUR OWN ROPE.
Buy a professional rope cutter. It is basically a hot knife and seals the end of the rope to help it not unravel.
It's a little over $100 usually.
Watch some videos and buy some rope end terminations.
This will give you many advantages. You can buy rope in lengths up to 600' and perhaps use your own system of color coding.
Perhaps all your 25' white Ray ropes will have sewn terminations.
All your 50' lengths can be blue.
All your 75' lengths can be black.
This gives you control. Keep rope in stock and cut what you need when you need it.
It is very handy for each work truck to have a 150 or 200 foot rope for reaching over houses and buildings.
I also like for my working rope to be long enough for me to lower to the ground when working alone.
It's a little over $100 usually.
Watch some videos and buy some rope end terminations.
This will give you many advantages. You can buy rope in lengths up to 600' and perhaps use your own system of color coding.
Perhaps all your 25' white Ray ropes will have sewn terminations.
All your 50' lengths can be blue.
All your 75' lengths can be black.
This gives you control. Keep rope in stock and cut what you need when you need it.
It is very handy for each work truck to have a 150 or 200 foot rope for reaching over houses and buildings.
I also like for my working rope to be long enough for me to lower to the ground when working alone.
STORING YOUR ROPE.
Buy some rope bags for the longer ropes. You won't regret it.
The Bucket comes in red, yellow, and black, as well as in a 45 liter size.
The BUCKET 30 below retails for $69.95.
The Bucket comes in red, yellow, and black, as well as in a 45 liter size.
The BUCKET 30 below retails for $69.95.
