ROPE CARE AND MAINTENANCE

INFORMATION BY BILL BEYNON MIC

CONTROLS & CHECKS

Check the ropes regularly before and after use for perfect condition.  These checks are to be performed visually and physically by running the rope through your hand from one end to the other.  This simple test enables you to feel possible damages or irregularities.  This  must be undertaken by a competent climber or SPA holder. 

ROPE DRAG SHARP EDGES

When leading or setting up a top rope make sure the rope runs free­ly, If necessary, further extend run­ning belays with additional slings.  Ropes quickly become trashed when running over a rough surface under tension.  More seriously, even a new rope can break over a sharp edge. 

ROPE BAG

Any kind of dirt in the rope impairs its performance.  Climbers don’t just simply lay their rope on the ground they use a ‘tarp” as a base.  This protects the against dust and dirt and greatly increases its service life and improves its handling.  Buy a rope bag with a large built-in “tarp”. 

ALTERNATE ROPE ENDS!

Avoid frequent falls on the same rope end.  Alternate the ends after a fall.  Alternating avoids accelera­ted wear of the rope.  Important: allow the rope to “rest” after a fall: don’t just remain hanging on the rope to another attempt right away. 

AVOID STEPPING ON YOUR ROPE

Besides the potential of cutting, stepping on a rope wilt grind dirt into the core and increase the pos­sibility of internal abrasion. 

WASHING

Regular washing of the rope ensu­res continuous good handling and increases its service life. It is best to wash very dirty ropes with a mild soap for synthetics. Let the (uncoiled) rope dry in a cool, dark place. 

USABLE LIFE AND REPLACEMENT

The usable life of a rope cannot be quantified in absolute figures, as it is highly subject to external influences, type and intensity of application, frequency of use as well as climatic conditions.

Extreme application conditions and loads, or use other than that inten­ded can fully reduce the safety reserves of a rope within a very short ti­me, making a replacement unavoidable. 

For legal reasons you will need to produce a rope log with date of purchase on and inspections or fall log on.  Your procedures will need to reflect that you inspect the rope on a prior to use basis by a competent person. 

You don’t have to log out or in each rope every time for SPA work. 

REPLACEMENT 

Ropes must be replaced immediately: 

• Ø      If the braiding is damaged and the core visible.

• Ø      If heavy axial and / or radial deformations have occurred (e.g. extreme stiffness, kinks and apparent ‘sponginess’).

• Ø      Following the contact with chemicals, especially acids.

• Ø      In the case of extremely shifted braiding.

• Ø      Following heavy mechanical load (e.g. after extreme falls).

• Ø      If the braiding is extremely worn (abrasion / fleece formation).

• Ø      Following irreversibly heaving soiling (e.g. grease, oil, bitumen, etc.).

• Ø      Following heavy thermal load, contact or friction induced heat resulting in fusion or melting traces. 

If you have any doubts as to your legal position or technical suitability of ropes then please contact me on bill-beynon@btclick.com   

Yours sincerely 

Bill Beynon MIC