*** Rope Safety Margin ***

Wed Apr  5 17:10:21 1995
Message : #24360575    From: DURKINTJ
Address : DURKINTJ@ctrvx1.Vanderbilt.Edu
Length  : 136 words
Subject : RE : ROPE SAFETY MARGIN ( was rope resq)
Org.  : Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA

       The 15:1 safety margin is  an NFPA standard that is widely accepted
by most who use life safety rope in sport , work, or rescue.

       While there is validity to the point about rope being damaged more
easily than hardwere, 15:1 safety margin is usually held to other equipment
as well. Gibss ascenders are not often used alone. Rope is often used alone,
with no back up. Consider that also hardware is not knotted or bent over an
edge, which also reduce its strength.

       There are a couple books which I have found are pretty good with
this stuff: Nat'l Speleological Society's "On Rope" and NASAR's "High Angle
Rescue Techniques" . I have also heard that CMC 'c books are quite good on
this stuff.

(DURKINTJ)

			-------------------------