Cordage Institute Guideline CI 1401-15 • Recommended Safety Practices for Use of Fiber Rope • October 2015
Purpose
This Guideline is provided to help in the selection and safer use of cordage products. Compliance with Cordage Institute Standards and Guidelines does not guarantee safe use under all circumstances, and the Institute disclaims any responsibility for any accidents that may occur.
1. Overview
There are inherent risks in the use of rope and cordage because such products are subject to highly variable conditions that change over time. Therefore, Design Factor selections and Working Load Limits must be calculated with consideration of exposure to risk and actual conditions of use for each application. If in doubt, consult an experienced engineer or other qualified individual regarding the design, application and selection of a rope product.
2. Minimum Breaking Strength
The Minimum Breaking Strength (MBS) is the force that a given rope is required to meet or exceed in a laboratory test when it is new and unused. MBS values are given in Cordage Institute Standards and individual manufacturers’ specifications.
3. Working Load / Working Load Limit
The Working Load (WL) is the weight or force applied to rope or cordage in a given application.
The Working Load Limit (WLL) is a guideline for the maximum allowable capacity of a rope product in a particular application and should not be exceeded.
Applied loads higher than a specified WLL can overstress and damage fibers, resulting in premature rope failure. For optimal product performance and the safety of personal and property, the Working Load of an application should not exceed the WLL.
4. Design Factors
The Design Factor (DF) is the ratio between the minimum breaking strength and working load, (MBS/WL). This value is the margin of safety for an application. For a particular application, the factors affecting rope behavior and the degrees of risk to life, personnel and property must be considered when setting a DF.
Commercial, industrial and “general use” consumers should determine a DF based on actual service conditions and establish operating procedures for a specific application. The consumer must also assess his application and determine any hazards that may exist.
As a rule, the more severe the application, the higher the DF needs to be. Selection of a DF in the general range between 5:1 and 12:1 is recommended. This specific range of values does not apply to Life Safety ropes and/or rope products designed and manufactured for specific engineered services. A design factor at the low end of this range should only be selected with expert knowledge of conditions and professional estimate of risk. DF at or above the high end of the range should be used for more severe conditions. When in doubt, always select the highest practical DF, or contact the manufacturer for additional guidance. Engineering assistance may be necessary to determine the service loads and risks and to set the appropriate DF. Expert guidance is strongly suggested when shock loads are possible and/or when the rope is used for lifting purposes.
Considerations in the Selection of a Design Factor
- Select a DF value supported by industry standards, best practices, and/or regulations.
- All components of the system should be considered when determining the DF
- Consider increasing the Design Factor if:
Expert Guidance is Strongly Suggested for the Following Situations
- Rope is used constantly over pulleys or around a small bend.
- Rope is used at elevated temperature that may glaze, weaken or melt the fibers.
- Rope is used in the presence of hazardous chemicals.
- Rope is not new and is of unknown properties and/or prior use.
- Rope is not inspected frequently or adequately.
- Rope will be in service for long periods that may cause strength loss due to fatigue.
CI Guideline 2003 Fibers for Cable, Cordage, Rope and Twine explains some of the effects of elevated temperature and chemicals on synthetic fibers.
5. Calculation of Values
After the WL has been estimated and the DF for an application has been determined, a rope can be selected by calculating the necessary new rope Minimum Breaking Strength. The required MBS is determined by multiplying the Working Load by Design Factor. WL*DF=MBS. For example, an application with a Working Load of 3 tons and a Design Factor of 10 would require rope with MBS = 3*10 = 30 tons.
Similarly, the Working Load Limit of a new rope is determined by dividing the Minimum Breaking Strength by the Design Factor for a given application. MBS÷DF=WLL. Examples of WLL based on a DF are given in some individual Cordage Institute Standards. The WLL in CI standards are for new ropes with standard terminations.
6. Dynamic Loading
A dynamic load is any load that is not static, such as a live load or a wind load. If not properly taken into account, dynamic loading could shorten the service life of a rope and may even cause failure.
Dynamic load effects are influenced by the stiffness or modulus of the rope and are more severe when using low-stretch rope. Dynamic load effects are more severe on short sections of rope. In extreme dynamic loading cases, the forces sustained by the rope may be two, three or more times the static load.
When an object is moved the force on the rope increases due to acceleration or deceleration. The more rapidly or suddenly such actions occur, the greater the forces. Objects should be moved slowly and smoothly to minimize dynamic effects whenever possible.
When dynamic loading is anticipated, the Design Factor should be calculated based on the dynamic instead of the static load. The advice of a qualified individual should be used in calculating the Design Factor.
7. Recoil/Snapback Safety Warning
When a tensioned rope breaks, an attachment fails, or tension is suddenly released, the energy stored in the rope may cause it to recoil back in unpredictable directions with great force. The recoil may result in injury or death to persons in its path. Persons should never stand under, in line with or in the general path of rope under tension to avoid snapback injuries.
8. Special Applications
The DF ranges can be raised or lowered for applications where field experience has proven successful, where a recognized standard or specification exists, where qualified professionals have made a thorough engineering analysis of all conditions of use and/or a regulatory agency has granted specific permission. In such controlled cases, breaking strength, elongation, energy absorption, and other factors, including operating procedures, must be evaluated during the selection of the Design Factor.
© Cordage Institute 2015. All rights reserved. No part of this standard/guideline may be reproduced in any way or by any means (electronic or mechanical) without permission in writing from the Cordage Institute. The use of rope and cordage products has inherent safety risks which are subject to highly variable conditions and which may change over time. Compliance with standards and guidelines of the Cordage Institute does not guarantee safe use under all circumstances, and the Institute disclaims any responsibility for accidents which may occur. If the user has any questions or uncertainties about the proper use of rope or cordage or about safe practices, consult a professional engineer or other qualified individual.
Cordage Institute, 994 Old Eagle School Rd., Suite 1019, Wayne, PA 19087-1866 Tel: 610-971-4854; Fax: 610-971-4859; E-mail: info@cordageinstitute.com; Web: www.cordageinstitute.com
