PMI Rope

Introducing the PMI Hoistmaster: Purpose-Built for Tower Rigging

PMI Technical Team — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 18:42:03 +0000

Engineered for optimal performance, time after time. Designed to deliver controlled lifting, dependable handling, and strength under demanding conditions, the Hoistmaster is a lifting rope you can count on. When precision, durability, and reliability matter most, PMI Hoistmaster stands ready to perform—job after job, lift after lift.

PMI Hoistmaster

12.5mm. Unicore construction. ASME B30 certified lifting gear, purpose-built for tower rigging.

Unicore bonds the core and sheath into a single unit at the factory. There is no core migration. No differential wear between layers. Consistent performance, load after load.

10,431 lbf MBS. That number comes from 3-Sigma testing across full production runs, not selected samples.

1.3% elongation at 300 lbf. The load goes exactly where you send it.

Minimal rotation keeps loads stable and reduces torque on rigging hardware. High abrasion resistance means longer rope life and less wear on equipment.

100% polyester sheath. Nylon 6.6 core. Built to hold up in the conditions tower sites actually create.

Introduced at NATE UNITE 2026

The Hoistmaster was presented this week to over 500 tower industry professionals at NATE UNITE 2026. Loui McCurley, CEO of Beal-PMI, spent an hour with that audience examining exactly what happens to rope under tower load conditions and why construction choices determine field performance. The Hoistmaster was in the room.

If you were at Booth 504, you already saw it and maybe even got yourself a sample. If not, this is the link.

Launch Pricing

25% off with code HOISTMASTERNATE. This pricing is tied to the NATE UNITE launch window. When it closes, it closes. There is no scheduled extension.

pmirope.com/product/pmi-hoistmaster/

ANSI B30 certified utility rope. Designed for tower rigging and material handling. Not rated for life-safety, fall protection, or rescue applications.

PRODUCT RECALL FOR SAFETY REASONS BEAL SUNRISE 9.2MM 50M Dynamic Rope Batch A01235824

PMI Technical Team — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 15:44:23 +0000

This product is subject to a safety recall

concerning an identified batch of 7 ropes.

Stop using it and contact BealPMI Customer Service for a free replacement.

The following serial numbers, which can be found on the rope label and on the packaging, are affected by this recall:

004A01235824

005A01235824

006A01235824

007A01235824

009A01235824

012A01235824

014A01235824

What to do if you own one of these 7 ropes?

1. Immediately discontinue all use.

2. Check the serial number on the label: If it matches one of the numbers above, your product is

affected.

3. Contact our Customer Service to arrange a free return and replacement.

Products not affected

All other batches of the Beal Sunrise 9.2MM 50M rope as well as all other models in the SUNRISE range are not affected by this recall and remain fully compliant with the current safety requirements.

BealPMI customer service contact

care@bealpmi.com

800-282-7673

This notice must be displayed until the end of the recall

Please share this information widely

Vertical Rescue Solutions Opens New Chapter of Industry Collaboration

Marketing — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 14:17:32 +0000

Vertical Rescue Solutions (VRS), a division of Beal-PMI®, is entering a new stage that continues our original mission to support trainers, safety professionals, and the wider vertical community.

Founded in 2009, VRS was created to serve as a knowledge and resource hub for those who work at height. Our Train-the-Trainer programs and study materials have helped many professionals become certified vertical specialists and improve safety standards across the industry. Over time, VRS also made online theory classes, training curriculums, and study materials available to the PMI Certified Trainer network.

With a growing number of well qualified trainers in the industry, VRS is excited to now expand on our original mission by maintaining a prime training facility with advanced structures and professional equipment. Beal-PMI is opening this facility for collaboration with trusted training organizations and professionals who share our commitment to safety and education. The first collaboration begins with ENSA, a respected name in safety training and a long-time partner of PMI, chosen for their credibility and shared values.

“ENSA is excited to collaborate with PMI in Denver to continue using the existing facility for safety and technical training, ensuring the location remains an active part of supporting the industry workforce,” said Maureen Solenberg Director of Operations ENSA.

Since 2010 , PMI’s Denver Training Facility has hosted professionals and organizations from fire departments, tower companies, and research teams, as well as students and community members, through programs such as Open Ropes Night. This new collaborative direction will continue that legacy and create more opportunities for trainers and safety professionals to work together.

VRS continues to develop new resources and programs to connect everyone involved in work at height, from trainers and administrators to field technicians, engineers, and rescue teams. The mission is to bring these groups together, share knowledge, and strengthen the community that keeps people safe above the ground.

“VRS was created to connect people and share knowledge,” said Loui McCurley, CEO of Beal-PMI, Inc. “Opening our facility to collaboration keeps that spirit alive and expands opportunities for professionals to train, teach, and grow together.”

PMI and VRS remain fully committed to supporting safety education and professional development in the vertical environment. VRS continues to grow and improve to help more people gain access to quality training and reliable information.

For collaboration opportunities or facility inquiries, please contact verticalrescuesolutions@pmirope.com.

NFPA 2500 Updates, Part 4: Equipment Selection, Care, and Maintenance—Keeping Your Gear Mission-Ready

LOUI MCCURLEY — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 20:38:12 +0000

This is the fourth and final post in a series breaking down the proposed changes to NFPA 2500, the consolidated standard merging NFPA 1670, 1983, and 1858 for technical search and rescue and life safety rope and equipment. Missed the earlier posts? Catch up with Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. The key takeaway? Proposed changes are out, and you’ve got until July 28, 2025 to review and comment. This is your chance to shape the rules that keep you and your team safe. Don’t let it pass.

You’re 200 feet up a wind turbine, the wind howling like it’s got a personal grudge. Your PMI Extreme Pro Unicore rope runs smoothly through your descender, and your Avatar Harness feels like an extension of your body. In moments like these, you don’t just trust your gear—it’s an extension of who you are. That’s why NFPA 2500’s Chapters 29–35, which cover Equipment Selection, Care, and Maintenance (formerly NFPA 1858), are so vital. These chapters ensure your ropes, harnesses, and carabiners are chosen wisely, maintained meticulously, and retired before they betray you. In this post, we’ll recap the broad changes to NFPA 2500, dive into the specific updates to Chapters 29–35, and make the case for why you—whether you’re a municipal firefighter, tech rope instructor, or volunteer SAR hero—need to weigh in before the July 28, 2025, deadline. We’ll also highlight how PMI gear (www.pmirope.com) aligns with these standards to keep you safe. Let’s dive in, maybe with a coffee in hand and your gear bag nearby. If you’ve already been with us throughout this series, you can jump straight to the meaty stuff on Selection Care and Maintenance here .

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In moments like these, you don’t just trust your gear—it’s an extension of who you are.

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The Big Picture: What’s Changing in NFPA 2500?

NFPA 2500 is a comprehensive standard that weaves together the operational expertise of NFPA 1670 (Chapters 4–23), the equipment specifications of NFPA 1983 (Chapters 24–28), and the equipment management protocols of NFPA 1858 (Chapters 29–35). It’s built for organizations—fire departments, rope access crews, SAR teams—ensuring they have the systems to execute technical rescues safely and effectively. Here’s a deeper look at the overarching changes to set the stage:

Title Shift: The standard’s name is changing from “Standard for Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents and Life Safety Rope and Equipment for Emergency Services” to “Standard on Organizational Capabilities for Technical Search and Rescue and Life Safety Rope and Equipment for Emergency Services.” This clarifies that NFPA 2500 targets teams, not individual rescuers (that’s NFPA 1006’s domain). It’s like naming your team’s rig “Rescue One” instead of “Steve’s Gear.”
Terminology Updates: “Tensile Strength” is now “Minimum Breaking Strength (MBS),” a statistically rigorous measure (three standard deviations below the mean of at least five samples) that guarantees 99% confidence in your gear’s rated strength. “Software” becomes “Soft Goods,” aligning with INSARAG standards and avoiding confusion with, say, your rope rescue app. These changes ensure clarity when you’re checking the specs on a PMI Advantage Helmet or a G-rated 11mm Extreme Pro Rope.
Chapter-Specific Revisions: Chapters 2 (References) and 3 (Definitions) get editorial polish—updated references, clearer definitions. Chapters 11, 12, 14–22 (covering things like trench or tower rescue) see no major changes, while confined space and vehicle rescue chapters have minor tweaks (see Parts 1 and 2).
Equipment Standards: As covered in Part 3, Chapters 24–28 streamline labeling (e.g., “G” or “T” for portable anchors), add carabiner testing for escape systems, and refine harness drop tests. These ensure your PMI gear can handle the toughest real-world scenarios.
Editorial Cleanup: Renumbering, clearer distinctions between prerequisites and general requirements, and updated references (e.g., NFPA 1561 now NFPA 1550) make the standard easier to navigate. It’s like organizing your gear locker so your trusty PMI Advantage Helmet is always within reach.

These updates aim to make NFPA 2500 a practical guide for your team, but Chapters 29–35 are where it gets personal. These chapters govern how you select, care for, and maintain the gear that’s literally your lifeline.

Chapters 29–35: Equipment Selection, Care, and Maintenance

Chapters 29–35, formerly NFPA 1858, focus on the processes that keep your gear mission-ready: selecting the right equipment, maintaining it through mud, sweat, and high-angle chaos, and retiring it before it fails you. Whether you’re inspecting a PMI rope after a gritty cave rescue or choosing carabiners for an urban high-angle op, these chapters are your playbook. Here’s what’s changing, with a focus on the most significant update and its real-world impact.

Chapters 29 and 30: Administrative and General Requirements

These chapters set the stage for equipment management, covering organizational policies and general guidelines for gear selection. The updates here are minor—editorial fixes like updated references or clarified language. For you, this means your team’s SOPs for choosing PMI gear, like the Avatar Harness or Extreme Pro Rope, remain aligned with the standard’s expectations. It’s like double-checking your knots before a rappel—routine but essential for safety.

Chapter 31: Inspection and Soft Goods Lifetime

This is where the rubber—or kernmantle—meets the road. Chapter 31, which governs equipment inspection, includes a significant change to the maximum lifetime of soft goods (ropes, webbing, harnesseses):

Extended Lifetime: The maximum lifetime for soft goods is increasing from 10 years to 12 years from the date of manufacture, or 10 years from the date first placed in service. Why? To account for the time between manufacture and sale, when gear might sit in storage. European tests show no performance degradation after five years of proper storage, so this change reflects real-world data.
**Real-World Impact texts, but it also means your team needs robust tracking systems. PMI’s clear labeling (e.g., manufacture dates on our ropes and harnesses) makes this easier, but you’ll need to log when gear is put into service. Imagine a PMI 11mm rope manufactured in 2023—it could stay in your inventory until 2035 if stored properly and not used until 2025. But miss that in-service date, and you’re gambling with safety.

Chapters 32–35: Selection, Care, and Maintenance Protocols

These chapters outline how to choose gear, maintain it through tough conditions, and retire it responsibly. The changes here are mostly organizational:

Reordered Chapters: To streamline the standard for test labs and manufacturers, Chapter 25 now centralizes labeling requirements, Chapter 26 covers design and construction, and Chapter 27 handles performance requirements for all equipment. This doesn’t change how you maintain your PMI gear but makes it easier for PMI to ensure their products meet all relevant standards.
Updated References: References to other standards (e.g., NFPA 1561 now NFPA 1550) are updated, and irrelevant documents are removed. This acknowledges that your team might also follow non-NFPA regulations, like OSHA or local policies, ensuring NFPA 2500 integrates smoothly with your broader operational framework.

These updates ensure your processes for selecting a PMI Hudson Classic or cleaning muddy hardware after a rescue are clear, consistent, and aligned with best practices.

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NFPA 2500 isn’t just a stack of pages—it’s a contract between you, your team, and the gear you trust.

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Why It Matters

NFPA 2500 isn’t just a stack of pages—it’s a contract between you, your team, and the gear you trust. Every update, from the soft goods lifetime extension to clearer terminology, is designed to keep you safe when you’re dangling 200 feet above a canyon or crawling through a confined space. But standards don’t come from thin air. They’re shaped by people like you—rope techs who’ve wrestled with faded carabiner labels, firefighters who’ve scrubbed mud off PMI anchor straps, or SAR volunteers who’ve seen gear pushed to its limits. Your experience is what makes these standards work.

The public comment period, open until July 28, 2025, is your chance to weigh in. That 12-year soft goods lifetime? Maybe you’ve seen PMI ropes hold up flawlessly for a decade in dry storage, or maybe humid climates make you skeptical. The streamlined chapter structure? It could make gear certification smoother, or maybe you think it needs more clarity for field use. Whatever your perspective, the NFPA needs to hear it. Visit the NFPA 2500 Standard Development page to review the draft and submit comments.

Getting involved isn’t just about tweaking a standard—it’s about ensuring the rules reflect the realities of your work. Think about the last time you rigged a highline with a PMI 11mm rope, knowing it was certified to NFPA standards. Your input could make that trust even stronger. Plus, it’s a chance to connect with the rope rescue community, share stories, and influence the gear PMI develops next. Ever had a harness save your bacon? Your feedback could ensure the next rescuer’s gear does the same.

How to Get Involved: Practical Steps

Not sure where to start? Here are some ways to make your voice count:

Review Chapter 31: Focus on the soft goods lifetime extension. Does 12 years make sense for your team’s storage conditions? Test a PMI rope or harness in your environment and share your findings with NFPA.
Check Gear in Action: Use PMI’s Extreme Pro rope or Avatar harness during a training session. Do the updated standards (e.g., MBS labeling) make gear selection easier? Your field experience is gold.
Talk to Your Team: Gather input from your crew—municipal, industrial, or volunteer. Do the terminology changes (MBS, Soft Goods) clarify things, or do they need refinement? Collective feedback carries weight.
Connect with PMI: Reach out to PMI’s team at www.pmirope.com or on social platforms to discuss these changes. We’re as passionate about safety as you are and can help you craft impactful comments.

PMI: Your Partner in Safety

At www.pmirope.com, you’ll find gear designed to meet and exceed NFPA 2500’s evolving standards. From PMI Classic 12.5mm rope, with clear MBS labeling for confidence in every rappel, to the 11mm G-Rated Extreme Pro, built to withstand punishing drops, PMI’s equipment is crafted for the real-world challenges of technical rescue and rope access. Our commitment to quality means you can focus on the mission, not the manual.

Wrapping Up the Series:

This series has walked you through NFPA 2500’s updates—from operational protocols in Chapters 4–23, equipment standards in Chapters 24–28, to selection, care, and maintenance in Chapters 29–35. These changes aim to make your work safer, clearer, and more effective, but they’re not set in stone. Your input before July 28, 2025, can shape the standard that helps to ensure your team’s safety.

So, check your PMI gear, grab a notepad, and head to the NFPA website to share your thoughts. Whether you’re rappelling into a gorge or rescuing someone from a skyscraper, you’re part of a community built on trust—in your gear, your team, and the standards that bind you. Let’s make sure NFPA 2500 reflects that trust.

What do you think of these changes? Got a story about gear maintenance saving the day? Drop a comment or connect with the PMI team—we’re always ready to talk ropes.

Visit the NFPA 2500 Standard Development page

Explore PMI’s NFPA-certified gear

NFPA 2500 Updates, Part 3 Life Safety Rope and Equipment Revisions

LOUI MCCURLEY — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 17:27:47 +0000

This is the third in a four-part series on the NFPA 2500 standard and what its proposed updates mean for technical rescue professionals. If you missed the earlier posts, Part 1 lays out the standard’s structure and terminology changes. Part 2 covers the organizational capability sections, from watermanship tests to tower rescue updates.

Now, it’s time to get specific about gear.

For anyone who might rely on a rope system to pluck a stranded window cleaner from a highrise, rig a raise from a canyon ledge, or maneuver a patient through tower lattice to safety, this section of NFPA 2500 matters. Chapters 24 through 28 detail the expectations for life safety rope and equipment. This update cycle brings changes to labeling, design criteria, performance testing, and more. The goal is to ensure clarity, consistency, and reliability so you can be ready for the moments that count.

These NFPA 2500 proposed revisions are open for public comment until July 28, 2025, so this is your chance to speak into the gear standards that shape our work.

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The goal is to ensure clarity, consistency, and reliability so you can be ready for the moments that count

”

General Updates Across the Standard

Before we get into Chapters 24–28, here’s a quick review of the broader revisions we’ve already talked about that are happening across NFPA 2500:

– New Title: The name has been tweaked to emphasize that the standard applies to organizations. Individual technician qualifications remain under NFPA 1006.

– Terminology Updates: “Tensile Strength” is replaced by “Minimum Breaking Strength (MBS)” across the board. “Software” becomes “Soft Goods.” These changes reduce confusion and better reflect current industry usage.

– Equipment Standards: Labeling requirements have been cleaned up. Some performance requirements are more specific. Test procedures are more explicit and consistent with real-world gear configurations.

– Editorial Reorganization: Numbering and cross-references have been corrected, helping teams and manufacturers find what they need without second-guessing.

These refinements are designed to help manufacturers and test labs produce products with meaningful certifications to better support your work.

Chapters 24–28: Life Safety Rope and Equipment

These chapters outline technical requirements for ropes, harnesses, connectors, escape systems, and related gear. Here’s what’s changing:

Chapter 24: Certification Requirements

Most of the updates here are administrative. Document references have been updated, version numbers fixed, and minor errors corrected.

Generally speaking, the certification process for ropes, harnesses, carabiners, and other gear remains consistent. The “G’s”, “T’s” and “E’s” you know and love are fully intact and still applicable to the gear you use. PMI’s NFPA-compliant equipment, from static lines to personal harnesses, already meets these criteria. This chapter keeps that certification framework intact and easier to apply.

Chapter 25: Labeling and Product Information

Labeling is where the standard gets more prescriptive. These changes are aimed at improving clarity and usability so that standard requirements are applied more consistently.

– Carabiners and Snap Links: MBS values are now required for three configurations: major axis, minor axis, and gate open. In the past, only major axis values were labeled, even though all three were tested. This makes it easier to understand what your connector can handle in less-than-ideal orientations.

– Portable Anchors: Devices like tripods and AHDs will no longer display a numerical strength rating. Instead, they’ll just be marked with a “G” (General Use, 36 kN) or “T” (Technical Use, 18 kN), based on how they were tested. Manufacturers will be required to specify the test configuration used to reach the rating. If you’re running load calculations or building system diagrams, this shift means that you might have to use generic numbers rather than rated strengths on the device, and / or rely more on supporting documentation. This approach might also make it more difficult to accommodate dual certifications for both “G” and “T” ratings under different configurations; time will tell how this plays out.

– Pulleys: If a pulley includes a becket, the strength of that becket must be included as part of the labeling. Rope diameter compatibility must also be clearly stated. This makes matching your pulley to your rope and choosing which pulley to use with your PMI Classic 12.5mm as compared with your PMI Extreme Pro 11mm, with greater precision.

– Auxiliary Equipment: While there are still specific test methods for escape devices and kits, the “E” designation for Auxiliary Equipment has been dropped. Auxiliary Equipment is kind of a “catch-all” for equipment not covered by the standard, but there were no standardized test methods tied to this category under the “E” classification, and in practice test labs were reporting that no one had asked for this designation in the past, so it was dropped. There’s also a change to escape systems in that where one load bearing component relies on another to achieve the E rating, those must be listed directly on the label.

These changes support more consistency and precision of information to support on-the-spot decisions during equipment checks and rescue operations.

Chapter 26: Design and Construction

Most updates here affect layout and structure of the document, but a few adjustments are worth noting:

– Harnesses: Language now refers to fastening “around the waist and around the legs,” replacing earlier phrasing that referenced thighs and buttocks. This better reflects the design of current harnesses like the PMI Avatar and how they are worn in the field.

– Ladder and Escape Belts: Design load expectations are now standardized across these belt types at 1.33 kN (300 lbf) and 2.67 kN (600 lbf), depending on application. This brings consistency to a category that often includes crossover gear used in different configurations.

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These updates reduce ambiguity and tighten up product expectations across the board.

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Chapter 27: Performance Requirements

This chapter governs how gear must perform under load, abrasion, heat, and other stressors. Key changes include:

– Escape Anchors: Heat resistance testing now applies to all anchor devices, regardless of material. This closes a previous gap where only non-metal anchors had to meet the requirement. If you’re using the Clinch Hook in a PMI Creel Bailout System, it will now be evaluated for heat exposure along with web and rope components.

– Carabiners in Escape Systems: These are addressed under performance testing. Every carabiner included in an escape system will need to meet updated performance standards during certification.

– Fire Escape Systems: Melt performance standards introduced under a Tentative Interim Amendment in the last cycle are now formalized. Fire escape ropes and webbing in a system must meet the same requirements as stand-alone products moving forward.

These updates reduce ambiguity and tighten up product expectations across the board.

Chapter 28: Test Methods

Test procedures have been adjusted to reflect field conditions more accurately and improve consistency:

– Belt and Harness Drop Tests: Instead of using exactly three specimens, the revised method calls for use of “at least three” specimens during tests of each load-bearing attachment point in both head-up and head-down orientations. Whereas previously the test allowed the three harnesses to be re-used for multiple drops, now testers may use fresh specimens for each drop. This allows for more realistic test-to-failure data without unrealistically overstressing a single piece of gear multiple times.

– Escape Harness Drop Tests: Drop distance is now set at 0.5 meters, down from 1 meter, for Escape Harnesses only. Based on preliminary tests, the impact force resulting from even a 0.5-meter drop on a harness of fire-resistant material using the prescribed test method can reach up to 10 kN. This still seems excessive, but the new requirement at least better reflects the way these harnesses are deployed in real use. Class II and III harnesses are still tested at a 1-meter drop.

– Test Load Alignment: Load values across escape ropes, webbing, and belt systems are now harmonized to eliminate discrepancies. This helps you interpret product specs and compare systems more effectively.

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When you clip in, lower out, or haul up, you’re trusting the gear and the standards behind it. There’s no room for guesswork.

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Why It Matters

These revisions aren’t just an exercise in paperwork. They shape how your gear is tested, labeled, and deployed in the field. If you pay attention to the details, understanding how your gear is tested will give you better information about what your system can do and where its limits lie.

Gear from PMI already meets these performance demands. Our static and escape ropes are tested internally and by third-party labs and reflect stringent MBS values. Carabiners are marked across all orientations. Belts and harnesses are designed with load standards and drop tests in mind. From technical mountain rescue to high-rise window extrication, your gear needs to do exactly what the label says. These changes help ensure that it does.

More importantly, they reinforce the importance of trust. When you clip in, lower out, or haul up, you’re trusting the gear and the standards behind it. There’s no room for guesswork.

Speak Up Before July 28, 2025

This revision cycle is still open, and the time to comment is now. Visit the NFPA 2500 Standard Development NFPA 2500 Standard Development page to submit your feedback.

Whether you’re a rescue technician, a professional trainer, an administrator/AHJ representative, or some combination of these, your input can help optimize this standard for your specific needs.

PMI Gear, Built for the Standard

At www.pmirope.com, you’ll find NFPA-compliant ropes, harnesses, connectors, and systems that match the intent and the letter of these updates. From the PMI Classic and Extreme Pro lines to the Creel Bailout System and Avatar Harness, our gear is tested, certified, and ready to support your mission.

Coming Next: In Part 4, we’ll wrap up this series with a look at what these changes mean for training, implementation, and the future of rope rescue standards.

Until then, check your gear, review the changes, and make sure your voice is part of the conversation.

Learn more or submit your public comments:

Visit the NFPA 2500 Standard Development page

Explore PMI’s NFPA-certified gear

NFPA 2500: The Cornerstone of Technical Rescue Standards

LOUI MCCURLEY — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 19:01:06 +0000

In rope rescue, nobody shows up hoping their gear or skills “should be good enough.” Every haul system, harness, and anchor line gets rigged with purpose, and NFPA 2500 is the standard that helps ensure that it all hangs together. For firefighters and technical rescuers responding to technical rescue incidents on wind turbines, grain bins, communications towers, or any number of urban structures, this document connects the dots between what you do, the gear you trust, and the readiness of your teammates.

This article breaks down the big changes in the current NFPA 2500 revision cycle. In the next draft you’ll see reorganized chapters, updated definitions, clarified terminology, and a sharper focus on organizational capability. Whether you’re a chief, a special ops responder, or a tech rescue instructor, these changes shape how you prepare, operate, and train. This post is part of a four-part series designed to share insights on how the updated NFPA 2500 affects organizational capability, equipment requirements, and team training in real-world rescue environments. Each piece builds on the last. You’ll want to read them all.

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Every haul system, harness, and anchor line gets rigged with purpose, and NFPA 2500 is the standard that helps ensure that it all hangs together.

”

What Is NFPA 2500?

Officially titled Standard on Organizational Capabilities for Technical Search and Rescue and Life Safety Rope and Equipment for Emergency Services, NFPA 2500 contains all of the content of what used to be three previously separate documents: NFPA 1670, NFPA 1983, and NFPA 1858. By consolidating them into a single standard, it gives rescuers and rope professionals one place to turn for minimum requirements across operational capability, equipment, and gear selection, care and maintenance.

Every five years, the standard gets reviewed, revised, and refined by people who live and breathe this work. That cycle is happening right now, and we’re in the middle of the second revision phase. Public comments are open through July 28, 2025, which means there’s still time to make your experience count.

Your Voice Matters

NFPA doesn’t operate in a vacuum. The revision process is open to anyone with a stake in the outcome. This includes field rescuers, instructors, engineers, equipment manufacturers, and training officers. Here’s how it works:

– Public Input: During the life of the document, anyone can suggest a change for the next version.

– First Draft: Subject-matter experts review and refine the language based on inputs, then put the document back out for stakeholders to review.

– Public Comment: Folks like you review the draft and provide feedback on proposed language.

– Second Draft: Subject-matter experts review feedback and adjust based on inputs.

– Standards Council: Final approval comes from the NFPA’s Standards Council.

Right now, we’re in the second draft stage of what will become NFPA 2500, 2027 Edition. If you’ve experienced joy or pain as a result of operational requirements or equipment criteria found in a prior version of these standards, or if you submitted content during the Public Input stage, your review and feedback is essential. Use the link at the bottom of this post to add your comment.

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NFPA 2500 is asking, ‘Is the organization itself prepared to execute this safely?

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Sharper Title, Clearer Focus

The original title of the standard, NFPA 2500: Standard for Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents and Life Safety Rope and Equipment for Emergency Services is quite a mouthful, but that’s not the main reason it’s changing. The new title, NFPA2500: Standard on Organizational Capabilities for Technical Search and Rescue and Life Safety Rope and Equipment for Emergency Services is intended to emphasize the point that this standard is laser focused on organizational capabilities, differentiating it fromNFPA 1006 Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications. That adjustment isn’t cosmetic. It shifts the spotlight onto how your department or team is structured to perform, not just whether individuals have the right gear or training.

NFPA 2500 speaks to readiness as a whole. Whether you’re coordinating a trench rescue, planning a wind turbine evacuation, or prepping volunteers for swiftwater operations, NFPA 2500 is asking, “Is the organization itself prepared to execute this safely?”

Organization

The new version of NFPA 2500 may be one document, but the three original standards that it replaced still need to be readily accessible to users. For clarity, the standard is segmented into logical sections:

– Chapters 1–3: Administrative and general requirements

– Chapters 4–23: Operational and training criteria (drawn from NFPA 1670)

– Chapters 24–28: Life safety rope and equipment requirements (from NFPA 1983)

– Chapters 29–35: Equipment selection, care and maintenance (from NFPA 1858)

Chapters 24-28 on equipment design and testing are being further refined so that they are more usable for test labs, certifying bodies, and in-house QA programs. If you manufacture gear or run internal testing programs, you’ll find the new structure makes it easier to find what you need. Each piece—labeling, design, performance—is laid out in its own chapter.

Global Changes

Two of the most significant language updates affect nearly everyone using rope and gear.

1. Tensile Strength becomes Minimum Breaking Strength (MBS)

Previously, the terms Tensile Strength and Minimum Breaking Strength (MBS) were both used in the document, with no clear differentiation. Because the term Minimum Breaking Strength is such an important concept and means something very specific in the world of life safety gear, an effort has been made to use just this term rather than both. For reference, MBS is calculated using statistical methods to provide 99% confidence that a product will meet or exceed the listed strength. The process includes:

– Testing at least five samples

– Calculating the average strength

– Subtracting three standard deviations

That means the strength of your NFPA rated gear isn’t a best guess. It’s a vetted number that tells you what you can consistently expect. This differs from commodity gear and non-life-safety products where terms like “strength” “tensile strength” and “breaking strength” are tossed around with no real clarity on what that means. It’s important for life safety equipment users to be very clear on these concepts, and to avoid casual or misused versions of the terms. If you want a deeper dive into how MBS is calculated and why it matters, PMI breaks it down in detail here.

2. “Software” is now “Soft Goods”

The word “Software” has confused more than a few users over the years who may have expected something digital. The new term, “Soft Goods,” reflects international standards and points more clearly to gear like harnesses, ropes, and slings—any flexible, fabric-based piece of equipment.

Other changes clean up references to outside documents. NFPA 1561, for instance, is now NFPA 1550. Outdated FEMA-specific definitions are being replaced with broader, cleaner references that align with INSARAG and other international resources.

What’s New in Chapter 1

One phrase is shifting in the standard’s purpose statement. Previously, it focused on “conducting operations and training.” The revised language emphasizes organizations that “provide technical rescue services.” The change might seem subtle, but it reinforces the expectation that the standard is all about big picture capabilities, and it better defines where NFPA 1670 begins and ends, clarifying it’s relationship with NFPA 1006.

This kind of clarity matters when an AHJ is evaluating your team’s readiness. It reflects the reality that team structure, policy, and oversight are part of technical capability.

Chapter 3: Definitions That Clarify, Not Confuse

Chapter 3 gets an editorial cleanup in this cycle, aligning more closely with NFPA 1006. Some definitions remain unchanged:

– Approved: Acceptable to the AHJ. NFPA doesn’t approve products itself.

– Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ): The entity responsible for enforcement—can range from a fire chief to a property owner.

– Certified: A manufacturer’s product has been verified by a third-party certifier, including label and follow-up audits.

New entries include:

– Tower: Any self-supporting, guyed, or monopole structure supporting utilities or equipment.

– Nonstandard Tower Structure: A structure that poses similar risks but doesn’t fit the formal tower definition.

– Soft Goods: The updated term for ropes, slings, and other flexible gear.

Other definitions, particularly those tied to specific FEMA task force references, are being removed to streamline the document and reduce confusion across international and local use cases.

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NFPA 2500 isn’t just about gear—it’s about readiness, structure, and your team’s ability to respond.

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Why It Matters

NFPA 2500 shapes how rescue teams train, equip, and respond when lives are on the line. These updates sharpen the language, reduce confusion, and reinforce organizational responsibility. If you’re leading a team, selecting rope, teaching new techs, or managing compliance, the revised NFPA 2500 is already shaping your world.

This is also your window to speak into the next version. The public comment period closes on July 28, 2025, and your input can influence the language that governs how rescues are planned and executed for the next five years.

At PMI, we don’t just watch the process—we’re part of it. We’re committed to helping ensure your voice is heard throughout the process, and when it’s all said and done our NFPA-certified ropes and harnesses, including the PMI Extreme Pro and PMI Avatar, are tested to meet the exacting requirements laid out in this standard.

What’s Next

In upcoming posts, we’ll take a closer look at how NFPA 2500 updates affect:

– Organizational Capabilities: How your team is structured, trained, and evaluated

– Life Safety Rope and Equipment Requirements: What gear must do to meet the mark

– Training and Operational Readiness: How to build and maintain competency

Each part builds on this one. Whether you’re reviewing compliance or just want to understand the why behind the updates, we’ll walk through what matters and how to apply it.

Until then, stay informed, stay sharp, and stay safe.

Learn more or submit your public comments:

Visit the NFPA 2500 Standard Development page

Explore PMI’s NFPA-certified gear

NFPA 2500 2027 Updates Part 2: Prepping Your Team for Technical Rescue

LOUI MCCURLEY — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 18:41:26 +0000

Rescue doesn’t happen in ideal conditions. You might be suspended against a cliff face, crawling through a crushed floor system, or cutting into a rolled-over truck. The only constant is your team’s readiness. That’s what NFPA 2500 addresses at its core.

If your agency is responding to tech rescue incidents, this standard is a great reference tool. You’ll find administrative and general requirements in chapters 1-3; Operational and training criteria (drawn from NFPA 1670) in chapters 4–23; Equipment and certification requirements (from NFPA 1983) in Chapters 24–28; and Equipment selection, care and maintenance (from NFPA 1858) in Chapters 29–35.

This post takes a close look at Chapters 4 through 23, which define how organizations prepare for technical rescue. These chapters, formerly part of NFPA 1670, lay out the structure, capability, and expectations for teams engaged in high-risk operations. The proposed updates clarify responsibilities, refine terminology, and align more tightly with NFPA 1006. If you coordinate a rope rescue team, manage training for confined space entries, or oversee gear selection for tower ops, these sections speak directly to your work.

If you haven’t read Part 1 yet, it provides a full walkthrough of the standard’s structure and language revisions. This post stands on its own but is also the second in a four-part series on the current NFPA 2500 revision cycle. Public comments remain open through July 28, 2025, and this is the time to weigh in.

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The only constant is your team’s readiness. That’s what NFPA 2500 addresses at its core.

”

Key Revisions to NFPA 2500

Several changes in this cycle shape how the document applies in the field:

– Title Update: The revised name, Standard on Organizational Capabilities for Technical Search and Rescue and Life Safety Rope and Equipment for Emergency Services, clarifies that this standard evaluates teams and overall capabilities, while NFPA 1006 continues to address individual professional qualifications.

– Terminology Updates: “Software” is now “Soft Goods,” aligning with global usage and avoiding confusion with digital products. References to “Tensile Strength” have been replaced with “Minimum Breaking Strength” (MBS) throughout for clarity and consistency. PMI ropes, including our PMI Classic Static rope, are MBS-tested to meet these demands.

– Structural Refinements: Chapters 2 and 3 have been tweaked for accuracy and clarity, particularly with respect to references, but there are really no substantive changes in this section.

Throughout the remainder of the standard, some operational sections remain unchanged, but others (particularly those dealing with rope, confined space, vehicle rescue, and tower rescue) include meaningful updates.

Let’s walk through what those updates look like in Chapters 4 through 23.

Chapter 4: General Requirements and the Watermanship Test

Chapter 4 provides baseline expectations that apply to any responding agency. One key addition is a requirement for a new Watermanship Test, introduced for technician-level teams operating in water environments.

Standing water, river currents, raging floods, ocean surf, or any water environment we enter to perform rescue, should be considered Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH). The idea behind establishing a watermanship test requirement is to help ensure that rescuers entering water have been trained and evaluated according to the specific hazards in their region. The test format is left to the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), providing flexibility for local conditions. A coastal team might train in waves and tides, while an inland team focuses on moving water and hydraulics.

This isn’t a generic swim test. It’s a targeted check on actual capability in the environments teams are expected to face. Your PMI Water Rescue Ropes are built to perform in these high-risk, high-stress settings, with buoyancy, strength, and low elongation in wet conditions. Make sure your responders are too.

Chapter 5: Rope Rescue Language Refinement

Rope rescue demands systems thinking, strong team dynamics, and common terminology. Chapter 5 maintains its focus while updating some key verbiage.

– Expanded Description of At-Height Movement: Paragraph 5.4.2 now clarifies that vertical and horizontal movements on natural or man-made structures are all integral to at-height operations. The addition of examples like double lanyards, clip sticks, and shepherd’s hooks brings wording in line with current practices.

– Force Considerations: Updates now explicitly include topics like anchor angles, mechanical advantage, spanned anchors, and force-limiting systems. The result is a clearer connection between theoretical understanding and applied rigging in today’s world.

For advanced systems with high load factors, PMI’s Extreme Pro Rope delivers dependable performance, offering low elongation and high strength for both operational and training environments.

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Rope rescue demands systems thinking, strong team dynamics, and common terminology.

”

Chapter 6: Structural Collapse Search and Rescue

Specific building marking systems have been removed from Chapter 6. Instead, teams are directed to FEMA and INSARAG resources for current marking methods.

This reflects the shift to generally accepted tools and protocols without locking agencies into outdated practices. In collapse environments, where debris shifts and access is tight, gear like the PMI Avatar Harness gives rescuers the mobility and support needed to operate effectively.

Chapter 7: Confined Space Rescue

This section now recognizes that rope skills are not always part of confined space operations. Whereas previous requirements for rope rescue training applied to ALL operations-level or technician-level teams, the revised language makes clear that this requirement applies only to those that use rope systems.

This makes the training more appropriate to the actual tactics being used. PMI’s confined space solutions, including tripods, compact litters, and NFPA-certified ropes support rescue operations where vertical movement and patient packaging are part of the mission.

Chapter 8: Vehicle Rescue and Modern Hazards

Chapter 8 introduces an awareness-level requirement to account for emerging vehicle technologies. Electric vehicles, hybrid drivetrains, and semi-autonomous features bring new risks. How many more new risks will be introduced between now and the next revision of this standard five years down the road?

In the rapidly changing landscape of vehicle technology, rescuers now need more than stabilization and extrication skills, and it is incumbent upon the AHJ to stay on top of what’s on the horizon. Rescuers must be able to identify system components, disable threats, and understand how new materials and power systems respond under load or impact.

Chapter 9: Animal Rescue and Biosecurity

A new awareness-level requirement addresses biosecurity risks in animal rescue. This includes disease transmission, exposure to hazardous waste, and contamination from animal enclosures.

Rescuers may be entering barns, flooded pastures, or urban zones with feral or injured animals. PMI ropes and soft goods are made for these unpredictable settings, with rugged construction and inspection procedures that allow continued use when cleaned and maintained properly.

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Rescuers may be entering barns, flooded pastures, or urban zones with feral or injured animals.

”

Chapters 10–22: No Revisions, Still Essential

No substantive changes have been made to the following chapters, but they remain essential in their respective disciplines:

– Wilderness Rescue
– Trench Rescue
– Machinery Extrication
– Cave and Mine Rescue
– Helicopter Operations
– Water, Swiftwater, and Flood Rescue
– Dive, Ice, and Surf Rescue
– Watercraft Rescue

PMI’s specialized equipment supports all of these missions. From ultra-light ropes for remote rescue to water-ready throw bags, each product is purpose-built for the conditions your team faces.

Chapter 23: Tower Rescue Redefined

The previous limit for operations-level teams to conduct rescues under 300 feet has been removed. The new wording focuses on complexity instead of height.

If the rescue can be conducted without multi-pitch techniques and fall risks are properly mitigated, operations-level teams are now permitted to perform the work. It’s a shift toward assessing technical requirements instead of applying an arbitrary cutoff.

PMI’s Vertical Rescue Solutions educational resources are designed to prepare teams for these scenarios with a focus on system efficiency, safety control, and equipment compatibility. Tower rescue gear—when matched with the right training—enables responders to meet the standard with confidence.

A Standard to Serve You, Not Stifle You

The revisions to Chapters 4 through 23 strengthen the standard without making it more rigid. Clearer terminology, updated references, and targeted new requirements help agencies prepare with purpose.

The Watermanship Test gives you room to address local hazards directly. Rope rescue updates reflect modern gear and rigging techniques. Tower operations now consider whether the setup requires pitch transitions rather than how far off the ground it starts.

PMI ropes, harnesses, and systems are made to meet the performance and certification requirements laid out in NFPA 2500. Every product is built for the conditions that rescue teams actually encounter, including fast water, confined spaces, collapsed structures, remote towers, and sharp edges.

Add Your Voice

The current revision cycle for NFPA 2500 is active. If your organization trains and responds to these missions, this is your chance to make sure the standard reflects your operational reality. Public comments close July 28, 2025.

You can review proposed changes and submit feedback at the NFPA 2500 Standard Development page.

Stay tuned for Part 3 of this series, where we’ll walk through updates to equipment performance and certification, covering the ropes, harnesses, connectors, and escape systems that must meet specific criteria to pass inspection, testing, and field use.

Learn more or submit your public comments:

Visit the NFPA 2500 Standard Development page

Explore PMI’s NFPA-certified gear

Choosing the Right Water Rescue Rope

PMI Technical Team — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 16:50:50 +0000

With the advent of spring comes preparation and training for water rescue. Whether you’re tossing a line to a swimmer, setting up a ferry system, or rigging for a full-on rescue, having the right rope matters. Here’s a breakdown of PMI® water rescue ropes and when to use them.

1. Economy Throw Rope (Full Polypropylene)

This is your go-to throw rope—lightweight, easy to pack, and it floats like a champ. If your main goal is to get a rope to someone in the water fast, this is the way to go. Strength & Size: The 10mm rope has an 8kN strength rating—plenty for most throw-and-retrieve situations.

Best For: Quick-response rescues, throwing to a swimmer, or keeping on hand in a boat or emergency vehicle.

Things to Know: Polypropylene isn’t the toughest material, so it’s not the best choice for dragging across rocks or repeated heavy use. That’s why we stick with 10mm—it’s easier to grip and won’t slip through your fingers like a wet noodle.

Pro Tip: Pair it with the PMI H2Throw Bag—a lightweight nylon throw bag with a built-in flotation disc, durable mesh for water drainage, and a bright reflective band for visibility. It’s rigged and ready to go, so you can focus on the rescue, not the setup.

2. Polypropylene Core with Nylon Sheath

Need something stronger that still floats? This hybrid rope combines a buoyant polypropylene core with a tough nylon sheath, making it ideal for swiftwater rescues and heavier loads. Strength & Durability: 10mm version: 16kN strength, solid grip, and great durability. 7mm version: 8kN strength (same as the 10mm polypropylene), but packs down smaller for compact carry.

Best For: Ferrying rafts, shore-based rescues, and any scenario where you need abrasion resistance along with flotation.

Things to Know: Because of the nylon sheath, this rope won’t stay completely on the surface—it’ll dip slightly when wet. But it still floats well enough to stay visible, so you won’t have to go fishing for it downstream. Pro Tip: The PMI H2Throw Bag is also a great fit for this rope, keeping it neatly stowed and ready for action. With pre-tied loop terminations and high visibility, it makes deployment smooth when seconds count.

3. Life Safety Rope for Water Rescue Systems

If you’re setting up a highline, a tensioned system, or anything involving a suspended rescuer, you need a true life safety rope. These ropes meet NFPA or Cordage Institute standards and are built for high-load, high-stakes operations. For working in and around water, polyester is a good choice. Why Polyester? Unlike nylon, polyester doesn’t absorb water, so it maintains its strength and stretch characteristics whether wet or dry.

Best For: Technical rescues, belayed swimmer operations, and highlines where you’re suspending a person over water.

So, Which Rope Do You Need? Need a quick, reliable throw rope? Go with full polypropylene. Need something tougher for swiftwater work? Polypropylene core with a nylon sheath is your best bet. Rigging a serious rescue system? Go with a certified life safety rope. At the end of the day, the best rope is the one that gets the job done safely. Choose wisely, train hard, and don’t let your rope be the weakest link—literally.

The Double-Edged Sword of Standards

LOUI MCCURLEY — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 21:54:18 +0000

An Invitation to Help Make the World a Better Place

There’s no denying it—over-regulation can be a nightmare. Sometimes, it feels like the more rules we have, the harder it is to actually do the job. And when it comes to fall protection and rescue safety, not every situation can be solved by a simple regulation or blanket rule.
As experienced safety and rescue professionals, we know that each worksite, each rescue, and each worker is different. When real-world scenarios and physics fail to read the books that the standards-writers used, we have to use our best judgment to make sure everyone stays safe.
Safety is about more than just wearing the right gear and checking the ropes. It’s about experience, knowing what works, and using that knowledge to keep people safe. But where should we draw the line? How far should standards go?

A Seat at the Table—Before Someone Who Actually Likes Standards Takes It

I’ll be honest, I wasn’t thrilled when my boss, Steve Hudson, first asked me to get involved in standards development. I had a lot of thoughts, none of which were particularly positive about spending hours in meetings discussing regulations. But I’ll never forget what he said:

“This is an opportunity. If you don’t step up, someone else will—and they might actually like standards.”

At the time, I couldn’t help but wonder, who likes standards? But looking back, I realize he had a point. Standards are essential—they provide a baseline for safety and ensure that everyone is on the same page. However, at the other end of the spectrum are those who use the regulatory process to redirect the industry toward their biases or preferences.
Somewhere between the lowest common denominator and the self-righteous dominator is a balance that promotes safety without stifling the flexibility we need in real-world situations.

A World Without Standards

Have you ever considered what our world might be like if stop signs didn’t mean STOP? Or if electrical outlets were all wired to deliver an arbitrary output? Or how big a “cup” of sugar should be?
When I first began participating in NFPA 1983 a few decades ago, there was a specific requirement for how strong a rope should be. However, there were big gaps in defining test methods, sample lengths, terminations, and interpretation of results.
Under this scenario, manufacturers could publish test results in wildly different ways, leading to confusion and inconsistency in safety ratings. This lack of standardization was one of the reasons I reluctantly conceded that standards do have a place in safety equipment.

How Far is Too Far?

The first edition of NFPA 1983 in the late 1980s was five pages long. Today, NFPA 1983 is part of the 245-page NFPA 2500 Standard. Have we improved industry safety with these additional pages, or have we just made equipment more expensive and complex?
Some questionable requirements include:
– “Life Safety Rope shall be constructed of virgin fiber.” European EN standards allow recycled fiber—why doesn’t NFPA?
– “All load-bearing buckles must be proof-loaded to 11kN.” Does this genuinely improve safety, or just increase costs?
– “Soft goods must be retired no more than ten years from manufacture.” Shouldn’t storage conditions and actual use be considered?
While quality is imperative, we must ask: Who is really benefiting from these increasingly complex standards?

“Consensus Means Everyone’s a Little Bit Unhappy”

When he was teaching me the ropes of standards development, Steve used to like to say:

“The true definition of consensus is that everyone is a little bit unhappy!”

At first, I thought that sounded like a terrible motto. But after being part of a few discussions, I saw the wisdom in it. There’s no perfect solution for everyone. It’s about finding the best compromise that ensures safety without over-regulation.
That’s why having experienced technicians at the table is crucial. Field technicians know what’s practical, what’s not, and what’s downright dangerous. Engineering, manufacturing, training, and testing professionals are essential, but so are those who work with the equipment daily.
Without this balance, we risk creating impractical standards that don’t work in real-world applications.

Why You Should Get Involved

If you don’t get involved in standards development, someone else will. And if you’re not there to advocate for practical solutions, we could end up with standards that make your job harder, not necessarily safer.
Yes, attending meetings and discussing regulations might sound dull. But being part of the process ensures that standards make sense for the people who rely on them daily. If we don’t take that opportunity, we’re leaving it to someone else—someone who may have an entirely different agenda.
Remember: “True consensus means everyone is a little bit unhappy.”
And that’s okay. Because in the end, it’s about ensuring that safety doesn’t take a backseat to bureaucracy.

Get Involved: Standards That Matter

If this has piqued your interest, here are some key standards in our industry you might want to consider contributing to:

NFPA 2500 (Operations & Training for Technical Search and Rescue, Life Safety Rope & Equipment)
- Next edition: 2027
- Committee Application
NFPA 1006 (Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Rescue Qualifications)
- Committee Application
ANSI Z359 (Fall Protection Code)
- Committee Interest Form
ANSI Z459 (Rope Access)
- Next edition: 2027
- Committee Interest Form
ANSI A10.48
- Next edition: 2029
- Committee Interest Form

If you’re in this industry, your experience matters. Join the discussion and help shape the standards that affect our work every day.

Certified Safety Without Compromise: Your Trusted PMI 11 mm Extreme Pro Rope

PMI Technical Team — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 20:22:30 +0000

For years, professionals across various industries have relied on PMI’s 11 mm Extreme Pro rope for its unmatched durability, strength, and reliability. Now, with the SKYLOTEC Sirius descender, you can continue using the rope you trust while staying fully NFPA compliant. Whether you’re scaling rugged mountains, working in industrial sites, or performing high-stakes rescues, this combination ensures you meet the highest safety standards without changing your gear.

1. No need to switch to unfamiliar equipment. Your 11 mm Extreme Pro rope, now fully compatible with the SKYLOTEC Sirius descender, meets NFPA standards while maintaining the reliability you’ve come to expect.

2. From the most rugged terrains to complex industrial sites, PMI’s Extreme Pro rope is designed to perform. Paired with the Sirius descender, it adapts to your work environment while keeping you safe.

3. With NFPA & ANSI compliance, you can trust that this combination is tested and proven to meet the highest safety standards. Continue your operations with confidence, knowing you’re using gear that won’t let you down.

Don’t compromise on your safety or your gear.

Equip yourself with the PMI 11 mm Extreme Pro rope and Sirius descender today.