Safety at Height - PMI Rope

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

“

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.

“

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

Simple Complex Rope Access

LOUI MCCURLEY — Thu, 15 Dec 2022 11:40:09 +0000

The ANSI Z459 Rope Access Standard went into full effect in August 2022, and has been well-received by employers who are using it to help build compliance into their work at height programs.

The ANSI Z459.1 standard not only helps to define and place guidance around rope access as a viable work method in fall protection, it has also helped to de-mystify skills requirements for rope technicians working at height and give employers a little more flexibility in the extent of training their employees receive.

This standard clarifies that COMPLEX skills are NOT required for working at the most foundational level of rope access, allowing employers who manage SIMPLE up-and-down rope access sites to train employees JUST in the skills they need – working with a two-rope system, negotiating an edge, descending, and just enough ascending to keep themselves out of trouble.

With the definition of SIMPLE rope access, employees can reduce the number of days and complexity of skills their employees use to just what is really needed. It is not necessary for employees working only in SIMPLE rope access to need to learn difficult rope tricks like passing a deviation, aid climbing, and other things that they will probably never actually use in the field!

This concept works under the ANSI Z459 model by classifying worksites as either SIMPLE or COMPLEX.

A SIMPLE worksite is defined as one that offers clear access and egress, is unaffected by adjacent trades, where technicians do not need to pass knots or deviations, and where rescue can be carried out directly to ground or platform level.

This differs from a COMPLEX worksite primarily in that a COMPLEX site is one where environmental factors, adjacent work, deviated ropes, or difficult access and egress necessitate a greater skillset.

Note that the concepts of SIMPLE and COMPLEX do not directly correlate to the terms AUTHORIZED and COMPETENT. These two sets of terms refer to completely different concepts.

As previously described, the concepts of SIMPLE and COMPLEX are used to describe the complexity of the worksite, whereas the terms AUTHORIZED and COMPETEN refer to the level of responsibility given to an employee.

You can learn more about these terms in PMI’s previous post on that subject – but to summarize…

An AUTHORIZED Technician is one who has been authorized, or given permission, by the employer to perform a given task. A Technician may be AUTHORIZED to work on a SIMPLE worksite, or a Technician may be Authorized to work on a COMPLEX site… it is up to the employer to award that designation based on verification that the technician is sufficiently trained to operate on that type of worksite.

It is with the designations AUTHORIZED and COMPETENT that the scope of the Technician’s duties will vary.

Specifically, an Authorized Person simply has permission to perform a certain type of work on a certain site. They generally do not have supervisory authority and are not expected to take corrective action. In contrast, a COMPETENT ROPE ACCESS TECHNICIAN is one who is capable of recognizing hazards and who has the employers authority to take prompt corrective action. Often the Competent Technician for a given site is given supervisory responsibility. Clearly this requires a little more extensive training and skill.

These two sets of terms, SIMPLE/COMPLEX and AUTHORIZED/COMPETENT, refer to different concepts, but they can and should be used together by the employer to but again you might have a Technician who is deemed COMPETENT to work on a SIMPLE worksite, or a Technician who is deemed COMPETENT to work on a COMPLEX worksite. The key here is that they must be trained and experienced enough to monitor, evaluate, and address existing and potential fall hazards one WHICHEVER type of worksite they are working on.

I hope this helps to clarify a bit more about SIMPLE and COMPLEX worksites, and about how AUTHORIZED and COMPETENT Technicians are expected to work in these environments. You can get your very own copy of the ANSI Z459 standard from the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), at the link below. If you are responsible for managing a rope access program, you may want to consider PMI’s online Program Manager course for more thorough detail.

Helmets for Work-At-Height

PMI Technical Team — Tue, 29 Jun 2021 14:05:56 +0000

It is understandable why a rescue worker expected to work-at-height would need specific safety gear. Helmets are one of the most important pieces of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) needed to keep a worker safe during activities that can potentially cause head injury. A helmet can protect against injury caused by impacts associated with slips, falls, pendulums, and falling objects. Let’s look at the type of helmets that you can choose from, and which ones fit the bill for the task at hand.

What are the types of helmets available?

There are three types of helmets commonly used in these pursuits to help protect you from a head injury:

Construction Helmets
Mountaineering Helmets
Technical Rescue Helmets

Well, the question arises — what are the key difference between any of these helmets?

The answer lies in the ways that they are tested. They are all tested as per their use. In this case, since we are talking about protective gear, we shall talk about PPE. PPE (or Personal Protective Equipment) is safety equipment that is intended to be used to protect a person’s body from harm, and that complies with relevant standards.

To maintain compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration laws employees should use PPE that meets regulatory requirements of the country/jurisdiction in which they are working. In the United States of America, OSHA is the regulatory body. And relevant standards for safety helmets include ANSI Z89.1 for Industrial Head Protection (aka, Construction Helmets) and NFPA 1951 for Technical Rescue helmets.

Helmets for firefighting are covered by different standards. There is no U.S. standard specifically for mountaineering helmets, so most users defer to UIAA or European standards for these.

Meeting standards and regulatory requirements is just the beginning. In addition, employers and users of equipment should have a clear understanding of potential hazards associated with their intended use, so that they can choose accordingly. For example, helmets used for work at height should meet ANSI Z89.1 – the same standard as construction bump caps meet. A key difference, however, is that a helmet used for work at height should have a three-point retention harness – a feature not addressed by the standard.

Safety Helmets for Work at Height

Rappel and belay gloves come in different sizes of small, medium, extra small, large, extra-large and XX large. One way to get a good fit is to measure your hand width (measure the width of your dominant hand using a tape). If the rappel gloves have numbered sizes, the measurement can be directly related to the glove’s listed size.

Industrial helmets meeting the requirements of ANSI Z89.1 are separated into three Classes and two Types, indicating levels of protection and degree of electrical insulation:

1) Class G (general) helmets are tested at 2200 volts,

Type 1: Top Impact Protection
Type 2: Lateral & Side Impact Protection.

2) Class E (electrical) are tested at 20,000 volts, and

Type 1: Top Impact Protection
Type 2: Lateral & Side Impact Protection.

3) Class C (conductive) provides 0 electrical protection.

Type 1: Top Impact Protection
Type 2: Lateral & Side Impact Protection.

European Helmet Standards

In Europe, the standards relevant to Work-At-Height / Rope Access / Rescue helmets are primarily:

Mountaineering Grade: EN12492
Industrial Grade: EN397

These two types of helmets meet different sets of criteria; some users lean toward mountaineering grade helmets because they are subjected to a somewhat higher test force. But this is an oversimplification of the matter and does not take into account other features tested, such as chinstrap release forces and other things.

European standards are not the topic of this article. So it would suffice to say that buyers should beware of the differences and not make the mistake of thinking that “just meeting some standard” is sufficient.

For some users in the United States choosing the right kind of helmet helps you feel confident about your personal safety and helps you avoid costly medical bills.

What are the most important features of a helmet used for work-at-height / rope access / rescue?

For a Work-At-Height / Rope Access / Rescue Helmet to be suitable for a wearer, it needs to:

Provide an unobstructed view to the wearer. Periphery vision is very important during vertical work of any kind.
Be lightweight. PPE often involves wearing many other pieces of equipment. Hence, the lighter each piece is, the better it allows you to function and perform your job safely.
Be well-fitted to the head of the wearer.
Have the option to attach ancillary pieces of equipment such as headlamps or visors.
Provide decent ventilation with fitted straps that do not cause overheating or uncomfortable situations that are distracting.

What helmets are good for work-at-height / rope access / rescue?

You should always select a helmet with a three-point retention system with chinstrap. This means that the helmet strap on each side of the head must have a ‘Y’ shape to it, connecting at both the side of the head and at the back before fastening beneath the chin. There should also be a supporting strap at the back of the helmet to keep everything secure. The rear retention point helps prevent the helmet from falling forward over the eyes. It should require a significant force to release the chin strap and buckle to help keep the helmet on during a tumbling fall situation.

Your helmet should also have a suspension system in it. For many helmets there is a webbing type suspension system in the top inside of the helmet, while others use a styrofoam insert. Some helmets incorporate both. This is designed to lessen an impact on the top of the helmet. After a significant impact that suspension system is typically destroyed and the helmet needs to be retired. Be especially attentive to inspecting helmets with styrofoam inserts, as these are more susceptible to damage even just during normal use.

While there are many helmet choices available on the market, PMI is many of the most reliable types of helmets. That is because of PMI’s direct involvement in safety equipment manufacturing and testing. They are also heavily involved in developing manufacturing standards (ANSI, OSHA, NFPA, ASTM, ISO, and other professional standards). Let’s talk about some of their Helmets:

PMI Advantage Helmet

The de-facto standard for use in Urban and Industrial environments, the Advantage helmet is third-party tested and certified as meeting ANSI Z89.1 (Type 1/Class G), NFPA 1951, and EN 397. The Kevlar® composite shell is available in several standard and high visibility colors and features a peaked top and front brim for maximum protection. It is fitted with a fully adjustable ratchet headband and 3-point retention system to accommodate a wide range of head sizes, and accommodates goggles, earmuffs, and headlamp for your comfort and safety.

PMI® Brigade Helmet

Available in Black, Red, and White colors, the Brigade is third party tested and certified to ANSI Z89.1 TYPE 1, CLASS G (2200V) TYPE 3, EN 397, NFPA 1951 (2013). The shell of the helmet is made of Lightweight Kevlar® and a fiberglass composite shell with nylon webbing for optimal comfort. The outer face of the shell sports a UV-resistant hi-gloss or matte outer finish. For secure wear, there’s a sturdy merino wool headband that can be removed and cleaned in a washing machine. Instead of a 3-point strap, it has a 4-point strap and a quick-release buckle for extra security. The nape strap features a ratchet size adjustment (ranging between 52-64 cm)

Beal — Mercury Group Helmet

With color variants like yellow, white, and red, the Mercury is a 0.51 kg hybrid helmet featuring an ABS shell with a polystyrene liner and internal padding. This padding can be washed in a washing machine. With a precise rear adjustment dial and excellent ventilation, this EN 12492 certified helmet is equipped with an ABS shell that hugs your head shape for both protection and comfort. The ABS shell has 4 Headlamp clips integrated into it, which makes it very functional for night rescues or wearing in darker environments. It also comes with a magnetic chin strap and buckle which can withstand more than 500 N of impact force. The buckle can also be closed or opened with one hand. Additionally, it features some side slots for optimum ear protection.

PMI® Impact ANSI Helmet

Available in the hues of high-visibility Orange, Yellow, and White, it also comes in custom colors (MOQ Applied). It features a wheel ratchet headband that helps to keep the helmet nice and secure. With a DryTech sweatband, it ensures protection from lateral impact and is third party tested and certified in accordance with ANSI Z89.1 and EN50635. The shell tapers into a sloped brim that protects the face/eye from downward-falling debris. This is a great ventilated shell design that is comfortable and easy to use. Finally, it comes with reflective visibility stickers with it, included within the MRP.

PMI® E-Go ANSI Helmet

Available in Blue and bright yellow colors, it also allows for custom color choices (MOQ applied). Designed to deliver safety in high voltage environments through electric resistance, this ergonomic helmet carries E-rating certifications for the USA (ANSI Z89.1), Europe (EN 397 and EN 50635), and Canada (CSA?? Standard number??CSA Z94.1?) and hence is not ventilated. Ventilation is counterproductive for a safety precaution against high voltage currents. With a ratcheting headband and a 4-point quick-release chin strap, it comes with a set of optional stickers.

PMI® Air-Go ANSI Helmet

Available in sharp red and white colors, this helmet abides by the USA (ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2014 Type 1 Class C), Canadian (CSA/CAN Z94.1-05 Type 1 Class C), and European (EN 397, EN 50365) safety standards. With a ventilated ABS shell that can be procured in custom colors (MOQ Applied), it has a removable headband. Its straps can be easily replaced after considerable wear. It allows a quick and simple adjustment from 53-64 cm.

Pacific Kiwi USAR Helmet

It comes in the colors of yellow, black, white and red. Made with Ventilated Kevlar® RTM, it ensures compliance with NFPA 1951 and EN12492 Standards. It has a polyurethane impact liner with a leather crown comfort cap and a leather headband with a Nomex chinstrap.

PMI® Pod Helmet

Designed to tackle vertical work and confined space operations, the POD is available in red and white hues. It is highly versatile, lightweight, and comes with its own built-in light pod that is compatible with UK4AA Light. It also comes with a 3-point chin strap in a Y shape and a goggle mount which is great for eye protection.

PMI® Ventilator Helmet

Available in both red and white colors, this light-duty rescue helmet has all of the features of a heavy-duty high-end mountaineering helmet. It has all of this while being robust enough for rescue and work at height applications as well. Along with a sleek Kevlar shell that acts as a lightweight material for the helmet, it also has an added vent. This vent is for those jobs when you need the protection of the Kevlar® shell along with the substantial cooling of a light breeze. It also comes with a durable three-point chin strap with a high impact force capacity. The shell is very versatile as it can hole a headlamp retainer, a couple of reflectors and has a breathable fitted feel to it. The material really backs up its claims of heavy ventilation and comfort.

Certifications required for Work-At-Height / Rope Access / Rescue Helmets by OSHA and other regulators:

Before you go out to buy a helmet for work-at-height/rope access/rescues, make sure that it is certified for the type of work you are performing. It should be third-party tested and certified to one of the appropriate standards relevant to your specific use as already mentioned. For employers and helmet users in the US, adherence to ANSI (American National Standards Institute), and/or NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) standards are most relevant for OSHA compliance.

All in all, make sure that saving money is not the only factor while buying safety equipment as important as a work-at-height/rope access/rescue helmet. A safe and durable one might cost relatively more, but it shall save you a lot of hospital bills and expenses on your own physical health.

How to Choose Gloves for Work At Height

PMI Technical Team — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 14:02:43 +0000

If your occupation involves you to work at height, choosing the right personal protective gear is the top priority to avoid workplace injuries. A key element of personal protective gear is your work gloves. Working at height will require you to use rappel gloves that offer superior grip, abrasion resistance, strength and flexibility.

Choosing the right gloves for work at height

Here are some tips to choose the right rappel gloves for work at height

The material

Typically, safety gloves are made with leather, fabric or rubber. Fabric gloves offer protection from dirt, chafing and slivers but will not be suitable when you need protection against rough or sharp materials. Rubber gloves are designed for working with electrical equipment or chemicals. For rappelling and belaying work, leather gloves are best suited. Gloves made of cowhide and/or goatskin are sturdy and provide protection against heat, cuts and burns as well as blows, chips, sparks and rough objects.

Dexterity and flexibility

Lightweight leather gloves are designed for fall protection, rope rescue, tower work and wilderness rescue. These also offer finger dexterity and hand protection you need for belaying, knot tying and rigging work.

Comfort and fit

Replace worn out gloves

Inspect the rappel gloves before each use to make sure they are not punctured, torn or damaged in any way. Apart from a visual inspection, test the gloves by filling them with water and then tightly roll the cuff towards fingers. This will help you detect pinhole leaks. Stiff or discolored gloves also indicate degradation from chemicals or excessive use. If your rappel gloves show these signs of damage, immediately discard them and replace with high-quality rappel gloves.

Gloves sizes table

Does OSHA permit Rope Rescuers to use a Seat-Only Harness? | Part 3

Thu, 03 Sep 2020 13:49:57 +0000

<< Back to Part 1

<< Back to Part 2

“Unless you are a fire department, NFPA is probably not the right resource to guide you”

On the topic of standards and regulation, sometimes people look to NFPA 1983 for guidance in selecting a harness for rescue. Unless you are a fire department, NFPA is probably not the right resource to guide you, but let’s start there anyway.

NFPA 1983 is a manufacturing standard, and acknowledges two types of harnesses: Class II and Class III – the former being a Seat Harness style, and the latter being a Full Body harness style. This standard is largely written by and for urban/municipal fire department personnel, with the result being that many rescuers in the large, urban fire departments do wear Class 3 full body harnesses. Even so, the standard does still allow for seat harnesses – primarily for the benefit of the large proportion of rural or small town fire departments that do not see the frequency of industrial accidents and who may not need full body harnesses.

NFPA 1858 is the user-companion document to NFPA 1983; it is intended to help address some of these kinds of questions and can be viewed here. The bit of this standard that deals with harnesses is section 5.4. It explains that the organization shall consider its needs for performance or features – and then has an appendix dialog (A5.4) which says (among other things): Specialized harnesses might be required for different types of operations and then goes on to describe the differences between Class II and Class III, finishing with the statement that “While both types of harnesses are capable of fall arrest, the most commonly used industrial fall protection attachment points are sternal or dorsal, which requires a full body harness. NFPA 1983 requires that both the Class 2 and Class 3 harnesses pass a head-down drop test to verify the harness will not allow the user to fall out of it.” Again, you can see here, both harnesses are considered appropriate for vertical work, and the main reason for using a Class 3 harness would be to accommodate industrial fall protection connections such as are common to fire departments in urban environments – which, again, is the primary population served by this NFPA equipment standard.

NFPA 1983 can also be viewed online, free of charge, here. If you look at paragraph 1.1.5, you will see that it specifically states that “this standard shall not specify requirements for any rope or associated equipment designed for mountain rescue, cave rescue, lead climbing operations, or where hazards and situations dictate other performance requirements.” So, what this says is that, according to the NFPA 1983 standard, the NFPA 1983 standard doesn’t apply to you if you are engaging in mountain rescue operations.

“what are your criteria for choosing a harness?”

A more applicable standard relative to Mountain Rescue activities is ASTM F1772, Standard Specification for Harnesses for Rescue and Sport Activities. This standard is promulgated by the ASTM F32 Committee on Search and Rescue, which is written by and for members of mountain rescue teams, rather than the fire service.

The ASTM F1772 standard “covers harnesses for human use in technical rope rescue and climbing, mountaineering, caving, canyoneering, and other rope-based sport activities” (para 1.1) and further clarifies that “Due to the diverse requirements of various rescue activities and environments, any of the included harness types may be suitable for rescue, including those marketed principally for climbing” (para. 5.3). The standard specifications and test methods found in this standard are essentially analogous to those found in the UIAA 105 harness standard and the European EN 12277 standard.

So, what are your criteria for choosing a harness? As a mountain rescuer, I would suggest

Wide enough waistbelt and leg loops to allow the harness to be comfortably worn in suspension for a reasonable period of time
A low enough ventral attachment point to be able to lead climb if you need to
A high enough ventral attachment point to allow the wearer to sit reasonably upright
Lightweight enough to be able to comfortably carry and use in the backcountry
Low profile enough to permit the kinds of agility usually required in mountain and wilderness environments
Not a lot of metallic parts to conflict with mountaineering gear
Highly adjustable for different weather/clothing situations

If you are a fire department or an industrial rescue team doing mostly industrial/urban operations, NFPA Class III would be a very appropriate standard for you to use as a reference.

If you are a fire department that does mostly urban-interface operations, an NFPA 1983 Class II harness would be a very appropriate standard for you to use as a reference; or, if you want extra weight to carry, an NFPA Class III harness would work also.

If you are a mountain, wilderness, or cave rescue team, an ASTM F1772 harness – or a European equivalent – makes a lot more sense for you.

Hopefully, this information will help provide at least some guidance that will result in the most appropriate harness choice for your application, and will also help purchasing agents to realize how a “more-is-better” approach could actually result in increased risk to rescuers.

Does OSHA permit Rope Rescuers to use a Seat-Only Harness? | Part 2

LOUI MCCURLEY — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 13:41:20 +0000

If the majority of your rescue operations are in an industrial or confined space environment, choosing a full body harness that meets ANSI Z359 and/or NFPA 1983 Class 3 requirements, with lots of metal D rings for rescue, might be preferred.

This will enable you to better utilize the same sorts of industrial fall protection equipment used in these types of workplaces. This, incidentally, is why you see many urban municipal fire departments using full-body, industrial-type harnesses for rescue – most of their responses are to those kinds of workplaces, and they generally can drive their truck to within a short distance of the subject. We will talk about standards in a moment, but typically this is what we refer to as an NFPA Class III harness. These will typically weigh somewhere in the neighborhood of 6 pounds, and cost around $300-500 and upward, depending on features.
On the other hand, if you are a fire department with relatively few industrial callouts, but mainly working in the urban-interface of parks with cliff faces, car-over-the-edge, or similar areas, a full body harness is probably overkill – especially if you need greater agility. In this case you might more appropriately consider a Seat Harness, such as an NFPA Class II or an ASTM 1772 harness. You’ll find these weighing in at 2-4 pounds and at a cost around $200-300, again depending on features.

However, if the majority of your rescue operations are in a mountain or wilderness environment, you are likely much better served to consider choosing something akin to a climbing harness, but with more padding and adjustability. Most importantly, you will probably want to avoid metal D rings (and the alignment challenges they present) so that you can better utilize the same sorts of mountaineering equipment used in such environments and so that it is not too heavy. This is why you see so many rural, wilderness, or backcountry rescue teams using climbing style seat harnesses for safety – because most of their responses are to mountain environments where this type of gear is most appropriate – and they often have to carry gear a great distance. These might meet ASTM 1772 or a European equivalent standard will weigh around 1 pound, and can often be purchased for under $100.

Each of these types of harnesses is perfectly safe and appropriate for working at height, in suspension, but their different features make them more appropriate to different applications. Kind of the same reason we don’t wear turnout boots or bunker gear in the backcountry. Trying to use industrial rescue equipment in wilderness environments would make about as much sense as trying to use wilderness rescue equipment in industrial environments. Although there may be some crossover with a limited range of equipment, the criteria for choosing is quite different.

Does OSHA permit Rope Rescuers to use a Seat-Only Harness? | Part 1

Thu, 03 Sep 2020 13:34:18 +0000

With the many different types of harnesses – and related standards – pertaining to work at height in the USA, this is a question that can cause a great deal of confusion for Rescue Team administrators and purchasing authorities.

”Beginning”

To begin with, OSHA regulation does not address harnesses other than those used for Industrial Fall Protection and Construction Fall Protection (including those used in confined spaces.) The regulatory language in these standards describe harnesses as being part of a fall arrest system that permits up to 6’ fall on a dorsal attachment – something that is generally not acceptable in rigging for vertical rescue operations, due to the increased hazards that would be imposed on rescuers.

“Harnesses for work at height and harnesses for rescue are two very different things”

Sometimes those who are trying to make decisions without the full scope of information can misunderstand this… Harnesses for work at height and harnesses for rescue are two very different things… just as shoes for industrial safety and shoes for mountaineering are two very different things.

Outside of Confined Space operations, OSHA does not actually address rescue, other than to say that a worker who has fallen into fall protection must be rescued promptly. Even in the realm of confined space, which is the only place they really talk about rescue in any detail, OSHA does not address rescue equipment (see interpretation letter which states there are no specifications for rescue equipment.)

OSHA may someday address rulemaking for emergency services responders, but as of now, the few references smattered throughout regulation are inconsistent and out of date (see link). As rescuers we should defer to their own acknowledgment of this and look elsewhere for guidance.

“Best Practice can be a bit subjective”

At present, we are best served to consider Industry Standards (ASTM, NFPA) and Industry Best Practice (what you see happening in real life) as a guide for how to best equip emergency services responders for rope rescue. Industry Best Practice can be a bit subjective and specific to application, environment, or even local custom, so here we will focus on decision-making processes and related standards.

To establish some background for this post, I (the author) have been a member of an active mountain rescue team in the front range of Colorado since 1985. I have also served with two fire departments over the course of my career (plus the Yellow Jackets wildland crew, which doesn’t really apply here…) and have been involved in research, testing, and standards development related to rescue since 1987. I presently serve with NFPA 1983, ASTM F32, and ANSI Z359 standards committees (among others) and am CEO of PMI. We manufacture and distribute life safety rope and equipment, and offer related training through our Vertical Rescue Solutions training arm, for a wide range of work and rescue applications, ranging from Fire-Rescue to Industrial Fall Protection, Mountain Rescue, Caving, and more.

In short, the general approach taken by most responding agencies (and standards developers, for that matter) is that emergency responders should be protected to at least the same level of protection as would be appropriate for the person(s) whom they might be called to rescue. If responding to a confined space emergency, they should be equipped with appropriate confined space PPE and equipment. If responding to a cave emergency, they should be equipped with appropriate caving PPE and equipment. If responding to an industrial fall protection emergency, they should be equipped with appropriate emergency fall protection PPE and equipment. If responding to a mountaineering or climbing emergency, they should be equipped with appropriate mountaineering or climbing PPE and equipment… the list goes on, but you get the idea.

You will notice the phrase above, should be protected to at least the same level of protection… Let’s expound on that a little bit because there is a tendency in our society to lean toward a philosophy that “more is better” – which could erroneously lead to the idea that a full-body harness is better than a seat harness because there is more material there.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

“a very limited range of features that are unique to each type of harness”

Harnesses are designed for different applications with much, much more than just the “seat vs full body” question as consideration. For example:

some of the more robust rescue harnesses will have a large, supportive waistbelt and a high front-waist attachment, to facilitate greater comfort in suspended operations.
A caving harness, on the other hand, has a thinner, lighter waistbelt and a VERY low front-waist attachment, so that it adds minimal girth to the caver and works well with a chest harness to facilitate a range of ascending systems.
A climbing harness will be somewhere between the two, with a front-waist attachment somewhere at or below belly-button level so that the body rotates around the center of gravity in the event of a lead-climbing fall.
Industrial fall arrest harnesses have as their primary connection point a Dorsal D ring, for compliance with fall protection regulations, and a great deal of heavy metallic D rings for connection…
and the list goes on.

So far we have addressed only a very limited range of features that are unique to each type of harness, but again I’m sure you get the idea. I hope that you are also beginning to see that what is good for one application is, very specifically, often contraindicated for another.

So, depending on what the rescuer is doing, different types of rescue harnesses might be most appropriate.

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