Halyards

[octhefirefool]

Question for those in the know:

were looking at using a continuous loop halyard. Who has used it? Pros vs Cons? Modifications needed?

Thanks
OCTFF

[FiremanLyman]

Continuous loop as in swiftwater rescue?

[kuh shise]

We have been using an arrangement where the end of the halyard passes under the last rung of the bed ladder and is then attached to the bottom rung of the fly. This works for both a single fly and a 3 section extension ladder, but the 3 section will still need to be tied up after being extended. (rope mid-section & steel cable fly) Our SOP requires the halyard be kept off the ground to prevent freezing in and also to act as a safety in the event the dogs fail. With 40 and 50 ft. Bangor ladders, we use a special "Ships halyard" that is an 8 strand line in a square braid. This style of line offers a much better grip than a three strand twist. To use this type of halyard, the sheave(s) must be able to pass the 5/8" line without getting hung-up. Do not try to use a halyard larger than the sheaves are designed for. This will cause a twist to tighten on one side of the sheave and a reduction in twist on the other. After some intense discussion and testing, we have settled on Dacron line exclusively. The nylon has a nasty habit of stretching under load and then releasing the energy like a spring. It also has a fairly low melting characteristic and strength loss when exposed to wet conditions. Be sure to take any new rope and "condition" it by running it around a curved surface under tension to improve handling and running characteristics before installing on anything.

[octhefirefool]

Thanks for the info,

Guess I should have been more specific...

this would be on 2 section 24's. We do have a couple of 3 section 35's but that is not as important. Getting the rope off the ground is the main concern, but I have learned that in order to do a continuous loop you still have to have some type of positive locking mechanism per NFPA. It seems some departments are fabricating some type of cam lock that holds the halyard when the ladder is extended.

Anyone with any experience in this?

[RFDACM02]

Getting the rope off the ground is the main concern, but I have learned that in order to do a continuous loop you still have to have some type of positive locking mechanism per NFPA.

A positive locking mechanism for the halyard? This in addition to the dogs? We've been talking about doing the continuous loop for awhile and hadn't really found a downside, why it hasn't been done yet still eludes me though.

[octhefirefool]

A positive locking mechanism for the halyard? This in addition to the dogs? We've been talking about doing the continuous loop for awhile and hadn't really found a downside, why it hasn't been done yet still eludes me though.

Yes for the halyard. It seams nfpa doesn't trust the dogs. We are in the same situation, in fact it is the reason why I am researching it. This cam lock is the only downside I have found, it requires some fabrication.

[RFDACM02]

Yes for the halyard. It seams nfpa doesn't trust the dogs. We are in the same situation, in fact it is the reason why I am researching it. This cam lock is the only downside I have found, it requires some fabrication.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't. If you add a fabricated cam to the ladder you'll likely void the warranty. If you skip the second positive lock (dogs being the primary) you'll only hear about it if some gets hurt on the ladder, same as with the added cam. NFPA is non-mandatory, while violating the ladder's use as designed and sold may be a greater offense. Likely the ladder manufacturer will easily wash their hands of any liability of we use it in any manner inconstant with their original instructions or design.

[CKirk922]

Could some form of caribineer like a large ladder hook be used as the back up mechanical lock to the dogs? Or, would this device be considered in the way?

Just thinkin' out-loud...

[RFDACM02]

Could some form of caribineer like a large ladder hook be used as the back up mechanical lock to the dogs? Or, would this device be considered in the way?

Just thinkin' out-loud...

Maybe a Tower strap, two biners on either end with a short piece of 2" webbing between? I'd say we could come up with tons of worthy ideas that none of the ladder companies engineers would want the company to sanction. But, why not ask the ladder companies that make so many contractor/homeowner ladders with continuous loops to market one with a redundant safety?

[CaptOldTimer]

Just buy two 6 inch C Clamps for each extension ladder and go from there.