NFPA 1983

Abstract

Scope: This standard shall specify minimum design, performance, testing, and certifications requirements for life safety rope, escape rope, water rescue throwlines, life safety harnesses, belts, victim extrication devices, litters, escape webbing, escape systems, and auxiliary equipment for emergency services personnel. This standard shall specify requirements for new life safety rope, escape rope, water rescue throwlines, life safety harnesses, belts, manufacturer-supplied eye terminations, moderate elongation laid life safety rope, belay devices, and auxiliary equipment. This standard shall not specify requirements for any accessories that could be attached to the certified product but are not necessary for the certified product to meet the requirements of this standard. This standard shall not specify requirements for any utility rope. This standard shall not specify requirements for any rope or associated equipment designed for mountain rescue, cave rescue, lead climbing operations, or where expected hazards and situations dictate other performance requirements. This standard shall not specify requirements for any rope or equipment for fall protection pertaining to employees of general industry or the construction and demolition industry. This standard shall not be construed as addressing all of the safety concerns associated with the use of compliant life safety rope or associated equipment. It shall be the responsibility of the persons and organizations that use compliant life safety rope or associated equipment to establish safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. This standard shall not be construed as addressing all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with the use of this standard by testing facilities. It shall be the responsibility of the persons and organizations that use this standard to conduct testing of life safety rope to establish safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to using this standard for any designing, manufacturing, and testing. Nothing herein shall restrict any jurisdiction or manufacturer from exceeding these minimum requirements. Purpose. The purpose of this standard shall be to establish minimum levels of performance for life safety rope, escape rope, water rescue throwlines, life safety harnesses, belts, manufacturer-supplied eye terminations, moderate elongation laid life safety rope, belay devices, and auxiliary equipment for emergency services personnel. Controlled laboratory tests used to determine compliance with the performance requirements of this standard shall not be deemed as establishing performance for all situations to which this equipment could be exposed. This standard is not intended to serve as a detailed manufacturing or purchase specification, but shall be permitted to be referenced in purchase specifications as minimum requirements.