Escape Rope details: minimum rating and rescue scope?

• A. It is rated no less than 13.5 kN and designed for one person rescue
• B. It is rated no less than 20 kN and designed for one person
• C. It is rated 10 kN and used for equipment hauling
• D. It is rated no less than 13.5 kN and designed for two-person rescue

Answer: (A)

Escape rope selection hinges on two factors: the load it must safely bear and the rescue situation it’s designed for. For firefighter escape ropes, the standard minimum breaking strength is no less than 13.5 kN, and it’s designed for a single person in a rescue scenario. This ensures the rope can safely support one firefighter under the dynamic loads that occur during an escape, with a suitable safety margin. It should not be used for two-person rescues, nor for hauling equipment. A rating of 10 kN would be too weak for a person, and a 20 kN rating is not the stated minimum for a single-person escape rope. So the description of at least 13.5 kN and one-person rescue best matches how escape ropes are specified.