Which criterion is part of Life Safety Rope reuse requirements?

• A. The rope must be color-coded
• B. The rope must be exposed to heat
• C. The rope must have been subjected to an impact load
• D. No visible damage

Answer: (D)

Rope reuse is based on assessing the rope’s physical condition. The most important practical check is whether there is any visible damage. If the rope shows no visible damage after a thorough visual inspection, it can be considered for reuse under the safety program, provided other internal checks or service-life criteria are also met. Visible damage includes things like fraying, cuts, broken fibers, glazing, soft spots, burns, or abnormal wear that could compromise strength.

The other conditions don’t serve as valid reuse criteria. Color coding helps with identification but doesn’t indicate the rope’s integrity. Exposing rope to heat can degrade fibers and reduce strength, which would make reuse unsafe. Being subjected to an impact load suggests the rope may have sustained a compromising event (like a fall), which typically requires retirement rather than reuse.