The Safety/Communication Rope™ is a high-performance Life Safety Line with a built-in communication wire. This communication rope is SED’s unique proprietary design – It is the only high-performance communication rope of its kind in the world that meets stringent NFPA requirements. This rope can be used as a primary or secondary rescue line and is only available for use with the Rescom Elite® and Rescom® Modular™ System.
Our communication rope contains built-in communication wires within its core and has a 10,800 lb. tensile strength. The Rescom Rope has been tested and certified as being able to maintain communication even while under a test weight in excess of 9,000 lbs. – the standard tensile strength for a two-man rescue rope.
Rescom Communication ropes have been used in regular service for many years, performing tasks ranging from confined space entry and rescue to rope access, to tactical rappels. Our Users report they have never had an incident where they have lost communication due to a wiring or connector failure.
The rope is available in multiple colours (Yellow, Orange, Red, Blue, Green, and Purple) to further enhance identification and line management.
Please read the following articles for more important information about our Rope:
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1. Is the Combined Safety/Communications™ Rope designed for confined space entry?
The Rescom® Rope is designed primarily for Confined Space Entry and Rescue. The Rescom Rope features a unique construction which allows it to meet the high standards demanded by confined space entry and rescue professionals, as well as, OSHA and the NFPA. Although certain types of communication ropes are built for other applications such as diving, not all communication ropes are alike. The following facts separate the Rescom Safety/Communication™ Rope from other ropes:
The Rescom Communication systems are full-duplex, two-wire systems, differing from most other confined space systems which use four wires. Because our system uses only two wires, we are able to produce a communication rope which exceeds the most rigorous standards, with a breaking strength of over 10,000 lbs.
The Rescom Rope is an integral part of an intrinsically safe rated system and has been certified as intrinsically safe for all types of confined spaces when used in combination with the Rescom® Elite™ and Rescom® Modular™ systems.
In addition to Intrinsic Safety, the Rescom Rope is certified to N.F.P.A standards. Rescom is the only confined space communications product on the market today that features an NFPA-rated safety/communications™ rope.
The Rescom Rope features a breaking strength which exceeds 10,000 lbs. Our communications rope has been tested and is certified to maintain rope and communications integrity, up to the breaking point of 10,800 lbs.
It can be used with mechanical advantage systems, belayed, tied off, and even used for a rapid descent. The Rescom Rope can be used in exactly the same manner as any other rated rescue rope, with only a few exceptions. (i.e., Do not use the Rescom Rope for high line operations, as the forces involved may exceed the breaking strength of the rope)
2. What are the advantages of using a Combined Communication/Safety™ rope?
The greatest advantage to using a rated communication rope is simple: It enhances safety and improves efficiency.
The Rescom Rope can serve as a Primary or Secondary lifeline, while at the same time providing effective, clear, continuous, hands-free communication. Rescom Rope eliminates the need to add yet another cable to the configuration; easing line management and setup time – an absolutely vital advantage in emergency situations.
During a rescue situation, the 2-Man rated Combined Safety/ Communication™ Rope may be used to help retrieve the victim, while also providing vital continuous voice contact. In this way, the Rescom Rope is a valuable tool during rescue rather than just another piece of equipment in the way.
The option of using a rated communications rope makes the use of hardline communication possible in situations where a cable system could be compromised.
The communication link is never compromised while being used in buildings, tunnels, steel, or concrete structures and even in Gorges where RF reflection will cancel the communication signal. The system is RF-immune and remains unaffected by RF interference.
3. Will the communication wire stay intact as the rope stretches?
Yes, the communication wire will stay intact as the rope stretches. The ultimate breaking strength on the Rescom Rope is certified to be 10,800 lbs. – Testing ensures the wire won’t break before the rope does!
The Rescom Rope has been tested and certified as being able to maintain communication even while under a test weight in excess of 9,000 lbs. – the standard tensile strength for a two-man rescue rope. Typically, the forces involved in the average confined space entry or rescue would never exceed that load. (We have never received a report of communication wires breaking inside the rope while used under normal and recommended conditions.)
Users and Trainers report they have had Rescom Communication Ropes in regular service for many years, performing tasks ranging from confined space entry and rescues to rope access, to tactical rappels. Our Users report they have never had an incident where they have lost communication due to a broken wire inside the rope or a broken connector.
4. What about shock loading? Isn’t it expensive to replace a communication rope due to shock loading, as opposed to a regular rescue rope?
All rescue ropes have a limited life, as do all communication cables. However, under average use conditions, and with proper care, the Rescom Combined Safety/Communication™ Rope can have a relatively long and useful life span. Like all rated rescue ropes, the Rescom Communications Rope requires regular inspection. The general rule is – when in doubt retire your rope. This may, at first, seem like a drawback to anyone considering exploring the advantages of rated communication ropes. However, the following should be considered as well:
• Generally, we recommend that the Rescom Rope be used as the secondary lifeline in situations where a significant fall is possible. Since a regular rescue rope is less expensive to replace, using the Rescom Rope as your secondary will help save it from possible shock loading, while still supplying continuous hands-free communication and simplifying line management.
• Should an incident occur that results in shock loading*, the communication wires within will remain intact and communication will be maintained throughout, aiding any necessary rescue while at the same time not adding unnecessary additional line management concerns.
• Ultimately one must consider that the significant advantages realized through the use of a rated communications rope, outweigh the outside risk of having to replace it due to shock loading. However, should the Rescom Rope be subjected to shock loading, and must be discarded, it will ultimately have served its dual purpose well.
* In situations of shock loading, the rope must be retired.
5. What are the cleaning recommendations for the Combined Safety/Communication™ Rope?
In most situations, any dirt the Rescom Rope contacts during use can be easily removed. There are several methods we recommend for cleaning Rescom Rope.
A) After use, clean any dirt or mud from the rope surface using a bristle brush.
B) Wash your rope in a washing machine using mild detergent and soft water. Hang the rope to dry after washing – ideally at a room temperature of 20° C. (68° F)
In situations where the User is likely to encounter oils, solvents, or other hazardous contaminants, we recommend using our DuraCORE™ Communication Cable instead of the communication rope. If there is doubt as to whether your rope will survive certain chemicals it may be exposed to, we suggest you obtain a rope sample from SED Inc. and test it. If there is doubt, use a regular rated rescue rope in combination with a DuraCORE™ cable system.
Note: Please read Rescom Rope Care Instructions to determine more information.
