The guide stresses that the most significant contributing factor to the service life of a rope is the history of use. Through the ASTM consensus standards process, the rescue industry set 10 years as the maximum service life for a life safety rope (see ASTM Standard F1740-96 Guide for Inspection of Nylon, Polyester, or Nylon/Polyester Blend, or both Kernmantle Rope). At this time, the rescue industry does not have a recommended service life for harnesses. The Climbing Sports Group of the Outdoor Recreation Coalition of America says that a climbing harness should last about two years under normal weekend use. The military was using 7 years as a service life for nylon products. They recommend 7 years as the shelf life. The fall protection industry recommends 2 to 3 years as a service life for a harness or belt in use.

On the other hand, harnesses rely on the stitching to hold them together, and due to its small diameter, the thread can be more susceptible to abrasion, aging, and chemical damage than web or rope. Since harnesses are worn on the body, they are generally better protected than the ropes. The service life of a rescue harness is closely related to that of a rescue rope – both are used in the same environments, both are made from nylon or polyester, and both receive similar levels of inspection and care. At that point we use a lot of the equipment (rope, webbing) in destructive systems testing, cut it up for tow ropes, knot tying ropes, ropes for the boat or around the house or at the camp, etc.ĬMC Rescue is known for our top-quality harnesses and many of our customers ask us when they should retire their harnesses.

We retire all of our ropes, rescue harnesses, tubular webbing, flat webbing, etc., after it reaches its 10 year in service date.

In a nutshell, there is no stated lifespan for webbing or harnesses used for rescue. This information sheet was put out by CMC a few years ago. Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on which side you are on, you can't find all the standards related to technical rescue in one easy location. (rope has not been subjected to impact load.Here is the information you were looking for in all the wrong places. NFPA 1500 specifies reuse criteria as equipment inspection is performed per NFPA 1983, and that usage in accordance in 1983.

I don't think NFPA std specifies service life of soft equipment.

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