Rope History

Rope should be labeled at both ends with "CUCC", the year of first use and the rope length. Where the manufacturer specifies the maximum end of life date, this may also be specified, eg CUCC 2016-25. Rope without a specified manufacturers lifetime, shall be retired after 5 years and one expo. The exception to this is where we have guidance from the manufacturer that the rope will last longer and drop testing results indicate the rope is OK.

Rope should be chained only when it is washed and checked. Dirty or unchecked rope may be coiled. Rope should be washed, checked and measured at the end of each expo. Ropes should be retired, when they have received a fall with a factor of greater than 0.5, when there any defects detected (examples bottom left corner) or are older than 5 years without a maximum end of life date (typically 10 years or more). The maximum end of life date may be determined by cutting of a section of rope and finding the plastic strip that should contain the manufacturer and date of manufacture. This may then allow the manufacturers guidance to be determined.

Now read the Expo Rigging Guide on rope care and retirement.