When tying off a brake bar rack, which bars must be engaged?

• A. Two bars
• B. Four bars
• C. All six bars
• D. Three bars

Answer: (C)

Engaging all six bars ensures a complete and reliable braking action. Each bar presses the rope against the rack to create friction; when the load is on the rope, you want every bar contributing to hold it. If fewer than all bars are engaged, the rope can slip or the braking force becomes uneven, increasing the risk of loss of control. By locking every bar, the brake grip is maximal, distributes the load evenly, and provides redundancy so the system won’t slip under tension. Therefore, when tying off a brake bar rack, all six bars must be engaged.