Safety nets consist of a net body, edge ropes, tie ropes, and reinforcing ropes. The net body is made of woven ropes with diamond or square meshes.
The distance between two adjacent knots in the woven fabric is called the mesh size; the ropes along the edges of the net body are called edge ropes. The dimensions (nominal size) of the safety net are determined by the dimensions of the edge ropes; the ropes that secure the safety net to the support are called tie ropes.
Furthermore, any ropes used to increase the strength of the safety net are collectively called reinforcing ropes. The materials used for safety nets must be lightweight, high-strength, abrasion-resistant, have high elongation, and be durable. They should also have good weather resistance, with minimal strength reduction after exposure to moisture. Safety nets primarily use chemical fibers. All ropes on the same safety net must be made of the same material, and the wet-to-dry strength ratio of all materials must not be less than 75%. Synthetic fibers such as vinylon and nylon are commonly used for the ropes. Polypropylene is prohibited due to its unstable properties.
In addition, plant materials such as cotton, hemp, and palm can also be used as raw materials, provided they meet the requirements of relevant international regulations. Regardless of the material used, the weight of each safety net should generally not exceed 15 kg, and it must be able to withstand an impact force of 800 N.