Which of the following is an essential feature of life safety rope?

The essential feature of life safety rope is its high tensile strength. This characteristic is crucial because life safety rope is designed to support the weight of individuals during rescue operations or fire scenarios, meaning it must be able to withstand significant forces without breaking. The rope's tensile strength ensures that it can handle the dynamic loads that occur when a firefighter or a victim is being lowered or raised.

Ropes used in life safety applications must meet specific standards set by organizations such as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). These standards ensure that the ropes can reliably perform under the loads and stresses that come with emergency situations, making high tensile strength a non-negotiable requirement.

In contrast, using ropes meant for non-critical loads or those made from natural fibers would not meet the stringent safety requirements necessary for life safety. Additionally, ropes intended for decorative purposes are not designed to withstand the forces involved in rescue operations and thus lack the necessary strength and reliability.