CLIMBING FACILITY INSPECTION

Q: What standards must a boulder wall meet?

DS/EN 12572-2:2017 Artificial climbing walls - Part 2: Safety requirements and test methods for boulder structures. This standard specifies the safety requirements and test methods for artificial climbing walls with boulder structures. The standard also covers the safety zone (requirements for fall surfaces). The standard applies to bouldering walls when they are used for normal bouldering. It does not apply to ice climbing, dry tooling climbing or playground equipment. Can be acquired here . If you need professional advice in connection with the design, development and construction of climbing walls, contact us here .

Q: What standards must a climbing wall meet?

DS/EN 12572-1:2017 Artificial climbing walls - Part 1: Safety requirements and test methods for artificial climbing walls with protection points. This standard specifies the safety requirements and test methods for artificial climbing structures/climbing walls with protection points. The standard applies to artificial climbing walls with protection points in normal use for sport climbing. It does not apply to ice climbing, dry tooling and playground equipment. DS/EN 12572-1:2017 can be purchased here . If you need professional advice in connection with the design, development and construction of climbing walls, contact us here .

Q: What standards must a climbing tower meet?

DS/EN 12572-1:2017 Artificial climbing walls - Part 1: Safety requirements and test methods for artificial climbing walls with protection points. This standard specifies the safety requirements and test methods for artificial climbing structures/climbing walls with protection points. The standard applies to artificial climbing walls with protection points in normal use for sport climbing. It does not apply to ice climbing, dry tooling and playground equipment. DS/EN 12572-1:2017 can be purchased here . If you need professional advice in connection with the design, development and construction of climbing walls, contact us here .

Q: Which standards must climbing holds and the mounting of climbing holds comply with?

DS/EN 12572-3:2017 Artificial climbing walls - Part 3: Safety requirements and test methods for climbing holds. Standard specifies the safety requirements and test methods for climbing holds. This European Standard is applicable to climbing holds, which are used for the natural progression of the climber, i.e. without the use of artificial means (e.g. ice axes, crampons, hooks, nuts) on artificial climbing structures (ACS) and bouldering walls. Climbing holds are designed to be mounted on the ACS with bolts, screws, etc. Climbing holds include large volumes or features that are designed for use without additional climbing holds being attached to them. The main fixation points for climbing holds forms part of the existing layout of the ACS and are considered in DS/EN 12572-1 and DS/EN 12572-2. This Standard is not applicable to ice climbing, dry tooling and playground equipment. DS/EN 12572-3:2017 can be purchased here . If you need professional advice in connection with the design, development and construction of climbing walls and climbing holds, contact us here .

Operation and maintenance of climbing facilities require a systematic and structured approach that ensures both safety and technical functionality. By adhering to the standards DS/EN 12572-1:2017 for climbing walls and towers, as well as DS/EN 12572-2:2017 for boulders, a documented and professional maintenance plan can be achieved that meets the highest standards.

To ensure the safety and functionality of your climbing wall, you should organize your maintenance schedule into 3 parts: the daily check, a quarterly check, and the annual main inspection. You should also have a logbook where you record all repairs and all the results of your quarterly check.

THE ANNUAL MAIN INSPECTION

In short, you must follow the intervals for inspection that the manufacturer has specified when the wall was built. If you have built the climbing wall yourself or do not have the original operation and maintenance manual (we often experience this), then expect the climbing wall to have a main inspection annually - this is what all manufacturers recommend today.

You can download our (Danish) manual for operation and maintenance of climbing walls here.

SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH GUBBIES

With an annual service agreement, you don't have to worry about when it's time for a main inspection. We will contact you and we will also review your logbook and check the documentation of the construction so we can advise you on the safety of the climbing wall. Our main inspection of climbing facilities includes:

Pull test of top anchors and belay points
Visual inspection of the structural frame (back), including review of welds, joints and construction details, and that the climbing tower is secured as specified by the engineer
Assessment of the climbing surface and climbing holds.
Assessment of fall gaps and safety distances
Thorough inspection of the fall protection and its joints (boulders)
Minor repairs carried out on site
Advice on applicable regulations and safety standards

The inspection is carried out in accordance with the applicable norm. We will then send you a report with a detailed status and description of any improvements.

THE BENEFITS OF OUR SERVICE AGREEMENT

We are dedicated exclusively to climbing. This means that when we come out and do an inspection at your place, we can also:

make repairs on site. We bring tools and basic equipment so we can make minor repairs to the wall or patch damage to your fall pad
advise on various challenges in creating the best framework for climbing at your place.
help identify any problems and ensure that your facility meets the applicable safety standards.

When we make repairs at the same time as the inspection, we save the time we would otherwise have to spend driving back and forth - this makes it cheaper for you

PULL TEST INCLUDED

Pull testing of top anchors and belay points is a mandatory test for every climbing wall as soon as it is build and before you start using it. We include the pull test for an extra security every time we perform a main inspection.

We perform this test according to DS/EN12572-1:2017. Don't hesitate to reach out to us if you need a new test of either new parts of your climbing structure os the hole facility.

SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH GUBBIES

With an annual service agreement, you don't have to worry about when it's time for a main inspection. We will contact you and we will also review your logbook and check the documentation of the construction so we can advise you on the safety of the climbing wall. Our main inspection of climbing facilities includes:

Pull test of top anchors and belay points
Visual inspection of the structural frame (back), including review of welds, joints and construction details, and that the climbing tower is secured as specified by the engineer
Assessment of the climbing surface and climbing holds.
Assessment of fall gaps and safety distances
Thorough inspection of the fall protection and its joints (boulders)
Minor repairs carried out on site
Advice on applicable regulations and safety standards

The inspection is carried out in accordance with the applicable norm. We will then send you a report with a detailed status and description of any improvements.

THE BENEFITS OF OUR SERVICE AGREEMENT

We are dedicated exclusively to climbing. This means that when we come out and do an inspection at your place, we can also:

make repairs on site. We bring tools and basic equipment so we can make minor repairs to the wall or patch damage to your fall pad
advise on various challenges in creating the best framework for climbing at your place.
help identify any problems and ensure that your facility meets the applicable safety standards.

When we make repairs at the same time as the inspection, we save the time we would otherwise have to spend driving back and forth - this makes it cheaper for you

PULL TEST INCLUDED

Pull testing of top anchors and belay points is a mandatory test for every climbing wall as soon as it is build and before you start using it. We include the pull test for an extra security every time we perform a main inspection.

We perform this test according to DS/EN12572-1:2017. Don't hesitate to reach out to us if you need a new test of either new parts of your climbing structure os the hole facility.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What standards do you perform safety inspections according to?

We perform the inspection according to DS/EN 12572-1/2:2017

During the inspection we will review all structural elements, the fastening, the climbing holds, the safety zones and possibly your climbing equipment if this is desired. The inspection also includes pull testing protection points.

To ensure that your climbing wall meets the applicable safety standards a detailed report is prepared after the inspection, allowing you to carry out any repairs, maintenance work or improvements.

How do we comply with the Building Regulations when constructing a new climbing wall?

The standard DS/EN 12572 is mentioned in the Building Regulations and applies to everyone who needs to design or construct artificial climbing walls and artificial bouldering walls/sculptures. The standard is divided into 3 parts.

Part 1 is the standard for artificial climbing walls with anchoring points for both indoor and outdoor use, including climbing towers.
Part 2 is the standard for artificial bouldering walls and also includes requirements for fall protection surfaces.
Part 3 is the standard for climbing holds.

To comply with the requirements of the Building Regulations, artificial climbing walls and bouldering walls must be designed and constructed in accordance with the standards in DS/EN 12572-1, -2, and -3.

If you need professional advice regarding the design, development, and construction of climbing walls, please contact us here.

What are the requirements for fall surfaces in public places?

The requirements for fall surfaces in connection with climbing facilities in public places are described in the Playground Regulations EN 1176. In the Playground Regulations, the requirements for fall bases are calculated based on the height of the fall and also on the type of fall surfaces used.

Feel free to contact us with any questions regarding fall surfaces for specific climbing facilities. We are happy to provide advice and guidance on all inquiries.

What standards must a boulder wall meet?

DS/EN 12572-2:2017 Artificial climbing walls - Part 2: Safety requirements and test methods for boulder structures.

This standard specifies the safety requirements and test methods for artificial climbing walls with boulder structures. The standard also covers the safety zone (requirements for fall surfaces). The standard applies to bouldering walls when they are used for normal bouldering. It does not apply to ice climbing, dry tooling climbing or playground equipment.

Can be acquired here.

If you need professional advice in connection with the design, development and construction of climbing walls, contact us here.

What standards must a climbing wall meet?

DS/EN 12572-1:2017 Artificial climbing walls - Part 1: Safety requirements and test methods for artificial climbing walls with protection points.

This standard specifies the safety requirements and test methods for artificial climbing structures/climbing walls with protection points. The standard applies to artificial climbing walls with protection points in normal use for sport climbing. It does not apply to ice climbing, dry tooling and playground equipment.

DS/EN 12572-1:2017 can be purchased here.

If you need professional advice in connection with the design, development and construction of climbing walls, contact us here.

What standards must a climbing tower meet?

DS/EN 12572-1:2017 Artificial climbing walls - Part 1: Safety requirements and test methods for artificial climbing walls with protection points.

This standard specifies the safety requirements and test methods for artificial climbing structures/climbing walls with protection points. The standard applies to artificial climbing walls with protection points in normal use for sport climbing. It does not apply to ice climbing, dry tooling and playground equipment.

DS/EN 12572-1:2017 can be purchased here.

If you need professional advice in connection with the design, development and construction of climbing walls, contact us here.

Which standards must climbing holds and the mounting of climbing holds comply with?

DS/EN 12572-3:2017 Artificial climbing walls - Part 3: Safety requirements and test methods for climbing holds.

Standard specifies the safety requirements and test methods for climbing holds. This European Standard is applicable to climbing holds, which are used for the natural progression of the climber, i.e. without the use of artificial means (e.g. ice axes, crampons, hooks, nuts) on artificial climbing structures (ACS) and bouldering walls. Climbing holds are designed to be mounted on the ACS with bolts, screws, etc. Climbing holds include large volumes or features that are designed for use without additional climbing holds being attached to them. The main fixation points for climbing holds forms part of the existing layout of the ACS and are considered in DS/EN 12572-1 and DS/EN 12572-2. This Standard is not applicable to ice climbing, dry tooling and playground equipment.

DS/EN 12572-3:2017 can be purchased here.

If you need professional advice in connection with the design, development and construction of climbing walls and climbing holds, contact us here.

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JUST REACH OUT

At Gubbies we are a team of dedicated individuals each with various experiences with climbing, product development and designing climbing facilities. Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or if you need an advise or input for your next climbing adventure.