The word climbing wall is used interchangeably for both large and small climbing facilities. In the climbing world, a distinction is made between climbing on high walls and climbing on boulders.

Climbing on high walls, whether indoors in a climbing gym or outdoors on rock, requires safety equipment in the form of climbing harnesses, climbing ropes, belay devices and climbing shoes. And there are always two who climb together: one climbs, the other belays.

A boulder wall can be up to 14-15 feet high. When bouldering, you climb without ropes and harnesses, but with so-called crash pads to fall onto. For schools, institutions and public playgrounds boulders are typically max 3 metres tall and with an approved fall surface underneath (sand or other) in order to be establish as aclimbing facility. On the boulder you can be a larger group where everyone tries to solve the same problem / route.

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.

An auto belay is an automated belay partner, widely used on climbing walls across the country. These devices are used in climbing gyms, play centers with climbing walls, and training facilities. 

Climbing facilities in public places must comply with the playground regulations for safety and fall surfaces. It is not required in private homes, but we recommend the following for those who want to build a climbing wall at home.

• Do not build a climbing wall taller than 2.5 metres unless you use safety equipment in the form of climbing harnesses and ropes.
• To ensure quality and safety, we recommend using climbing boards for the climbing wall.
• Safety distance of 2.5 metres from the climbing wall, where there is no radiator or furniture.
• Always have a mattress lying under the climbing wall that the kids can jump down onto and land softly on.

If you are not quite sure of the difference between the many different types of climbing holds, it can feel very confusing to choose the right ones. Here is a list of examples with a short description:

Jugs are cup-shaped climbing holds that can be held with the whole hand. It provides a good grip and feels safe when moving your hands from one hold to another. Jugs climbing holds are super suitable for beginners and for children.

Slopers are large climbing holds that must be held with the palm of your hand open. There are no pockets or recesses that the fingers can grip. Sloper climbing holds can only be held through the friction between the hold and the palm. Slopers are quite advanced climbing holds and require a lot of experience in climbing.

Pinch climbing holds you have to squeeze to hold. It takes a little technique to grip the hold. Pinches can vary in size from small holds, where you only have to squeeze with your thumb and indexfinger to larger holds that fill the entire palm.

Pocket climbing holds only have room for a finger or two. The small pockets place great demands on finger strength and technique, and they are not recommended for beginners. Some pocket climbing holds have two pockets so they can be helds with two hands.

Crimps are very small climbing holds that are held with an almost closed hand and the fingertips pointing downwards. Crimps are tough !! Crimps are essentially just small edges that you can only just hold with your fingertips.

Edges can be seen as a cross between jugs and crimps. They are, unlike jugs, pretty much completely flat. On the other hand, they can be so large that there is room to get all the fingers of both hands on the holding surface.

If you want to know more about the different climbing grips and how to hold them, you can read more on our blog HERE!!!

Ordinary mattresses for gymnastics are often very soft. When climbing and bouldering, you need a firm surface that you can walk on, but which also softens falls. That's why our climbing mattresses are made up of two different types of foam - a soft one at the bottom and a harder one at the top.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

A tensile test/pull test is an important tool for assessing the structural integrity and material durability of a climbing wall. It is relevant to perform a tensile test in the following cases:

1) After Installation or Major Renovation:
When a new climbing wall is installed, or after a significant upgrade, a tensile test can verify that all connections and materials meet the required standards.

2) If There Is Suspicion of Material Fatigue or Deterioration:
If visual inspections reveal signs of cracks, peeling, or loose connections, a tensile test can provide further insight into whether the wall can still withstand the expected loads.

3) After Accidents or Extreme Loads:
In the event of unexpected incidents, such as a heavy fall or collision, hidden damage may occur. A tensile test can identify these weaknesses that might not be visible during a regular visual inspection.

4) For Outdoor Facilities Exposed to Weather Conditions:
Prolonged exposure to extreme weather—such as intense sun, rain, frost, or temperature fluctuations—can degrade the materials. A tensile test can serve as a supplement to routine inspections to ensure the wall remains capable of bearing the loads.

5) As a Supplement to Daily and Quarterly Inspections:
If doubts arise regarding the wall’s condition during routine inspections, a tensile test can be used to conduct a more precise evaluation of its structural strength.

By integrating tensile tests into the maintenance program, you can achieve a more comprehensive safety assessment that helps prevent potential issues before they develop into significant risks.

To comply with the applicable standard DS/EN 12572-1:2017 for artificial climbing structures (ACS) and DS/EN 12572-2:2017 for bouldering structures the following documents must be available from your supplier:

• Detailed calculation of the stability of the entire structural frame and all protection points
• Location of the protection points (ACS)
• Documentation of the impact test of the surface elements
• Documentation for testing of mounting points for climbing holds
• Report of the proof test of the ACS
• Report of the connection of modular foam safety mat elements
• Justification for the selection of the impact absorbing material used in the impact area
• Operations and maintenance manual

Furthermore all climbing facilities shall be marked in a clearly visible place with the following information: manufacturer, supplier, the number of the European Standard, the date of the installation and the date of the next main inspection.