Technical inspection of climbing walls

Vertic’Alps Expertise carries out acceptance inspections and periodic principal inspections of artificial climbing structures.

References are adapted to the equipment concerned: NF EN 12572-1 for structures with protection points, NF EN 12572-2 for bouldering and traversing walls with their landing surfaces, NF P 90-312 for landing equipment for walls with protection points and NF EN 12572-3 for holds.

Frequency is defined according to the manufacturer's requirements and conditions of use.

Our assignment is to identify differences between the assessment framework's requirements, the manufacturer's documentation and the actual condition of the installations inspected.

Our work includes a visual inspection and documentary examination in accordance with applicable requirements and the manufacturer's manual. Inspection points vary according to the manufacturer and installed system.

• The structure and its supports: accessible framing, connections, bracing and fixings.

• Climbing surfaces: panels, surfacing, joints, fixings, damage, edges and entrapment risks.

• Holds and volumes: visible condition, cracks, wear and fixings.

• Protection points and top anchors: condition, wear, layout, spacing and connections to the structure.

• Falling spaces and clearances: obstacles and configuration of the areas concerned.

• Landing equipment: condition, dimensions, layout, retention and continuity, according to the requirements specific to roped climbing walls and bouldering walls.

• Auto-belay devices: installation, anchors, connections and visible condition in accordance with the manufacturer's manual.

• Signs and markings: identification, instructions and operating limits.

We examine the applicable design calculations and test reports. For walls with protection points, this includes the results of acceptance tests on first installation and every reinstallation. Impact attenuation is assessed from supporting evidence; visual condition does not measure this performance.

A debriefing at the end of the assignment explains the observations and priority corrective actions.

We also share our analysis of the activity's risks on the inspected site, based on field experience and lessons from varied installations and settings.

This discussion focuses in particular on situations and risks not explicitly covered by standards, so that we can discuss areas requiring attention and improvement measures suited to the site.

Following the inspection, we provide an inspection certificate, a summary of priority findings and a detailed inspection report in PDF format.

A favourable safety opinion is subject to resolving findings that compromise safety and providing the necessary calculations, strength substantiation and test reports.

• The manufacturer's documentation: drawings and assembly, operating and maintenance instructions.

• Design calculations for the structure, supports, fixings and protection points.

• Protection-point layout drawings.

• Acceptance-test reports for roped climbing walls, and reports concerning panels, inserts and connections where applicable.

• Instructions and performance evidence for landing equipment, including connections between modules where relevant.

• Instructions, maintenance and servicing records for auto-belay devices.

• Previous inspection reports and follow-up of corrective actions.

• Operational and principal inspection reports and monitoring records required by the manufacturer's manual.

Work must be complete and equipment accessible. A person must be present on site to accompany the inspector.