Technical inspection of high ropes courses

Vertic’Alps Expertise carries out acceptance inspections and annual principal inspections of high ropes courses, with reference to NF EN 15567-1+A1, concerning construction and safety requirements.

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

The documentary examination includes the manufacturer's documentation and the documents required by NF EN 15567-2.

We carry out a visual inspection, a documentary examination and functional tests at height, in accordance with applicable requirements and the manufacturer's manual. Inspection points vary according to the manufacturer, technology and installed system.

Functional tests at height are included in the service. We do not carry out load tests on ropes courses.

• Course elements and their components: visible condition against the applicable assessment framework and manufacturer's manual.

• Supports, connections and protective measures: visible condition of components accessible for inspection.

We examine the manufacturer's documentation and the operating documents required by NF EN 15567-2.

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 and a summary of priority findings. A detailed inspection report is then provided in PDF format.

A favourable safety opinion is subject to resolving findings that compromise safety and providing the necessary substantiation: structural calculation reports for artificial supports and a favourable tree-health assessment where trees serve as supports.

The certificate of conformity also requires strength substantiation for the activity supports.

The requested documents include the manufacturer's documentation and the documents required by NF EN 15567-2, including:

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

• Strength substantiation for safety lines and supports, including structural calculation reports for artificial supports.

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

• Records of inspections, upkeep and maintenance operations.

• Accident reports and safety-relevant events recorded in daily operating reports.

• The PPE register and associated inspection reports where PPE is used.

• An up-to-date tree-health assessment where trees are used as supports.

The strength assessment of safety lines and support trees is a separate service that Vertic’Alps Expertise can provide.

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