Services

• Inspections
• Repair and Maintenance
• Improvement
• Training

 

Inspections
Rope Course Support complies with EN 17020 to deliver a range of inspection services for your ropes course or adventure installation. To help the reader an explanation of the sometimes confusing inspection procedure is given below.

In the UK EN 17020 is a standard which gives guidance on how to inspect ‘things’ – the requirements of the inspector, paperwork needed, insurance needed etc plus a definition of the different types of inspector and inspection procedures. 17020 also outlines a system for different types of inspector to ensure impartiality - briefly and précised  is gives three types if inspector - a Type A inspector who must be fully independent, a Type B Inspector who may maintain as well as inspect and a Type C Inspector who may build, maintain and inspect.

If the requirements of EN 17020 are to be correctly met the inspector will also have to demonstrate that they are suitably experienced and qualified to inspect the ‘thing’ that they are inspecting – obviously ropes courses in this case. For Ropes Courses the European Ropes Course Association (ERCA) is providing training and approval for inspectors who wish to verify their competence to inspect ropes courses. For low ropes and adventure constructions – assault/challenge courses – an RPII registered inspector is demonstration of suitable competence.
For Climbing walls a qualified engineer is suitable.

 

Inspection Services

Ropes Course Inaugural Inspection by Type A Inspector to EN 15567
EN 15567 and the AAIAC ‘UK Ropes Course Guide’ both highlight the need for an inaugural inspection of all new ropes courses  before commissioning – it is in fact the only way that you can guarantee that your course will be built to the necessary standards and be of a suitable quality and design.

Ropes Course Retro Inspection by Type A Inspector to EN 15567
Should you want to bring a course that is not covered by EN 15567 (built prior to 2009) up to the standard we have a retro inspection service.

Rope Course Inspections by Type C Inspector
All courses should be inspected on a regular basis – pre usage, monthly/quarterly and periodic (annually). Rope Course Support deliver all of these inspections.

Climbing Towers and Climbing Walls
Artificial climbing structures, walls and towers, come under EN 12572.

Other Adventure Constructions
Certain types of adventure installations – low ropes and assault courses as examples – do not come under the remit of EN 15567 or EN 12572. Therefore we use EN 1176 (Playground Equipment) to inspect these installations and to verify they are fit for purpose and safe to use.

Full Operational Inspections.
As part of our Professional Support and Advice Services experienced RCS staff can carry out a full review of all aspects of your operation covering Risk Assessments, Operating Procedures, Safety Managements Systems – plus reviewing your ropes courses and adventure installations at the same time.

Inspection Costs
Broadly an Inaugural Type A Inspection or Retro Type A Inspection will cost in the region of £900 plus travelling expenses – this assumes that all works can be carried out in a day. Type C inspections using EN 15567, 12572 or 1176 will cost between £280 to £580 per day plus travelling expenses – depending on the type of installation and the available information about the construction – calculations and drawings. There will be an additional expense should you wish to have the high ropes inspections registered by the European Ropes Course Association.

Maintenance Contract Inspections
If you decide to use our maintenance contract services we will carry out a survey of your course(s) which will allow us to quote you an annual fee which will cover inspections, kit replacement and all aspects of repair – peace of mind and less work for you!