{"alias":"contentPage","byline":null,"standfirst":null,"content":{"layouts":[{"type":"sidebar","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EClimbing\u003C/h3\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"accordion","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","showExpand":false,"items":[{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EClimbing walls must be designed and built to the European Standard BS EN 12572 (part 1 and 2). Amongst other things, these standards define the safety requirements and test methods for artificial climbing structures.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAn operating manual will also need to be produced if you are installing the wall yourself. If you get a company to install it for you, you should be provided with an Operating Manual for the wall.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOperating Manuals should include:\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EOperating procedures\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EEmergency / rescue plan\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EEquipment to be used\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EInstructor competence levels\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ELimitations of the structure\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ERecord keeping for operation, equipment, inspection, maintenance and accidents.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","label":"We want to install a climbing wall at our Scout Hut/Scout Centre. What do we need to do?"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EYes. Scaffold climbing and abseiling structures must be built in accordance with European Standard BS EN 1004-1:2020 (Mobile access and working towers made of prefabricated elements. Materials, dimensions, design loads, safety and performance requirements) and European Standard BS EN 2482:2009 (Specification for timber scaffold boards).\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIt\u0027s recommended that if at all possible, a wall should be secured to an immovable object such as a building, subject to its design, and braced. Freestanding towers pose the greatest potential risk from overturning.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf you\u0027re worried or concerned about erecting and operating a climbing wall; talk to local climbers and other experts, such as scaffolders, who will often be willing to offer assistance. Also you can approach climbing wall and tower manufactures and construction companies. \u003Cu\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.ukclimbing.com/listings/\u0022\u003EUKC Directory (ukclimbing.com)\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/u\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Can we build climbing and abseiling towers from scaffolding?"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EYou must always refer to the manufacturer\u2019s instructions for how regularly the wall and equipment should be checked/inspected, replaced and also how to store it correctly. A log of equipment and inspections should be kept.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EFor additional advice on caring for climbing equipment you can refer to the BMC Website information and videos -\u00A0 Climbing gear care and maintenance \u2013 \u003Cu\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://thebmc.co.uk/caring-for-equipment\u0022\u003ECaring for your equipment (thebmc.co.uk)\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/u\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","label":"How often should we check our climbing equipment?"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EYes, but before you first use it, you will need to make sure it is fit for purpose and safe to use and complies with both EN12572 \u0026amp; EN13814 and be certified under the Amusement Device Inspection Procedures Scheme (ADIPS) in the UK.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/general-activity-guidance/roped-activities/climbing-auto-belays-and-mobile-walls/\u0022\u003EFind out more about auto belays and mobile walls.\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","label":"We\u2019ve inherited a mobile climbing wall. Are we allowed to use it?"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003ECrate stacking, Jacob\u2019s ladder and a number of other activities which involve climbing type equipment (such as ropes, harnesses and helmets) and techniques are classed as high rope activities.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/general-activity-guidance/roped-activities/high-ropes/\u0022\u003ERead more about high ropes.\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","label":"What climbing permit do I need for crate stacking and Jacob\u2019s ladder?"}]},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EBouldering\u003C/h3\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"accordion","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","showExpand":false,"items":[{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003ENo, helmets are not worn as impact protection and so are not compulsory. If bouldering on natural rock then the risk assessment should identify if a helmet is required.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Do members taking part in bouldering need to wear helmets?"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EBoulder mats on natural rock should be considered as this can help minimise injury and also helps to protect the ground environment from the activity impact by reducing ground erosion and vegetation damage.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Do members need to use bouldering mats when bouldering on natural rock."},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EYes, as no instructor is provided this would be deemed a Scout-led activity.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"If we go to a climbing centre to do bouldering, but they don\u2019t provide us with any instructors, does this become a Scout-led activity?"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EBouldering walls must be designed and built to the European Standard BS EN 12572 (part 2). Amongst other things, this standard defines the maximum height of bouldering walls, dimensions of the impact zone beneath, and testing their structural integrity.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAn operating manual will also need to be produced if you are installing the wall yourself. If you get a company to install it for you, you should be provided with an Operating Manual for the wall.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"We want to install a bouldering wall at our Scout Hut/Scout Centre. What do we need to do?"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EFree soloing is climbing without a rope on a route that would normally be climbed with a rope.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIt\u0027s strongly advised that you do not take part in this activity within Scouting as there is a very high risk of injury. There are plenty of safer places to go bouldering.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://services.thebmc.co.uk/climbing-wall-finder\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Climbing wall finder (BMC)\u0022\u003EFind a wall near you\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"What is the difference between bouldering and free solo climbing?"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EBuildering is bouldering/climbing on buildings or on any architecture that is not specifically designed for climbing.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf this activity takes place without the permission of the landowner and/or building owner, it will be treated as trespassing. There is also generally much more risk of injury with this activity as the building/architecture will very likely never have been checked to make sure it is safe to climb.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIt\u0027s strongly advised that you do not take part in this activity within Scouting. There are plenty of safer places to go bouldering.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"I\u2019ve heard of an activity called Buildering. What is it and are we allowed to do it?"}]}]},{"items":[]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":"Discover our most frequently asked questions related to to climbing.","pageType":null,"location":null,"browserTitle":"","versionDate":"15 July 2023","reviewDate":"11/12/2020","redirectUrl":"","id":46945,"nodeName":"Climbing FAQ\u0027s","title":"Climbing FAQ\u0027s","type":"contentPage","image":{"url":"/media/1973/explorer-leader.jpg?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1dae7e4b29f6040","caption":"Group of Explorers at climbing wall listening to instructor","type":"jpg","size":99347,"width":790,"height":544,"altText":"An instructor kneels in the middle of a ring of Explorers at a climbing wall."},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Climbing FAQ\u0027s","headerSubTitle":"","headerCta":"","headerCtaText":"","headerCtaLink":"","headerBackgroundColour":"ffe627","showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":[]},"subHeader":"Discover our most frequently asked questions related to to climbing.","silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC80Njk0NSJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/information-for-volunteers/general-activity-guidance-a-z/climbing-and-abseiling/climbing-faqs/"}