Ropes Course Inspections

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Experiential Systems provides annual ropes course inspection services for indoor and outdoor ropes courses, challenge courses, zip lines, canopy tours, adventure parks, obstacle courses, ninja courses, playgrounds, tree-houses, climbing walls and climbing towers.  

The annual inspection entails a hands-on inspection of all low and high challenge course elements/components installed. This includes but is not limited to an inspection of the following:

• Trees – If trees are used in the construction of your course ESI will note tree size and species, look for damage caused by insects and weather and check for dead fall, and work with certified arborists.
• Utility Poles– If utility poles are used in the construction of the course, they will be inspected for appropriate classification, size, age and damage caused by animals and/or weather.
• Structures – If building or structures are used in the design of your course, ESI will inspect the connections to the structure, monitor for metal fatigue, inspect for broken or cracked welds, etc.
• Wire Rope – All wire rope used for belay lines, zip lines, guy lines and foot lines will be inspected for appropriate terminations, proper drape, tension, defects and rusting.
• Ropes – All ropes will be inspected for appropriate use, storage and record keeping.
• Bolts – If through bolts are used in the design of your course, all bolts will be inspected for wear, rusting and growth into trees.
• Lumber – All lumber will be inspected for aging and protruding nails or screws. Additionally all lumber used for structural elements like a platform will be inspected for proper attachment technique.
• Programming Equipment – All programming equipment will be inspected for age, wear, and storage and to ensure that proper retirement schedules are kept.
• Training Manuals and Policies – ESI will inspect all training and policy manuals as they relate to the maintenance, use, facilitation, training and record keeping of the high and low ropes course.

Upon Completion of the inspection a verbal report will be provided before leaving the site and a written report will be mailed in most cases within 10 days of the inspection. Both the verbal and written report will use one of three findings to respond to each element of your challenge course. 

The scope of the inspection service outlined above is limited to a visual and tactile inspection of the challenge course structures, systems and components that are readily accessible to the inspector(s). The inspection will be performed in accordance with ACCT Standards and practices for challenge course inspections (other standards available). The scope of the inspection is limited to the items listed within the inspection report as seen and evaluated on the date of the inspection. The inspection and report are but a snapshot of the course as it was seen during a specific moment in time, and it is beyond the scope of an inspection or the associated report to attest to any future usability or condition of an entire course, system or component(s) that may be subject to environmental damage, normal wear and tear, abnormal or unauthorized use,  intentional or accidental modification by others, or are simply inaccessible to the inspector without altering or modifying a component, system or subsystem. The inspector is a challenge course generalist and is not acting as an licensed engineer or expert in any other specific craft or trade. If the inspector recommends that the Client consult with specialized experts (ex. arborist, engineer, etc., or conduct any maintenance, repairs, replacement or testing the Client must do so at the Clients expense 

NOT INCLUDED IN THE SCOPE OF INSPECTION SERVICES

Any area which is not exposed to view, is concealed, or is generally inaccessible because of soil, walls, fixed of immovable barriers, high tensions, general lack of access, or any other activity, system or component that is not included in the inspection report.  The inspection does not include any destructive testing or dismantling of components or systems. Client agrees to assume all risks for any and all conditions which are concealed from view at the time of the inspection.  The inspection is not a challenge course warranty, guarantee, or insurance policy. Some specific items not included in the scope of  inspection services include, but  are not limited to: Soil or geological inspection; arboricultural inspection; building code or zoning ordinance violations; engineering analysis of any system; efficiency of any installed components or systems; or mold, fungi, pests, termites, or other wood destroying organisms 

Additional Services

In addition to general inspection services ESI is able to provide testing and maintenance services, and schedule any additional consultants to be present at the time of your inspection for an additional fee, and advance notice of these requirements. If your organization is interested in or requires any of these services, please read more about them below.

Maintenance Services

Sometimes minor repairs are necessary in order to keep a challenge course in passing condition. If Client chooses, Experiential Systems can provide repairs at the time of inspection, if simple repairs are necessary. Scheduling this in advance can save time and effort and could make the difference in an element being usable or not usable for your program between the time that an inspection is done and repairs can be accomplished.  Unfortunately, major repairs will not be able to be addressed during inspections typically due to lack of time, labor and materials,  unless previously arranged, scheduled and contracted.

Common Minor Repairs May Include:

• Adding staples or steps to gain access to something that needs to be inspected.
• Loosening or replacing tight backup cables on courses in trees
• Replacing overgrown cables
• Retrofitting a backup system
• Replacing missing serving sleeves
• Replacing rusted belay cables, cable clamps or rapid links
• Adding missing cable clamps, or adjusting improperly installed clamps
• Tightening guy lines or tension cables
• Adjusting zip line tensions

Common Major Repairs Include: 

• Replacing belay cables
• Replacing zip line cables
• Installing utility poles
• Replacing platforms
• Replacing or installing guy anchors
• Installing a new element

Testing Services

Some installations, manufacturers, organizations and Jurisdictions Having Authority (JHA) may also require testing of systems or components periodically. If your organization believes it will require any testing services, please notify us in advance of the inspection so that we can plan for the proper time and resources to complete the requested testing services, and provide your organization a proper quote for those services. All testing services are in addition to standard inspection services and fees. 

Some of the testing services we provide include:

• Speed Testing
• Drop Testing
• Proof Testing
• Break Testing
• Anchor Testing

Consultancy Services

If desired ESI can provide consultancy with industry experts in conjunction with your inspection. These third-party professional consultations can be coordinated to occur simultaneously to the on-site inspection if required and pre-arranged in advance of the inspection. 

Some Consultancy Services we Provide Include:

• Licensed Arborists
• Tree Removal or Pruning
• Structural Engineering Analysis or Consulting
• Architectural Analysis or Consulting
• Mechanical Analysis of Dynamic Components or Systems
• Soils or Geotechnical Analysis
• Surveying or Civil Engineering Consulting
• Legal Analysis or Consulting
• Insurance Analysis or Consulting
• State or Jurisdictional Inspections or Reviews

CONTACT US TODAY TO BOOK AN INSPECTION!