MCofS Good Practice Advice for Managers
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Climbing Wall Manual 3rd Edition 2008 NOW AVAILABLE |
The MCofS represents Scottish climbers and their views and interests in being able to pursue their sport without undue restriction. In order to represent these interests to the owners and managers of artificial climbing walls, we have produced the following information. It is provided as guidance by the MCofS to help not hinder development; to maximise usage by climbers, to prevent problems of management before they arise, and to allow for joint projects, events and competitions to be held with the MCofS.
The MCofS would ask facility operators to take note of these guidelines if the support or recognition of the MCofS was being sought.
Wall managers should contact the Sports Development Officer of the MCofS if they need more information about any aspect of MCofS help and support.
The MCofS liaises with the Association of British Climbing Walls and in conjunction with the BMC have agreed a series of standardised forms and notices that can be used by ABC members. For more information about the ABC go to their website at The Association of British Climbing Walls (ABC), or to the ABC page here.
Advice on ‘Conditions of Use’ Issues
Centres will require users to register and abide by a series of Conditions of Use. The following advice (MCofS Walls Conditions of Use Guidance pdf)gives some guidance on the range of issues that could be included. It is up to the individual wall to tailor such advice to their needs.
Advice on Wall Management (including employee Health & Safety issues)
The following advice relates to the MCofS’s preferred approach to management at walls and can be downloaded here (MCofS Wall Management Advice pdf).
Advice on the Management of ‘Leader-placed Protection’ Walls
The MCofS strategy for wall development wishes to see the incorporation of routes that require the use of leader-placed protection (gear) in some areas of the larger centres in Scotland and will support and give advice to any wall developer to looking to include these features.
Download the advice here (MCofS Leader-placed Protection Guidance pdf).
The first ‘gear route’ was installed at the Inverness Leisure facility at Bught Park (climb@invernessleisure) with the support of the MCofS. These routes do not have bolted protection in-situ and require gear in order to lead them. The management of these routes is through dedicated information to users and the centre and the MCofS have agreed the following Information Poster. This can be used as an example of good practice. Please note that this is specific to the wall manufacturer’s design (Bendcrete) and should not itself be used for other manufacturers designs.
Other climbing centres supported by MCofS as Regional Centres that have leader-placed protection routes are The Ice Factor, Kinlochleven (Entre-prise) and Transition Extreme, Aberdeen (Rockworks).
Advice on Wall Design Construction Requirements and General Management
The BMC have produced a Climbing Wall Manual, which is endorsed by the MCofS. The general advice and recommendations regarding wall design and construction as well as wall management are regarded as good practice.
The Climbing Wall Manual
3rd Edition
2008
The Essential Guide for Anyone Planning to Build, Manage or Use a Climbing Wall
The Climbing Wall Manual is designed for Leisure Managers, Facility Owners & Climbers, and Designers & Architects, either independent developers, local authorities, leisure and community centres, or independent organisations.
Essential Information * Independent Advice * Technical Expertise
Guideance on feasibility, design, location, funding, safety, equipment and good practice
A specific chapter relating to Scotland: Scottish legislation, Scottish funding streams and MCofS requirements for support
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