A task group of ASTM Committee F08 on Sports Equipment and Facilities seeks input as they develop a standard for climbing walls. Climbing equipment manufacturers, designers, engineers, and end-users are invited to participate.

The group intends to devise “a useable, fair, and safe standard for engineers, architects, climbing wall designers, and building inspectors, and through enforcement, to protect the consumers we serve,” said John M. Pinckney, who is leading the activity.

The proposed standard will quantify live loads acting on all types of climbing walls. “Climbing walls can be permanent or portable; small or tall,” Pinckney said. “Current trends see climbing walls being built in retail stores, health clubs, amusement parks, university athletic facilities, special events, military training facilities, etc.

“Quantifying safe design of climbing walls is important to balance safety vs. cost over design,” explained Pinckney, vice president and head of design, Entre Prises USA, Bend, Ore. “Specialized circumstances could always convince a licensed engineer to modify a design constraint, but the standard would provide a base line.”

ASTM membership is not required to join the manufacturers, designers, and engineers currently drafting the standard. Contact task group chairman John M. Pinckney, Entre Prises USA, Bend, Ore. (phone: 541/388-5463). Committee F08 meets May 7-10 in Pittsburgh, Pa. For meeting or membership details, contact Jim Olshefsky, manager, ASTM Technical Committee Operations (phone: 610/832-9714). //

Copyright 2002, ASTM