2014 ANSI-PRCA 1.0-.3 - 2014 Sect 1.0 3-3-14

ANSI/PRCA 1.0-.
3:2014 Ropes Challenge Course Installation Operation & Training Standards

Part 1.0: Glossary of Terms for Ropes Challenge Courses
ANSI/PRCA 1.0-.3 - 2014 Ropes Challenge Course Installation,

Operation & Training Standards
Part 1.0 Glossary of Terms for Ropes Challenge Courses
This American National Standard is copyrighted by the PRCA, 6260 E. Riverside Blvd. # 104, Rockford, IL
61111, United States. Individual or multiple copies of this standard may be secured by contacting the PRCA
at the above address or by emailing info@prcainfo.org Permission to photocopy this standard may be
obtained by emailing info@prcainfo.org.
This single copy of the standard is for use by the individual / organization indicated in the footer pursuant to
the License Agreement on the PRCA website www.prcainfo.org. No further reproduction is authorized.
This American National Standard is subject to revision by the PRCA Standards Committee at any time The
standard must at a minimum be reviewed every five years, revised, reaffirmed or withdrawn. The standard is
under continuous review and a form for your comments is included at the end of each section. Comments
received will be reviewed and receive careful consideration by the Standards Committee at least annually.
The Committee will respond in writing to all comments received after consideration.
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Copyright by PRCA © 2014. All rights reserved.
ANSI/PRCA 1.0-.3:2014 Ropes Challenge Course Installation Operation & Training Standards
FOREWORD
(This foreword is not part of American National Standard PRCA 1.0-.3:2014)
This code/standard was developed by industry professionals for the ropes challenge course industry under the procedures of
the American National Standards Institute by the accredited Standards Committee of the Professional Ropes Course
Association, PRCA 1.0-.3. The Secretariat of the Standard Committee is held by the Professional Ropes Course Association.
The PRCA 1.0-.3 committee was organized in December 2005 in response to an increasing call from within the industry for
self-regulation and a formalized American National Standard. Other industry standards were reviewed and applicable portions have
been adapted specifically for the use of the ropes challenge course industry, including, but not limited to: Occupational Safety & Health Act
(OSHA), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), American National Standards Institute (ANSI), Cordage Institute (CI) and others as
cited. Additionally, extensive efforts have been made to harmonize with accepted general standards, guidelines, and international and
proposed international standards, including but not limited to, Professional Ropes Course Association (PRCA), Association for Challenge
Course Technology (ACCT), Project Adventure (PA), Boy Scouts of America (BSA C.O.P.E.), American Camping Association (ACA),
European Ropes Course Association (ERCA), European Committee for Standardization (CEN or EN) specifically EN 15567-1:2007 and
EN15567-3:2008 (See ANNEX A), Standards Australia (AS) specifically DR 07324 (See ANNEX A), Australia Quality Training Framework,
Adventure Activity Standards, and Australian National Outdoor Leader Registration Scheme, International Organization for Standardization
(ISO) standards and others.
This standard was adopted by the committee on April 26, 2012 and was approved as an American National Standard on March 3, 2014.
Though designed with the products generally available in the United States, these practices may be applied worldwide.
The PRCA does not approve, evaluate or certify testing laboratories.
The PRCA takes no position regarding the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with and product or material mentioned in this
standard. Users of this standard are advised to determine the validity of any patent rights, infringement upon those rights is strictly the users’
own responsibility.
The Standard Management Committee will continue to monitor ropes challenge course safety performance, provide interpretations and
clarifications of the intent of these requirements. Request for interpretations must be submitted in writing to the PRCA at 6260 E. Riverside
Blvd. #104, Rockford, Illinois 61111 or may be faxed to: 815-637-2964.
This standard is under review on a continual maintenance basis and is subject to revision at any time by the Standard Management
Committee (SMC). The SMC has adopted a program for regular review, publication of addenda, revisions and interpretations, procedures for
timely consensus action on requests to change any portion of the standard. At a minimum this standard shall be reviewed and revised every
five years, or must be reaffirmed or withdrawn. Suggestions for improvement of this standard or the development of additional standards are
welcome. Your comments for revisions of this standard, or any part thereof, must be addressed to PRCA headquarters utilizing the form
located on the last page of this section of the code or available at www.prcainfo.org. Your comments will receive careful consideration of the
committees at regularly scheduled meetings, and a written response will be forwarded in accordance with the committee guidelines. If you feel
that your comment(s) did not receive a fair hearing you must immediately (within 30 days) make your views known in writing to the PRCA
Board of Directors.
It is intended that this standard be utilized in conjunction with competent design, accurate fabrication, appropriate operational procedures and
adequate supervision during construction and use. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein,
however the PRCA, the Standard Committee and their members do not assume responsibility for errors or omissions in the standard, nor for
designs, plans, construction or operations prepared from it. Those using this standard assume all liability arising from its use.
This standard is copyrighted by the PRCA, 6260 E. Riverside Blvd. #104, Rockford, Illinois 61111, Individual reprints (single or multiple
copies) of this standard may be obtained by contacting the PRCA at the above address or at 815.986.7776 or info@prcainfo.org or through
the www.prcainfo.org website..
This Standard, PRCA 1.0-.3:2014 Ropes Challenge Course Installation Operation and Training Standard is divided into the following parts:
Part 1.0 Glossary of Terms for Ropes Challenge Courses
Part 1.1 Safety, Testing and Inspection Requirements for Installation, Systems, Components and Equipment for Ropes Challenge Courses
Part 1.2 Operational Standards for Ropes Challenge Courses
Part 1.3 Staff Training, Evaluation & Training for Ropes Challenge Courses
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CONTENTS Section Page
Foreword i
Index ii
I Scope 1
II Purpose 1
III Application 1
IV Exclusions 2
V Variations from Standard 2
VI General 2
VII Responsibilities of the Employee 3
VIII Normative References 3

2.0 Definitions 4
Illustrations: Ropes Challenge Course Systems 14
Figures: Hardware And Equipment 16
ANNEX A, Referenced Standards & Publications 22
Recommendation / Comment Submission Form 23
INTRODUCTION
In general rope challenge courses may be used for experiential education, recreational, environmental education/awareness, training,
therapeutic or other authorized purposes.
Rope challenge course activities involve physical activity and have risks and hazards that should only be undertaken by persons who are
physically and mentally capable of meeting the safety and other general requirements of the operator of the course.
Rope challenge courses have inherent risks that although minimized and /or managed through the hierarchy of control by the operator cannot
be eliminated altogether.
Management of risks by operators should be achieved through a combination of design, trained supervision, training, participant information,
instruction, etc.
Safety devices, components, systems, subsystems and procedures are designed to avoid and/or minimize the consequences of falls and/or
collisions,
Operators/employers should take reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of users and/or workers. Risk assessments should be utilized to
determine the degree of risk in a particular action, job, and facility and balance this against the time, difficulty, cost, benefit and additional risk
involved in implementing measures to control, avoid or minimize the risk.
The Professional Ropes Course Association takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with items,
materials or processes mentioned in this standard. Standard users are specifically advised that the determinations of the validity of any such
patent rights, and the risk of infringement upon such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.
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STANDARD REQUIREMENTS EXPLANATORY INFORMATION

(Not part of American National Standard PRCA 1.0-.3:2014)
I. Scope
This Standard establishes safety requirements for the design,
manufacture, performance, construction, inspection, maintenance,
removal from service, qualification, instruction, training, use and
operation of components, sub-systems, systems and courses
utilized by the ropes challenge course industry as indicated in
Section IV Application.
II. Purpose E.II It is recognized that certain dangers and risks are inherent
The purpose of this Standard is to provide a uniform acceptable in ropes challenge courses and elements of this type and their
level of performance requirements on ropes challenge courses by operation. It is also recognized that inherent and other risks or
delineating a system of specifications, safety and performance dangers exist for those who utilize, are in the process of
criteria and principles that: approaching, climbing, attaching, detaching, and otherwise
a) Reflect the current state-of-the-art in ropes challenge involved in the use of a ropes challenge course This standard is
course equipment, equipment design, adequate safety intended to result in ropes challenge courses that are designed,
factors, safety features, maintenance of equipment and constructed, operated, inspected and maintained in such a
industry accepted level of safe usage. manner to help reduce danger and risk exposure to participants
b) Provide guidelines that can be used for course evaluations, and operational and maintenance personnel. The standard also
insurance criteria, and professional development intends to encourage improvements in efficiency, development,
c) Provide a construction, inspection, operations and training and progress consistent with the objectives.
resource for properly trained professionals
d) Serve as a technical resource for licensed professional
engineers, architects, arborist, designers and
manufacturers of challenge course related materials and
equipment.
e) Serve as a guide for governmental regulatory agencies,
federal, state and local, in drafting their regulations and
may be adopted in whole or in part.
Such an organization of guidelines with these stated objectives

constitutes a safety code.
E.III NOTE: In this Standard the terms “ropes challenge course”
III. Application or “course” or the plural forms shall be intended to include all
This Standard is intended to apply to all employees/employers, forms and types of ropes challenge courses, adventure courses,
both public and private institutions engaged in any design, canopy tours, and zip line tours, unless otherwise specified.
manufacture, installation, maintenance, inspection, operation,
facilitation/programming, training, certification or other facet of the
ropes challenge course industry. All apparatus specifically
designed, engineered, manufactured, constructed, installed,
and/or utilized by individuals or teams, which through high or low,
non-spotted, spotted or belayed activities, under trained facilitated
supervision, guided or self-guided, are utilized as elements of
experiential learning programs / curriculums and/or as adventure/
challenge recreational components or courses, or ecotourism
programs, indoors or outdoors. Examples of indoors and/or
outdoors permanent, temporary and/or mobile ropes challenge
courses apparatus utilized in the industry and covered under this
Standard include but are not limited to: the assembly of any such
approved products as outlined within when used for the
construction of a course or action/activity system, portable and
fixed low ropes challenge course elements, high ropes challenge
course elements, stand alone challenge elements, zip lines,
canopy tours, adventure courses and any climbing walls and
climbing structures that are components of a ropes challenge
course.
Situational modifications in response to personnel emergencies
may be required and this standard is not intended to limit the
options available to professional emergency responders.
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IV. Exclusions
The requirements of this Standard do not address playground
equipment (non-restricted access and no supervision required);
climbing walls, portable climbing walls and /or bouldering walls
located at recognized climbing gymnasium businesses; climbing
walls, portable climbing walls and /or bouldering walls that are not
a component of / associated with a ropes challenge course;
climbing walls, portable climbing walls and /or bouldering walls
that are located in amusement park settings; and/or zip lines
specifically designed as strictly self-guided amusement devices for
use in amusement park settings. (Although amusement park
setting zip lines may suitably incorporate systems, components
and subsystems herein, some systems, operations and
inspections unique to them may be outside the scope of this
standard).
V. Variations from Standard

Strict application of the provisions of this standard may not be
appropriate in all instances. Enforcing authorities should accept
and recognize methods, techniques and equipment that have
been established to provide an equal or greater level of safety.
Variances from the guidelines and requirements of this or other
cited applicable Standards may be granted by the enforcing
authority provided that the devices or methods provide features
comparable to those included in this standard and that the user
provides evidence of proper installation, procedures, use and
adherence to the manufacturers specifications for components
employed.
In the presence of, and endorsed by, a licensed professional
engineer in your state, variations may be adapted to this standard
as applicable. All variations shall be documented and maintained
on file as long as the variation is in use or longer if there is
pending legal action involving the variation.
VI. General E.VI The development of this document is the result of extensive
In summary, the ropes challenge course standard is: and careful consideration of the experience and knowledge
1. To provide a document that can serve as a uniform available at the time of inception. Compliance with this Standard
equipment, construction, operation and training industry does not assure compliance with all governmental regulations or
standard for organizations to reference in accordance organizational policies. It is incumbent upon the practitioner to
with any local, state or federal regulations. verify compliance with all applicable laws, standards and
2. To establish best minimum application practices. regulations. As new information and techniques become
3. To be ongoing and adaptive as new information relevant available, this document will be updated via vote of the
to the ropes challenge course industry becomes Standard Consensus Body. In this way, the guidelines are
available. descriptive of minimum requirements, identification of unsafe
4. To create a recognized standard mechanism to render practices, informative illustrations, examples of applications of
interpretations of the Standard. accepted materials and methods utilized throughout the industry
worldwide. Creating standards that include the range and
breadth of possible applications and environments is impossible;
therefore, readers are expected to apply the intent of each
standard to their specific situation.
Other industry standards have been reviewed and applicable

portions have been adapted specifically for the use of the ropes
challenge course industry, including, but not limited to,
Occupational Safety & Health Act (OSHA), National Fire
Protection Association (NFPA), American National Standards
Institute (ANSI), Cordage Institute (CI) and others as cited.
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Additionally, extensive efforts have been made to harmonize

with previously accepted general standards, guidelines, and
international and proposed international standards, including but
not limited to, Professional Ropes Course Association (PRCA),
Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT), Project
Adventure (PA), Boy Scouts of America (BSA C.O.P.E.),
American Camping Association (ACA), European Ropes Course
Association (ERCA), European Committee for Standardization
(CEN or EN) specifically EN 15567-1:2007 and EN15567-
3:2008 (See ANNEX A), Standards Australia (AS) specifically
DR 07324 (See ANNEX A), Australia Quality Training
Framework, Adventure Activity Standards, and Australian
National Outdoor Leader Registration Scheme, International
Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards and others.
Though designed with the products generally available in the

United States, these practices may be applied worldwide.
The PRCA does not approve, evaluate or certify testing

laboratories.
VII. Responsibilities of the Employee
Each person (employee or otherwise) shall be responsible for his
or her own safety while performing work or utilizing a ropes
challenge course. They shall comply with all applicable federal or
state occupational safety and health regulations, all rules,
regulations and orders that are appropriate to his or her own
actions and conduct.
VIII. Normative References

This standard contains references to other American national,
European, International and other standards and regulations
which through the incorporation in this text constitute provisions of
this standard. See ANNEX A Referenced Standards / Publications
for a list of these and other informative references. At the time of
publication the editions cited were valid. As all standards and
regulations are subject to revision it is incumbent upon the user to
investigate and apply the most recent editions of the cited
standards/regulations/publications.
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STANDARD REQUIREMENTS
EXPLANATORY INFORMATION
2.0 DEFINITIONS
2.1 Accept, Accepted, Acceptable - a practice, design or

method recognized by the industry or the authority having
jurisdiction.
2.2 Action/activity system- a facility, component or

system which allows the progression of a user through the
ropes challenge course (e.g. elements, platforms, access,
egress…). Does not include fall protection systems.
2.3 Anchor, Anchorage - a secure point of attachment for

a lifeline or lanyard; may be part of support systems. See
certified anchors and non-certified anchors.
2.4 Anchorage/Anchor Connector –an appropriately

rated device or subsystem that functions as an interface
between an anchorage and fall protection or action/activity
systems for the purpose of coupling the system to the
anchorage.
2.5 ANSI - American National Standards Institute
2.6 Applied Loads – An engineering term used to

represent the three categories of Live, Dead and
Environmental Loads.
2.7 Approved - accepted as satisfactory by a duly

constituted administrative or regulatory authority.
2.8 Assisted Belay – a belay system where the E 2.8 In order to harmonize with the industry worldwide the
participant is secured and dynamically belayed by at least ropes challenge course belay terminology has been
one person. standardized to Assisted, Auto, Self and Continuous. Assisted
has been applied to generalize the category of belaying which
includes top-roping, M, and W belays. Illustration S1.
2.9 Authorized Person – a person approved or assigned

by the employer to perform a specific type of duty or duties
or to be at a specific location or locations at the jobsite.
2.10 Auto Belay – an engineered mechanical belay E 2.10 See Figure 3g.
system that automatically belays the participant.
2.11 Belay – (Webster’s Dictionary) To secure at the end E 2.11 On ropes challenge courses belays consist of systems
of a length of rope. To stop or halt. that provide adequate fall protection to participants by the
connection of appropriate harnesses directly to (static) or
through (dynamic) rated anchorage systems or subsystems.
2.12 Belay Device - A manufactured fall arrest and load E 2.12 See Figure 4
lowering device or mechanism that, once engaged,
requires manual attention to control fall arrest, pay-out of
line or descent speed under load.
2.13 Body Harness - a harness of simple or compound E 2.13 See Figure 6

nylon straps that is secured about the wearer over the
thighs, buttocks, chest and shoulders, and sometimes
waist or any combination thereof, designed to distribute
the stopping forces over the full body and with provisions
for attaching a lanyard.
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2.14 Braking systems- methods utilized on an action/activity

system to slow or stop user movement. Commonly zip lines.
Active – system physically (manually) operated or controlled by
user or another person intended to stop or slow the user. (e.g.
gloved hand on cable)
Passive – automatically operated system that stops or slows the
user. Requires no specific braking action by the user (e.g.
gravity, net, water, bungee …).
2.15 Cable, (Wire Rope) - A specified collection of drawn wires E 2.15 See Figure 1s.
forming strands laid helically over an axis or core.
2.16 Canopy Tour –A belayed aerial recreational/educational, E 2.16 Canopy tours typically involve action/activity systems
guided or self-guided, traverse and/or discovery tour of the forest including aerial walkways, bridges, zip lines and platforms.
canopy, flora and fauna and related ecologically significant
areas.
2.17 CEN - European Committee for Standardization (Comité

Européen de Normalisation)
2.18 Certified - The act or process resulting in documentation E 2.18 The certification act or process may be carried out
that determines and attests that certain criteria have been met. through testing or applying proven analytical methods, or both,
under the supervision of a qualified person or entity or by
acceptance of design, evaluation or inspection by a legal
representative having jurisdiction.
2.19 Certified Anchors are those which have been selected
under the supervision of a Qualified Person who documents, by a
process of testing or analysis by a nationally accepted
engineering methodology, and attests to their capacity.
2.20 Certification - Attesting in writing that the criteria E 2.20 Certification may relate to equipment, systems,
established by this standard have been met. components or training and skill / knowledge assessments.
2.21 CI - Cordage Institute
2.22 Commercial Ropes Course Vendor – one who is a

Qualified Ropes Challenge Course Professional and has
undergone a peer review or other builder review process and has
been accredited as peer reviewed by a professional ropes
challenge course association.
2.23 Compatible – Able to be used in an ordered, efficient

integration and operation with other elements or components in a
system, without requiring modification or conversion, so that the
element, system or connection will not fail when used as
intended.
2.24 Competent Person – one who through skill, knowledge and E 2.24 Competent Persons on ropes courses, when
experience is capable of identifying existing and predictable designated by the owner/operator or Administrator/Director
hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are may fulfill the functions of a Competent Person as outlined in
unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees or users, and this standard on that facility.
who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to
eliminate them.
2.25 Competent Person Instructor – an instructor who with E 2.25 The Competent Person Instructor will have been
knowledge of adult learning principles, skill, knowledge, and designated by the employer as a Competent Person, and must
experience has successfully demonstrated the ability to solve or fulfill the additional requirements of this Standard.
resolve problems, properly conduct classes and workshops in
accordance with the standards, relating to the subject matter, the
work, or the project.
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2.26 Component - An element or assembly of interconnected

elements intended to perform one function in a system.
2.27 Connector –an appropriately rated device that functions as E 2.27 See Figure 3.
an interface to couple systems, subsystems or components
together. Examples, Carabiners, rapid links, snap kooks, D rings.
2.28 Connecting Subsystem - An assembly, including the

required connectors, comprised of all components, subsystems,
and/or both, between the anchorage or anchorage connector and
the harness attachment point.
2.29 Continuous Belay a belay system that allows participants E 2.29 See Illustration S2.
to progress from one element system to the next and provides
fall protection without interruption while at height.
2.30 Corrosion Resistant – a material or treatment applied to

materials to resist environmental and/or chemical degradation.
2.31 Critical Termination Points - Those terminations where a

failure would in all probability lead to serious injuries or death to
users or workers.
2.32 Dead Load – Constant loads on a structure or system from

materials, components and equipment. Also known as “static
load”.
2.33 Decay Resistant material – naturally occurring or other

approved treatments applied to wooden materials to resist
environmental degradation.
2.34 Design Load – Nominal load multiplied by the designated

safety factor or if unknown by a minimum factor of 1.5. Applicable
only when loads are applied in a direct linear fashion.
2.35 Dynamic Belay – dynamic belays are fall protection

systems where the climber is attached directly from their harness
through a rated anchorage or system to another person (the
belayer) who controls the tension on the rope and the climbers
fall distance by means of approved belaying devices and
methods. See Assisted belay.
2.36 Dynamic Rope – a mountaineering/climbing rope which has See ANNEX A, UIAA-101, EN 892.
an elongation designed to absorb the energy of a fall to limit
forces to anchors and the user. A rope with an elongation of
10% under a static load of 176lbs (80kg) and an elongation of
40% under a dynamic fall arrest (1.7 fall factor) load of 176lbs
(80kg). (UIAA 101 EN-892).
2.37 Energy (Shock) Absorber - a device whose primary E 2.37 See Figure 3j.
function is to dissipate energy and limit the deceleration forces
which the system imposes on a body during fall arrest. Also
referred to as a deceleration device.
2.38 Engineered System – are approved hardware, cable (wire E2.38 Engineered systems that are integral to fall protection
rope) and other equipment assembled into integral components, are designed and installed under the supervision of a Qualified
subsystems or systems in ropes challenge courses, canopy and Person as required by this Standard.
or zip line tours.
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2.39 Environmental Loads – Loads produced by the

environment in which the structure is located, such as snow load,
wind load, seismic load, rain load, etc.
2.40 Fall Arrester – A hardware device that travels on a lifeline E 2.40 See Figure 3h.
and will automatically engage or lock onto the lifeline in the event
of a user’s fall. Cable grabs and rope grabs are classified as fall
arresters.
2.41 Fall Arrest - The action of stopping a free fall or the instant
where the downward movement of a free fall has been halted.
2.42 Fall Factor – The ratio of the length of rope in service to the E 2.42 The fall factor is calculated by dividing the distance of
height of the fall or in ropes challenge courses the calculation of the possible fall by the amount of rope that is played out. Fall
the severity of climber’s fall when on an assisted belay system. Factors range from 0.1 to 2.0. Fall factor calculations are
difficult in ropes course applications as fall distance is typically
measured as the distance the climber is above the last anchor
and in course applications the climber is below the anchor at
the start of the fall thus reducing the free fall and fall severity
factor.
2.43 Fall Hazard – a location where a person is exposed to a

potential free fall, generally a free fall distance greater than 48
inches (.6m).
2.44 Fall Protection - Any equipment, device or system that

prevents an accidental fall from height or that mitigate the effects
of a fall.
2.45 Fall Space – the area of space that a user may enter during
a fall including pendulum movement area.
2.46 Free Fall - The act of falling before a belay /fall arrest
system begins to stop the fall.
2.47 Free Fall Distance - The vertical distance traveled during a

fall. Measured from the start of a fall from a surface to the point
at which the belay/fall arrest system begins to stop the fall.
2.48 Free Space – the space in, on or around an action/activity

system element where a user is carried along passively by
components of the system. E.g. zip line, swing, slide, etc.
2.49 GAC - Galvanized aircraft cable, cables (wire rope) used on E 2.49 See Figure 1s.
belay, element, and construction cables (wire rope) on a ropes
challenge course.
2.50 Garnier Limb – hardware designed to support platforms in E 2.50 See Figure 1t.
trees. Engineered for extended life and increased strengths.
2.51 Ground Anchor –Belayer(s) or other anchor at base of

element.
2.52 Guy Cable - (standing cables (wire rope)) a supporting

cable which maintains a constant distance between the points of
attachment to the two components connected to the cable.
2.53 Harness, Chest - A component comprised of chest and E2.53 Chest harness are never intended to be used alone.
shoulder straps with means for fastening it about the torso and See Figure 6a.
designed to distribute the stopping forces over that area with
means for attaching it to other components or subsystems.
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2.54 Harness, Chest-Sit Combination - A body support E 2.54 See Figure 6e.
consisting of separate chest and waist/leg components that can
be combined to form a full body harness, designed to distribute
the stopping forces over that area and with attachment elements
appropriate for fall protection.
2.55 Harness, Full Body - A body support designed to enclose E 2.55 See Figures6d and 6f.
the torso and distribute the fall arrest forces over a minimum of
the upper thighs, pelvis, chest and shoulders, and with
attachment elements appropriate for fall protection.
2.56 Harness, Sit - A body support that encircles and closes E 2.56 Commercial or sport as required. Sit harnesses are
around the waist and legs, designed distribute the stopping commercially manufactured and compliant with the applicable
forces over that area and with attachment elements appropriate standard ANSI/ASTM 1772 1999 (2005), NFPA 1983, UIAA
for fall protection. 105, or EN-12277. See Figures 6b and 6c.
2.57 Hazardous Substance – OSHA 29 CFR 1926.32(l) a

substance which, by reason of being explosive, flammable,
poisonous, corrosive, oxidizing, irritating, or otherwise harmful, is
likely to cause death or injury.
2.58 Horizontal Belay (Lifeline) - A component of a horizontal

belay (lifeline) subsystem, consisting of a flexible cable (wire
rope) line with connectors, or other coupling means at both ends
for securing it horizontally between two anchorages or anchorage
connectors.
2.59 Horizontal Belay (Lifeline) Subsystem - An component

system of an assembly of the horizontal belay (lifeline), and
necessary connectors. May optionally include a lifeline tensioner
or energy absorber component or both. This subsystem is
attached at each end to an anchorage or anchorage connector
and may also contain one or more intermediate anchorages.
2.60 In Line - a straight path between anchorage and belay, guy

or element cables (wire rope).
2.61 Independent – (related to inspection, review or training) Not

involved in day to day operation of course
2.62 Ladder – “an appliance usually consisting of two side rails

joined at regular intervals by cross-pieces called steps, rungs, or
cleats, on which a person may step in ascending or descending”
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.21 (e) (1).may include step, single,
extension, trestle, and other types.
2.63 Lanyard - A component consisting of a flexible rope, cable

(wire rope), or strap, which typically has a connector at each end
for attachment to the harness and to a fall arrester, energy
absorber, anchorage connector, anchorage, user support /
transport components, vertical cable grab, belay line, lifeline or
fixed anchorage.
2.64 Lanyard Connection Subsystem – an assembly, with the

required connectors, consisting of a lanyard only, or a lanyard
and energy absorber combination.
2.65 Lap Splice – the connection point where two cable ends
are joined by cable (wire rope) clips or ferrules.
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2.66 Leading Edge Environments: climbing and/or work E 2.66 Leading edge work may involve the use of non-
involving a trained competent climber employee ascending over traditional points for fall arrest and work positioning anchorages
6 feet in height without a ladder to perform maintenance, set-up and may also be involved in rescue applications.
or inspection of ropes course elements, belays or related items.
2.67 Licensed Engineer – see professional engineer.
2.68 Lifeline – A component of a fall protection system

consisting of a flexible line designed to hang either vertically,
when connected to anchorages or anchorage connectors at both
ends to span a distance horizontally the intent is to support a
person from a fall. (e.g. belay cable, zip line, ladder ascent
(vertical belay) cable).
2.69 Life Safety – comprise all components, equipment,

applications and systems that directly impact the safety of a user
and are designed and intended to protect the person from
sustaining serious injury or death. E.g. belay system
components.
2.70 Live Load – Loads produced by the use and occupancy of

the structure. In Ropes challenge courses this would include
belay system loads, zip line transit loads. In Canopy tours may
include loads exerted by fauna.
2.71 Low Element – A facility, component, system or

constructed action/activity element which does not require a
belay (life safety system) but may incorporate spotting as
necessary.
2.72 Maximum Arrest Force - The peak arresting force on a

user as permitted in this standard as dependant upon the
harness type utilized.
2.73 Maximum Intended Load - The total of all loads including E 2.73 Determined in compliance with ASCE/SEI 7-05
environmental, dead and live loads, and all such other loads as “Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures –
may be reasonably anticipated, including mandatory allowances Second Edition, ASCE 7 as applicable Live loads Section4,
for rescue applications. Dead loads Section 3.
2.74 Maximum Rated Load - the combined maximum mass in

lbs or kg of men, tools, and equipment to be used with the
product, per manufacturers’ specification.
2.75 May - indicates a permitted action or method.
2.76 Mobile Ropes Challenge Course - a constructed facility

which is transportable from location to location.
2.77 NFPA - National Fire Protection Association
2.78 Nominal Load –Maximum load generated in normal use.

Also called Combined load.
2.79 Non-Certified Anchors are those anchors that a E 2.79 Fall protection systems connected to non-certified
Competent Person can judge to be capable of supporting the anchors must, in all cases, limit potential free fall distance to 6
predetermined anchor forces required by this standard. ft or less and be equipped with an energy absorbing device
which limits maximum arrest forces to 900 pounds or less.
2.80 OSHA - an abbreviation for both the Williams-Steiger
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 which created the
U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health
Administration.
9

2.81 Permanent Ropes Challenge Course: a constructed
facility installed at a site for more than one week.
2.82 Procedure - A series of logical progressive steps to initiate,

perform and complete a repetitive action. A procedure specifies
the required step-by-step actions necessary to safely and
satisfactorily complete a task including what, who and when
actions are to take place.
2.83 Professional Engineer – Person who is qualified and

licensed to practice engineering, by means of education,
experience, and examination.
2.84 Professional Ropes Course Association - a professional

association of ropes course industry builders, facilitators,
programmers, administrators, manufacturers, institutions, end
users and other interested parties.
2.85 Proof Test Load –In-situ load applied to equipment and E 2.85 Proof testing is performed by applying a static load of a
components to verify present fitness for use or proper installation specified amount below the design breaking strength but
practice. above the permissible service load.
2.86 Qualified Ropes Challenge Course Instructor – a

instructor who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate,
or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge,
training, and experience, has successfully demonstrated the
ability to solve or resolve problems, properly conduct classes and
workshops in accordance with the standards, relating to the
subject matter, the work, or the project. Qualified instructors
possess or are otherwise addressed by appropriate liability
insurance coverage to conduct the required training.
2.87 Qualified Person – one who, by possession of a E 2.87 Qualified Persons on ropes courses, when authorized
recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by the owner/operator or Administrator/Director may fulfill the
by extensive knowledge, training, and experience, has functions of a Qualified Person as outlined in this standard on
successfully demonstrated the ability to solve or resolve that facility.
problems relating to the subject matter, the work, or the project.
2.88 Qualified Rescue Person – a person who, by possession E 2.88 The Qualified Rescue Person may be a Qualified
of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or Ropes Challenge Course Instructor who also holds a
who by extensive knowledge, training, and experience, with fall Competent Rescue Trainer certification or a Competent
hazards, fall protection methods, technical and non-technical Rescue Trainer who has been designated by their employer as
rescue methodology, and has successfully demonstrated the a Qualified Person.
ability to effect technical and non-technical rescues, solve or
resolve problems, properly conduct classes and workshops in
accordance with the standards, and subject matter relating to
these issues.
2.89 Qualified Ropes Challenge Course Professional - one E 2.89 Qualified Ropes Challenge Course Professionals may
who, by a certificate, degree or professional standing, or who by be in-house staff or offer full spectrum services (design,
extensive knowledge of the applicable standard(s), training, and building, inspection, facilitation and training) or specialized
experience, has successfully demonstrated the ability to solve or area services only (training, facilitation, course operation, etc)
resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work, or the
project, is insured or covered by insurance to perform the
services offered and is a member of a professional ropes
challenge course association.
2.90 Reasonable Person – a “reasonable person” is a legal term E 2.90 In negligence suits the question would be, Would
describing a rational, reasonably intelligent person, appropriately someone with knowledge of the ropes challenge course
informed, fair, and aware of the law; intended to embody the industry and the risks involved, having the knowledge available
“average” person. at the time, in the same circumstances, have acted or not
10

acted in the same manner, or made the same determinations

and would those actions/inactions or determinations have been
reasonable?
2.91 Redundancy – a system, subsystem or device designed E 2.91 Typical minimum back-up for ropes challenge course
and engineered to serve as a fail-safe back-up to the element, use is 80% of the system, subsystem or devices minimum
system subsystem or device which is being protected in the breaking strength.
event of failure.
2.92 Ropes Challenge Course – Any apparatus/facility

specifically designed, and /or constructed for the use of
individuals or teams, which through high or low non-spotted,
spotted or belayed activities, under trained facilitated supervision,
guided or self-guided, are utilized as elements of experiential
learning programs or curriculums or as adventure / challenge
recreational components or courses.
Categories: 1. Mobile – transportable apparatus/facility.
2. Temporary – apparatus/facility installed for < one week.
3. Permanent - apparatus/facility installed for > one week
2.93 Safe Working Load - (SWL) see Working Load Limit
2.94 Safety Factor - 29 CFR 1926.32(n) the ratio of the ultimate

(breaking) strength of a member or piece of material or
equipment to the actual working stress or safe load when in use.
Usually computed by dividing the ultimate strength by the WLL
and expressed as a ratio e.g. 5:1 or e.g. Safety factor of 5.
2.95 Safety Systems - are methods of guarding against potential

injury. Collective systems include standard guard rails, railings,
nets, mats, impact absorbent flooring material and spotting.
Individual systems include assisted, auto, continuous and self
belay. Also referred to as Fall Protection systems.
2.96 Sag, Static - the maximum vertical distance between an

imaginary line between the anchor points of the horizontal
belay/zip line and the middle of the horizontal belay/zip line when
the intended load is applied.
2.97 Self-Belay – self-belay is a fall arrest system where the E 2.97 Formerly referred to as static, lobster claw or cow tail
user is attached directly from the harness to a rated anchorage systems. See Illustrations S1 and S2.
system (bolts, belay cable, engineered belay system, etc.) by
means of a lanyard or lanyard connection subsystem, which will
keep the free fall distance within the required specifications. This
belay system is operated solely by the participant, requiring
transfers of anchorage points during progression.
2.98 Self-Belayed Climbing – Ascending while utilizing a

lanyard connecting subsystem and manually changing fall arrest
anchors during ascent. (E.g. individual fall arrest anchors,
anchored vertical rope/cable (wire rope) with loops)
2.99 Shall - indicates the rule is mandatory and must be

followed.
2.100 Shear Reduction – A method employing devices, E 2.100 See Figure 3f.
components or elements which increase the bend radius over
which an assisted belay rope passes thereby reducing the cutting
force upon the rope.
11

2.101 Should - indicates a recommendation, the advisability of

which depends on the facts in each situation.
2.102 Spotting – A technique employed by one or more persons

to catch, lift, lower or otherwise physically support another to
reduce the potential risk of injury while engaged in an activity or
utilizing an action/activity element.
2.103 Static Belay – see self-belay.
2.104 Static Rope – The Cordage Institute defines a static rope E 2.104 Static ropes transfer more force to the anchors user
as a rope with a maximum 6% elongation at 10% of the minimum and belayer, but minimize fall distance. “Static” and “low
breaking strength (CI-1801). stretch” ropes are not the same. Low stretch ropes allow an
elongation of 6% to 10% at 10% of the minimum breaking
strength. See ANNEX A, CI-1801.
2.105 Structural Member – A steel member or a member made E 2.105 These members include but are not limited to
of a substitute material (such as, but not limited to, fiberglass, columns, beams, trusses, splices, joists, joist girders, purlins,
aluminum or composite members). OSHA 29 CFR 1926.751. metal decking, girts, all bridging, and cold formed metal
framing which is integrated with the structural steel framing.
2.106 Subsystem - A multi-function assemblies of independent
components, including connectors, interconnected by the user; or
integral interconnected components.
2.107 Support System – natural and artificial structures

intended to support the installation of action/activity and
belay/safety systems. E.g. frames, foundations, guys,
tension/compression bars, mounts, trees, rocks, poles, etc.
2.108 Support / Transport System – Assemblies of

independent components, or integral interconnected components
including connectors, intended to support 100% of a user’s body
weight, including equipment, in compliance with the requirements
of this Standard for the purpose of traversing action/activity
systems. Typically require separate fall protection systems.
2.109 System’s Engineered Tensile Strength –is the overall

minimum tensile strength of an engineered system consisting of
multiple components of varying strengths.
2.110 Temporary Ropes Challenge Course: a constructed E 2.110 Such courses shall be designed to meet applicable
facility installed for a period not to exceed one week. strength requirements but may do so without utilizing
permanent installation techniques.
2.111 Termination – is the approved method of attachment for
securing the end of a cable.
2.112 Travel Restraint -: “Limiting a worker’s travel in such a E 2.112 Travel restraint / restriction systems are used only on
manner that they cannot reach a fall hazard zone” Restraint walking/working surfaces with a slope between zero and 18.4
systems do not support a portion of the worker’s weight. degrees. E.g. platforms.
2.113 Ultimate Strength - The maximum stress a material can E 2.113 Ultimate strength is an attribute directly related to a
withstand. Same as maximum breaking strength commonly material, rather than just specific specimen of the material, and
represented in lbs. or kg. as such is usually quoted force per unit of cross section area.
SI unit of stress is the Pascal, where 1 Pa = 1 N/m². English
unit of stress is lbf/in² or pounds-force per square inch. This
unit is often abbreviated as psi. One thousand psi is
abbreviated ksi.
12

2.114 Utility Poles – new or like new wooden poles of various

grades and classifications utilized as course element
components or for structural elements.
2.115 User - A person who performs activities on ropes

challenge courses. Users may be employees or participants.
2.116 Working Load Limit - (WLL) the maximum mass or force

which a product is authorized to support in general service when
the pull is applied in-line with respect to the centerline of the
product, unless noted otherwise. The WLL of a product is
specified by the manufacturer.
2.117 Work Positioning - “Supporting a worker on a vertical E 2.117 Work positioning systems are designed to prevent a
surface while working with hands free”. fall from occurring. When a fall hazard is present, positioning
systems must be used in conjunction with a separate and
independent personal fall arrest system.
2.118 Wrap-Around Cinch Lanyard - an adjustable work E 2.118 This lanyard subsystem usually consists of an
positioning device which attaches to side D-rings mounted on a assembly of rated nylon rope, Dee-ring connectors, a
workers harness to allow hands free work while on vertical manufacturer approved rope grab device, and a fall protection/
surfaces such as poles, trees or columns. work positioning rated anchor strap.
2.119 Zip Line – a self-belayed cable (wire rope) action/activity E 2.119 Zip line braking systems action may be active, passive
system where a suspended user traverses a cable (wire rope) or a combination of both.
usually under gravity acceleration or a passive method of
controlled acceleration.
2.220 Zip Line Landing – An area, platform, surface or material

intended to provide a reasonably safe stopping and dismount
location for a user after traversing a zip line.
2.221 Zip Line Tour – A belayed recreational/educational, E 2.221 Zip line tour/course support systems may include but
guided or self-guided, course or tour traversing areas of scenic, are not limited to man-made towers, poles, trees, and ground
ecological and/or cultural significance. Zip line tours typically based anchors.
involve action/activity systems such as zip line(s), platforms,
landing areas, and connecting trails.
13
Ropes Challenge Course Systems Legend for Illustrations S1 & S2

(Illustrations and table adapted from EN 15567-1)
BELAY (LIFE SAFETY) LANYARD

ACTION/ACTIVITY
SUPPORT SYSTEMS CONNECTING
SYSTEMS SYSTEMS SUBSYSTEMS
Anchors:, poles,
live trees, Assisted Belay:
A1 Elements S1 buildings, rock, B1 Top rope, “M”, “Just Right”, belay bench,
other approved team, …
structural materials Subsystem
connecting
Continuous: user to fall
Foundation:,
Platforms:
standard B2a Cable based protection
wood, metal,
A2 S2 foundation B2 anchorage,
composite,
materials, ground lanyards
membrane… B2b Channel / beam based LCS
anchors (singles, Y
style),
B3 Self-Belay: includes leading edge connectors,
Access / Auto-Belay: Self – retracting Lanyard may have
Guy Systems: B4 energy
egress: (SRL)
A3 staples, S3 cables, poles,
absorber.
ladders, wood structural materials Self-Belay with transport component:
rungs, etc B5 zip lines and common use in canopy tours
& Adventure Courses
14
15
Hardware & Equipment illustrations
Figure 1a: Threaded Rod
Figure 1b: Nut Eye Bolt Figure 1c: Thimble Eye Bolt
Figure 1d: Shoulder Eye Lag Figure 1e: Lag bolts

(A – Drive/self thread lag)
(B – Standard lag)
Figure 1f: Deck Screws Figure 1g: 1/2” Diameter Staple
Figure 1: Examples of Typical Course Hardware Components
16
A B
Figure 1h: Washers Figure 1i: Cable Figure 1j:

(A – Square Curved Washer) Serving Sleeve Double Helix Coil
(B – Round Washer) Washer
A B C
Figure 1k: Cable clip devices Figure 1l: Figure 1m:

(A – Zinc Plated Copper Ferrule) Guy Cable Mounting Bracket Steel Thimble
(B - Double Grip/Double Saddle Clip)
(C – “U” style clip)
Figure 1n: Locking Wire Rope Grip Figure 1o: Figure 1p:
(A – In place on cable –locked) Open Wedge Socket Spelter Socket
(B – Locking bolts out- not locked)
17
Inspection
Window
Figure 1q: Sleeve – Plug – Compression Figure 1r: Clevis

Socket (A – Cut away view)
A B C
7 x 19
Ref: Wire Rope User’s

th
Manual 4 Edition D
Figure 1t: “Garnier” or Artificial Limbs

Figure 1s: Cable (wire rope) (A – AL application. B – Platform Knee Brace. C - Examples
Of Platform Mounts. D – Extension Support Rod.
Figure 2a Figure 2b
(A - 3 Strand Laid Rope, B – Kernmantle Rope) Accessory Cord
Figure 2: Examples of Typical Course Rope Components
18
A B
1 2
D 4
C 6 5
A B
Figure 3a Carabiners Figure 3b: Carabiner Nomenclature

(A – Non-Locking Oval, accessory use) (A – Auto-Locking Captive Eye)
(B – Wire Gate Modified D, accessory use) (B – Auto-Locking)
(C – Manual Locking, Steel Construction)
(D – Auto-Locking) Carabiner :
1 – Body 2 - Nose
3 – Spring Gate 4 – Auto-Lock Sleeve
5 – Hinge 6 – Captive Eye
Figure 3c: Auto-Locking Snap Hooks Figure 3d: Quick (Rapid) Links
(A – Standard Oval)
(B – Delta Style)
Figure 3e: Belay Cable Pulley Figure 3f: Shear Reduction Devices
Figure 2: Examples of Typical Course Rope Components
Figure 3: Examples of Typical Course Connector System Components

19
Figure 3g: Figure 3h: Figure 3 i: Dual Sheave Pulleys / Trolleys

Self-Retracting Lanyard (SRL) Fall Arrester / Cable Grab (A – Support/Transport Pulley 3,600lb (16kN))
& Auto-Belays (B – Transport/Life Safety Pulley, 5,000 lb
(22.2kN) Steel carabiner shown as back-up)
(C - Transport/Life Safety Pulley, 5,000 lb
(22.2kN) # Bolts as design back-up.
Figure 3j: Energy (Shock) Absorber Figure3k: Fall Arrest Anchors (Individual)
Figure 3: Examples of Typical Course Connector System Components
A B C D
Figure 4:
(A – Commercial Belay Device – tube style) Figure 5: Ascender
(B – Manufactured Belay “Just Right” Device)
(C&D – Examples of Common Manufactured Belay Benches)
Figure 4: Examples of Typical Course Belay Devices Figure 5: Example of

Commercial Ascender
20
Figure 6a: Chest Harness Figure 6b: Sit Harness Figure 6c: Class II Sit Harness
(Participant Use) (Participant & Operational Staff) (Course Worker Use)
Figure 6d: Child Full Body Figure 6e: ClassIII Combination Figure 6f: Class III Full Body
(Course worker - compatible
Class II Sit and chest system)
Figure 6: Examples of Typical Course Fall Protection Harnesses
21
ANNEX A
Referenced Standards / Publications
References followed by a designation of [Norm.] are Normative. Those references, or the applicable portions therein, referenced
in this standard shall be considered a part of the requirements of the standard.
References followed by a designation of [Inf.] are Informative. Those references, or the applicable portions therein, referenced in
this standard are not considered a part of the requirements of the standard. They are for informational purposes only.
References followed by the designation [Inf. / Norm.] shall be considered as requirements or information as designated by the
standard section or applicable note.
The editions indicated are the referenced editions at the time of the publication of this document unless otherwise indicated. If an
element of a cited standard or document conflicts with this Standard the relevant provision of this Standard shall govern.
ASCE/SEI 7-05 “Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures –Second Edition ASCE-7 [Inf. / Norm.]
American Society of Civil Engineers, 1801 Alexander Bell Drive, Reston, Virginia 20191-4400
ASTM F1772-99 (Re-approved 2005), Standard Specification for Climbing Harnesses [Norm.]
American Society for Testing and Materials, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, P.O. Box C700, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428-2959
EN 892:2004, Mountaineering Equipment –Dynamic Mountaineering Ropes – Safety requirements and test methods. [Norm.]
EN-12277:2007 Mountaineering Equipment – Harnesses – Safety Requirements and Test Methods [Norm.]
European Committee for Standardization, Central Secretariat, Rue de Stassart 36, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium. Standards available from
member nations.
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.32 [Inf.]
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.21 [Inf.]
U.S. Government Printing Office, 732 N. Capitol Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20401 (www.gpoaccess.gov)
UIAA 101, (2004) Mountaineering and Climbing Equipment - Dynamic Ropes [Norm.]
UIAA-105 (2004) Mountaineering and Climbing Equipment - Harnesses [Norm.]
International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation, Monbijousrtasse 61 Pastfach, CH-3000 Bern 23, Switzerland
22
Recommendation to
Accredited PRCA 1.0-.3 Standards Committee
Ropes Challenge Course Installation, Operation and Training Standards
Secretariat: Professional Ropes Course Association
6260 E. Riverside Blvd. #104,
Rockford, Illinois 61111
Name:______________________________________________________________ Date:____________________________
Firm, organization or subgroup: ____________________________________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Phone: ___________________________________
Fax: _____________________________________
E-mail: ___________________________________
Section/Paragraph(s): ___________________________________________________________________________________
Subject/Problem: _______________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
I recommend that: ______________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Note: All recommendations must be in writing and address specific changes. Be concise and complete. Reference all
appropriate sections, pages and or paragraph numbers unless your recommendation is for a new section or standard. State the
problem and a resolution. Provide all references for the committee to review before rendering a decision regarding your
recommendation. Use additional pages if necessary. You will receive a written response.
This Section for PRCA 1.0-.3 Secretariat Use Only
Received on: ________________________________ By: _____________________________________________________
Presented to Committee on: ______________ Response sent on: ______________ By: _____________________________
Passed on: ________________________ Rejected on: _________________________
Subject for further study: ________________________________________________________________________________
Notes: ______________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
23

2014 ANSI-PRCA 1.0-.3 - 2014 Sect 1.0 3-3-14

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ANSI/PRCA 1.0-.

3:2014 Ropes Challenge Course Installation Operation & Training Standards

ANSI/PRCA 1.0-.3 - 2014 Ropes Challenge Course Installation,

Part 1.0 Glossary of Terms for Ropes Challenge Courses

(This foreword is not part of American National Standard PRCA 1.0-.3:2014)

The PRCA does not approve, evaluate or certify testing laboratories.

CONTENTS Section Page

V Variations from Standard 2

VII Responsibilities of the Employee 3

VIII Normative References 3

STANDARD REQUIREMENTS EXPLANATORY INFORMATION

Such an organization of guidelines with these stated objectives

STANDARD REQUIREMENTS EXPLANATORY INFORMATION

V. Variations from Standard

Other industry standards have been reviewed and applicable

STANDARD REQUIREMENTS EXPLANATORY INFORMATION

Additionally, extensive efforts have been made to harmonize

Though designed with the products generally available in the

The PRCA does not approve, evaluate or certify testing

VIII. Normative References

2.1 Accept, Accepted, Acceptable - a practice, design or

2.2 Action/activity system- a facility, component or

2.3 Anchor, Anchorage - a secure point of attachment for

2.4 Anchorage/Anchor Connector –an appropriately

2.5 ANSI - American National Standards Institute

2.6 Applied Loads – An engineering term used to

2.7 Approved - accepted as satisfactory by a duly

2.9 Authorized Person – a person approved or assigned

2.13 Body Harness - a harness of simple or compound E 2.13 See Figure 6

STANDARD REQUIREMENTS EXPLANATORY INFORMATION

2.14 Braking systems- methods utilized on an action/activity

2.17 CEN - European Committee for Standardization (Comité

2.21 CI - Cordage Institute

2.22 Commercial Ropes Course Vendor – one who is a

2.23 Compatible – Able to be used in an ordered, efficient

STANDARD REQUIREMENTS EXPLANATORY INFORMATION

2.26 Component - An element or assembly of interconnected

2.28 Connecting Subsystem - An assembly, including the

2.30 Corrosion Resistant – a material or treatment applied to

2.31 Critical Termination Points - Those terminations where a

2.32 Dead Load – Constant loads on a structure or system from

2.33 Decay Resistant material – naturally occurring or other

2.34 Design Load – Nominal load multiplied by the designated

2.35 Dynamic Belay – dynamic belays are fall protection

STANDARD REQUIREMENTS EXPLANATORY INFORMATION

2.39 Environmental Loads – Loads produced by the

2.43 Fall Hazard – a location where a person is exposed to a

2.44 Fall Protection - Any equipment, device or system that

2.47 Free Fall Distance - The vertical distance traveled during a

2.48 Free Space – the space in, on or around an action/activity

2.51 Ground Anchor –Belayer(s) or other anchor at base of

2.52 Guy Cable - (standing cables (wire rope)) a supporting

STANDARD REQUIREMENTS EXPLANATORY INFORMATION

2.57 Hazardous Substance – OSHA 29 CFR 1926.32(l) a

2.58 Horizontal Belay (Lifeline) - A component of a horizontal

2.59 Horizontal Belay (Lifeline) Subsystem - An component

2.60 In Line - a straight path between anchorage and belay, guy

2.61 Independent – (related to inspection, review or training) Not

2.62 Ladder – “an appliance usually consisting of two side rails

2.63 Lanyard - A component consisting of a flexible rope, cable

2.64 Lanyard Connection Subsystem – an assembly, with the

STANDARD REQUIREMENTS EXPLANATORY INFORMATION

2.67 Licensed Engineer – see professional engineer.

Received on: By: _____________________

Passed on: Rejected on: _