************ ARMY CADET FORCE

MOBILE CLIMBING TOWER

STANDING ORDERS

Issued by *********************** , Commandant

********************** ACF

Dated: *****************

EXPLANATORY NOTES

  1. The information contained within this exemplar set of Standing Orders (SO) applies in general terms to all Mobile Climbing Towers (MCT). That relating to the raising and lowering of the MCT applies specifically to a Mobile Rockwall Company MCT manufactured in 2005 equipped with North Automatic Belay Devices (ABD). Earlier or later models of MCT from the same manufacturer may require different instructions.
  1. It is important that the instructions for raising and lowering the MCT are carefully worded and accurate. They should be reproduced in full with each step being written down. It is not acceptable to state that in order to lower the MCT the instructions to raise it should be followed in reverse. Such loosely worded instructions could lead to injury to the operators or damage being caused tothe MCT.
  1. If the Unit operates another make of MCT or another make of ABD then care must be taken to ensure that the information contained in the Unit MCT SO is accurate and pertains to the Mobile Climbing Tower and ABD operated by that unit.
  1. Photographs used in this exemplar SO are for illustrative purposes only. The picture in Annex A shows a MCT with old Redpoint ABDs; the harness is an old Petzl harness clipped into a Redpoint belay tape; and the ABD picture shows a North ABD connected to the MCT using two karabiners. The unit’s own photographs that have been suitably cropped / edited should be inserted to show the specific equipment that is used with the unit’s MCT. Additional photographs can be added if requirede.g. to show the layout or the MCT with banners and flags attached.
  1. Elements of the exemplar SO refer to the use of conventional roped belay systems being used rather than using ABD. THIS INFORMATION SHOULD NOT BE REMOVED. In the event of appropriately qualified climbing supervisors and equipment being available it will still be possible to use the MCT for climbing activities. This allows the MCT to be used without ABD for whatever reason e.g. when the ABD are withdrawn for routine service.
  1. The unit should add their own name and other details wherever ******* appears.
  1. Amendment 3 to these Exemplar SO. This version incorporates Amendment 3 which updated the information on insurance (paras 4-7) and the renumbering of later paragraphs.

Delete this page once the Unit Specific Standing Orders have been produced

ALTERATIONS AND AMENDMENTS

These Standing Orders have been produced by ********, Commandant, **** Army Cadet Force. Alterations and amendments to theseStanding Orders can only be made by the Commandant. These Standing Orders supersedes any earlier versions, which must be destroyed.

AMENDMENTS

Amendment
Number / Date of Issue / By whom amended / Date of insertion

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******* ARMY CADET FORCE

MOBILE CLIMBING TOWER STANDING ORDERS

References:

A.Regulations for the Use of Mobile Climbing Towers 2010DIN07-167

B.Army Adventurous Training and other Challenge Pursuits Manual AC71489

C. MCT Award Course Training Plan

D.MCT Operator Course Training Plan

E.LF/PSC/Cadets/1608 dated January 2012: Mobile Climbing Tower: Climbing Supervisor and Operator Training Policy.

Introduction

  1. The MCT is a trailer mounted portable climbing wall that can be used to introduce cadets to the activity of rock climbing. The wall is made from fibre glass resin panels. The holds comprise of ‘features’ moulded into the panels and bolt-on resin climbing holds. The raised climbing wall consists of 4 climbing faces offering 4 climbs with grades that range from Difficult to Very Severe. In certain conditions the grades may appear to be harder. Climbing activity can be undertaken using conventional roped ‘bottom roping’ systems, Automatic Belay Devices (ABD) or a combination of the two. The specifications for the MCT can be found in Annex A to these SO
  1. The following Standing Orders are to be followed by anyone with responsibility for operating and maintaining the Mobile Climbing Tower (MCT) and its associated equipment or supervising MCT climbing activities.

Documentation

  1. Copies of these Standing Orders (SO)and associated documents e.g. Risk Assessments, Certificate of Insurance, Declaration of Conformity certificates for the MCT and ABD are to be kept with the MCT.

Insurance

  1. If the MCT and associated equipment is publicly owned (purchased from Public Funds, RFCA, etc)the MoD Indemnity would apply, providing thestandard operating procedures and safety rules contained in these standing orders are followed. This Indemnity would cover all participants if it is used for:
  2. Authorised cadet training, e.g. annual camp.
  3. As a PR tool for the ACF, in the widest possible context,including recruiting by or for the ACF, and publicity at shows, public events or open days.
  4. If the equipment is privately owned or used for charitable purposes the MoD Indemnity will not apply and additional PLI is required.
  5. If a combination of public and private funds have been used to provide the MCT and its associated equipment then the MOD Indemnity will not apply and additional PLI is required. A record must be maintained of what funding was used to provide the equipment.
  1. It is the responsibility of **************** to ensure that all appropriate insurance is in place and that a copy of the certificate and policy are included with the MCT documentation.

Supervision of Climbing Activities.

  1. This is covered inThe Regulations for the Use of Mobile Climbing Towers (Reference A). The validity of any qualification and the currency and competence of a climbing supervisor must be assessed using the guidance contained in Section 2 of the Army Cadet AT and OCP Manual (Reference B) before they are permitted to supervise climbing activity.
  1. Supervisor : Climber ratios. Each individual supervisor is only permitted to supervise a maximum of three bottom rope or ABD systems therefore two qualified supervisors are required if all four routes are to be in use at the same time.

Qualifications

  1. The supervision of MCT equipped entirely with Automatic Belay Devices (ABD) can be undertaken by individuals who have successfully completed the MCT Award course (Reference C). This award is Site Specific and is limited to the specific type and make of equipment used to deliver the training. It is valid for 3 years. To maintain validity and currency refresher training is required.
  1. Individuals who hold one of the following awards can supervise climbing activities if the MCT is fitted out with conventional bottom roping systems,ABD or a combination of the two belaying methods:
  1. Military:

(1)Joint Service Rock Leader Training (RLT) - subject to logbook recommendations/caveats appended by the qualifying Centre.

(2)Joint Service Rock Climbing Leader (RCL).

(3)Joint Service Rock Climbing Instructor (RCI).

(4)RM Mountain Leader (1) & (2).

b. Civilian:

(1) Mountain Leader Training England/Northern Ireland/Scotland/Wales (MLTE/NI/S/W) - Climbing Wall Award (CWA) - (only for climbing).

(2) MLTE/NI/S/W CWA Module 2 for Top Access or Abseiling.

(3) MLTE/NI/S/W Single Pitch Award (SPA).

(4) Mountain Instructor Award (MIA).

(5)Mountain Instructor Certificate (MIC).

(6) International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations (IFMGA) qualified International Mountain Guide (IMG).

  1. MCT Operator course. Only those who have successfully completed the MCT Operator course (Reference D) are to operate the MCT i.e. the raising, setting-up and lowering the MCT. This award is valid for 3 years. To maintain currency and validity refresher training is required.
  1. Towing the MCT. Additional training is required for towing the MCT. The appropriate full driving licence and FMT600 must be held by all MCT towing drivers. Instructions for towing the MCT can be found in Annex B to these SO.

SOLO CLIMBING

  1. Solo climbing is defined as climbing without the use of safety equipment and as such is forbidden on the MCT.

EQUIPMENT AND MAINTENANCE

  1. The Scale of Equipment issued with the MCT is given at Annex C to these SO.
  1. All items of equipment must be correctly stored and maintained after use. All climbing equipment must be approved by the Union International des Associations d’Alpinism (UIAA). Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be inspected prior to use by the instructor and its use must be logged.Section 9 to the Army Cadet AT and OCP Manual (Reference B) gives advice on thecorrect inspection, storage and maintenance regime.
  1. Climbing ropes. Full weight climbing ropes can be used instead of ABD. Ropesshould be connected to the belay arms using steel screwgate karabiners or maillons. All ropes must be formally inspected prior to and following use. Individual rope logs are to be maintained.
  1. Helmets. The wearing of helmets is compulsory for all climbers and supervisors when conventional belay systems are being used. Where ABD are being used helmets are not to be worn by those climbing due to the risk of a climber being left suspended by the neck hanging from the helmet harness.
  1. Harnesses. All harnesses are to be checked by the instructor prior to and following use. Individuals are to be checked for correct fitting of harnesses prior to climbing by a qualified supervisor (see para 5 above and Annex G to these SO)).
  1. Automatic Belay Devices. The ABD are classed as PPE and are subject to logged routine inspection and regular servicing by the manufacturer. Care must be taken in how they are stored and mounted on the MCT. If they are dropped they must be withdrawn from service until they have been serviced. The North climbing wall descender must be hung from the belay arms using 2 steel screwgate karabiners or 2 steel maillons or a combination of the two so that the cable storage drum lies at an angle of 90º to the wall. This permits the correct rewinding of the wire cable. The number of descents indicated by a counter on the housing must be recorded in a usage log after each session.

Servicing, Maintenance and Cleaning.

  1. Annual servicing. This includes servicing of the trailer, hydraulics, brakes and lights will be undertaken during the winter season and isthe responsibility of **************** , who will ensure that it is carried out.
  2. Routine maintenance. This is the responsibility of **************** , who will ensure that the tyre pressures are correct, minor faults and damage are corrected and that all equipment usage logs for ABDs, Harnesses and Helmets are completed.
  3. Cleaning. The trailer should be covered or parked under cover for long term parking. Parking under trees should be avoided as fallen leaves will collect in the features of the tower and lead to leaf mould and moss build up.
  4. The MCT should be thoroughly cleaned after long periods of being parked unused out of doors in order to remove moss, lichen and leaf mould all of which affect the frictional properties of the fibreglass resin wall and climbing holds.
  5. The climbing holds should be removed periodically and the bolts checked for corrosion. The frictional properties can be improved by washing the holds in a dish washer.

Reporting of faults and damage.

  1. If the MCT or its associated equipmentis faulty or damaged in any way it should be reportedto ********* , HQ ******** ACF at the earliest opportunity and recorded in the relevant Log Book.
  1. Failure to do so will result in the operators being billed for any necessary repairs. Fair wear and tear will not result in charges being raised. The HQ CAA needs to be informed of any problems, however insignificant, in order that this piece of equipment is ready for use by the next user.
  1. This equipment costs a considerable amount of money to maintain annually and it is the responsibility of all users to keep the MCT in the best possible condition for the benefit of all members of this ACF.

Security of the MCT

  1. The MCT should be parked in a secure area with the wall lowered, both the wheel clamp and trailer hitch lock applied and all loose equipment removed and placed in secure storage.
  2. The MCT must always be supervised when it is erected, whether it is in use or not. If it has to be left unsupervised even for a short time it must be lowered thus taking it out of use and the ABD removed for safe keeping.
  1. It is acceptable to leave the ABD on the lowered MCT, but only for a short time e.g. a lunch break, if there is a suitable level of security to prevent tampering or theft.

Safety First

  1. Safety is always the first concern when setting up, operating, or taking down the mobile climbing wall. The following is a safety alert symbol: ▲ CAUTION. It appears at various points in the annexes that form part of these SO and is used to highlight potential personal safety hazards. All safety messages that follow this symbol should be read to avoid injury or death.
  1. The Safety Rules for the MCT are to be found in Annex D to these SO.

Routine Safety Inspections

  1. The Operator is to carry out routine safety checks before and after using the MCT. The check list is to be found at Annex E to these SO.

Operationof and Preparingthe MCT for use including Climbing Supervision

  1. The Operation of the MCT is defined as raising and lowering the MCT and the Setting-up of the MCT defined as creating the safe working and out of bounds areas and also including the setting up of any ‘front of house’ arrangements.
  1. The raising the wall and making it ready foruse and preparing the MCT for operationis covered in Annexes F and Gto these SO respectively.
  1. The lowering of the MCT and readying for towing is covered in Annexes B and I respectively.
  1. Whilst it is possible for one experienced operator tooperate and set-up the MCT it is recommended that a minimum of two operators do so as a team. This ensures that when raising or lowering the MCT the second person can act as look out and warn of any potential issues.
  1. The role of the Operator includes the supervision of spectators.

Supervision of Climbing Activities

  1. The rules governing climbing activities are covered in Annex G and H to these SO.
  1. One climbing supervisor can supervise climbing activities but can only supervise a maximum of 3 climbing routes at any one time. It is recommended that this only occurs with small groups. On all other occasions the minimum team should consist of two climbing supervisors.
  1. Climbing supervisors should focus on the fitting of harnesses, clipping climbers on and off the belay cable or tying them in to the rope and supervising climbing activities. They should not be responsible for supervising spectators.

Annexes:

  1. Mobile Climbing Tower Specifications
  2. Towing The Mobile Climbing Tower
  3. Mobile Climbing Tower Stores List
  4. Safety Rules For The Mobile Climbing Tower
  5. Safety Inspection Check List
  6. Raising The Wall And Making It Ready For Use
  7. Prepare The Mobile Climbing Tower For Operation
  8. Supervision of Climbing Activities
  9. Lowering The Wall

1

Annex A to

****** ACF MCT Standing Orders

Dated *******

MOBILE CLIMBING TOWER SPECIFICATIONS

Manufacturer: Mobile Rockwall Company

Chassis No.:4MA-24015

Date of Manufacture: May 2005

A1

Dimensions:

Length:8.25m

Width:2.35m

Towing height:2.80m

Raised height:8.25m including raised belay arms.

Towing Weight:1,900kg.

Maximum Wind Speed for Safe Operation:

Gusts of 30mph– MCT must be lowered

Caution must be exercised if winds are gusting 20mph.

Maximum Cross Slope Incline:3º

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AUTOMATIC BELAY DEVICES

North Climbing Wall Descenders,quantity 4: model FP2/5**GDD

Maximum working load:23 stone 8lbs / 330 lbs (150kg)

Minimum working load:4 stone 11 lbs / 66lbs (30kg)

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Annex B to

****** ACF MCT Standing Orders

Dated *******

TOWING THE MOBILE CLIMBING TOWER

Connecting the trailer to the towing vehicle

  1. Reverse the tow vehicle into position so that its towing ball is positioned under the MCT’s trailer coupling. Use a second operator to the driver into position.
  1. ▲CAUTION:Position the tow vehicle’s towball as close as possible to the towball coupling of the trailer to minimize having to manually move the trailer into place. Try to avoid the need to manually position the trailer! If this is necessary, do so only for the last few inches. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO PULL THE TRAILER BY HAND, this could result in serious injury.
  1. Lower the trailer, using the jockey wheel, by cranking clockwise until the trailer coupling lowers onto the towball.
  1. Secure the coupling lock over the ball. *Look under coupling to make sure the ball is secure. The indicator button will extend when the coupling is locked on to the towball.

:

  1. ▲CAUTION:Reconnect the breakaway cable, ensuring it is not wrapped around the towball, but is connected to an alternative position. Ensure the breakaway cable is securely connected! Should the coupling fail during transport, the breakaway cable can help avoid a towing catastrophe.
  1. Reconnect the black trailer plug into electric socket on tow vehicle thus electrically connecting the trailer and the tow vehicle. If the towing vehicle is fitted with twin towing sockets also connect the grey plug – this charges the battery for the hydraulic motor.
  1. Use a second operator to stand behind the trailer while testing the indicators, brake lights and rear lights to make sure they are operating property.
  1. ▲CAUTION:Take a walk completely around the wall and trailer to inspect it carefully. Make sure that everything is secure and stowed properly, particularly the Belay Arms and the Side Steady Leg adjusting handles, before leaving the site.
  1. Ensure that both number plates match trailer and towing vehicle and drive the tow vehicle and the climbing wall away.

Safe Towing Tips

  1. When towing the MCT to a destination for the first time recce the route to ensure that potential problems are avoided and that the route is known. Always plan your route carefully as to avoid dead end roads, or excessively narrow lanes, as reversing out of these problems could prove difficult or even impossible.
  2. Always observe the speed limit for trailers when towing your wall, and be especially cautious (and reduce your speed) when encountering windy, rainy or icy conditions.
  3. Always signal before changing lanes or turning.
  4. When changing lanes or making tight turns be aware of traffic behind you and at your sides. Allow plenty of clearance because the rear section of the trailer overhangs more than 3m and swings outside of the turning circle followed by the wheels.
  5. Practice reversing your trailer where there is plenty of room before you try it on the open roads or at your destination.

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