The Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) conference in Nevada, Feb. 7-10, hosted a first-ever certification test for individual inspectors, and spent time reviewing the new ASTM and ACCT standards that those inspectors will be applying.

The explosion of ropes and challenge courses and ziplines has increased the need for qualified inspectors. There are more than 10,000 ropes courses of various types, and 300 zipline sites in the U.S. Also, as large amusement and attractions players such as Disney get into the game, they want to see the standards set high.

The Inspector Certification Exam (ICE) marks the first time ACCT has certified individuals, as opposed to accrediting companies. The two-hour exam drew approximately 150 candidates, most of whom attended pre-test discussions and workshops regarding the ASTM standards.

The Inspector Certification was created to keep up with the growing number of installations in North America, and “to meet the growing regulatory requirements in North America” that have accompanied this expansion, says James Borishade, executive director of ACCT. “These requirements assume that professional inspectors are qualified, and ACCT’s Inspector Certification program offers a way to have third party verification of their qualifications.”

The level 1 certification “is intended for the traditional challenge course structure or vendor, and is intended to test understanding of the current published version of the ACCT standards as related to performing inspections,” says Borishade.

Level 2 certification, he adds, “is intended to cover ACCT, CWA (climbing wall) and ASTM standards. It is also intended to cover state requirements for regulating challenge courses, climbing structures and ziplines. This level covers competency with multiple systems, such as hydraulics, pneumatics, magnetics, compression brakes, and steel structures.” That type of third-party inspection is typically required prior to commissioning a new element or course or a major modification of a pre-existing element. For more information, see www.acct.org.

NSAA’s Sid Roslund says that the standard won’t impose any hardships or unusual burden on winter resorts. “If you run your winter operation well, just maintain that same level of care and attention,” he says.