EN 17164:2018
(Main)Climbing/bouldering walls for use in the water area of swimming pools of public use - Safety and operational requirements
General Information
- Abstract
This document specifies safety requirements for climbing/bouldering walls, which are vertical and/or overhanging towards the water area, for use in the water area of swimming pools for public use in addition to the general safety requirements of EN 13451-1. It is therefore advised to read this document in conjunction with EN 13451-1. Requirements for the use, the operation and the maintenance are also specified.
This standard is applicable to climbing/bouldering walls in classified swimming pools as specified in EN 15288-1.
This standard is not applicable to climbing/bouldering walls in swimming pools for domestic use.
This standard has limited application to water areas which consist of segregated areas of rivers, lakes or the sea. It is advised to follow the design, working methods and operational requirements insofar as they are relevant. This standard is not applicable to artificial climbing structures according to EN 12572 (all parts) and to inflatable climbing/bouldering walls according to EN ISO 25649-6.
In the aspects which overlap with EN 13451-10 the requirements of this EN standard take precedence over the EN 13451-10.
NOTE In this standard, "climbing" and "bouldering" are used synonymously.
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 04-Dec-2018
- Withdrawal Date
- 29-Jun-2019
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 136 - Sports, playground and other recreational equipment
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 136/WG 3 - Water slides
- Current Stage
- 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
- Start Date
- 10-Jul-2024
- Completion Date
- 23-Sep-2026
Overview
EN 17164:2018 - Climbing/bouldering walls for use in the water area of swimming pools of public use - Safety and operational requirements (CEN) defines safety, design and operational requirements for artificial climbing and bouldering walls that project over or are vertical to the water area in public swimming pools. It is intended to be used together with EN 13451-1 (general swimming pool equipment requirements) and applies to classified public pools (EN 15288-1). EN 17164:2018 excludes domestic pools and certain other climbing structures (see Related Standards).
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and definitions: clarifies terms such as climbing/bouldering wall, main climbing surface, climbing zone, splashdown space, maximal height of hold (HHmax) and height of fall (HF = HHmax − 1.0 m).
- Water depth and safety space: the standard specifies minimum water depths, clearances and splashdown/falling-space geometry (presented as tables and figures). Requirements vary with HHmax and HF and include rules such as restrictions on head‑first entry where depth is insufficient.
- Design and layout: walls must be vertical or overhanging toward the water; climbing surfaces should be reachable for maintenance but protected from unauthorized access; a clear hold‑free width between climbing zones is required to prevent unintended traversing.
- Holds and surface quality: holds must meet EN 12572‑3 requirements and climbing surfaces must be free of sharp edges and burrs, with specified edge treatments to reduce injury risk.
- Structural strength and impact resistance: the standard requires robust fixing of holds and structural integrity appropriate for public use; test methods and inspection criteria are included.
- Operational requirements: covers maximum number of users, safety information display, restricted access, maintenance schedules and inspection regimes to preserve safe operation.
- Testing and maintenance: prescribes test methods and routine maintenance/inspection intervals to ensure ongoing compliance and user safety.
Practical applications and intended users
EN 17164:2018 is primarily used by:
- Pool designers and architects integrating climbing/bouldering features into public pools
- Manufacturers of climbing walls and holds for aquatic use
- Pool operators and facility managers responsible for safety, signage, user limits, maintenance and inspections
- Safety auditors and regulatory authorities assessing compliance in public aquatic facilities
This standard helps minimize injury risk from falls into water by defining geometry, water depth, access and operational controls tailored to climbing above water.
Related standards
- EN 13451 (all parts) - swimming pool equipment (use in conjunction)
- EN 15288 (all parts) - classification of swimming pools
- EN 12572 (all parts) - artificial climbing structures (note: EN 17164 excludes artificial climbing structures governed by EN 12572)
- EN ISO 25649‑6 - inflatable climbing/bouldering walls (excluded)
Keywords: EN 17164:2018, climbing/bouldering walls, swimming pools, water area, safety requirements, operational requirements, pool design, public pools, EN 13451.
Relations
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Refers
EN 15288-1:2018+A1:2024 - Swimming pools for public use - Part 1: Safety requirements for design - Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
Frequently Asked Questions
EN 17164:2018 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Climbing/bouldering walls for use in the water area of swimming pools of public use - Safety and operational requirements". This standard covers: This document specifies safety requirements for climbing/bouldering walls, which are vertical and/or overhanging towards the water area, for use in the water area of swimming pools for public use in addition to the general safety requirements of EN 13451-1. It is therefore advised to read this document in conjunction with EN 13451-1. Requirements for the use, the operation and the maintenance are also specified. This standard is applicable to climbing/bouldering walls in classified swimming pools as specified in EN 15288-1. This standard is not applicable to climbing/bouldering walls in swimming pools for domestic use. This standard has limited application to water areas which consist of segregated areas of rivers, lakes or the sea. It is advised to follow the design, working methods and operational requirements insofar as they are relevant. This standard is not applicable to artificial climbing structures according to EN 12572 (all parts) and to inflatable climbing/bouldering walls according to EN ISO 25649-6. In the aspects which overlap with EN 13451-10 the requirements of this EN standard take precedence over the EN 13451-10. NOTE In this standard, "climbing" and "bouldering" are used synonymously.
This document specifies safety requirements for climbing/bouldering walls, which are vertical and/or overhanging towards the water area, for use in the water area of swimming pools for public use in addition to the general safety requirements of EN 13451-1. It is therefore advised to read this document in conjunction with EN 13451-1. Requirements for the use, the operation and the maintenance are also specified. This standard is applicable to climbing/bouldering walls in classified swimming pools as specified in EN 15288-1. This standard is not applicable to climbing/bouldering walls in swimming pools for domestic use. This standard has limited application to water areas which consist of segregated areas of rivers, lakes or the sea. It is advised to follow the design, working methods and operational requirements insofar as they are relevant. This standard is not applicable to artificial climbing structures according to EN 12572 (all parts) and to inflatable climbing/bouldering walls according to EN ISO 25649-6. In the aspects which overlap with EN 13451-10 the requirements of this EN standard take precedence over the EN 13451-10. NOTE In this standard, "climbing" and "bouldering" are used synonymously.
EN 17164:2018 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 97.220.10 - Sports facilities. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 17164:2018 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN ISO 7010:2020, EN 13451-7:2001, EN 15288-2:2018, EN 13451-10:2018, EN 13451-2:2015+A1:2020, EN 12572-2:2017, EN 13451-1:2020+A1:2024, EN 13451-3:2022+A1:2025, EN 13451-6:2001, EN 13451-5:2014, EN 13451-4:2025, EN 15288-1:2018+A1:2024, EN 12572-3:2017, EN 13451-11:2022. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 17164:2018 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Plezalne/balvanske stene za uporabo na vodnih površinah javnih plavalnih bazenov - Zahteve za varnost in obratovanjeKletter-/Boulderwände für den Einsatz im Wasserbereich von öffentlich genutzten Schwimmbädern - Sicherheitstechnische und betriebliche AnforderungenMurs et blocs d’escalade destinés aux bassins des piscines à usage public - Exigences de sécurité et d’exploitationClimbing/bouldering walls for use in the water area of swimming pools of public use - Safety and operational requirements97.220.10Športni objektiSports facilitiesICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 17164:2018SIST EN 17164:2019en,fr,de01-februar-2019SIST EN 17164:2019SLOVENSKI
STANDARD
EUROPEAN STANDARD NORME EUROPÉENNE EUROPÄISCHE NORM
EN 17164
December
t r s z ICS
{ yä t t rä s r English Version
swimming pools of public use æ Safety and operational requirements Murs et blocs d 5escalade destinés aux bassins des piscines à usage public æ Exigences de sécurité et d 5exploitation Wasserbereich von öffentlich genutzten Schwimmbädern æ Sicherheitstechnische und betriebliche Anforderungen This European Standard was approved by CEN on
t x October
t r s zä
egulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alterationä Upætoædate lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CENæCENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN memberä
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CENæCENELEC Management Centre has the same status as the official versionsä
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austriaá Belgiumá Bulgariaá Croatiaá Cyprusá Czech Republicá Denmarká Estoniaá Finlandá Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedoniaá Franceá Germanyá Greeceá Hungaryá Icelandá Irelandá Italyá Latviaá Lithuaniaá Luxembourgá Maltaá Netherlandsá Norwayá Polandá Portugalá Romaniaá Serbiaá Slovakiaá Sloveniaá Spainá Swedená Switzerlandá Turkey and United Kingdomä
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre:
Rue de la Science 23,
B-1040 Brussels
t r s z CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CEN national Membersä Refä Noä EN
s y s x vã t r s z ESIST EN 17164:2019
1,5 m . 11 6.2.3 Climbing/bouldering wall for horizontal climbing with a height of fall HF > 1,5 m . 11 6.3 Safety information to be displayed . 11 6.4 Restricted access . 12 6.5 Maintenance and inspection . 12 Bibliography . 13 SIST EN 17164:2019
2 Normative references The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies. EN 12572-2:2017, Artificial climbing structures — Part 2: Safety requirements and test methods for bouldering walls EN 12572-3:2017, Artificial climbing structures — Part 3: Safety requirements and test methods for climbing holds EN 13451 (all parts), Swimming pool equipment EN 15288 (all parts), Swimming pools EN ISO 7010, Graphical symbols — Safety colours and safety signs — Registered safety signs (ISO 7010) 3 Terms and definitions For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 15288-1, EN 13451 (all parts) and the following apply.
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3.1 climbing/bouldering wall artificial climbing structure for climbing above water that enables climbing without rope safeguarding SIST EN 17164:2019
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