Rope Climbing Pyramids: How to Choose the Right One
Sur une pyramide de jeu en corde, le critère décisif est la hauteur de chute libre, pas la hauteur du mât. Les 16 références vont de 1,0 à 2,7 m de chute libre : MIMAS culmine à 3,6 m avec seulement 1,0 m de chute, quand PHOBOS, plus basse à 3 m, impose 1,8 m. C'est cette valeur qui commande l'épaisseur et l'étendue du sol amortissant, donc une bonne part du budget.
The pyramid is the most compact rope structure in the range: a central mast, a net tensioned into a cone, and a circular footprint that fits inside a square plot without wasting the corners. The sixteen references cover free fall heights from 1.0 to 2.7 m, which makes it possible to reach surfacing requirements far below those of a play tower. This guide explains how to choose between them.
The criterion that drives the budget
Two pyramids of the same overall height can have very different free fall heights, depending on where their play platforms sit. It is that value, not the height of the mast, that determines the thickness and the extent of the impact attenuating surface – and therefore a large share of the installed cost.
| Model | Overall height | Free fall height | Distinguishing feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| HATI | 2.4 m | 1.0 m | The most compact, designed for the youngest users from 3 years |
| NIX | 3 m | 1.0 m | Single platform, an introduction to climbing |
| CALYPSO | 3 m | 1.0 m | Two net levels, tension adjustable by tie nuts |
| PHOBOS | 3 m | 1.8 m | Single high platform, concentrated climbing |
| MIMAS | 3.6 m | 1.0 m | Low platform despite the height, for restricted spaces |
| HYPERION | 4 m | 1.0 m | Two horizontal net planes, accessible from 3 years |
| PHOBOS XL | 4 m | 2.5 m | Elevated platform, reduced ground footprint |
| SINOPE | 4.5 m | 1.0 m | Two levels, progressive climbing |
The comparison between MIMAS and PHOBOS makes the point. One is 3.6 m tall with a 1.0 m free fall height; the other is 3 m tall with 1.8 m. The taller of the two is the one that demands less impact attenuating surfacing. If your budget is tight and your plot allows the height, the MIMAS pyramid is often the more economical specification once the surfacing is priced in.
Why the conical shape changes the site layout
A pyramid stands on a central mast with a single main anchorage point, with a foundation depth of 0.7 to 1.0 m. Its footprint is circular, so it fits inside a square plot without losing the corners, unlike a linear structure. On a small urban plot, that is often what allows a climbing structure to be installed where a tower or a linked trail simply would not fit.
Choosing by user group
- Nursery, pre-school, neighbourhood play area: HATI, NIX or HYPERION, accessible from 3 years with a 1.0 m free fall height.
- Municipal park open to all ages: CALYPSO or SINOPE, whose two net levels let a child progress without moving to another piece of equipment.
- Play area for older children: PHOBOS or PHOBOS XL, whose high platforms create the challenge sought from around 8 to 10 years. Budget the surfacing accordingly.
Surfacing, standards and maintenance
The impact attenuating surface is certified to EN 1177 and is sized on the free fall height of the model selected: see the playground surfacing range. The standard that applies to the equipment itself is EN 1176-1, which is a different standard from EN 16630 for outdoor fitness equipment; the two are not interchangeable and they do not impose the same periodic inspection regime. Net tension is checked at each inspection, and some models, CALYPSO among them, include tie nuts so that it can be readjusted without dismantling the structure.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between overall height and free fall height?
Overall height is the height of the mast; free fall height is the height of the highest play platform. The second is what determines the surfacing. MIMAS is 3.6 m tall with a 1.0 m free fall height, while PHOBOS is 3 m tall with 1.8 m.
Which pyramid suits children of three?
HATI, NIX or HYPERION, whose platforms are at 1.0 m and which are documented as accessible from 3 years.
What footprint should be allowed?
The footprint is circular, which is what allows it to fit inside a square plot without losing the corners. The exact safety zone is given on the site layout drawing supplied with the quotation.
What foundation is required?
A depth of 0.7 to 1.0 m, with a single main anchorage point for the central mast.
How is a rope structure maintained?
Net tension is checked during the periodic inspections required by EN 1176. Some models, such as CALYPSO, have tie nuts that allow the tension to be readjusted without taking the structure apart.
Specifying your pyramid
The whole decision comes down to one number read correctly: free fall height first, mast height second. See the full rope climbing pyramid range, then send us your plot dimensions, your age group and your existing surfacing, and we will return a site layout study with the corresponding quotation – request a quote.
Réalisations documentées
- Cage street workout ultime, Carcassonne – armée française
- Cage street workout ultime, Tahiti – armée française, Polynésie
- Cage SP Max, centre EPIDE de Combrée – établissement public d’insertion
- Cage SP Max, lycée Saint-Bénigne de Dijon – établissement scolaire
Sources et références
- Décret n° 96-1136 du 18 décembre 1996 – prescriptions de sécurité relatives aux aires collectives de jeux (Légifrance)
- NF EN 1176-1 – Équipements et sols d’aires de jeux, partie 1 : exigences de sécurité et méthodes d’essai générales (AFNOR)
- NF EN 1177 – revêtements de surface amortissants : détermination de la hauteur de chute critique (AFNOR)
- NF EN 16630 – modules fixes d’entraînement physique de plein air : exigences de sécurité et méthodes d’essai (AFNOR)
