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Assembly

NOTE: These instructions are for installation on any type of concrete wall (poured concrete, block concrete, etc.). For other wall types, call Joe Gooden, 800-283-5700, ext. 7260.

Parts Listing
Each wall board comes in 2 panels. Panels measure either 4' x 4' or 4' x 5', depending on which size Traversing Wall you have purchased.

Each panel includes 18 handhold grips with all required hardware. Holes for the handholds are already drilled into the panels, and t-nuts for handholds are already installed in the panels.
There are 3 handholds of each color:

• 3 red, 3 yellow, 3 blue - For beginner to intermediate gripping
• 3 green, 3 violet, 3 orange - For intermediate to advanced gripping

Hardware:

• 1 T-Allen wrench
• 8 Lag shields (+2 extra)
• 8 Lag bolts (+2 extra)
• 8 Washers (+2 extra)

Step 1
Remove all handholds from bags, count handholds and all other hardware to make sure all parts are there. Remember, extra lag shields, lag bolts and washers are provided.

Step 2
Measure, on the wall, where the first row of bolts will go. Two bolts go across near the bottom of each panel, and 2 bolts go across near the top of each panel. From the floor, measure to the second mortar joint on the wall. This is where the first row of bolts will go. Measure to this point across the entire length of the panel and mark the wall where the bolts will go. Be careful not to drill into the steel-reinforcing mesh used in most walls. Check your schools plans to locate and avoid them. Another way to avoid them is to drill holes in the plywood an inch or so above the mortar joints.

Step 3
Take the same vertical measurement from the cinder block wall, and measure and mark the Traversing Wall on top of the entire stack of panels. Be sure to leave around a 6" margin on either side of the Traversing Wall. This is where you will drill the holes for the lag bolts. NOTE: The wall panels now have wood cleats on the rear of each panel. These are provided to prevent a long handhold bolt from pushing the panel away from the wall.

IMPORTANT: Top panels should always be installed with their flush, cleat-side up.

Step 4
Leaving the Traversing Wall panels stacked, drill the 4 (7/16" or 1/2")holes needed for the lag bolts (one bottom row of 2 holes and one top row of 2 holes). You may want to stand on the panels as you drill to hold them in place. One or 2 people standing on the panels provides the right amount of weight to hold the plywood panels in place.

Step 5
Install all lower level panels first before installing the upper level panels. Lower level panels are easily identified by their grooved, red "guiding lines." When installed, those lines will be either 3' (on 4' x 4' panels) or 31/2' (on 4' x 5' panels) above the bottom edge of the board. Bring each panel to the cinder block wall separately and drill 7/16" or 1/2" holes through the panel holes and into the mortar joint of the wall. Use the holes in the panel as a guide for the new holes in the wall.

NOTE: Safety lines may seem a little uneven if your floor is not perfectly level. Before installing the bottom panels on the wall, level the first panel so it's perfectly perpendicular to the floor.

• For a 4' x 8' panel, make sure the safety line is 3' from the floor.
• For a 4' x 10' panel, make sure the safety line is 4' from the floor.

Step 6
After the new holes are drilled into the cinder block wall, redrill the holes to a 5/8" width to provide space for the lag shields to fit. Tap the lag shields into the, now wider, 5/8" holes in the wall.

NOTE: Be sure the lag shields are inserted with the "notches" at the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock position. This ensures that the lag shields will bite into the cinder block, not the mortar.

Step 7
The panel is now ready to go on the wall. Place the panel up against the wall, flush with the drilled, lag shields and tighten the lag bolts (with washers) into the wall. DO NOT over tighten the lag bolts.

NOTE: Make sure the plywood panel touches the floor. This ensures it to be structurally sound once it's on the cinder block wall.

CUT-OUTS: For cut-outs, be sure to measure from the edge of the last installed panel to the cut-out. Do not measure from anywhere else.

AVOIDING VERTICAL GAPS: If needed, shim the panel at the floor when installing the bottom panels to avoid vertical gaps. Another way to avoid gaps is to level the first panel with a level.

Step 8
When all the lower panels are installed, repeat steps 5 through 8 for each top panel.

Step 9
Once all the panels are installed, the handholds can now be screwed into the Traversing Wall. It is recommended that you spray the inside of each t-nut with silicone spray or WD-40 to eliminate corrosion or rusting. The lubricant also makes the t-nuts easier to install. When installing the handholds, keep in mind the varying levels of difficulty of the color-coded handholds.

Handholds with deliberate gaps should be installed with the gap at the top.

Smart Safety Rules

• Use 2"-thick or 13/8" ethafoam, folding mats below the entire length of the wall.
• No student should have his/her foot above the red safety line until he/she shows the teacher that he/she can climb the entire length of the wall without stepping down.
• No jumping from the wall - students must climb down.
• No racing with other students while climbing.
• No touching other climbers.
• Climbers must keep at least 3 extremities touching the wall at all times.
• Climbers should not attempt jump switches (moving 2 hands or feet to new handholds at once).
• Climbers should "hug the wall" - stay close to ease muscles. Use fingers, hands and arms and put more weight over the legs and feet.
• With your principal, draft a letter of "Wall Non-Use", and have it signed by all outside groups using your gym. The letter should state that these outside groups agree not to use the climbing wall.