Despite the great developments in the climbing wall industry in the recent decades, the one point that will always need improvement with a faster pace is the safety of the climbers.
It is no longer sufficient for climbing gym owners, whether overseeing large or small operations, to merely rely on liability waivers, mandatory introductory courses and informational posters.

Introducing SmartGate: A New Safety System

Safety Engineering, a pioneering member of our corporate group, has established itself as a key player in enhancing climbing gym safety worldwide. Their innovative products, particularly the SelfBelay climbing connector, have been widely adopted by climbing gyms globally, especially in FunWalls zones. This adoption underscores a commitment to reducing risks for visitors and streamlining operational efficiency. Many gyms, from diverse geographical locations, have integrated Safety Engineering’s solutions, witnessing a significant reduction in visitor risk and an optimization of their operations.

Building on this success, Safety Engineering is now introducing a new safety system for climbing gyms – SmartGate: The Belay Attachment Monitoring System. This latest innovation is designed to bring an extra level of peace of mind for gym owners and to redefine safety standards in the climbing gym industry.

“The ease of use of the autobelay devices attracts an increasing number of climbers, part of a higher risk group – novice and climbers, who have come to climb by themselves. We have observed a rise in insurance companies becoming hesitant or even refusing to provide coverage to gyms using autobelay systems. While measures like impact flooring and the use of next-generation climbing connectors such as the SelfBelay are steps in the right direction, our goal is to push safety as close as possible to 100%,” explains Borislav Atanasov, Deputy CEO of Safety Engineering.

SmartGate’s Innovative Components

The SmartGate comprises two primary components: First – the vinyl gate, which not only physically prevents unclipped climbing, but also incorporates an orientation detection device that continuously monitors whether the gate is upright and connected to the autobelay device or in a horizontal position, indicating a climber is attached to the autobelay. A constant wireless connection is ensured between the orientation detection device and the sensors, embedded into the climbing wall at approximate height of 2.5m, being the second vital part of the system.
In cases where a climber forgets to secure themselves to the autobelay system and surpasses the predetermined height, an audible and visual alarm is activated. While these incidents occur regularly and affect climbers of all levels, the belief is that such situations can be averted, and the industry should strive to minimize them.