Training Curriculum
Keltic Falcon training process covers all of the following topics and skills as described for each level within the IRATA and SPRAT curriculums.
IRATA LEVEL 1 Syllabus
Theoretical Knowledge
The content of the level 1 syllabus for theoretical knowledge covers:
- relevant legislation, guidelines and standards;
- awareness of risk assessment and safety method statement;
- awareness of permit to work systems;
- exclusion zones;
- working practices and worksite organisation;
- categories of personal protective equipment (PPE);
- selection, use and maintenance of equipment;
- equipment checks and inspection;
- hazardous substances;
- IRATA syllabus and certification scheme;
- logbooks and their completion;
- anchor types and systems;
- angle loading;
- awareness of fall factors;
- awareness of hauling systems;
- awareness of suspension trauma and casualty management
Equipment and Rigging
The content of the level 1 syllabus for knowledge of equipment and rigging covers:
- assembly and fitting of personal equipment;
- checking of personal equipment;
- use of the back-up device;
- tying, dressing and setting of appropriate knots;
- rigging a basic anchor system;
- rigging a small Y hang;
- awareness of rope and sling protection in rigging
Manoeuvres
Manoeuvres to be carried out under the level 1 syllabus are:
- descent;
- ascent;
- changeovers;
- descent using ascenders;
- ascent using a descender;
- passing knots;
- passing deviations;
- passing a re-belay
- rope-to-rope transfer;
- passing an edge or obstruction at the top;
- the use of a work seat (comfort seat);
- passing mid-rope protection
Climbing
Climbing manoeuvres to be carried out under the level 1 syllabus are:
- horizontal aid climbing with cow’s-tails using both fixed anchors and moveable anchors,
- climbing with a Y-shaped twin fall arrest lanyards
Rescue / Hauling
Rescue and hauling covered by the level 1 syllabus consists of:
- a descent rescue;
- an awareness of a basic haul and lower
IRATA Level 2 Syllabus
Theoretical Knowledge
This section shall include all 16 level 1 theory sections and, in addition, shall include the following:
- tensioned lines;
- work restraint;
- horizontal lifelines;
- anchorage selection;
- team work;
- communication
Equipment and Rigging
This section shall include all the sections covering equipment and rigging at level 1 and, in addition, shall include the following:
- wide ‘Y’ hang;
- re-belay;
- deviations;
- rope and sling protection;
- pull-through;
- work restraint and horizontal lifelines;
- tensioned ropes
Manoeuvres
This section shall include all the sections covering manoeuvres at level 1.
Climbing
This section shall include all the sections covering climbing at level 1.
Rescue / Hauling
This section shall include all the sections covering rescues/hauling at level 1 and, in addition, shall include the following:
- rescue from the ascent mode;
- rescue from an aid-climbing situation;
- rescue past a small re-belay;
- rescue past a deviation;
- rescue from rope-to-rope;
- haul and lower from a platform;
- hanging haul;
- cross haul
IRATA Level 3 Syllabus
Theoretical Knowledge
This section shall include all level 1 and 2 theory sections but to greater depth of understanding than at these levels and, in addition, shall include the following:
- risk assessment and method statements;
- equipment inspection, management and records;
- rescue management;
- assessment of alternatives to lead climbing and, where lead climbing is a valid safe option, be capable of writing a method statement for lead climbing in a particular situation
Equipment and Rigging
This section shall include all the sections covering equipment and rigging at levels 1 and 2.
Manoeuvres
This section shall include all the sections covering manoeuvres at levels 1 and 2.
Climbing
This section shall include all the sections covering climbing at levels 1 and 2.
Rescues / Hauling
This section shall include all the sections covering rescues/hauling at levels 1 and 2 and, in addition, shall include the following:
- advanced rescue;
- tensioned ropes;
- short link;
- descent passing knot;
- break into tight rope;
- large re-belay
SPRAT sets rigorous standards for technician training and evaluation. While each rope access candidate is trained by our in house instructors, each will be independently tested by a SPRAT evaluator.
SPRAT 1 – Rope Access Worker
This course covers the following topics and skills:
- Equipment Use & Inspection
- Introduction to the Job Safety Analysis
- Level 1Knots – figure eight family; the alpine butterfly; and the barrel knot
- Back-up device use and handling
- Use of Ascending System for ascent and short descents
- Use of a descender for descent and short ascents
- Use of Work Seat/Bosun’s Chair
- Passing Knots in Ascent and Descent
- Rope-to-rope Transfers (long and short)
- Negotiating a Rope Deviation (redirect)
- Short Rebelay (Re-Anchored Ropes)
- Long Rebelay (Re-Anchored Ropes)
- Set up a two-rope system and use it to negotiate an edge
- Installing and Passing Rope Protection
- Configurations and Strengths of Simple Structural Anchors
- Load-sharing Anchors and Force -Magnification Charts
- Climbing with Shock-absorbing Lanyards
- Belaying – Methods and Communication
- Lowering a Live Load with a Two Rope System
- Pick-off Rescue with Victim in descent
- Theoretical rope concepts such as fall factors, safety factors, min. breaking strengths, and safe working loads
SPRAT II – Rope Access Technician
At this level, several significant new skills are introduced and the proficiency of all level I skills are verified with an increased emphasis on speed and efficiency.
The Keltic Falcon level II rope access course reviews all level I skills and introduces the following new skills and topics.
- Group Management and Communication
- Job Safety Analysis
- Principles of Mechanical Advantage Systems
- Material Strengths
- Rope Systems Analysis
- Cross Hauling
- Rescue Hauling
- Aid Climbing Horizontal and Vertical Structures
- Rescue of a Worker From an Ascending System
SPRAT III – Rope Access Supervisor
The Keltic Falcon Level III rope access course refreshes all Level 2 skills plus the following new skills and topics:
- Advanced Job Safety Analysis
- Anchors pre-rigged to lower
- Advanced Rescues – Pick off through Knots
- Advanced Rescues – Pick off through Rebelay
- Advanced Rescues – Pick off through Rope-to-Rope Transfer
- Advanced Rescues – Pick off through Deviation
- Advanced Rescues – Rescue From Aid Traverse
- Highlines/Guidelines
- Team Rescue Work Scenario – Management of a Team