FAQ
As a training company, RAM gets a lot of questions regarding our training program. Hopefully, this page will be able to answer some of the most common inquiries related to Rope Access, Rope Access training, etc.
If you have a question not listed here, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us and we will be happy to try to answer it.
This page is constantly updated based on the questions we get, so if your training date is still far away, be sure to come back.
WHAT IS ROPE ACCESS?
Rope Access is a tested and standardized set of skills that adapted climbing, mountaineering and caving knowledge and brought to it to our evermore industrial and vertical cities and landscapes.
In a nutshell, independently certified technicians, overseen by qualified and experienced supervisors deploy a unique 2 rope system to reach difficult or otherwise impossible to reach areas in order to perform work with minimal amount of setup and disruption.
Safety is maximized by complying with strict guidelines set by Rope Access associations, international standards, certification requirements and local legislation.
Rope Access teams are self-reliant: the system comprises training, planning, access, work, supervision and rescue systems.
WHAT ARE THE PRE-REQUISITES FOR ROPE ACCESS TRAINING?
Candidates must be at least 18 years old, have a valid piece of photo I.D., be physically and mentally fit and have a general inclination for working at heights.
Level 2 and 3 candidates must provide proof of valid of Rope Access hours in order to advance levels.
WHAT ARE THE GUIDELINES FOR PHYSICAL APTITUDE?
Rope Access is a physically demanding, strenuous activity that demands technicians to be self-reliant, responsible and attentive while working in physically demanding conditions accessing difficult to reach spots.
IRATA and SPRAT require candidates to learn an array of technical and theoretical skills and knowledge. Candidates will learn and practice for 8 hours a day, 5 days straight, after which they will be assessed by an independent third-party in order to uphold the highest level of safety and quality.
It is recommended to see a doctor for a physical check-up prior to registering or starting the course. As recommended by IRATA, candidates with certain conditions should refrain from taking a Rope Access training, including, but not limited to:
“prescribed medication that may impair physical and/or mental function; alcohol or drug dependence; diabetes, high or low blood sugar; high or low blood pressure; epilepsy, fits or periods of unconsciousness, e.g. blackouts; vertigo, giddiness or difficulty with balance; heart disease or chest pain; impaired limb function; musculoskeletal issues, e.g. back pain; psychiatric illness; fear of heights; sensory impairment, e.g. blind, deaf.”
WHAT DO CANDIDATES NEED TO BRING FOR TRAINING?
RAM provides all equipment necessary for training, including helmets. In order to comply with Rope Access associations requirements, all our equipment meets strict inspection and tracking guidelines, so candidates are not allowed to bring any personal equipment.
Candidates are encouraged to bring comfortable clothing and no open-toe footwear.
As a training facility, we have a small kitchen with a microwave, fridge and coffee maker, which candidates are welcomed to use. Feel free to bring your own food or enjoy a multitude of food option within a short drive.
RAM will provide a meal on the last day (Assessment/Evaluation), based on dietary options and restrictions the candidates have.
WHERE IS THE TRAINING CENTER LOCATED?
Our address is Unit A9, 5350 Mainway. Burlington, ON. L7L 6A4.
Visit our Locations page for more details.
WHAT IS THE ASSESSMENT/EVALUATION DAY?
In order to maintain the highest level of safety, training companies are not allowed to test their own candidates. That is a way to eliminate any conflict of interest that might put safety behind corporate interest in allowing candidates that are not yet ready into the field. For that reason, RAM brings in an independent third-party to test the ability of candidates and assess if they match the safety requirements to become Rope Access technicians.
The test happens on the last day of the course, and depending on the level of candidates, can take from a few hours to the entire day.
When you pass your Assessment / Evaluation, you will leave with a copy of your attainment. Once the paperwork is processed, your certification will be issued and you will be immediately eligible for work. This may take a week or two.
IRATA calls this test an Assessment, and the third-party an Assessor.
SPRAT calls it an Evaluation, and the third-party an Evaluator.
WHAT HAPPENS IS I PASS OR FAIL MY ASSESSMENT/EVALUATION?
As per above, when you pass your Assessment / Evaluation, you will leave with a copy of your attainment. Once the paperwork is processed, your certification will be issued and you will be immediately eligible for work. This may take a week or two.
If you fail your Assessment / Evaluation, you will be given a yellow paper with a specific recommendation for extra training (I.E. 2 more days). Candidates can choose to take only the minimum recommendation for extra training, or register for a full course to hone their skills for next Assessment / Evaluation.
RAM charges a new deposit flat rate (currently $1000) in case of a failed Assessment / Evaluation should they register for a new course within 60 days of their first Assessment/Evaluation. We will do our best to fit a failed candidate in upcoming course dates.
DOES RAM ONLY OFFER DUAL CERTIFICATION COURSES?
No. Some courses we offer are IRATA only, some are SPRAT only and some are both IRATA and SPRAT. Be sure to check our Course Dates and Registration page for our upcoming dates.
HOW CAN I REGISTER AND PAY FOR THE COURSE?
You can Register and pay directly through our website under the Course Dates and Registration section. Simply pick a course date, click the Register Now button and fill out the form to complete your registration.
A $1000 +HST deposit is required as a deposit to guarantee your spot. The remainder of the payment is due at the beginning of course. Total course prices are $2200 for single certification (IRATA or SPRAT) or $2600 for dual certification (IRATA + SPRAT). Your deposit will be deducted from the total amount.
The payment system has been set-up as a way to protect both RAM and the candidate from cancellations, last minute changes and unforeseen circumstances. If you do not have a credit card,get in touch with us and we can send you an invoice or discuss other payment options.
WHAT IS RAM'S CANCELLATION POLICY?
We understand that there are instances where it may not be possible for you to attend a course you've registered for, and for that reason we've adopted a policy that can help with that.
We are happy to refund deposits and course fees for a cancellation made up to 30 days prior to the start date of course.
Cancellations made 29 days or less could lead to non-refund of deposit if RAM is unable to fill the reserved spot.
Cancellations made 7 days prior to course will lead to a loss of deposit.
Full payment is due on the first day of course, unfortunately if you are unable to continue the course after the first day the full cost of the course is non-refundable at that point.
HOW LONG IS THE COURSE?
IRATA requires a minimum of 4 days of training + 1 day of independent Assessment.
Based on our training experience, RAM's training program has been crafted as a 5 day training course in order to give candidates one extra day of learning and practicing before Assessment / Evaluation day. That extra day has increased the candidates confidence and enabled us to maintain a very high passing rate.
WHAT IF NONE OF THE DATES WORK FOR ME?
Shoot us a message! We will look into opening another course or depending on several factor, potentially changing the dates to accommodate you, specially if you are a contractor or are looking at registering multiple people. Also, as courses get fully booked, we regularly add more. Keep coming back to the the Course Dates and Registration page as new courses pop up.