Finding a Suitable Building

The following is a key document for securing a building: Best Practices Tips! (pdf)

Almost any building is suitable. Here is a starting guide but much more information will be supplied to you if you decide that Over the Edge is the right event for your organization.

While rappelling by definition is exhilarating, certain buildings make it even more fun because of their shape, windows or the sense of “exposure” that they produce.

Best practices in securing a building 
Follow our Best Practices guide supplied to our non-profit partners and you will ensure success!

Sites we have used in past
OTE is delighted that EVERY building in 2009 has invited us back in 2010. Our zero foot print policy and clean run loss history continue to make this possible. 

Higher is not always better for the participants
Between 20 and 30 stories is an extreme adventure for most everybody. Almost any building is suitable if it is among the tallest around, regardless of how many stories.  We normally do not accept buildings over 40 stories (400 ft).

Façades and overhangs
Glass, concrete, stone or steel façades are suitable for rappelling. Overhangs are alright to rappel over and fun for the participants.


Not too much flare
Buildings that flare (bottom wider than top) are also fine for rappelling providing the flare is not too pronounced.

Landing area
A 20-by-20 area is required on the ground for use as a landing pad (drop zone/exclusion zone). Usually this is in a courtyard or on the sidewalk which also sometimes serves as a reception area and display space.

Windows
Participants often enjoy looking in the windows while they descend. Windows on the façade also provides an entertaining view for spectators. Science and years of experience tell us that it is safe to rappel down glass. 

Good visibility
A busy pedestrian street will generate excellent publicity for your cause. It is possible to rappel from two sides (corner) of a building so passersby can see the drop from both directions.

Office towers are great for recruiting
Office towers provide marketing and recruitment opportunities: tenants can participate and receive support from their peers.

Suitable rooftops
Rooftops are usually suitable for rappelling. Most rooftops are not designed for pedestrian traffic and sometimes have hazards not present in public areas. These hazards will be identified and mitigated during the study of the building. If the building façade or rooftop safety risk cannot be eliminated, the building will not be used. In all cases, Over the Edge works in compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA): people accessing the roof will be required to wear the appropriate fall protection equipment.

Building Damage

An Over the Edge event will not damage the roof or the façade of the building. We go through great lengths to ensure a safe event. The building will be studied for its suitability. Hazards to people and to the building itself will be identified and mitigated. Safe areas for participants will be identified; access to other areas will be restricted. Certified staff will inspect the façade prior to the event. Rappelling will not damage glass-sided buildings. These buildings routinely have their windows cleaned, either by rappellers, or with a swing stage that exerts far more pressure on the window than a rappeller. To further reduce the chance of window damage, OTE requires participants to wear rubber-bottomed footwear and screens them for hard objects prior to the decent. Since the inaugural Drop Zone in 2004, no buildings have been damaged during an Over the Edge event.

Site Inspection & Safety Plan Sign Off

The last step of the building choosing process is to have the CTO and building manager "sign-off" on the building. This process can be done in person or using photos and video. A detailed look at the building anchors, façade, rooftop, and street level is required for this. With this information we can complete our Site Inspection & Safety Plan. Once complete, the plan is reviewed by the building management. When all agree that the plan is acceptable and have signed the document, the building is considered "signed off."

Benefits to the Building

Philanthropy: This event provides a direct link and synergy between your core business and your existing community support. Unlike walks, runs and golf tournaments (although important), this event occurs on your property showcasing it to hundreds and thousands of spectators and participants alike.

Exposure: The public relations and media opportunities surrounding this event are endless and priceless. The front page and lead story headlines in many PR professionals’ opinions simply cannot compete against traditional media buys.

Sponsorship: Use the event as complementary in your existing sales and marketing strategic plan. It is a unique, innovative marketing and promotional opportunity that will distinguish you from the competition and provide exclusive opportunities in the marketplace for property development.

Tenant relations: An OTE event is a great way to foster relations between the building management and tenants. Undoubtedly, tenants and management will be training, participating, and celebrating together throughout the experience.

NEXT: POTENTIAL REVENUE