PAS 2012-1:2019

What is this PAS about?

This revised PAS is the first in a two-part series on passenger vehicles which have been modified to carry wheelchairs, known as WAVs (wheelchair accessible vehicles). They cover EC Category M1 vehicles, in which one or more passengers travel, each seated in a wheelchair that is secured in the WAV using four-point strap-type tie-downs. This part sets out design and manufacturing requirements.

Who is this PAS for?

• Wheelchair accessible vehicle manufacturers and converters
• Organizations specifying WAVs (e.g. care homes, taxi licensing authorities)
• Public sector transport managers
• Tender writers responsible for sourcing wheelchair accessible vehicles

Why should you use this PAS?

It supplies design and manufacturing requirements for a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) of EC Category M1. It specifies:

• A gauge-based method for measuring the key accessibility dimensions of WAVs capable of transporting occupied wheelchairs ranging from 775 mm to 1 350 mm long, 500 mm to 830 mm wide and 975 mm to 1 550 mm high
• A separate method for measuring the key accessibility dimensions of WAVs capable of transporting occupied wheelchairs in excess of 1 350 mm long, 830 mm wide or 1 550 mm high
• Requirements for wheelchair access devices (where fitted), including:

a)     Ramps

b)    Lifts

c)     Winches

• Requirements for wheelchair tie-down and occupant restraint system (WTORS) anchorages for securing wheelchairs ≤200 kg in mass, and wheelchair users, within the WAV, including:

a)    Static and dynamic test methods, (either of which can be used), for determining the strength of WTORS anchorages for forward-facing wheelchairs ≤85 kg

b)    A dynamic test method for determining the strength of WTORS anchorages for forward-facing wheelchairs >85 kg to ≤200 kg

• Requirements for rearward-facing wheelchair installations including:

a)     Static test method for WTORS anchorages

b)    Static test method for wheelchair occupant head and back support

• Structural integrity
• Requirements for service elements, for example, a user manual (including WAV technical specification to facilitate direct comparisons between WAVs) and re-call procedures.

It does not specify requirements for securing an occupied wheelchair in the driving position of a WAV. Nor does it specify requirements for securing the wheelchair other than with four-point strap-type tie-downs.

NOTE 1: Some four-point strap-type tie-downs are wheelchair-specific, and are designed to be used with only one particular model of wheelchair. Care should be taken when selecting appropriate tie-downs, as not all four point strap-type tie-downs are suitable for test in accordance with the requirements of this PAS. For example, it might not be possible to attach some wheelchair-specific tie-downs to a SWC and some wheelchair-specific WTORSs include wheelchair occupant restraint anchorages that attach to the wheelchair itself rather than the WAV structure.

NOTE 2: The securing of an occupied wheelchair in the driving position of a WAV tends to be a bespoke solution for which appropriate design and test requirements have not yet been fully developed.

NOTE 3: PAS 2012-1 is limited to four-point strap-type tie-downs due to the lack of technical data to support the drafting of requirements for other, more bespoke types of wheelchair tie-down equipment. However, the general principles of the test annexes may be applied to other types of wheelchair tie-down equipment, subject to it being possible to make appropriate modifications to the SWC.

NOTE 4: PAS 2012-2 specifies requirements for the retail of WAVs conforming to PAS 2012-1.

NOTE 5: In cases where items or features fitted to a WAV are optional, the requirements applicable to them only apply where fitted.

 What’s changed in this update?

This standard revises the 2015 version and now includes the requirement for a WAV manufacturer to produce a statement of compliance on demand to demonstrate the vehicle conforms to the PAS.

Also a further clarification has been introduced on wheel alignment and winch lines. Information on ISOFIX anchorages has been updated to align with Recast Framework Directive requirements.