National foreword

This British Standard is the UK implementation of ISO 7176‑9:2009. It supersedes BS ISO 7176‑9:2001 which is withdrawn.

The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted to Technical Committee CH/173/1, Wheelchairs.

A list of organizations represented on this committee can be obtained on request to its secretary.

This publication does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.

Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity from legal obligations.

This British Standard was published under the authority of the Standards Policy and Strategy Committee on 31 March 2010

Foreword

ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.

International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.

The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

ISO 7176‑9 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 173, Assistive products for persons with disability, Subcommittee SC 1, Wheelchairs.

This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition (ISO 7176‑9:2001), all clauses of which have been technically revised.

Significant technical changes from the second edition are that the climatic tests are carried out in a specified sequence, the cold operating conditions test is repeated (to cause a build-up of condensation within enclosures) and inspection is carried out following the water spray test to confirm that creepage and clearance distances will remain acceptable. In addition, the effects of dust are now included in the scope of this International Standard, although requirements are under consideration.

ISO 7176 consists of the following parts, under the general title Wheelchairs:

Part 1: Determination of static stability
Part 2: Determination of dynamic stability of electric wheelchairs
Part 3: Determination of effectiveness of brakes
Part 4: Energy consumption of electric wheelchairs and scooters for determination of theoretical distance range
Part 5: Determination of dimensions, mass and manoeuvring space
Part 6: Determination of maximum speed, acceleration and deceleration of electric wheelchairs
Part 7: Measurement of seating and wheel dimensions
Part 8: Requirements and test methods for static, impact and fatigue strengths
Part 9: Climatic tests for electric wheelchairs
Part 10: Determination of obstacle-climbing ability of electrically powered wheelchairs
Part 11: Test dummies
Part 13: Determination of coefficient of friction of test surfaces
Part 14: Power and control systems for electrically powered wheelchairs and scooters — Requirements and test methods
Part 15: Requirements for information disclosure, documentation and labelling
Part 16: Resistance to ignition of upholstered parts — Requirements and test methods
Part 19: Wheeled mobility devices for use as seats in motor vehicles
Part 21: Requirements and test methods for electromagnetic compatibility of electrically powered wheelchairs and scooters, and battery chargers
Part 22: Set-up procedures
Part 23: Requirements and test methods for attendant-operated stair-climbing devices
Part 24: Requirements and test methods for user-operated stair-climbing devices
Part 26: Vocabulary
Part 28: Requirements and test methods for stair-climbing devices

Introduction

Wheelchairs can be used or stored in adverse environmental conditions which could severely affect their functioning, sometimes to the extent of being dangerous. The tests specified in this part of ISO 7176 have been developed to determine whether, and to what extent, wheelchairs are vulnerable to environmental conditions. Operation is tested in conditions which simulate use in some of the wider climatic variations experienced around the world.

The wheelchair electrical system might be exposed to liquids, including salt water. Since the effects of salt water contamination are difficult to evaluate, the immunity of the system is assessed on the basis of exposure to a fresh water spray.

1 Scope

This part of ISO 7176 specifies requirements and test methods to determine the effects of rain, dust, condensation and the effects of changes of temperature on the basic functioning of electrically powered wheelchairs, including scooters, intended to carry one person, with a maximum speed not exceeding 15 km/h.

This part of ISO 7176 does not include requirements for resistance to corrosion.

2 Normative references

3 Terms and definitions

4 Principle

5 Apparatus

5.1

5.2

5.3

5.4

5.5

5.6

5.7

5.8

5.9

5.10

5.11

6 Preparation of test wheelchair

6.1

6.2

6.3

6.4

7 Requirements

8 Test methods

8.1 General

8.2 Cold operating conditions and resistance to condensation

8.3 Hot operating conditions

8.4 Cold storage conditions

8.5 Hot storage conditions

8.6 Protection against ingress of liquids

9 Functional check

9.1 General

9.2 Requirements

9.3 Test method

10 Test report

11 Disclosure

Bibliography

BS ISO 7176-9:2009

Wheelchairs - Climatic tests for electric wheelchairs

Current

Published:

31 Mar 2010