National foreword

This British Standard is the UK implementation of ISO 7176‑5:2008. It supersedes BS 6935‑5:1988 which is withdrawn.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 30 September 2008

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 7176‑5 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 173, Assistive products for persons with disability, Subcommittee SC 1, Wheelchairs.

This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 7176‑5:1986) which has been technically revised.

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 motorized 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

Introduction

The purpose of this part of ISO 7176 is to provide technical definitions together with appropriate measurement procedures for measuring important dimensions and masses of manual wheelchairs and electrically powered wheelchairs including scooters, which can be used to estimate the appropriateness for a given environment.

A new approach is used for the pre-selection of the reference size from a wheelchair model with a range of various dimensions by introducing reference dimensions of the intended occupant. This new approach ensures repeatable and comparable test results.

The information in this part of ISO 7176 is intended for three main reader groups:

prescribers and occupants of wheelchairs;
architects and public authorities;
manufacturers, wheelchair providers, clinicians and test laboratories.

Features that are important to wheelchair occupants, architects and public authorities, such as overall dimensions and the estimation of the space needed and general manoeuvrability, are contained in Clause 8. Values for the different features are disclosed in the wheelchair's specification sheet. The values can be used to determine, before purchase, the wheelchair's suitability in relation to specific requirements and needs.

The technical features of a wheelchair which are of importance to manufacturers, wheelchair providers, clinicians and test laboratories, such as items to be considered when manufacturing, setting up, adjusting, repairing or testing wheelchairs, are included in Annex A.

Technical Report ISO/TR 13570‑1^[1] is also available, giving a simplified explanation of the different parts of ISO 7176.

Technical Report, ISO/TR 13570‑2^[2], is under consideration.

1 Scope

This part of ISO 7176 specifies methods for the determination of wheelchair dimensions and mass.

This includes specific methods for the determination of outside dimensions when the wheelchair is occupied by a reference occupant and the required manoeuvring space needed for wheelchair manoeuvres commonly carried out in daily life.

This part of ISO 7176 specifies requirements for the disclosure of the dimensions and masses and contains five informative annexes.

Annex A specifies methods for the determination of technical dimensions that can be important to the performance of the wheelchair.

Annex B provides detailed information about pivot width and reversing width.

Annex C provides detailed information about the turning diameter.

Annex D provides details on determining the wheelchair longitudinal axis and wheelchair centre-point.

Annex E provides technical guidelines and recommendations for many of the measurements specified to facilitate improved understanding, design and construction of wheelchairs.

This part of ISO 7176 is applicable to manual wheelchairs and electrically powered wheelchairs (including scooters).

2 Normative references

3 Terms and definitions

4 Wheelchair classes and occupant mass groups

4.1 General

4.2 Classes of electrically powered wheelchairs

4.3 Occupant mass groups

5 Test apparatus

5.1

5.2

5.3

5.4

5.5

5.6

5.7

5.8

5.9

5.10

5.11

5.12

5.13

5.14

6 Selection of the test wheelchair

7 Preparation of the test wheelchair

7.1 General

7.2 Wheelchair equipment

7.3 Wheelchair adjustment

7.4 Final check

7.5 Positioning

7.6 Loading of the wheelchair

7.7 Records

7.8 Use of hand space gauge and foot space gauges

7.9 Wheel rotation

7.10 Asymmetrical design of test wheelchair

8 Required measurements

8.1 General

8.2 Full overall length

8.3 Overall width

8.4 Handgrip height

8.5 Stowage length

8.6 Stowage width

8.7 Stowage height

8.8 Rising

8.9 Total mass

8.10 Mass of heaviest part

8.11 Pivot width

8.12 Reversing width

8.13 Turning diameter

8.14 Ground clearance

8.15 Required width of angled corridor

8.16 Required doorway entry depth

8.17 Required corridor width for side opening

9 Disclosure of information

9.1 General

9.2 Wheelchairs with handrims

9.3 Wheelchairs without handrims

10 Test report

10.1 Requirements

10.2 Recommendations

Bibliography

BS ISO 7176-5:2008

Wheelchairs - Determination of dimensions, mass and manoeuvring space

Current

Published:

30 Sep 2008