National foreword

This British Standard is the UK implementation of ISO 7176‑26:2007. It supersedes BS 6937:1988 which is withdrawn.

The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted by Technical Committee CH/173, Assistive products for persons with disability, to Subcommittee CH/173/1, Wheelchairs.

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

The UK committee is concerned that the terminology used in this international standard, which will be familiar to those involved in the wheelchair prescribing and manufacturing process, is not appropriate for many equipment users or carers.

Therefore, readers of this part of ISO 7176 should take this into account when preparing pre-sales literature or instructions for users, which provide essential information regarding the use and limitations of equipment. Authors should ensure that the language and terminology used in such documents is appropriate to ensure that they can be understood by the intended reader, user and/or carer.

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 July 2007

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 7176‑26 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 173, Assistive products for persons with disability, Subcommittee SC 1, Wheelchairs.

This first edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 6440:1985), all clauses and annexes of which have 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 the effectiveness of brakes
Part 4: Energy consumption of electric wheelchairs and scooters for determination of theoretical distance range
Part 5: Determination of overall dimensions, mass and turning 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 electric wheelchairs
Part 11: Test dummies
Part 13: Determination of coefficient of friction of test surfaces
Part 14: Power and control systems for electric wheelchairs — 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 in motor vehicles
Part 21: Requirements and test methods for electromagnetic compatibility of electrically powered wheelchairs and motorized scooters
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 25: Requirements and test methods for batteries and their chargers for electrically powered wheelchairs and motorized scooters
Part 26: Vocabulary

Introduction

The provision and selection of wheelchairs and associated seating products relies on clear communication of information relating to these devices. Over time, many terms and definitions have evolved. Unfortunately, this process has resulted in a lack of clear meaning for some terms and duplication of other terms (sometimes with conflicting messages).

For example, the terms tilt and recline are sometimes used interchangeably, but usually have quite distinct meanings. If used inappropriately, an entirely inappropriate wheelchair may be specified or purchased.

The purpose of this part of ISO 7176 is to provide a collection of terms and their definitions to form the basis of clear communication across the field of wheelchair and associated seating and to eliminate confusion from duplication or inappropriate use of terms.

The vocabulary is drawn from surveys of the literature and language used by experts in this field. It excludes, however, terms which are adequately defined in the everyday language of English, medicine and technology.

ISO 7176 recognises that there are a number of terms in use which, because of duplication or inadequacies of meaning, should be replaced by terms from this vocabulary. To help people move towards a common vocabulary, these deprecated terms are included along with a reference to the preferred term.

The development and application of wheelchair standards is particularly dependent upon clear and consistent terms and definitions. Hence, a major proportion of this part of ISO 7176 includes terms and definitions used in more than one of the ISO standards specifically related to ISO Wheelchair Standards. These include the ISO 7176, ISO 10542, and ISO 16840 series, and ISO 7193. Future standards in these series will cite this document for definition of terms wherever possible, thus facilitating the consistent use of a common vocabulary.

This part of ISO 7176 is intended purely as a means of specifying terms and definitions. It does not attempt to classify wheelchairs and associated seating into any classification of device groupings as this is the purpose of ISO 9999. Annex A provides a standard set of descriptors for characterizing wheelchairs.

1 Scope

This part of ISO 7176 specifies a vocabulary consisting of terms and definitions used in the field of manual and electrically powered wheelchairs (including scooters) and associated seating systems. This part of ISO 7176 includes, but is not limited to, the preferred terms used in two or more ISO standards of the ISO 7176, ISO 10542, and ISO 16840 series, but does not include terms considered to be adequately defined in everyday English.

NOTE 1 In addition to terms used in the three official ISO languages (English, French and Russian), this International Standard gives the equivalent terms in United States English; these are published under the responsibility of the member body/National Committee for the United States. However, only the terms and definitions given in the official languages can be considered as ISO terms and definitions.

NOTE 2 Annex A provides a standard set of descriptors for characterizing wheelchairs.

2 Rules and elements used in vocabulary

2.1 Rules used in vocabulary

2.2 Organization of elements used in the vocabulary

3 Abbreviated terms

4 Terms and definitions

4.1 Wheelchairs and related mobility devices

4.2 Wheelchair operators

4.3 Overall dimensions

4.4 Drive systems

4.5 Wheels

4.6 Wheel features

4.7 Postural supports

4.8 Postural support characteristics

4.9 Seating dimensions

4.10 Testing equipment and configuration

4.11 Transportation in a motor vehicle

4.12 Product information

Bibliography

BS ISO 7176-26:2007

Wheelchairs - Vocabulary

Current, Under Review

Published:

31 Jul 2007