ISO/TR 13570:2001

TECHNICAL ISO/TR
REPORT 13570
First edition
2001-01-15
Guidelines for the application of the
ISO 7176 series on wheelchairs
Lignes directrices pour l'application de la série ISO 7176 sur les fauteuils
roulants
Reference number
ISO/TR 13570:2001(E)
©
ISO 2001

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ISO/TR 13570:2001(E)
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ISO/TR 13570:2001(E)
Contents Page
Foreword.v
1 Scope .1
2 How to use this Technical Report.2
3 Standardized testing and information disclosure.2
3.1 General.2
3.2 Background on tests and standards .2
3.3 Standards increase your buying power .2
3.4 More about International Standards .3
3.5 How chairs are tested.5
3.6 How information is disclosed.6
4 General considerations.7
4.1 Manual versus powered wheelchairs .7
4.1.1 General.7
4.1.2 Some reasons to select manual mobility .7
4.1.3 Some reasons to select powered mobility (including scooters) .7
4.2 Rigid versus folding manual wheelchairs.8
4.3 Direct-drive versus belt-drive powered wheelchairs .9
4.4 Cost .10
5 Incorporating personal body characteristics .10
5.1 Body size .10
5.2 Seating .11
5.2.1 Seat width.11
5.2.2 Seat depth.11
5.2.3 Seat surface height.12
5.2.4 Backrest height.13
5.2.5 Footrest-to-seat distance.14
5.2.6 Armrest and headrest.15
5.2.7 Front location of armrest structure.17
5.2.8 Distance between armrests .17
5.2.9 Headrest height.18
5.3 Joint flexibility.19
5.3.1 General.19
5.3.2 Leg-to-seat surface angle .19
5.3.3 Seat-plane angle .20
5.3.4 Backrest angle .21
5.4 Propulsion skill .21
5.4.1 General.21
5.4.2 Propelling wheel diameter .21
5.4.3 Handrim diameter .22
5.4.4 Horizontal location of the axle.22
5.4.5 Advantages and disadvantages of different wheel placements.22
6 Manual wheelchairs.23
6.1 Performance.23
6.1.1 General.23
6.1.2 Mass (weight) .23
6.1.3 Stability.24
6.1.4 Durability — Fatigue strength .27
6.1.5 Manoeuvrability.29
6.2 Safety .30
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ISO/TR 13570:2001(E)
6.2.1 General.30
6.2.2 Static and impact strength.31
6.2.3 Flammability .33
6.2.4 Wheel locks .34
6.3 Dimensions.35
6.3.1 General.35
6.3.2 Overall dimensions.35
6.3.3 Seating dimensions .37
7 Powered wheelchairs .38
7.1 Performance .38
7.1.1 General.38
7.1.2 Speed .39
7.1.3 Obstacle climbing .41
7.1.4 Range .42
7.1.5 Manoeuvrability.44
7.1.6 Durability — Fatigue strength.45
7.1.7 Climate tests.47
7.2 Safety .48
7.2.1 General.48
7.2.2 Static and dynamic stability.48
7.2.3 Stopping distance.50
7.2.4 Disengage force and non-powered push .52
7.2.5 Safety guards .53
7.2.6 Electrical systems.54
7.2.7 Determination of static and impact strength .55
7.2.8 Flammability .57
7.2.9 Battery chargers .58
7.3 Dimensions.59
7.3.1 General.59
7.3.2 Overall dimensions.59
7.3.3 Seating dimensions .61
7.3.4 Mass (weight) .62
Annex A (informative) Additional information not required for disclosure in the manufacturer’s
technical product literature.64
Bibliography .67
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ISO/TR 13570:2001(E)
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 3.
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.
In exceptional circumstances, when a technical committee has collected data of a different kind from that which is
normally published as an International Standard ("state of the art", for example), it may decide by a simple majority
vote of its participating members to publish a Technical Report. A Technical Report is entirely informative in nature
and does not have to be reviewed until the data it provides are considered to be no longer valid or useful.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this Technical Report may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO/TR 13570, was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 173, Technical systems and aids for disabled or
handicapped persons, Subcommittee SC 1, Wheelchairs.
This Technical Report is based on the book:
A Guide to Wheelchair Selection: How to Use the ANSI/RESNA Wheelchair Standards to Buy a Wheelchair
written by Peter Axelson, Jean Minkel and Denise Chesney, published in 1994 by the Paralyzed Veterans of
America, Washington, DC, USA.
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TECHNICAL REPORT ISO/TR 13570:2001(E)
Guidelines for the the application of the ISO 7176 series on
wheelchairs
1 Scope
The purpose of this Technical Report is to explain how you can use the International Standards on wheelchairs to
select your next wheelchair. The actual standards are very technical and, at first glance, you may not understand
how this information will help you select a wheelchair or scooter. This Technical Report is meant to help you
understand the purpose for and content of International Standards on wheelchairs.
This Technical Report is divided into six clauses.
a) How to use this Technical Report.
b) Standardized testing and information disclosure: Provides background information on standardized testing of
wheelchairs. Discusses how chairs are tested and how information is disclosed.
c) General considerations: Discusses general considerations related to choosing a powered or manual
wheelchair.
d) Incorporating personal body characteristics: Relates your physical characteristics to the fit of a chair, either
manual or powered.
e) Manual wheelchairs: Discusses manual wheelchair test procedures.
f) Powered wheelchairs: Discusses powered wheelchair test procedures; focuses on three- and four-wheeled
scooters as well as full-sized powered wheelchairs.
In the manual and powered wheelchair sections, the test procedures are grouped into three categories:
� performance,
� safety, and
� dimensions.
For each test procedure, this Technical Report includes
� reasons why you might need this information,
� a brief description of the standardized test procedure,
� how the results of the test will be disclosed in the manufacturer’s technical product literature, and
� how to interpret the results of the test for your own situation.
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ISO/TR 13570:2001(E)
2 How to use this Technical Report
If you are an experienced rider, you may know which elements of performance, safety and dimension are important
to you. If not, or if you are a novice, we highly recommend that you involve other knowledgeable people in selecting
your wheelchair. Many rehabilitation specialists have the expertise and training in using these standards and can
help you select an appropriate wheelchair.
An excellent approach to the wheelchair selection process is to set priorities based on your mobility and seating
needs. Setting priorities will help you identify the features that are most important to you and those on which you
are willing to compromise. For example, if you live in a small apartment and need to fit your wheelchair into the
boot (trunk) of your car, you will probably want to look specifically at the overall dimensions, foldability, and weight
of the wheelchair. On the other hand, if you use a van and have an accessible apartment or home, you may not
need a folding wheelchair. This Technical Report will help you understand the test results that pertain to the factors
most important to you. Armed with this information, you will be able to accurately compare products and make an
informed purchasing decision.
3 Standardized testing and information disclosure
3.1 General
Purchasing a wheelchair can be a harrowing experience and finding the right chair among so many choices might
seem impossible. Comparing wheelchair characteristics and performance has been difficult in the past because
manufacturers used different standards and procedures to measure and test their chairs. For example, one
manufacturer measured seat width from the outside of the seat rails, another measured from inside the rails, and a
third measured the distance between the armrest panels. Thus, if you requested a chair with a seat width of
18 inches, the actual distance from the outside of the seat rails could be anywhere from 17 inches to 19 inches.
This inconsistency, as well as a general concern for user safety, led to the development of standardized wheelchair
measurements and test procedures. The results of these procedures will provide you with the information you need
for true comparison shopping.
3.2 Background on tests and standards
The ISO Technical Committee on wheelchairs has been working to provide consumers with objective information
about the characteristics and performance of wheelchairs. The committee includes rehabilitation engineers,
wheelchair manufacturers, agency representatives, wheelchair users, and wheelchair prescribers.
The standards developed by the committee consist of a number of test procedures that apply to all wheelchairs and
some that apply only to powered wheelchairs, including scooters. The test procedures are detailed instructions on
how to perform the tests or measurements on wheelchairs. Some of the test procedures suggest minimum
performance criteria for durability and safety, while others disclose the results of the tests for comparison purposes.
The information obtained from the tests is designed to help you make better-educated selections. See Figure 1.
The standardized test procedures also allow you to compare the test results of wheelchairs from different
manufacturers. Since many of the test procedures set minimum performance levels, they also help manufacturers
produce better products.
3.3 Standards increase your buying power
The standards are voluntary: manufacturers are not required by law to use the test procedures. However, if
consumers start using the results as a basis for wheelchair selection, the manufacturers who do not use the
standards may lose sales. The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the single largest purchaser of wheelchairs
in the United States, is adopting the standards for future wheelchair purchasing. Marketplace pressure will most
likely encourage overall compliance with the standards.
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ISO/TR 13570:2001(E)
Figure 1 — Finding the right chair among so many choices might seem impossible
3.4 More about International Standards
To gain the maximum benefit from the standardized testing, both consumers and professionals must understand
how to use the information.
The following is a list of the test standards, listed by their ISO number designation, that apply to all wheelchairs,
with a brief description of the test procedure.
ISO 6440:1985, Wheelchairs — Nomenclature, terms and definitions. This part establishes the terms and
definitions used in the test procedures.
ISO 7193:1985, Wheelchairs — Maximum overall dimensions. This part establishes suggested maximum
dimensions of a chair for other organizations to use as guidelines for architectural accessibility.
ISO 7176-1:1999, Wheelchairs — Part 1: Determination of static stability. This test determines how stable the
wheelchair is when it is resting on a sloped surface.
ISO 7176-3:1988, Wheelchairs — Part 3: Determination of efficiency of brakes. This test determines how well
the wheel locks (parking brakes) prevent the wheelchair from rolling on a sloped surface. This test
also determines the minimum stopping distance of a powered wheelchair at its maximum speed.
ISO 7176-5:1986, Wheelchairs — Part 5: Determination of overall dimensions, mass and turning space. This
part addresses the overall length, width, height, folded width, mass and turnaround space of the
chair.
ISO 7176-7:1998, Wheelchairs — Part 7: Measurement of seating and wheel dimensions. This part addresses
the dimensional information needed to fit a chair to a rider. Standard methods of measurement
eliminate the problems that result from variations in measurement methods.
ISO 7176-8:1998, Wheelchairs — Part 8: Requirements and test methods for static, impact and fatigue
strengths. This part addresses the strength and durability of a wheelchair.
ISO 7176-11:1992, Wheelchairs — Part 11: Test dummies. This part addresses the dimensional and mass
(weight) specifications of the dummies to be used when conducting the tests.
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ISO/TR 13570:2001(E)
ISO 7176-13:1989, Wheelchairs — Part 13: Determination of coefficient of friction of test surfaces. This test
describes the roughness or slipperiness of the surface to be used for testing.
ISO 7176-15:1996, Wheelchairs — Part 15: Requirements for information disclosure, documentation and
labelling. This part tells what information manufacturers are required to disclose and how it should
be disclosed in their product literature, if they choose to comply with the standards.
ISO 7176-16:1997, Wheelchairs — Part 16: Resistance to ignition of upholstered parts — Requirements and
test methods. This test addresses the extent to which upholstery will burn and how fire retardant the
upholstery is.
1)
ISO 7176-19:— , Wheelchairs — Part 19: Wheeled mobility devices for use in motor vehicles. This part sets
out the design and performance requirements, and associated test methods, for wheelchairs that are
intended for use as a seat in a motor vehicle.
1)
ISO 7176-20:— , Wheelchairs — Part 20: Determination of the performance of stand-up type wheelchairs.
This part addresses the performance of a manual or powered wheelchair that has a mode to assist
the occupant and support the occupant while in the standing position.
ISO 7176-22:2000, Wheelchairs — Part 22: Set-up procedures. This part specifies the procedures for
configuring and adjusting a wheelchair prior to testing.
1)
ISO 7176-23:— , Wheelchairs — Part 23: Attendant-operated stair-climbing devices — Requirements and
test methods. This part determines the performance of stair climbing devices that are operated by
an attendant.
1)
ISO 7176-24:— , Wheelchairs — Part 24: User-operated stair-climbing devices — Requirements and test
methods. This part determines the performance of stair-climbing devices that are operated by the
occupant.
The following is a list of test procedures that apply to powered wheelchairs only:
ISO 7176-2:1990, Wheelchairs — Part 2: Determination of dynamic stability of electric wheelchairs. This part
addresses how stable a powered wheelchair is in the rearward, forward and lateral directions when it
is driven.
ISO 7176-4:1997, Wheelchairs — Part 4: Energy consumption of electric wheelchairs and scooters for
determination of theoretical distance range. This test addresses the energy consumption of a
powered wheelchair on a standardized track.
1)
ISO 7176-6:— , Wheelchairs — Part 6: Determination of maximum speed, acceleration and deceleration of
electric wheelchairs. This part addresses the maximum speed in forward and reverse. It also
determines the minimum time from stationary to maximum speed (acceleration) and from maximum
speed to a complete stop (retardation).
1)
ISO 7176-9:— , Wheelchairs — Part 9: Climatic tests for electric wheelchairs. This part addresses the effects
of rain and temperature changes on the functioning of a powered wheelchair.
1) To be published.
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ISO/TR 13570:2001(E)
ISO 7176-10:1988, Wheelchairs — Part 10: Determination of obstacle-climbing ability of electric
wheelchairs. This test determines how high an obstacle a powered wheelchair can climb over.
ISO 7176-14:1997, Wheelchairs — Part 14: Power and control systems for electric wheelchairs —
Requirements and test methods. This test addresses safety, how well the fail-safe braking
mechanism works, the force required to actuate the controls, and other issues related specifically to
powered wheelchairs.
1)
ISO 7176-21:— , Wheelchairs — Part 21: Electromagnetic compatibility of electrically powered wheelchairs
and motorized scooters — Requirements and test methods This part addresses the
electromagnetic emissions and electromagnetic immunity of powered wheelchairs, including
scooters.
3.5 How chairs are tested
The International Standards on wheelchairs are specific instructions on how to perform the test procedures. Some
of the test procedures have minimum performance requirements, including flammability and climatic tests, static
and impact strength tests, and power and control systems tests for powered wheelchairs. The results of the
minimum performance tests are ei
...