ISO 7176-9:2009

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 7176-9
Third edition
2009-11-15
Wheelchairs —
Part 9:
Climatic tests for electric wheelchairs
Fauteuils roulants —
Partie 9: Essais climatiques pour fauteuils roulants électriques

Reference number
©
ISO 2009
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©  ISO 2009
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ii © ISO 2009 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction.vi
1 Scope.1
2 Normative references.1
3 Terms and definitions .1
4 Principle.2
5 Apparatus.2
6 Preparation of test wheelchair .3
7 Requirements.4
8 Test methods .4
8.1 General .4
8.2 Cold operating conditions and resistance to condensation.4
8.3 Hot operating conditions.5
8.4 Cold storage conditions .5
8.5 Hot storage conditions .6
8.6 Protection against ingress of liquids .6
9 Functional check .7
9.1 General .7
9.2 Requirements.7
9.3 Test method .8
10 Test report.8
11 Disclosure .9
Bibliography.10

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
iv © ISO 2009 – All rights reserved

⎯ 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.
vi © ISO 2009 – All rights reserved

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 7176-9:2009(E)

Wheelchairs —
Part 9:
Climatic tests for electric wheelchairs
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
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 7176-11, Wheelchairs — Test dummies
ISO 7176-15, Wheelchairs — Requirements for information disclosure, documentation and labelling
ISO 7176-22, Wheelchairs — Set-up procedures
ISO 7176-26, Wheelchairs — Vocabulary
IEC 60529, Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code)
IEC 60601-1, Medical electrical equipment — Part 1: General requirements for basic safety and essential
performance
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 7176-26 and the following apply.
3.1
standard ambient conditions
environmental conditions of 20 °C ± 5 °C and relative humidity of 60 % ± 20 %
3.2
enclosure
housing affording the type and degree of protection suitable for the intended application
[IEV 195-02-35]
4 Principle
The functioning of the wheelchair is tested after it has been exposed to environmental conditions that are
expected in normal use, storage and transportation.
NOTE Conditions expected in normal use include extremes of temperature, and rain.
5 Apparatus
5.1 Test track, marked as shown in Figure 1 and consisting of a flat, horizontal plane at standard ambient
conditions.
NOTE The floor of a typical large building used for manufacturing or for indoor leisure purposes, with, for example, a
concrete or asphalt floor, is acceptable.
Dimensions in metres
Key
1 marker M
2 rectangle A
3 rectangle B
Figure 1 — Test track
The markings consist of the following:
⎯ a single marker M with no horizontal dimensions greater than 200 mm;
⎯ two open rectangles, A and B, with
⎯ length L = 1,5l ± 100 mm;
⎯ width W = 1,5w ± 100 mm;
2 © ISO 2009 – All rights reserved

where
l is the full overall length of the wheelchair;
w is the overall width of the wheelchair.
5.2 Test dummy, as specified in ISO 7176-11, selected as specified in ISO 7176-22, or a human test
occupant with supplementary weights added to give a mass distribution equivalent to the applicable dummy.
Mass added to the wheelchair for the purposes of control or instrumentation should not significantly affect the
overall mass distribution of the wheelchair. The overall mass of the loaded wheelchair may be adjusted to
compensate for any such added mass.
5.3 Means to drive the wheelchair, which may be a remote controller or the human test occupant, if used.
5.4 Thermometer, to measure ambient air temperature to an accuracy of ±1 °C.
5.5 Stopwatch, to measure time to an accuracy of ±1 s.
5.6 Hygrometer, to measure relati
...