ISO 7176-10:2008

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 7176-10
Second edition
2008-11-01
Wheelchairs —
Part 10:
Determination of obstacle-climbing ability
of electrically powered wheelchairs
Fauteuils roulants —
Partie 10: Détermination de l'aptitude des fauteuils roulants électriques
à gravir les obstacles
Reference number
©
ISO 2008
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ii © ISO 2008 – All rights reserved

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 7176-10 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 7176-10:1988), 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 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
A Technical Report (ISO/TR 13570-1, Wheelchairs — Part 1: Guidelines for the application of the ISO 7176
series on wheelchairs) is also available, giving information on how to use the ISO 7176 standards when
selecting a wheelchair and helping readers to understand the purpose for, and content of, the International
Standards on wheelchairs.
iv © ISO 2008 – All rights reserved

Introduction
The ability of an electrically powered wheelchair to climb and descend obstacles can be an important factor in
selecting the most appropriate wheelchair for a person, both in terms of access and safety.
Access may be affected by the ability of the wheelchair to safely negotiate obstacles, such as door thresholds,
changes in heights of driving surfaces, and kerbs.
The heights of obstacles a wheelchair is capable of climbing can differ from the heights of those it can
descend. However, it is important for wheelchair operators and prescribers to be able to know the height of an
obstacle that a wheelchair can both ascend and descend. The obstacle-climbing and -descending
performance of a wheelchair can also depend on the technique used to operate the wheelchair. The
performance can also be affected by the use of alternative operating modes, such as four-wheel drive.
This part of ISO 7176 specifies a consistent method for determining the obstacle-climbing and -descending
ability of electrically powered wheelchairs to provide comparable results.

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 7176-10:2008(E)

Wheelchairs —
Part 10:
Determination of obstacle-climbing ability of electrically
powered wheelchairs
1 Scope
This part of ISO 7176 specifies test methods for determining the ability of electrically powered wheelchairs,
including scooters, intended to carry one person, with a maximum nominal speed not exceeding 15 km/h, to
climb and descend obstacles.
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 — Part 11: Test dummies
ISO 7176-13, Wheelchairs — Part 13: Determination of coefficient of friction of test surfaces
ISO 7176-15, Wheelchairs — Part 15: Requirements for information disclosure, documentation and labelling
ISO 7176-22, Wheelchairs — Part 22: Set-up procedures
ISO 7176-26, Wheelchairs — Part 26: Vocabulary
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this part of ISO 7176, the terms and definitions given in ISO 7176-26 apply.
4 Principle
A number of tests are performed to determine the ability of electrically powered wheelchairs to negotiate
obstacles such as kerbs and steps.
5 Test equipment
5.1 Test plane, a flat and hard plane such that its whole surface is contained between two imaginary
horizontal parallel planes 5 mm apart and horizontal within ± 0,5°, and with a coefficient of friction as specified
in ISO 7176-13.
NOTE A test plane capable of accommodating the test obstacle (5.2) and the test wheelchair, placed 0,5 m in front of
the obstacle, and facing it, is usually sufficient.
5.2 Test obstacle, an obstacle as shown in Figure 1, which can be varied in height in increments of
5 mm to a height of 200 mm, with a relative tolerance of 5 % or a tolerance of ± 2 mm, whichever is the
greater. The nominal starting height shall be 10 mm, or any multiple of 5 mm chosen by agreement between
the test laboratory and the supplier of the wheelchair.
EXAMPLE The starting height could be 50 mm.
NOTE A test obstacle with a continuously adjustable height may be used.
The upper surface of the obstacle shall be suffi
...