The Road Vehicles (Approval) Regulations 2020

CHAPTER 2

SECTION 1

Wheelchair spaces

1

A wheelchair space must be fitted with—

• (a) a wheelchair and wheelchair user restraint system complying with item 19A of the Type Approval Regulation, Annex II, Part III, Appendix 3, or

• (b) a restraint system comprising—

• (i) a four point wheelchair tie-down system suitable for general wheelchair application, and

• (ii) a wheelchair user restraint system comprising a minimum of three anchorage points to provide a pelvic and upper torso restraint system.

Wheelchair tie-down devices

2

A wheelchair tie-down device must comply with ISO 10542 and be marked accordingly.

Location and geometry of anchorages

3

The geometry of the wheelchair tie-down and occupant restraint system anchorages and webbing must comply with ISO 10542. A surrogate wheelchair as defined in ISO 10542 or equivalent must be used for this purpose.

Testing of restraint system anchorages

4

• (1) A static test must be conducted on the anchorage points for both the wheelchair tie-downs and occupant restraints in accordance with the following requirements—

• (a) The tests must be conducted on a vehicle or a representative section of a vehicle structure including any vehicle fittings that are likely to contribute to the strength or rigidity of the structure;

• (b) The forces specified in paragraph 5 below must be applied by means of a surrogate wheelchair of adequate strength as defined in ISO 10542, or equivalent, with attachment points for the front and rear tie-downs and reproducing the geometry of the wheelchair tie-down system;

• (c) The forces specified in paragraph 6 below must be applied by means of a traction device specified in paragraph 5.3.4 of Annex I to Directive 76/115/EEC as last amended by Directive 96/38/EC[^f00093] and supported on the surrogate wheelchair defined in (b) above;

• (d) The forces in sub-paragraphs (b) and (c) above must be applied simultaneously in the forward direction at an angle of 10° ± 5° above the horizontal plane. The force in (b) must be applied at a height of not less than 200 mm and not more than 300 mm measured vertically above the floor of the wheelchair space;

• (e) The force in paragraph 5(b) must be applied in the rearward direction at an angle of 10° ± 5° above the horizontal plane at a height of not less than 200 mm and not more than 300 mm measured vertically above the floor of the wheelchair space;

• (f) All forces must be applied as rapidly as possible through the central vertical axis of the wheelchair and wheelchair space;

• (g) All forces must be maintained for a period of not less than 0.2 seconds.

• (2) For test purposes the components comprising the wheelchair tie-down and occupant restraint devices may be replaced with components suitable for test purposes having a similar function.

Forces applied to a wheelchair tie-down system

5

The force applied to the surrogate wheelchair:

• (a) in the forward direction to be 24.50 kN;

• (b) in the rearward direction to be 12.25 kN.

Forces applied to an occupant restraint system

6

The forces must be those specified in paragraph 5.4 of Annex I to Directive 76/115/EEC as last amended by Directive 96/38/EC.

Anchorage system performance

7

The anchorages will meet the test performance requirements if—

• (a) no part of the system has failed, or become detached during the test;

• (b) no part of the anchorage system has deformed to such an extent that sharp edges or protrusion may cause injury.

SECTION 2

Instead of complying with Section 1 an alternative wheelchair tie-down system, docking system or occupant restraint system may be fitted. This may include a rearward facing wheelchair arrangement with appropriate safety features. Evidence must be provided to the approval authority that the system offers an equivalent level of occupant protection for the wheelchair user.

PART 3 — Requirements for vehicles of category N1