EN 1865-4:2012

Patient handling equipment used in road ambulances - Part 4: Foldable patient transfer chair

This European Standard defines the minimum requirements for the design and performance of foldable patient transfer chairs, which are used for the conveyance of patients to and/or from road ambulances. It aims to ensure patient safety and to minimize the physical effort required by staff operating the equipment.

Krankentransportmittel im Krankenkraftwagen - Teil 4: Klappbare Patiententragesessel

Diese Europäische Norm legt die Mindestanforderungen an die Ausführung und Gebrauchstauglichkeit von klappbaren Patiententragesesseln fest, die als Krankentransportmittel zum und/oder vom Krankenkraftwagen verwendet werden. Mit dem Tragesessel wird bezweckt, für die Sicherheit des Patienten zu sorgen und die körperliche Anstrengung des Personals, die dieses Transportmittel bedient, möglichst gering zu halten.

Equipement d'ambulances pour le transport de patients - Partie 4 : Chaise de transfert pliante

La présente norme européenne définit les exigences minimales requises de conception et de performances des chaises de transfert mécaniques pliantes utilisées pour le transport des patients dans et à partir des ambulances. Elle vise à réduire les efforts physiques des personnels utilisant ces équipements et d’assurer la sécurité du patient.

Nosila in druga oprema za ravnanje s pacienti v reševalnih vozilih - 4. del: Zložljiv prenosni stol za paciente

Ta evropski standard opredeljuje minimalne zahteve glede oblike in zmogljivosti zložljivih prenosnih stolov za paciente, ki se uporabljajo za prevoz pacientov do reševalnega vozila in/ali iz njega. Njegov namen je zagotoviti varnost pacienta in čim bolj zmanjšati fizični napor osebja pri ravnanju s to opremo.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 03-Apr-2012
• Withdrawal Date: 30-Oct-2012
• ICS: 11.160 - First aid
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 239 - Rescue systems
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 239/WG 1 - Medical vehicles and their equipment - Stretchers and other patient handling equipment
• Current Stage: 9092 - Decision on results of review/2YR ENQ - revise - Review Enquiry
• Start Date: 18-Apr-2019
• Completion Date: 14-Apr-2025
• Directive: 93/42/EEC - Council Directive 93/42/EEC of 14 June 1993 concerning medical devices
• Mandate: M/023 - Standardization mandate to CEN/CENELEC concerning the development of European standards relating to medical devices
• Ref Project: SIST EN 1865-4:2012 - Patient handling equipment used in road ambulances - Part 4: Foldable patient transfer chair

Relations

• Replaces: EN 1865:1999 - Specifications for stretchers and other patient handling equipment used in road ambulances
• Effective Date: 08-Jun-2022

Overview

EN 1865-4:2012 is the CEN European Standard that specifies minimum design and performance requirements for foldable patient transfer chairs used to convey patients to and/or from road ambulances. The standard aims to ensure patient safety, reduce injury risk and minimize the physical effort required by ambulance staff. EN 1865-4:2012 is part of the EN 1865 series on patient handling equipment used in road ambulances and aligns with the Medical Device Directive (93/42/EEC) and risk management principles (EN ISO 14971).

Key topics and technical requirements

The standard sets measurable requirements and test references for foldable transfer chairs, including:

• Dimensions

  • Seat height: 300–550 mm (from ground)
  • Seat width: ≥ 330 mm
  • Seat depth: ≥ 350 mm
  • Backrest height: ≥ 395 mm (from seat)
  • Backrest width: ≥ 300 mm

• Mass and load

  • Maximum mass: ≤ 15 kg (note: increased from 10 kg in prior edition)
  • Minimum loading capacity: ≥ 150 kg

• Construction and features

  • Sturdy, lightweight frame with 2 non-slip lower handles and 2 non-slip top handles
  • Footrest and minimum of two rear wheels (diameter ≥ 100 mm)
  • Foldable for storage; handles must lock in extended position

• Patient restraints and safety

  • At least two quick-release patient restraints that secure the patient while permitting treatment
  • No sharp edges or hazardous deformations
  • Hinges and locks shall not open spontaneously or bend

• Performance and tests

  • Mechanism to assist descent/ascent of steps (e.g., rolling track belts or step-spanning wheels)
  • No progressive smouldering or flaming ignition per EN 1021-1
  • Mechanical deformation limits referenced to EN 1865-1:2010 test clauses
  • Labelling and manufacturer information per EN 980 and EN 1041
  • Risk management per EN ISO 14971

Applications and users

Who uses EN 1865-4:2012:

• Ambulance manufacturers and vehicle OEMs specifying onboard patient transfer equipment
• Medical device and equipment manufacturers designing foldable transfer chairs
• EMS procurement officers and fleet managers selecting compliant patient handling equipment
• Regulatory and compliance teams ensuring conformity with EU medical device requirements
• Test labs and certification bodies performing safety and performance verification

Practical applications include improving manual handling ergonomics in pre-hospital care, reducing lifting injuries for staff, and ensuring safe patient transfer at stairways and ambulance entrances.

Related standards

• EN 1865-1:2010 - Patient handling equipment: general stretcher systems and test methods
• EN 1865 (series) - Parts 1–5 covering stretchers, power-assisted and heavy-duty variants
• EN ISO 14971 - Risk management for medical devices
• EN 1021-1 - Ignitability of upholstered furniture (smouldering cigarette)
• EN 980, EN 1041 - Labelling and manufacturer information for medical devices

Keywords: EN 1865-4:2012, foldable patient transfer chair, patient handling equipment, road ambulances, ambulance equipment standard, medical device compliance.

Standards Content (Sample)

2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Nosila in druga oprema za ravnanje s pacienti v reševalnih vozilih - 4. del: Zložljiv prenosni stol za pacienteKrankentransportmittel im Krankenkraftwagen - Teil 4: Klappbare PatiententragesesselEquipements d´ambulances pour le transport des patients - Partie 4 : Chaise de transportPatient handling equipment used in road ambulances - Part 4: Foldable patient transfer chair43.160Vozila za posebne nameneSpecial purpose vehicles11.160First aidICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 1865-4:2012SIST EN 1865-4:2012en,fr,de01-september-2012SIST EN 1865-4:2012SLOVENSKI
STANDARDSIST EN 1865:20001DGRPHãþD

EUROPEAN STANDARD NORME EUROPÉENNE EUROPÄISCHE NORM
EN 1865-4
April 2012 ICS 11.160 Supersedes EN 1865:1999English Version
Patient handling equipment used in road ambulances - Part 4: Foldable patient transfer chair
Equipements d´ambulances pour le transport des patients -Partie 4 : Chaise de transport
Krankentransportmittel im Krankenkraftwagen - Teil 4: Klappbare Patiententragesessel This European Standard was approved by CEN on 25 February 2012.
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre:
Avenue Marnix 17,
B-1000 Brussels © 2012 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CEN national Members. Ref. No. EN 1865-4:2012: ESIST EN 1865-4:2012

Relationship between this European Standard and the Essential Requirements of EU Directive 93/42/EEC on Medical Devices .7 SIST EN 1865-4:2012

a) foldable patient transport chairs shall be fitted with a mechanism to assist the descent and/or ascent of steps, to minimise the need for manually carrying the patient and chair; b) the mass was changed from 10 kg to no more than 15 kg; c) the patient restraint-systems shall secure the patient, but at the same time shall permit treatment of the patient; d) the standard has been modified/integrated to meet the Medical Device Directive 93/42/EEC requirements. This document has been prepared under a mandate given to CEN by the European Commission and the European Free Trade Association, and supports essential requirements of EU Directive(s). For relationship with EU Directive(s), see informative Annex ZA, which is an integral part of this document. This
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