prEN 1865-3

Patient handling equipment used in ambulances - Part 3: Heavy duty stretcher

This document specifies minimum requirements for the design and performance of heavy duty stretchers used in road ambulances for the treatment and transportation of patients. It aims to ensure patient safety and minimize the physical effort required by staff operating the equipment.

Krankentransportmittel in Rettungsdienstfahrzeugen - Teil 3: Schwerlastkrankentrage

Dieses Dokument legt die Mindestanforderungen an die Ausführung und Gebrauchstauglichkeit von Schwerlastkrankentragen fest, die in Krankenkraftwagen für die Behandlung und den Transport von Patienten verwendet werden. Es ist das Ziel, für die Sicherheit des Patienten zu sorgen und die körperliche Anstrengung des Personals, das dieses Transportmittel bedient, zu minimieren.

Équipements pour le transport de patients dans les ambulances - Partie 3 : Brancard bariatrique

Le présent document spécifie les exigences minimales en matière de conception et de performances des brancards bariatriques utilisés dans les ambulances routières pour le traitement et le transport des patients. Il vise à assurer la sécurité des patients et à réduire les efforts physiques des personnels utilisant ces équipements.

Oprema za ravnanje s pacienti v reševalnih vozilih - 3. del: Bolniška nosila za večje obremenitve

Ta dokument določa minimalne zahteve za načrtovanje in delovanje nosil za težke obremenitve, ki se uporabljajo v cestnih reševalnih vozilih za zdravljenje in prevoz pacientov. Cilj je zagotoviti varnost pacientov in zmanjšati fizični napor, ki ga zahteva osebje pri upravljanju opreme.

General Information

• Status: Not Published
• Publication Date: 23-Apr-2025
• 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: 4020 - Submission to enquiry - Enquiry
• Start Date: 28-May-2026
• Due Date: 07-Mar-2023
• Completion Date: 28-May-2026
• Directive: Harmonized Standard2017/745 - Regulation (EU) 2017/745 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 April 2017 on medical devices, amending Directive 2001/83/EC, Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 and Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 and repealing Council Directives 90/385/EEC and 93/42/EEC
• Mandate: M/575 - Medical devices in support of Regulation (EU) 2017/745 and in vitro diagnostic medical devices in support of Regulation (EU) 2017/746
• Mandate: M/575 Amd 2 - Medical devices in support of Regulation (EU) 2017/745 and in vitro diagnostic medicial devices in support of Regulation (EU) 2017746
• Ref Project: oSIST prEN 1865-3:2026 - Patient handling equipment used in ambulances - Part 3: Heavy duty stretcher

Relations

• Revises: EN 1865-3:2012+A1:2015 - Patient handling equipment used in road ambulances - Part 3: Heavy duty stretcher
• Effective Date: 20-Apr-2022

Overview

prEN 1865-3: Patient handling equipment used in ambulances - Part 3: Heavy duty stretcher is a draft European standard developed by CEN/TC 239. This standard specifies the minimum design and performance requirements for heavy duty stretchers deployed in road ambulances. The document is integral to ensuring the safe, efficient, and ergonomic treatment and transport of patients whose weight and/or dimensions exceed standard stretcher capabilities. It focuses on patient safety, reducing operator effort, and supporting compliance with EU medical device regulations (MDR).

Key Topics

• Minimum requirements for design and performance: The standard details strict criteria for heavy duty stretchers, covering aspects like dimensions, mass, materials, load capacity, and ergonomic adjustability.
• Patient safety features: Specifications include securing mechanisms, restraint systems with quick release, and anti-injury design features such as the avoidance of sharp edges and the use of bacterial and chemical resistant materials.
• Operator ergonomics: Stretchers must reduce the physical effort of staff with features such as power-assisted loading systems, adjustable undercarriages, and manual override safety features.
• Compatibility and integration: The stretcher and its undercarriage must be compatible with ambulance loading systems and allow for safe loading/unloading without the need for manual lifting.
• Testing and verification: The standard outlines procedures for verifying deformation, resistance to torsion, wheel splaying, and flammability to ensure stretcher durability and compliance.
• Hygiene and durability: Surfaces must be stain, water, and scratch resistant, easy to clean, and compatible with disinfectants. Materials should resist bacteria, fungi, and putrefaction.
• Regulatory compliance: Alignment with the EU Regulation 2017/745 for medical devices, integrating risk management and safety performance requirements.

Applications

Adoption of prEN 1865-3 is essential for:

• Ambulance manufacturers and suppliers: Ensuring that heavy duty stretchers meet standardized safety, usability, and durability criteria for road ambulances across Europe.
• Medical device regulators and conformity assessment bodies: Assessing new or existing stretcher designs for compliance with EU medical device and vehicle safety regulations.
• Emergency medical services (EMS) providers: Improving operational safety, efficiency, and ergonomics for staff handling bariatric or larger patients.
• Health and safety professionals: Mitigating injury risks for both patients and operators during patient transfer processes.
• Procurement and technical managers: Guaranteeing compatibility between patient handling equipment and modern ambulance fleets, supporting effective pre-hospital care delivery.

Related Standards

For comprehensive ambulance patient handling solutions, prEN 1865-3 should be considered alongside:

• EN 1789:2020+A1:2023 – Road ambulances and their equipment: Design requirements and test methods for patient handling equipment integration.
• prEN 1865-1:2026 – Specification for general stretcher systems and patient handling equipment.
• EN 1865-2:2024 – Power assisted stretcher.
• EN ISO 14971:2019 – Application of risk management to medical devices.
• EN 597-1:2015 – Ignitability of mattresses and upholstered bed bases.
• Regulation (EU) 2017/745 – EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR).

By aligning with prEN 1865-3 and its related standards, organizations demonstrate commitment to patient and operator safety, regulatory compliance, and the highest level of reliability in emergency medical response environments.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-julij-2026
Oprema za ravnanje s pacienti v reševalnih vozilih - 3. del: Bolniška nosila za večje
obremenitve
Patient handling equipment used in ambulances - Part 3: Heavy duty stretcher
Krankentransportmittel in Rettungsdienstfahrzeugen - Teil 3: Schwerlastkrankentrage
Équipements pour le transport de patients dans les ambulances - Partie 3 : Brancard
bariatrique
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 1865-3
ICS:
11.160 Prva pomoč First aid
43.160 Vozila za posebne namene Special purpose vehicles
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
May 2026
ICS 11.160 Will supersede EN 1865-3:2012+A1:2015
English Version
Patient handling equipment used in ambulances - Part 3:
Heavy duty stretcher
Équipements pour le transport de patients dans les Krankentransportmittel in Rettungsdienstfahrzeugen -
ambulances - Partie 3 : Brancard bariatrique Teil 3: Schwerlastkrankentrage
This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee
CEN/TC 239.
If this draft becomes a European Standard, 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.

This draft European Standard was established by CEN 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, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are
aware and to provide supporting documentation.

Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without
notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2026 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 1865-3:2026 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3
Introduction . 5
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 6
4 Requirements . 6
4.1 General. 6
4.2 Heavy duty stretcher . 7
4.2.1 General. 7
4.2.2 Dimensions. 7
4.2.3 Mass . 8
4.2.4 Loading capacity . 8
4.2.5 Frame . 8
4.2.6 Power source . 9
4.2.7 Lying part of the stretcher . 9
4.2.8 Restraint system . 10
4.2.9 Flammability . 10
4.2.10 Deformation of the frame . 10
4.2.11 Fixation . 11
4.2.12 Deformation of the lying area . 11
4.2.13 Resistance to torsion . 11
4.2.14 Splaying of the wheels . 12
Annex ZA (informative) Relationship between this European standard and the General Safety
and Performance Requirements of Regulation (EU) 2017/745 aimed to be covered . 13
Bibliography . 15

European foreword
This document (prEN 1865-3:2026) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 239 “Rescue
systems”, the secretariat of which is held by DIN.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
This document will supersede EN 1865-3:2012+A1:2015.
Compared to EN 1865-3:2012+A1:2015, the following main technical changes were made:
a) Main title of EN 1865 series changed from “Patient handling equipment used in road ambulances” to
“Patient handling equipment used in ambulances”;
b) Normative references updated;
c) Annex ZA revised to show relationship to Medical Device Regulations (MDR) instead of Medical
Device Directive (MDD);
d) Distribution of mass (4.2.3) specified;
e) The use of the word label removed, intent of requirement remains unchanged (4.2.4);
f) Maximum height of undercarriage for loading and unloading removed (4.2.5.3);
g) A second battery is now mandatory in case of power loss (4.2.6);
h) Requirements for the restraint system (4.2.8) revised;
i) Requirements aligned with other parts of this standard series;
j) Clause numbering updated throughout the whole document;
k) Contents updated to change titles of “Flammability – Toxicity of Burning Gasses” to “Flammability
l) Verification methods in Clause 5 moved into Clause 4 requirements that previously referenced them.
In these cases, the requirement and test methods were combined to form the following: 5.1 now in
4.2.10, 5.3 now 4.2.12, 5.4 is now 4.2.13, 5.5 now 4.2.14;
m) Clause on “Marking” (5) deleted.
This document has been prepared under a standardization request addressed to CEN by the European
Commission. The Standing Committee of the EFTA States subsequently approves these requests for its
Member States.
For the relationship with EU Legislation, see informative Annex ZA, which is an integral part of this
document.
This document is a part of EN 1865, Patient handling equipment used in ambulances, which consists of the
following parts:
— Part 1: Specification for general stretcher systems and patient handling equipment;
— Part 2: Power assisted stretcher;
— Part 3: Heavy duty stretcher (this document);
— Part 4: Foldable patient transfer chair;
— Part 5: Stretcher support;
— Part 6: Powered chairs;
— Part 7: Isolation transport system (preliminary work item under development).
Introduction
In this document, reference is made to EN 1789:2020+A1:2023, which specifies design requirements and
test methods for road ambulances which are relevant for checking requirements for such handling
equipment.
1 Scope
This document specifies minimum requirements for the design and performance of heavy duty stretchers
used in road ambulances for the treatment and transportation of patients. It aims to ensure patient safety
and minimize the physical effort required by staff operating the equipment.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements 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.
EN 597-1:2015, Furniture — Assessment of the ignitability of mattresses and upholstered bed bases —
Part 1: Ignition source smouldering cigarette
EN 1789:2020+A1:2023, Medical vehicles and their equipment — Road ambulances
prEN 1865-1:2026, Patient handling equipment used in ambulances — Part 1: Specification for general
stretcher systems and patient handling equipment
EN 1865-2:2024, Patient handling equipment used in ambulances — Part 2: Power assisted stretcher
EN 62366-1:2015, Medical devices — Part 1: Application of usability engineering to medical devices (IEC
62366-1:2015)
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp/
3.1
heavy duty stretcher
stretcher designed for the treatment and transportation of patients where the weight and/or dimensions
of the patient exceed those of the operating capability of the defined stretcher in prEN 1865-1:2026 and
EN 1865-2:2024
4 Requirements
4.1 General
When operated and maintained in accordance with the instructions for use, heavy duty stretchers shall
not present any high level of risk. Any identified risk shall be reduced as far as possible.
Heavy duty stretchers shall also:
— be mechanical assisted or power operated;
— allow patients to be secured so that any movement during ambulance transport is minimized;

As impacted by EN 62366-1:2015/AC:2015, EN 62366-1:2015/AC:2016-09 and EN 62366-1:2015/A1:2020.
— be free of sharp edges that could cause injury to persons or damage to other equipment on board.
The minimum radius should be 0,5 mm.
For all patients transported in the patient compartment, patient restraint-systems shall be available. All
patient restraint-systems shall have quick release systems.
Patient restraint-systems for all patient handling equipment shall secure the patient, but at the same time
shall permit treatment of the patient.
The lying-sitting part shall be made of a strong material which is bacterial resistant, fungal resistant, stain
resistant, putrid resistant, easy to clean, washable, waterproof and petrol-oil resistant.
EN 62366-1:2015 shall be followed in the design, ergonomics, and user interfaces implemented.
The heavy duty stretcher shall be designed to transport patients with a weight that exceeds the load
capacity of the main stretcher in prEN 1865-1:2026 and EN 1865-2:2024.
4.2 Heavy duty stretcher
4.2.1 General
The heavy duty stretcher shall consist of a stretcher part that can be used either alone or in combination
with an integrated or detachable undercarriage.
For assisting the loading and unloading process, the stretcher shall be compatible with a loading system
device installed on the vehicle and / or on the stretcher device itself.
The heavy duty stretcher and its loading system shall be compatible. It physically shall support the crew,
so no manual lifting should be done to load and unload the stretcher under normal daily use.
4.2.2 Dimensions
Dimensions shall be measured from the outermost edges.
+120
— Stretcher part: length:
(1 950 ) mm;
−50
To accommodate tall patients, it may be possible to increase
the length of the stretcher by a further 200 mm.
+60
width:
(550 ) mm;
−20
It shall be possible to increase the width of the lying part to a
minimum of 750 mm at least in the side rail area.
height: Maximum 300 mm from loading holding assembly to unloaded
lying part. This height dimension does not apply to stretchers
with monoblock undercarriages. If a monoblock is not
available, the stretcher shall be constructed such that it is
detachable from the undercarriage. Where a stretcher support
is used the measurement shall be taken from the top surface of
the stretcher support to the lying part of the stretcher.
— Undercarriage:  Length and width of the frame of the undercarr
...