Please see ICWM ANSI standard sections as referenced below.
For more information, you can download the complete standard here: https://online.fliphtml5.com/bwarp/clnn/
The following resources have been shared with the permission of the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation and The Spine Research Institute of The Ohio State University.
IMPORTANT FACTORS TO CONSIDER:
WHY IT'S IMPORTANT:
Product Segment: ICWM Testing Procedure
Medical
Product Segment: ICWM Testing Procedure
Industrial.
Product Segment: ICWM Testing Procedure
Institutional
Load Capacity
Load capacity is one of the most important factors in selecting the right caster. It is a measure of how the caster will handle the weight that is being transported. Using the wrong caster could lead to failure and cause injury. Consult an ICWM member company to verify your requirements.
Load ratings are determined by testing how a fully-loaded caster functions after being subjected to typical use conditions over its projected life. Be sure to ask that a caster load rating was established using ICWM requirements for dynamic testing. See sections 7.7 & 7.8 of the ANSI-ICWM Standard for details about static and dynamic test requirements.
Load ratings are determined by testing how a fully-loaded caster functions after being subjected to typical use conditions over its projected life. Tests are performed to simulate casters under load while stationary (static) and in motion (dynamic) to assure they meet requirements. See sections 6.8 & 6.9 of the ANSI-ICWM Standard for details about static and dynamic testing.
Load ratings are determined by testing how a fully-loaded caster functions after being subjected to typical use conditions over its projected life. Tests are performed to simulate casters under load while stationary (static) and in motion (dynamic) to assure they meet requirements. See sections 7.7 & 7.8 of the ANSI-ICWM Standard for details about static and dynamic testing.
Ergonomics / Rollability
Ergonomics, the application of human factors in the workplace, plays a significant role in moving carts. Excessive push or pull forces can lead to back and shoulder injuries, costly downtime, and workers compensation claims. For a given load, wheels play a vital role in how easily equipment may be moved, particularly the size (diameter) and wheel material. Bearing types in both wheels and casters also are factors.
Ergonomics for care givers is often a critical selling point for medical equipment. Ergonomic or rollability characteristics including the force required to initiate rolling and the force required to swivel casters 90 degrees are determined by established tests. Be sure to ask that a caster has been tested to ICWM requirements to assure it is the right fit for your application. See section 7.3 of the ANSI-ICWM Standard to understand how rollability is evaluated by ICWM companies.
Ergonomic or rollability characteristics including the force required to initiate rolling and the force required to swivel casters 90 degrees are determined by established tests. See section 6.3 of the ANSI-ICWM Standard for details about rollability
Ergonomic or rollability characteristics including the force required to initiate rolling and the force required to swivel casters 90 degrees are determined by established tests. See section 7.3 of the ANSI-ICWM Standard to understand how rollability is evaluated by ICWM companies.
Braking Requirements
Understanding the intended function of caster brakes is the best way to avoid disappointment, or worse. Most caster brakes are designed to keep a stationary object still on a level surface. They are not designed to slow or stop a moving object. The test standard considers the effectiveness of the intended design.
One of the most important features of casters in the medical field are brakes. Medical equipment manufacturers can evaluate their performance requirements by test methods found in section 7.4 of the ANSI-ICWM standard. For Medical Beds, the typical brake holding requirement is minimum 20% (of rated load capacity for the caster). This test can be done to compare brake performance of various casters. Also, it should be noted that the load capacity of a caster is often limited by the brake performance.
Brake performance can sometimes deteriorate over time. Customers want the peace of mind to know that the brake will function for the life of the product. Casters that conform to the ANSI-ICWM caster standard, section 7.6, have demonstrated that they will continue to function after normal use.
Depending on the type of braking system, the minimum requirement for brake holding force is from 7% to 20% of the rated load capacity of the caster. In some cases the rated load capacity of a caster is limited by this brake performance requirement. See section 6.5 of the ANSI-ICWM Standard for details about brake efficiency.
To assure braking or locking systems perform over the life of the product, ICWM companies test braking systems on and off repetitively for a minimum of 5000 cycles. See section 6.6 of the ANSI-ICWM Standard for details about braking and locking device fatigue testing.
Depending on the type of braking system, the minimum requirement for brake holding force is from 7% to 20% of the rated load capacity of the caster. In some cases the rated load capacity of a caster is limited by this brake performance requirement. See section 7.4 of the ANSI-ICWM Standard to see how ICWM companies test casters to assure that braking systems meet the minimum requirement.
To assure braking or locking systems perform over the life of the product, ICWM companies test braking systems on and off repetitively for a minimum of 5000 cycles. See section 7.6 of the ANSI-ICWM Standard for details about braking and locking device fatigue testing.
Vertical Impact (Casters and Wheels)
Vertical impact is a measure of how well the caster can resist a sharp blow during operation. It is common for casters to be subjected to impacts from forklifts, pallet jacks or curbs. In Medical or Institutional applications, impacts can be seen moving in and out of elevators (NS) Ensuring that the caster can withstand the impact increases the safety of workers and safety of the load being transported, which could be a human (NS).
Caster vertical impact testing for Medical casters is defined in section 7.10 of the ANSI-ICWM standard. There is also a procedure for impact testing wheels, which is defined in section 7.11 of the ANSI-ICWM caster standard.
Caster vertical impact is determined by testing the minimum impact strength of a caster when dropped from 2 inches (5 cm). Be sure to ask that a caster and wheel vertical impact are established using ICWM requirements. See sections 6.11 and 6.12 of the ANSI-ICWM Standard for details about these tests.
Caster vertical impact testing for Institutional casters is defined in section 7.10 of the ANSI-ICWM standard. There is also a procedure for impact testing wheels, which is defined in section 7.11 of the ANSI-ICWM caster standard.
Swivel Play
Assessing swivel play is important to assure that the caster is not overly "loose" or does not become this way during use. Damaged casters may have increased play. Casters with too much play can drastically impact the ergonomics of the caster and safety of the operator.
Swivel play for Medical casters is determined by measuring the initial swivel play and the final swivel play (after dynamic test). This is defined in section 7.2 of the ANSI-ICWM standard.
Caster swivel play is determined by measuring the initial swivel play and final swivel play at the end of a test sequence. For more details about swivel play, see section 6.2 of the ANSI-ICWM Standard.
Swivel play for Institutional casters is determined by measuring the initial swivel play and the final swivel play (after dynamic test). This is defined in section 7.2 of the ANSI-ICWM standard.
Electric Conductivity
Electric conductivity measures the charge created through friction on non conductive surfaces, such as plastic. When a product is charged and the potential energy is unable to flow away, it will discharge through the next grounded contact (for example, your hand). This can cause serious damage to electronics, or cause fire, or explosion when used in special environments.
Electrically conductive wheels and casters allow the charge that builds up tro be dispelled to the ground. ICWM member companies evaluate conductive casters using section 7.9 of the ANSI-ICWM standard, which has clear requirements for conductivity.
Electrically conductive wheels and casters allow the charge that builds up to be dispelled to the ground. ICWM member companies evaluate conductive casters using section 6.4 of the ANSI-ICWM standard, which has clear requirements for conductivity.
The electro-static conductive properties of casters and wheels are evaluated by standard testing procedures. Minimum resistance values have been established to identify conductive, static dissipative, and insluating products. See section 7.9 of the ANSI-ICWM Standard to understand how ICWM companies conduct these tests.
Swivel Lock (keeps caster from rotating)
In some cases the need to lock both the wheel and the swivel are critical. This is commonly reffered to as a "total locking caster". Engagement of the swivel, like the brake, is tested to ensure durabililty and performance over time.
NOTE: For best performance, lock engagement with the wheel in the "trailing" position is recommended.
Casters with swivel lock features protect against unwanted rotation. Check to see if casters with swivel lock conform to section 7.5 of the ANSI-ICWM standard.
NOT YET DEFINED
Casters with swivel lock features protect against unwanted rotation. Check to see if casters with swivel lock conform to section 7.5 of the ANSI-ICWM standard.
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