Recommendations on Standards for the Design of Medical Diagnostic Equipment for Adults with Disabilities, Advisory Committee Final Report

M301.4 Lift Compatibility

M01.4.1 Clearance in Base

Proposed requirement:

The base of the equipment shall provide a clearance 44 inches (1120 mm) wide minimum, 6 inches (150 mm) high minimum measured from the floor, and 36 inches (915 mm) deep minimum measured from the edge of the examination surface. Where the width of the examination surface is less than 36 inches (915 mm), the clearance depth shall extend the full width of the equipment. Equipment components are permitted to be located within 8 inches (205 mm) maximum of the centerline of the clearance width.

• Sub-Committee Recommendation:
The base of the equipment shall provide a clearance 39 inches (1000 mm) wide minimum, 6 inches (150 mm) high minimum measured from the floor, and 36 inches (915 mm) deep minimum measured from the edge of the examination surface. Where the width of the examination surface is less than 36 inches (915 mm), the clearance depth shall extend the full width of the equipment. Equipment components are permitted to be located within 8 inches (205 mm) maximum of the centerline of the clearance width.

Rationale: Harmonization with IEC 60601-2-52 "Particular requirements for the basic safety and essential performance of medical beds" Change clearance requirement to:
39 inches (1000 mm) from 44 inches (1120 mm). This is the current International standard for clearance. Recommend that this be harmonious with this standard.

For stretchers with a shorter wheelbase than “standard” size stretcher bases, the clearance for a lift may include a lift window that is a combination of “Clearance in Base” and “Clearance Around Base”. With a short wheelbase, one leg of a floor based mobile patient lift will be placed through the base and the second leg of the lift will be placed around the base. The size of the window should still apply as written, these comments are placed here to identify a difference in how product configuration should not affect the clause.

IEC 60601-2-52 Particular requirements for the basic safety and essential performance of medical beds provides a similar requirement for lift clearance in the base. The dimensions there are 150mm x 1000mm. Recommendation here is to shrink the 1120mm dimension to 1000mm (39”) dimension to harmonize with the international standard.