AIRCRAFT STOWAGE PROCEDURES FOR POWERED WHEELCHAIRS
In conformance with DOT hazardous materials regulations (49 CFR Parts
171, 172, 173, 175)
September 30, 1988
Prepared for: Architectural and Transportation
Barriers Compliance Board
1111 18th Street, NW Suite 501
Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 653-7848
Prepared by:American Institutes for Research
45 North Road
Bedford, MA 01730
NOTICE
This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the
Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board in the
interest of information exchange. The United States Government does
wnot endorse products, manufacturers, or private corporations. Trade or
manufacturer's names appear herein solely because they are considered
essential to the object of this report.
In September, 1986, the Architectural and Transportation Barriers
Compliance Board (ATBCB) sponsored a research project to survey and
document policies, procedures and practices for stowing wheelchairs
and other mobility aids on aircraft. The resulting technical paper,
Mobility Aid Stowage, identified a broad range of industry experience
in reducing barriers faced by disabled air travelers. The purpose of
the project was to identify policies, procedures and practices
currently used by air carriers which were effective in eliminating or
reducing those barriers. Where complete practices could not be
identified, the contractor synthesized procedures from existing ones.
The resulting recommendations, if correctly implemented by the air
industry, should contribute greatly to improving access to air travel
opportunities for disabled persons.
One of the most complicated barriers to overcome, and the one which
has generated the most inconsistent practices among air carriers, is
the proper safe stowage of battery powered wheelchairs. In part, this
is due to confusion about hazardous materials regulations and the
changing nature of power wheelchairs.
The technical paper devoted a separate section to a detailed procedure
for handling power wheelchairs.
The procedure outlined is derived from practices currently being used
by several foreign and domestic air carriers with good success. The
procedure described is fully consistent with the U.S. Department of
Transportation Hazardous Materials regulations codified at 49 CFR
Parts 171, 172, 173, and 175. If implemented properly, it should
allow for the safe and efficient transport of battery powered
wheelchairs.
To more easily respond to requests to the ATBCB for technical
assistance on this topic, the procedure has been published separately
in this pamphlet.
For further information on access for persons with disabilities, or
for a copy of the report from which the information in this brochure
was derived, contact the ATBCB Office of Technical and Information
Services, 1111 18th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20036 or call (202)
653-7848 (voice or TDD).
Step 1: Determine the Orientation in Which the Wheelchair Will be
Stowed
A wheelchair should be stowed standing upright if possible. If it
cannot fit in the cargo compartment standing upright, it can be laid
on its side so that it does fit. The stowage position most often
determines how the battery must be stowed. The dimensions of the cargo
compartment access door may require the wheelchair to be tipped
sideways to fit through the door - a factor which also influences
battery stowage.
You need to compare the dimensions of the wheelchair to (1) those of
the cargo compartment in which the wheelchair will be placed and (2)
the cargo compartment access door.
Therefore:
- You need to determine if the wheelchair can be loaded and stowed:
standing upright vs. on its side vs. not at all
-You can determine the overall wheelchair dimensions by one or more of
the following methods:
a) Ask the passenger
b) Measure the chair
-You can determine the aircraft cargo compartment and access door
dimensions by one or more of the following methods:
a) See the Operating Manual, Page _________.
(to be supplied by each airline)
b) Ask cargo handlers to take measurements
If the wheelchair can be loaded and stowed upright
GO TO STEP 3
If the wheelchair cannot be loaded or stowed upright:
GO TO STEP 2
Step 2: Determine if the Wheelchair Battery is
"SPILLABLE" or "NON-SPILLABLE"
Batteries are categorized as a hazardous material by the U.S. Dept. of
Transportation's Material Transportation Bureau (MTB). U.S. DOT
regulations specify methods for battery stowage on aircraft partially
as a function of the battery type. There are two major types of
batteries used in electric wheelchairs:
Most common type: Lead acid batteries "Spillable"
A lead acid battery is filled with a fluid called electrolyte.
Electrolyte is highly corrosive. It can leak or spill out of the
battery unless the battery is packaged and handled properly.
Less common type: Gel-cell battery"Non-Spillable"
A gel-cell battery is filled with electrolyte which is formulated
in a gel or "jelly" state. The gel will not leak or spill out of gel-
cell batteries.
You can determine what type of battery powers the wheelchair by one or
more of the following methods:
a) Inspect the battery for the label "Gel-cell"
b) Ask the passenger
c) Open battery vents to determine if they are filled with
electrolyte fluid or a gelled substance
Step 3: Implement the Proper Method for Stowing the Battery
Based on the findings from Steps 1 & 2, you need to determine the
proper method for stowing the battery from the chart.
METHOD A: PREPARE BATTERY FOR STOWAGE IN
WHEELCHAIR
IMPORTANT: Use this stowage method only when the wheelchair with
spillable or non-spillable batteries will be loaded and stowed
standing upright.
1. Make sure the battery is firmly secured to the wheelchair. If
holder bracket appears to be loose, either (1) tighten holder bracket
screws, bolts or belts or (2) strap the battery to the wheelchair
frame with strong tape such as duct or electrical tape.
2. Disconnect the power supply using one of the following methods:
First choice:
Disconnect the plug on the main power cable which runs from
the battery case to the motor.
Depending on the wheelchair brand, the cable will be labeled
"power" or will be color-coded red.
Second choice:
a) If there is no main power plug, disconnect the battery
terminal cables from both the positive (+) and negative (-)
poles.
CAUTION:
When performing this task, you must wear eyeglasses and use the proper
size wrench and pliers. To avoid damage the terminal connectors
should not be "jerked" loose, but rather, loosened sufficiently to be
detached without using excessive force. You must not let metal tools
touch the metal frame and the battery terminal pole at the same time
or you could generate sparks or enough heat to pose a burn hazard.
3. If the battery is in its own container (bucket) equipped with a
lid,no further preparation is needed (if the lid has been removed
to disconnect the battery cables, put it back on). Proceed to
step 4.
a)If the battery container does not have a lid, terminals
must be capped or taped to protect the battery from
accidental contact with metal objects during transit or
reinstallation in the wheelchair; contact could cause sparks
and high heat.
b)If the battery is not in a container which would serve to
contain minor seepage of battery acid, the battery's regular
vent caps (which are not "spill-resistant") should be
replaced with "spill resistant" vent caps. Package the
regular vent caps in a plastic bag and attach the bag to the
wheelchair.
WARNING: Regular vent caps must be replaced before reconnecting the
battery to avoid dangerous pressure buildup in the battery during
subsequent use.
4. Stow the wheelchair in the aircraft cargo compartment in a
manner that assures it will remain standing upright, using cargo
straps or netting.
END OF PROCEDURE
METHOD B: REMOVE BATTERY FROM WHEELCHAIR AND PACKAGE IN APPROVED
CONTAINER
IMPORTANT: Use this stowage method when the wheelchair with spillable
batteries must be turned sideways to fit it through the cargo
compartment door or if it will be stowed on its side. Both are
conditions that could cause battery acid to spill or leak from the
battery.
1. For batteries placed in separate containers/housings, remove
the container from the wheelchair (if practical) and remove the
battery from its container. You may have to perform the next
step first, before removing the battery from the container.
2. Disconnect the power supply by disconnecting the battery
terminal cables from both the positive (+) and negative (-)
poles.
CAUTION: When performing this task, you must wear protective gloves
and eyeglasses and use the proper size wrench and pliers. To avoid
damage, the terminal connectors should not be "jerked" loose, but
rather, loosened sufficiently to be detached without using excessive
force. You must not let metal tools touch the metal frame and the
battery terminal pole at the same time or you could generate sparks or
enough heat to pose a burn hazard.
3. Cap or tape the battery terminals/poles to prevent contact with
metal objects during transit or removal/installation.
In order to perform the next task properly, an approved battery
container including the following items are needed:
1 roll electrical tape
2 roll 2" masking tape
1 roll packing tape
1 roll putty
2 battery terminal/pole caps
6 "spill resistant" screw caps
6 "spill resistant" push caps
3 sheets absorbent material
1 large polyethylene bag to hold the battery & container
1 small polyethylene bag for regular battery caps
1 cardboard shipping box
1 special wheelchair shipping tag
(Note: These items are included in the Air Canada battery package
list.)
4a. If the battery is "spillable" and is equipped with regular vent
caps (which do not resist spills), replace these caps with the
"spill resistant battery" vent caps. Package the regular caps in
a plastic bag.
4b. If the battery is "maintenance free" type, seal the vent slots
with putty and hold the putty in place with the 2" masking tape.
WARNING: Putty must be removed from vent holes before operating the
chair.
5. Wrap the battery with three layers of absorbent material. Three
layers will be enough to absorb the entire fluid contents of the
largest wheel chair batteries.
6. If the battery container has been removed from the wheelchair,
place the wrapped battery back in its original container, place
the battery (and container) in the plastic bag, twist the top of
the bag, and seal the plastic bag with tape.
7. Place both the plastic bag containing the battery and the smaller
plastic bag containing the regular battery caps in the shipping
box.
8. Seal the box with shipping tape.
9. Attach a wheelchair shipping tag to the box.
10. Stow the box in the aircraft according to the proper orientation
as defined by the "THIS SIDE UP" instruction and arrows
printed on the box. Stow the box near the wheelchair to avoid
their separation.
END OF PROCEDURE
METHOD C: REMOVE BATTERY FROM WHEELCHAIR AND STOW
IMPORTANT: Use this stowage method when a wheel-chair with non-
spillable batteries must be stowed on its side. Non-spillable
batteries will not leak if the wheelchair must be tipped during
loading or must be stowed on its side. However, the batteries should
be removed to prevent shifting of the battery and potential damage to
the wheelchair during transit.
1. Disconnect the main power plug (remove cables from the
battery terminals only if necessary to remove the battery from
the wheelchair).
2. For a battery in a separate container which can be easily
removed from the wheelchair, remove the container with the
battery left inside the container.
3a. If the container has a lid which prevents the battery terminals
from contacting other metal objects, make sure the lid is secure
(put the lid back on the container if it was removed to detach
the battery cables).
4. Place the battery (and the battery container if provided) in a
shipping box and seal the box with shipping tape.
5. Attach a wheelchair shipping tag to the box.
6. Stow the box and the wheelchair close together in the aircraft.
Secure the box and wheelchair with cargo straps or netting.
END OF PROCEDURE
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