Merits S731 - EMI Precautions and Incident Reporting

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3) If unintended movement or brake release occurs, turn the powered wheelchair off as
soon as it is safe.
4) Be aware that adding accessories or components, or modifying the powered
wheelchair, may make it more susceptible to interference from radio wave sources.
(Note: there is no easy way to evaluate their effect on the overall immunity of the
powered wheelchair).
5) Report all incidents of unintended movement or brake release to the powered
wheelchair manufacturer and note whether there is a radio wave source nearby.
TURN OFF YOUR SCOOTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WHEN EXPERIENCING ANY
OF THE FOLLOWING:
1. Unintentional motions.
2. Unintended or uncontrollable direction.
3. Unexpected brake release.
The FDA has written to the manufacturers of power wheelchairs, asking them to test
their new products to ensure they provide a reasonable degree of immunity against
EMI. The letter states that powered wheelchairs should have an immunity level of at
least 20 V/m, which provides a reasonable degree of protection against the more
common sources of EMI. The higher the level, the greater the protection.