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7. Safety and hazard information
To ensure safe operation and use of your viaplus, strictly adhere to the following instructions.
7. Safety instructions
Before using the viaplus:
Before using the viaplus to drive up or down a slope, practice the operation of the add-on drive on level ground.
The viaplus must only be attached to wheelchairs that have been approved by Ulrich Alber GmbH for operation with the add-on
drive.
The bracket for the viaplus must be installed by Ulrich Alber GmbH or your authorised specialist dealer. It is forbidden to modify
the bracket. If modifications are necessary, contact Ulrich Alber GmbH, an Alber representative or your authorised specialist
dealer.
When using the viaplus, always strictly adhere to the operating instructions of the wheelchair.
The viaplus must only be operated by the attendant. As there is a risk that the wheelchair might topple over when driving on
slopes, the viaplus must not be used as a self-drive device. The attendant must at all times be in a position to prevent tipping
over of the wheelchair with passenger. Please note that the wheelchair might tip over forward or backwards.
We strongly recommend equipping the wheelchair with anti-tippers. When climbing slopes of more than 8%, the use of
anti-tippers (installed in pairs) is mandatory.
The parking brakes of the wheelchair to which the viaplus is attached must be positioned in such a way that they can be easily
operated by the attendant while pushing the wheelchair.
Before setting the wheelchair in motion, check the drive wheels. If the tyres are worn to the limit (see chapter 8.2),
do not use the viaplus and change the tyres.
Ensure that the air pressure in the wheelchair tyres corresponds to that prescribed by the wheelchair manufacturer.
The viaplus should be inspected and serviced every two years by Ulrich Alber GmbH, a company representative or your authorised
specialist dealer (see chapter 8.5).
When using the viaplus, observe the following:
Before using the viaplus to drive up or down a slope, practice the operation of the add-on drive on level ground.
To start the viaplus, set the speed select button to the lowest speed and then gradually increase it to the desired walking speed.
The viaplus must not be used to drive on slopes of more than 10 %. Under no circumstance must the maximum permissible slope
specified by the wheelchair manufacturer by exceeded.
Before driving down a slope, readjust the speed at the button to ensure that it is not greater than the walking speed of the
attendant.
Do not drive up or down slopes in idle rolling mode.
Before approaching stairs, precipices or steep slopes, always switch off the viaplus add-on drive.
While the viaplus is switched on, each actuation of the driving lever [12] is converted into a drive command. It is therefore
imperative that inadvertent actuation is prevented. When stopping or waiting in potentially dangerous positions (e.g. while
waiting at a traffic light, in front of slopes or ramps of any type), switch off the viaplus and do not touch the driving lever [12].
Ensure that children do not touch the driving lever [12] or set the viaplus in motion.
Do not attach any objects (shopping bags, etc.) directly on or near the control unit! Such objects might actuate the driving lever,
which could result in inadvertent drive pulses.
When driving on pavements, keep a safe distance (preferably the width of the wheelchair) from the kerb.
To drive over kerbs, always switch off the viaplus and push/pull the wheelchair backwards. Lift the wheelchair by its handles and
not by the viaplus. When driving over kerbs, observe the maximum climbing height specified by the wheelchair manufacturer.
Avoid using the wheelchair on soft ground (e.g. loose chipping, sand, mud, snow, ice or deep puddles).
Never leave the viaplus unattended, even if it is switched off. If this cannot be avoided, remove the battery pack to prevent
unauthorised operation of the viaplus.
During prolonged trips, the drive system of the viaplus might become hot. Do not touch the drive system immediately after a long
trip (e.g. to place the viaplus in the car, etc.).
The performance of the viaplus can be affected by electromagnetic fields, produced for example by mobile phones. Therefore switch
off the add-on drive if a mobile phone is used in the vicinity of the wheelchair.
The viaplus might under certain circumstances interfere with other electrical equipment such as anti-shoplifting barriers in
department stores.
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