Bruno REGAL CUB 35, Operator'S Manual

Page: 42 / 64

© 2001 BRUNO INDEPENDENT LIVING AIDS, INC.
42
October 14, 1999
Dear Customer,
We want to take a few minutes and explain the information that is coming into the market on
Wheelchairs and Scooters relating to EMI / RFI. Over the next several months you are going to
be seeing a lot of press on RFI / EMI.
First, what is EMI and RFI? EMI is Electro Magnetic Interference. RFI is Radio Frequency
Interference. This is energy that you cannot see, and it is very hard to detect its intensity levels.
All electronic devices that have transformers or switch electrical power, such as television and
radio transmission antennas, welders, cellular phones, motors, 2 way radios etc... produce one
or the other in some amount. The vast majority of these devices are properly shielded so that
they do not leak much of this energy outside of their cases, thus having little effect on products
around them. EMI and RFI have been around since electricity was harnessed, they are not new
phenomenon.
The U.S. Food And Drug Association recently has been making public, concerns they have
over how durable medical equipment reacts when in contact with devices that give off higher
levels of EMI / RFI. This started about 2 years ago when they discovered some hospital equip-
ment operating erratically when people nearby used cellular phones. With the popularity of
Cellular and 2-way communication blossoming, the FDA's concern level has risen.
As of December 2nd, 1994 all new wheelchairs and scooters should have instructional warning
tags and we are requested to educate the public on the effects of EMI and RFI. Only you can
take off the informational tag hanging from the tiller. A scooter or wheelchair without the tag will
be considered mislabeled. This is our way of hoping you at least get to read the basics about
EMI/RFI.
The best education is to be aware of the area around you and know how your wheelchair or
scooter normally operates. If you sense that the unit is operating erratically, turn it off. If the unit
is off, it can not be influenced by EMI or RFI. When in doubt, turn the key OFF. Report any
erratic behavior to your dealer and to the manufacturer as soon as possible. Is your scooter
safe? YES, but like all appliances, you must follow basic common sense guidelines to operate it
safely.
If you use a cellular phone or a 2-way radio, turn the scooter or wheelchair off before using it.
The accompanying chart was developed based on FDA guideline information of the worst
possible situations regarding wheelchair and transmission sources. Adhering to these sug-
gested distances should dramatically reduce the possibility of EMI / RFI interference.
The Regal and Cub line of scooters use mechanical steering, extensive design and testing
reviews along with quality components to minimize the EMI / RFI interference possibilities.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at 1-800-882-8183. This line has an
answering machine for non business hours and some one will contact you as soon as possible.
EMI AND RFI INFORMATION