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Maintenance manual, installation and user guide UK
Dahl VarioDock™
IMPORTANT:
Please read these instructions in full before commencing
installation. Users must also read the instructions in full
before using the product. These instructions must be
submitted to the user on delivery of the VarioDock and
should be kept at an easily accessible location in the
vehicle.
Dahl Engineering’s VarioDock System has been tested in
accordance with, and satisfies the requirements of, ISO
10542-1:2012 and 7176-19:2008.
The docking system has been crash tested in frontal col-
lisions at 48 km/h, 20g, in connection with a wheelchair
weight of 200 kg + test dummies with a mass of 76.4kg
and 102kg where the lap belt was anchored to the floor
of the vehicle, (276.4 kg and 302 kg total weight).
For wheelchair and user facing forward in the vehicle
Table of contents
Warnings
3
Product overview
4-5
Documentation at handover
6
Maintenance interval
7-12
User guide
13-15
Installation of Dahl VarioDock
16-19
Tightening torque
20-21
Electrical connection
22-24
Accessories
25-26
Using VarioDock to anchor car seats
27
Safety belts
28-33
Spare parts
34-35
The securing system for the wheelchair and safety belts for
the user may be designated with the abbreviation WTORS
(Wheelchair Tiedown & Occupant Restraint Systems) in
these instructions.
Warnings
1. In the event that the instructions and warnings in this guide are not followed,
there is a risk of death or serious injury to the wheelchair user and the other
passengers in the vehicle.
2. Installation must be carried out by an experienced technician/fitter.
3. The docking station must be serviced and parts replaced with original Dahl
parts according to the instructions of the service manual. Failure to comply
with the instructions of the service manual may render the product partially
or completely inoperative or cause damage to the product, which can result
in serious or lethal injury to the user and/or other passengers of the vehicle in
the event of fatal injury.
4. Never begin driving the vehicle whilst a wheelchair is being docked in the
docking station or if the user’s safety belt is not secured.
5. Never begin driving the vehicle if the warning tone sounds and/or the red
warning lamp (LED) in the control panel flashes or lights up.
6. WTORS may only be used for forward-facing wheelchairs.
7. Contact Dahl Engineering or your dealer immediately if there is any doubt con-
cerning the use of the product or if the product has faults or non-conformities.
8. Users in wheelchairs should never be transported in the vehicle if certified
WTORS are not used.
9. The user should not be a passenger or driver of the vehicle if both lap belts
and shoulder belts are not used. This is to reduce the risk of the user’s head or
chest hitting interior vehicle elements and other passengers.
10. The docking system, seat belts and components shall be subjected to a check
and maintenance inspection at least once a year in accordance with mainte-
nance interval and documentation.
11. The user should never try to repair, adjust or modify the WTORS components.
Alterations or modifications to the system are strongly discouraged. Any alter-
ations carried out without prior agreement with Dahl Engineering are entirely
the responsibility of the fitter and/or the user.
12. It is forbidden to combine Dahl WTORS components with those of other manu-
facturers. Some belt fittings/components will be very obviously incompatible,
while others may appear to engage correctly, but might not withstand crash
loadings or perform satisfactorily.
13. Do not attach components to weak/non-solid components or materials.
14. The fitter is responsible for ensuring that the installed unit satisfies all statuto-
ry requirements. Contact local/national authorities if there is any doubt in this
regard.
15. Incorrect installation of safety belts and the docking station can cause mal-
functions which can result in death or serious injury to the user.
16. Belt webbing must be protected against contact with sharp edges and corners,
contact with solvents, polishing agents, oil and caustic/corrosive fluids or ma-
terials (in particular battery acid). Damaged, worn, torn or contaminated belt
webbing and components must be replaced. This should be checked daily.
17. An airbag should be deactivated if the user is situated less than 300 mm from
the airbag, or as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. An airbag should
also be deactivated if retrofitted parts block or have an effect on its inflation/
expansion. If it is necessary to deactivate or remove the airbag, it is impera-
tive, before fitting the docking system, to check if the vehicle manufacturer
can offer a safety belt which is approved to be fitted without an airbag.
18. A docking station which has been involved in a collision from which the vehi-
cle has had to be towed away or where the airbag has been deployed, must be
sent to DAHL Engineering for inspection and possible repair. Safety belts and
components must be replaced without separating the components, because
they may have suffered damage that is not visible to the naked eye.
19. Be sure to check national regulations with regard to minimum clear space
requirements and access to emergency exists for seats and wheelchairs for the
vehicle concerned.
20. It is essential, that wheelchair manufacturers’ instructions, references and
warnings are followed when installing and using Dahl Docking Systems. The
EU medical device directive states that a CE-marked medical device which has
been customized outside the manufacturer’s specifications thereby becomes
a customized medical device and that the CE-marking must be removed. Any-
one who customizes a CE-marked medical device outside the manufacturer's
specifications is responsible for quality, safety and performance of the device
and becomes the responsible manufacturer of the customized device.
Complying with the wheelchair manufacturer's user and installation guide
when installing the Dahl Docking System will ensure that the wheelchair
manufacturer's CE-marking will remain intact. Manufacturer manuals for all
CE-marked wheelchairs can be downloaded from our website.
