Overview
ISO 24415-1:2009 - Tips for assistive products for walking - Part 1: Friction of tips - specifies requirements and a laboratory test method to evaluate the frictional performance of tips (the parts of canes, crutches, rollators, walking frames, etc., that contact the walking surface). The standard focuses on ordinary gait on dry, flat walking surfaces and is intended to exclude tips manufactured for special purposes (for example, ice/snow-specific tips). Its purpose is to ensure tips provide a minimum, reproducible level of slip resistance to support user safety.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Minimum frictional force: The standard requires a minimum frictional force of 25 N when tested per the method.
- Test geometry and loading: Tips are tested mounted on a loading shaft positioned at (70 ± 2)° to the test track with an axial loading force of (50 ± 1) N applied along the shaft.
- Test track and environment: The test uses the air side of float glass as the test track. Environmental conditions are (23 ± 2) °C and (50 ± 10) % RH.
- Test velocity and timing: Relative movement is at (500 ± 25) mm/min, reached within 0.3 s, and measurements are taken during linear motion for at least 3 s.
- Sample preparation and repetitions: Tips are cleaned, conditioned for at least 3 hours, and three samples per model are tested. After conditioning cycles, five waveform-recorded runs are used to compute the frictional value; the lowest average of the three samples is reported.
- Friction value determination: Recorded friction is taken as the initial peak, or if no peak appears within 3 s, the value at 3 s (see Annex A).
- Test apparatus and measurement: The apparatus includes a pulling mechanism, loading mechanism, test track, and recording system capable of at least ±2% accuracy and measuring up to 200 N.
Applications and who uses it
ISO 24415-1:2009 is used by:
- Manufacturers of tips and assistive products to design and verify slip resistance.
- Product designers and R&D teams integrating safe tips into canes, crutches, rollators, walking frames and walking tables.
- Testing laboratories and QA departments for compliance testing and product certification.
- Purchasing agents, healthcare providers, and regulators evaluating product safety and selecting appropriate assistive devices.
Benefits include improved user safety, objective performance criteria for tip selection, and harmonized test methods for market acceptance.
Related standards
- ISO 9999 - Assistive products for persons with disability: classification and terminology (normative reference).
- ISO 24415 Part 2 - Durability of tips for crutches (under preparation at time of publication).
Keywords: ISO 24415-1:2009, tips for assistive products for walking, friction test, assistive device tips, slip resistance, test method, crutches, canes, rollators, safety.