ANSI ICWM: 2018 Performance Requirements-Casters & Wheels

The Institute of Caster and Wheel Manufacturers (ICWM), an Industry Group of the Material Handling Institute (MHI), has recently announced that ANSI has accepted the new updates to the ANSI ICWM-2018 standard named “Vocabulary, Performance and Testing Requirements for Casters and Wheels.” This is an important update to the industry, and this article will focus on the essential information manufactures and users will need to stay in compliance.

History:

Backtracking to 2004, the standard was originally released and then updated in 2012. This standard states that it provides “manufacturers, specifiers and users with a common basis for evaluating the safety, durability, structural adequacy and technical requirements for group-specific casters and wheels.” In addition, it also includes definitions relating to wheel construction; casters/caster accessories; and axle and mountings. Certain tests and equipment that can be utilized are also provided, along with the surroundings for tests and the minimum acceptance levels to be used in assessing such products.

Compliance Requirements:

This standard provides manufacturers, specifiers and users with a common basis for evaluating the safety, durability, structural adequacy and technical requirements for group-specific casters and wheels. The standard defines industry terms, specific tests, equipment/methods that can be used, the conditions of tests, and minimum acceptance levels to be used in evaluating these products.

The 2018 Standard’s purpose has not changed since 2012 and neither has the equipment it covers, which includes casters and wheels in the following categories:

1. a) furniture chair casters;
2. b) industrial casters (at or under 2.5 mph and over 2.5 mph);
3. c) institutional and medical equipment casters; and
4. d) business machine and shopping cart casters. [source: ANSI ICWM-2018, 1]

It is important to remember that all standards are subject to revision, so this may not be the case if this standard is, once again, updated in the future.

Why This Standard Is Important:

The standard is important because the ICWM’s members are the industry’s foremost suppliers of casters, wheels and industrial trailer trucks, platform trucks and towline trucks. They supply caster and wheel solutions worldwide and in nearly every major manufacturing and distribution division. An organization like this is a trusted voice in the community.

What has Changed:

“ICWM formed a committee of technical caster experts to review the 2012 standard in detail.  Many clarifications were made to address open questions that had been received in the past.  Major changes to the standard include the addition of the section that addresses test standards for business machine and shopping cart casters. Another major change was the elimination of dynamic and impact test for Industrial casters with load ratings over 5,000lbs, tests that are often not feasible,” says Natacha Smith, ICWM President and Engineering Manager of TENTE Casters, in the company’s press release on the MHI website. (http://www.mhi.org/media/news/26434)

Compliance Assistance:

MHI is dedicated to helping users gain easy access to its resources. The standard can be downloaded for free at the following link: http://imis.mhi.org/imis/ItemDetail?iProductCode=10012&WebsiteKey=7f58dfad-596e-4e29-84f6-33c278512f2b.