Module 2: Know Your Equipment
Free Driver Training · Module 2 of 12
Know Your Equipment
A wheelchair tiedown and occupant restraint system (WTORS) has two jobs: hold the wheelchair to the vehicle, and hold the rider in the wheelchair seat. Each job uses different parts, and mixing them up is one of the most common mistakes. Reading time: about 7 minutes.
After this module you will be able to:
- Name the parts of a four-point tie-down and an occupant restraint.
- Explain how floor tracks and anchors connect the system to the vehicle.
- Identify the wheelchair type you are securing and why it matters.
The four-point tie-down: the wheelchair half
A four-point strap-type system attaches the chair to the vehicle at four separate points on the wheelchair and four on the floor. The straps do not hold the rider. Their job is to keep the empty or occupied chair in place during braking, turns and impact.
A strap assembly has three kinds of parts:
- Floor attachment: the fitting that locks into a track or floor plate in the vehicle.
- Webbing and tensioner: the strap itself, plus a way to remove slack and tighten it. Tensioners come as retractors (which pull the strap in automatically), cam buckles, ratchet buckles and over-center buckles. Different models use different tensioners, so learn the one on your vehicle.
- Wheelchair attachment: the hook or fitting that connects to a structural point on the chair frame. S-hooks, snap hooks and wire hooks are common, and each is designed for specific attachment points.
Straps should have a clear, straight path from the floor to the chair frame. They should never bend around wheels, footrests or other parts that are not designed to carry load, and should never be attached to a wheel or any detachable part of the chair.
Safety warningNever attach a strap to a wheel, a footrest or any part of the chair that can be removed or is not built to carry load. Those parts can bend, break or come off in a sudden stop.
Floor tracks and anchors
The floor hardware is what ties everything to the vehicle's structure. Common systems include L-track and similar rail-style tracks, floor plates with fixed anchor points, and wall or sidewall anchors. Check that the track is clean, free of debris and fully engaged with the strap fitting, because dirt, sand and ice can keep a fitting from seating. Strap fittings and tracks are matched by the manufacturer. If they are not designed to work together, do not use them together.
Question answeredCan I use any strap with any track? No. Strap fittings and tracks are matched by the manufacturer. If they are not designed to work together, do not use them together.
The occupant restraint: the rider half
The rider needs a lap belt and a shoulder belt that are crash-tested for use with the securement system. The lap belt sits low across the pelvis, close to the hips, and the shoulder belt crosses the chest and collarbone. Belts are available as independent systems anchored to the vehicle, integrated systems that attach to the wheelchair or its securement points, and combinations of the two. Follow the instructions for the exact system.
Two things drivers are often taught and often forget:
- A postural support belt (the belt that keeps someone sitting upright in a chair) is not designed to restrain them in a crash. It does not replace the vehicle's crash-tested lap and shoulder belt.
- Tie-down straps never double as a rider restraint. The system works only when each part does its own job.
Key pointStraps hold the chair. Belts hold the rider. Neither one can do the other's job.
Know the wheelchair you are securing
The chair determines the securement plan. Before each trip, take a few seconds to identify what you are working with.
| Chair type | What to look for | Securement note |
|---|---|---|
| WC19-labeled transit wheelchair | Four clearly marked securement points, a label stating compliance | Attach to the marked points as the chair's manufacturer directs. |
| Standard manual chair, not WC19 | No marked points; structural frame members | Use accessible structural points on the frame, as close to the seat as practical, and never on wheels or removable parts. |
| Power wheelchair | Heavier base, battery, sometimes removable seat | Attach to the base frame points the chair's manufacturer identifies. Turn off power and apply the brake. |
| Mobility scooter | Tall body, tiller, frames that may not offer clear points | Often calls for a manufacturer-approved method or a different seat. See Module 8. |
| Tilt or recline chair | Seat can move relative to base | Attach to the base, not the moving seat, unless the manufacturer says otherwise. |
| Pediatric chair | Smaller frame, special positioning | See Module 7 before you begin. |
When no securement points can be found or the chair cannot be secured safely, do not improvise. Transfer the rider to a seat with a vehicle belt if they can be moved safely, or arrange different transport. Module 3 explains how to avoid getting there.
What the manufacturer saysBoth the wheelchair's manual and the tie-down's manual identify approved attachment points and methods. If they do not agree, stop and ask the manufacturer or your trainer.
Key takeaways
- A WTORS has two jobs: secure the chair and restrain the rider, and each part does one job.
- Straps need a straight, clear path and should never attach to wheels or removable parts.
- A postural belt is not a crash-tested restraint, and tie-down straps never replace a rider belt.
- Identify the chair type before you start. It sets the plan.
Knowledge check
Choose your answer. You will see right away whether it is correct.
1. What are the two jobs of a WTORS?
The answer is B. Straps secure the chair and belts restrain the rider.
2. Where should a tie-down hook be attached on a chair that is not WC19?
The answer is B. Never attach to a wheel or a removable part.
3. True or false: a postural support belt can replace the vehicle's crash-tested lap and shoulder belt.
The answer is False. A postural belt keeps someone sitting upright and is not designed to restrain them in a crash.
4. On a tilt or recline chair, where do tie-down straps attach unless the manufacturer says otherwise?
The answer is A. The seat moves relative to the base, so the base is the structural point.
Equipment mentionedRetractors, floor track, hooks and lap and shoulder belts are covered here. Not sure which parts match your vehicle and wheelchair? Call 800.884.6456 or email info@wheelchairstrap.com. Our Wheelchair Securement Glossary explains any term in this module.
Module 2 sources: Sure-Lok “Doing It Right” trainer guide · NHTSA school bus child passenger safety manual · UMTRI: RESNA standards · WheelchairStrap.com Glossary
This training is general educational guidance from WheelchairStrap.com. It does not replace the instructions of your equipment manufacturers, your employer's policies, or applicable laws and regulations. Completing it is not an official certification. Your progress is saved only on the device and browser you use. WheelchairStrap.com, 1015 N I-35E, Suite 218, Carrollton, TX 75019 · 800.884.6456 · info@wheelchairstrap.com
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