(a) Vertical Cycling--The lift platform shall be operated up and then down through its maximum vertical operating range for 15,600 cycles with a load of 270 kg (595 lb) for the first 600 cycles and 170 kg (375 lb) or the remaining cycles. The ambient temperature for the first half of the cycles in each of these tests shall be at least +43 deg C (+110 deg F). The test may be continuous or separated into groups of not less than 10 cycles with nonoperating periods of not more than 1 min between each cycle in the group. The platform shall raise and lower smoothly throughout the test with vertical and horizontal accelerations not exceeding 3.0 m/s² (0.3g) as measured during the first 5 cycles and last 5 cycles.

(b) Deployment Cycling--The lift platform shall be deployed and stowed for 10,000 cycles. The ambient temperature for the first half of the cycles shall be at least +43 deg C (+110 deg F). The test may be continuous or separated into groups and may have nonoperating periods between cycles as specified in preceding subsection (a).

(c) Low Temperature Operation--After 5 h of exposure to a temperature not higher than -7 deg C (+20 deg F), the wheelchair lift shall be operated through 10 unloaded cycles of deploying, lowering, raising, and stowing at the exposure temperature. Each cycle shall be separated by at least a 30 min cooling period at a temperature not higher than -7 deg C (+20 deg F).

(d) Self-Damage--The controls shall be held in operating position for 5 s after the unloaded lift meets resistance to its travel under each control position with any limit switches deactivated. The test shall be performed twice at each position of deploy, stow, full up at floor level and full down at ground level.

(e) Proof Load--With the lift stationary at its raised position, the platform shall be loaded with 410 kg (900 lb) uniformly distributed around the center of the platform within an area not exceeding a 60 x 60 cm (24 x 24 in.) square.

(f) Power and Equipment Failure--A failure of power, chain, cable, or hydraulic hose that allows the lift to deploy or the platform to lower shall be simulated. The wheelchair lift shall comply with preceding Section 1092(d) during this test.

(g) Visual Inspection--At the conclusion of the tests described in subsections (a) through (e), with all loads removed, the parts of the wheelchair lift shall show no condition of fracture, permanent deformation, extreme wear, perceptible impairment, or other deterioration that would be hazardous to the occupant operator.

(h) Maintenance--During the durability tests, the inspection, lubrication, maintenance, and replacement of parts (other than bulbs and fuses) may be performed only as specified in the owner's manual for the lift and at intervals no more frequent than specified in the manual. Maintenance specified for certain time intervals shall be performed during the vertical cycling and deployment cycling tests at a number of cycles that is in the same proportion to the total cycles as the maintenance period is to 36 months.