ISO 22915-21:2019

Overview

ISO 22915-21:2019 - Industrial trucks - Verification of stability - Part 21 covers stability testing for order‑picking trucks with an operator position elevating above 1 200 mm. The standard specifies the test conditions, truck positioning and verification procedures used to confirm stability under normal indoor operating conditions for trucks fitted with fork arms, platforms and/or integrated attachments. It excludes trucks with load carriers that can be shifted laterally or pivoted out of the truck’s longitudinal centre plane.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and definitions: Builds on ISO 5053‑1 (terminology/classification) and ISO 22915‑1 (general verification of stability) to define test terms such as normal operating conditions, guided steering, restricted steering and unrestricted steering.
• Test matrix (Tests 1–5): Stability is verified across a set of standardized tests covering:
  • steering modes (guided, restricted, unrestricted)
  • travel directions (longitudinal and lateral)
  • with and without load
  • load leading and load trailing orientations
  • creep speed requirements (low-speed operation)
• Truck positioning on tilt table: Precise placement rules use reference points (M and N) tied to drive/steer and load axles, and account for different wheel and axle layouts (single/dual drive wheels, articulated frames, sprung/non‑sprung castors).
• Lift height and speed dependency: Lift height is measured from the tilt table to the top of the load surface. Required tilt‑table angles for tests are determined from combinations of lift height and the truck’s maximum travel speed (v), with provisions to select the worst‑case combination that gives the least tilt‑table margin.
• Verification procedure: Stability pass/fail criteria are given in a comprehensive table (Table 1) that links test type, truck position, lift height class and required tilt angles.

Applications and who uses it

ISO 22915-21:2019 is intended for:

• manufacturers and design engineers of order‑picking trucks who must validate vehicle stability and demonstrate compliance with international safety expectations
• test houses and conformity assessment bodies performing stability verification and type testing
• safety managers, warehouse operations and procurement teams selecting high‑lift order‑picking equipment
• regulatory and compliance professionals referencing harmonized test methods for workplace safety programs

Practical benefits include clearer test protocols for high‑elevation operator platforms, improved consistency in stability assessment, and support for safer warehouse operations with elevated order‑picking equipment.

Related standards

• ISO 22915‑1: General verification of stability procedures
• ISO 5053‑1: Terminology and classification for industrial trucks
• Other parts of the ISO 22915 series (e.g., Parts 2–24) covering counterbalanced, reach, straddle and specialized trucks

Keywords: ISO 22915-21:2019, order-picking trucks, stability verification, tilt-table test, industrial trucks, lift height, warehouse equipment testing, safety standard.