A8.1. Ease of use in preparing the system prior to removing dust

Evaluation criteria for understanding and operating:

• – Understanding (assembly/disassembly):
  • - number of elements to assemble (required);
  • - evidence of the correct way to install; existence of markings; control of assembly steps;
  • - risk of confusion in the choice of parts and in the assembly, as there are a number of possible incorrect configurations;
  • - need to use the instruction manual; understanding of the instruction manual.
• – Operating (assembly/disassembly):
  • - handling, risk of injury (fingernails, etc.), accessibility, number of hands required;
  • - effort needed (jamming, clogging, etc.);
  • - multiple means of operation, assembly and disassembly time, need for tools, need for precise assembly;
  • - stability of the elements, risk of deterioration, risk of losing items;
  • - cleanliness of the operation (hands, floor, etc.).

A8.2. For removing dust from floors

Dust removal from floors is particularly easy. Issues and features include:

• – excessive effort when passing over certain types of flooring;
• – difficult guidance of the suction nozzle or the device;
• – large suction nozzle needs to be repositioned/re-adjusted frequently, but good application can occur;
• – risk of improper application of the suction nozzle to the surface;
• – risk of uncontrolled opening of the suction gear;
• – risk of injury from the handle;
• – discomfort caused by the hose;
• – tube is rigid and handle is too long for shorter people;
• – tube is rigid and handle is too short for taller people;
• – hose a bit short/stiff/heavy;
• – risk of discomfort from outlet of air;
• – danger of air outlet kicking up dust;
• – risk of scratches from gravel on smooth floors;
• – significant rolling noise on smooth floors;
• – possibility of large waste removal.

On this basis, here are some practical recommendations:

• – there should be an outer protection band which is non-rough and nonelastic (smooth and hard);
• – the device should be less than 80 mm from the ground, as collisions with side boards are more acceptable than collisions with wall surfaces;
• – there should be a slight camber angle (instead of a wheel being perfectly vertical, it is tilted at a slight angle);
• – the exit point of the hose from the body should be further forward than the front pivoting wheels;
• – there should be no wheels protruding laterally;
• – at least two wheels should be non-pivoting.

A8.3. For removing the dust from edges and under furniture

• – Guidance is difficult along borders;
• – friction/risk of collision/risk of leaving marks along the edges;
• – it is very easy to remove dust from under furniture or;
• – it is somewhat easy to remove dust from under furniture or;
• – it is very difficult/virtually impossible to remove dust from under furniture.

On this basis, here are some practical recommendations:

• – a brush should be provided at the end of the handle of the tube for passing quickly along edges or borders;
• – easy passage and guidance along edges should be possible with one hand;
• – engagement of the large suction nozzle should be possible in narrow areas;
• – for dust removal under furniture, the suction nozzle should remain properly applied to the ground and to the edge;
• – the height of the nozzle and the rigid tube should be substantially lower than the height of the space under the furniture;
• – on a stairway, the body of the device should be set in a secure position where it will not be thrown off balance, for example, due to the power cord;
• – the position of the body of the device on a step (200 mm wide, for example) should be similar to the position when it is on the ground;
• – the body of the device must not rest on its pivoting wheels.

A8.4. To change operations

• – no adaptation is required for a change of operations;
• – risk of confusion when adopting the large convertible nozzle;
• – need to change the large nozzle by hand;
• – need to change the suction when transferring from smooth floors to carpets;
• – preparation necessary for vacuuming liquids;
• – very easy assembly of accessories;
• – excessive effort needed for the assembly and disassembly of accessories;
• – risk of injury during assembly and disassembly of accessories.

On this basis, here are some practical recommendations:

• – when switching from smooth to textile flooring, if changing the large nozzle is essential, the graphic instructions corresponding to the positions of the foot controls should indicate the use cases on smooth or textile-based surfaces, and not relate to whether or not brushes are included;
• – the alignment of the handle relative to the large nozzle should be imposed and stable.

A8.5. To put down, pick up or move while vacuuming

• – Stability of the unit while upright without support;
• – stability of the device/tube while leaning against a wall;
• – instability of the device/tube while leaning against the wall;
• – instability of the neck/brushes of the large nozzle;
• – particularly easy movements;
• – turning around is difficult in contained areas;
• – lateral movement is difficult/impossible;
• – risk of tipping;
• – abrupt stop when moving around a difficult/impossible barrier;
• – rolling is difficult to control on certain floor types;
• – risk of rolling causes difficulties during cleaning;
• – inability to stand on stairs.

A8.6. To transport, store or leave the device ready to use

• – Device is easy to carry/hold/pick up;
• – device is heavy/awkward to carry/hold/pick up;
• – risk of spreading dirt while moving;
• – upright storage possible while ready for use;
• – body of the device can be stored upright;
• – device can be stored hanging up;
• – built-in accessories are easily accessible.

On this basis, here are some practical recommendations:

• – maximum weight of the setup when held and transported in a single hand, including up and down stairs, should be approximately 7 kg;
• – height should be no higher than the shoulders of shorter users, at a height of 550 mm above the handle;
• – the handle should have a satisfactory grip;
• – the lack of a rigid, telescopic tube makes the unit tidy and ready to use but inconvenient in terms of height;
• – it should be possible to store the whole device by hanging it up;
• – there should be sufficient stability in the case of light impact during use;

• – there should be no risk of inadvertent catching, such as the hose catching on the rigid tube.

A8.7. To turn the machine on or off, or to remove or store the power cord

• – Particularly convenient controls;
• – risk of confusion between the on–off and cord-winding switches;
• – stable attachment of the cord;
• – the cord is bothersome without means of storage;
• – the cord is easy to pull/hard to pull;
• – return of the cord to the reel is incomplete;
• – risk of violent return of cord.

On this basis, here are some practical recommendations:

• – On and off (standby) switches should be on the handle;
• – if the device is placed or left with access to current (plugged into a power outlet), it should clearly indicate this condition;
• – if the button to turn the device on is located on the body of the device, there should not be any confusion with the cord-winding switch;
• – users should be careful of the risk of a violent return of the cord, which can cause a painful impact on the feet or anything in the surrounding area;
• – the preferable radius of action, the distance between the maximum reach for dust removal and the plug, should be approximately 10 m or even higher, depending on the availability of outlets (not to be confused with the indicated length of the cord).

A8.8. To reduce bothersome effects around the area of use

Practical remarks:

• – the level and nature of noise during the operation of the device should allow, at the minimum, for users to hear the phone ringing, the doorbell and, if possible, the radio with the volume at everyday background noise level;
• – said reduction of ventilation and operation noise may tempt the user to work with the maximum suction power, even if this power level may not be appropriate at the time.

A8.9. Extracting dust from the device

• – Volume of dust bag capacity (in L) is not relevant for making a choice;
• – risk of spreading dirt while changing/emptying the bag;
• – cleanliness and ease of changing/emptying the bag;
• – risk of deterioration of the bag during installation;
• – unclear fitting of the dust bag;
• – changing the bag is bothersome;
• – necessity of frequently cleaning the filter;
• – emptying the bag is difficult;
• – no “clear and obvious” indicator of when the bag is full;
• – security/near security in case the user forgets to insert the bag.

On this basis, here are some practical recommendations:

• – The device should be prevented from turning on when the dust bag is not properly in place;
• – there should be no need to remove the hose connected to the body of the device when removing the bag and replacing it with a new one;
• – dust leakage should be prevented when the bag is taken out to be changed.