Title 67--TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION [67 PA. CODE CH. 171] School Buses and School Vehicles [35 Pa.B. 3039] The Department of Transportation, under the authority in 75 Pa.C.S. §§ 4551, 4552, 4553 and 6103 and in accordance with section 6(d) of the Regulatory Review Act (71 P. S. § 745.6(d)) and section 204 of the act of July 31, 1968 (P. L. 769, No. 240) (45 P. S. § 1204), amends Chapter 171 (relating to school bus and school vehicle equipment standards) to read as set forth in Annex A.
Purpose of Chapter 171
Chapter 171 sets forth equipment and safety requirements for school buses as provided for in 75 Pa.C.S. § 4552 (relating to general requirements for school buses) and for other vehicles transporting school children as provided for in 75 Pa.C.S. § 4553 (relating to general requirements for other vehicles transporting school children).
Purpose of this Rulemaking
The purpose of this rulemaking is to clarify existing provisions of the regulations, reflect innovations adopted by school bus manufacturers and to address concerns raised by the State Police and the Pupil Transportation Advisory Committee (PTAC). The 40 members of the PTAC represent various groups and associations responsible for, or concerned with, pupil transportation.
Significant Provisions of this Rulemaking
In addition to the numerous clarifying amendments throughout the chapter, this rulemaking proposes the following significant changes:
Section 171.18(b) (relating to color) has been amended to permit the service door frame to be painted black and the mirror brackets to be stainless steel with a satin finish.
Section 171.20(a) (relating to electrical system) has been amended to eliminate the requirement for the chassis manufacturer to temporarily mount the battery to the chassis and has been amended to provide that the battery be mounted on a sliding tray. Section 171.20(c) has been amended to eliminate the requirement that for every school bus to be equipped with a readily accessible terminal strip or plug.
Section 171.36 (relating to tires and rims) has been amended to clarify that hub cabs that cover the lug nuts are prohibited because they could conceal loose lug nuts, a loose axle or wheel bearing fasteners or oil leaks.
Section 171.50(b) (relating to doors and emergency exits) has been amended to provide that hasps may not be used. If a hasp were to be inadvertently left in the locked position during student transportation it would render an emergency exit useless. Section 171.50(b)(5)(i) has been amended to prohibit a school bus that is equipped with tinted windows to place the emergency exit labeling on the tinted glass as the tinted glass would make the label difficult to read.
Section 171.54(a) (relating to heaters) has been amended to eliminate specific heater requirements and to provide for the broader requirement that evenly distributed heat be provided throughout the bus body and to require defrosting for the windshield, driver's side sash and the entrance door. Language has been added to § 171.54(b) detailing minimum requirements relating to auxiliary fuel-fired heating systems.
Section 171.55(c) (relating to identification) has been amended to allow the dealer insignia to be placed on the rear of the vehicle. Section 171.55(c) is also being amended to update the certification/identification number information from the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) number to the United States Department of Transportation identification number, since the ICC no longer exits.
Section 171.59(b) (relating to lamps and signals) has been amended to allow strobe lights and light emitting diodes to be used in both the 8-way light system and the stopping arm. Section 171.59(d) is being amended to allow the turn signal lamps to be of a shape other than round, as long as they are a minimum of 38 square inches. The rulemaking also requires that the flash rate be between 60--120 flashes per minute.
Section 171.59(f) has been deleted because the provision is duplicative of § 171.83 (relating to portable emergency warning devices).
Section 171.86 (relating to fire axe) has been added to prohibit this dangerous piece of equipment. There are a sufficient number of emergency exits required on every school bus.
Since 171.68(b) (relating to seat belts) has been amended to include both the Type A1 and A2 school buses to be equipped with an integral Type 2 seat belt assembly for the driver. Section 171.68(c) has been being added to require every school bus that is equipped with passenger seat belts to also have at least one web cutter securely mounted in the driver's compartment. This will assist the driver in evacuating the school bus in an emergency.
Section 171.69(5) (relating to seats and crash barriers) has been amended to require school buses that are equipped with an integrated child restraint seat to have a crash barrier or a seat back of similar size or higher in front of it.
Section 171.73 (relating to sun shield) has been amended to allow smaller, Type A1 and Type A2 school buses to be equipped with a manufacturer's standard sun shield. New language also allows Type A school buses to also have an interior adjustable transparent sun shield.
Section 171.76 (relating to ventilation) has been amended to eliminate the requirement for a static-type nonclosable exhaust vent to be installed in a low pressure area of the roof. New language states that the body must be equipped with a ventilation system.
Section 171.78 (relating to windows) has been amended to allow the edges of glass to either be banded or have a finished edge.
Section 171.85 (relating to video equipment) is being added to clarify that video equipment is permitted and may be installed at the discretion of the school district or school bus contractor.
Section 171.92 (relating to aisles) has been amended to clarify that school vehicles may not be equipped with more than two wheelchair positions. New language has also been added to state that each wheelchair seating position is counted as four designated seating positions, in conformity with 49 CFR 571.3(b) (relating to definitions).
Section 171.99 (relating to restraining devices) has been amended to clarify that specially equipped school vehicles that transport children must comply with 75 Pa.C.S. § 4581 (relating to restraint systems).
Sections 171.107 and 171.126 (relating to web cutter) are added to require specially equipped school buses and school vehicles to have a least one web cutter securely mounted in the driver's compartment. This will assist the driver when evacuating the specially equipped school bus or school vehicle.
Section 171.125 (relating to seating) has been amended to require school vehicle seats to be forward facing and must comply with 75 Pa.C.S. § 4581.
Persons and Entities Affected
This rulemaking affects persons and entities responsible for the transportation of school children. This includes all 501 school districts in this Commonwealth as well as any organization contracted with to provide pupil transportation. In addition, the State Police will be affected in the performance of school bus vehicle inspections.
Fiscal Impact
This rulemaking may impose a cost of approximately $10 for the purchase of a web cutter. Similarly, marginal savings may be anticipated from the elimination of equipment requirements currently in the regulations.
Regulatory Review
Under section 5.1 of the Regulatory Review Act (71 P. S. § 745.5a), on May 10, 2005, the Department submitted a copy of this rulemaking to the Office of Attorney General, the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) and the Chairpersons of the House and Senate Transportation Committees for review. In addition to the rulemaking, the Committees were provided with a copy of the certification of the Governor that the rulemaking is required to meet an emergency threatening the public health, safety or welfare, as well as a detailed Regulatory Analysis Form prepared by the Department. A copy of this material is available to the public upon request.
Sunset Date
The Department is not establishing sunset date for these regulations, since these regulations are needed to administer provisions required under 75 Pa.C.S. (relating to the Vehicle Code). The Department will, however, continue to closely monitor these regulations for their effectiveness.
Contact Person
The contact person for technical questions regarding this rulemaking is Chris Ann Miller, Manager, Special Driver Programs, Department of Transportation, Bureau of Driver Licensing, Riverfront Office Center, 1101 South Front Street, 3rd Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17104, (717) 787-6453.
Order
The Department orders that:
(a) The regulations of the Department, 67 Pa. Code Chapter 171, are amended by amending §§ 171.1, 171.2, 171.14, 171.18, 171.20, 171.21, 171.36, 171.37, 171.47, 171.50, 171.54, 171.55, 171.58, 171.59, 171.67--171.70, 171.73, 171.74a, 171.76, 171.78, 171.80, 171.81, 171.83, 171.91, 171.92, 171.94--171.97, 171.99, 171.102--171.105, 171.121, 171.125, 171.138 and 171.149, by adding §§ 171.85, 171.86, 171.107, 171.126 and 171.127 and by deleting § 171.64 to read as set forth in Annex A, with ellipses referring to the existing text of the regulations.
(b) The Secretary of the Department shall submit this order and Annex A to the Office of General Counsel and the Office of Attorney General for approval as to legality and form as required by law.
(c) The Secretary shall certify this order and Annex A and deposit them with the Legislative Reference Bureau as required by law.
(d) This order shall take effect upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
ALLEN D. BIEHLER, P. E.,
SecretaryFiscal Note: 18-400. No fiscal impact; (8) recommends adoption.
GOVERNOR'S OFFICE Certification of Need for Emergency Regulation Whereas, School districts in the Commonwealth and the school transportation providers with whom they contract are in constant need of replacing school buses and vehicles taken out of service because of age and need of repair; and
Whereas, innovations adopted by the school bus industry have been incorporated by school bus and vehicle manufacturers into school buses and vehicles now being marketed in Pennsylvania; and
Whereas, the innovations, in many instances, enhance the safety of the school buses and vehicles; and
Whereas, the innovations now included in new school buses and vehicles were not anticipated in current Department regulations; and
Whereas, without immediate amendment of the regulations, newly purchased school buses and vehicles cannot be certified for use by the school districts and school transportation providers who purchase them; and
Whereas, some school districts and the school transportation providers with whom they contract will be unable to maintain a sufficient fleet of school buses and vehicles to provide adequate transportation for the school children of the Commonwealth; and
Whereas, the inability to replace vehicles taken out of service with vehicles certified for use under Department regulations poses a threat to the public safety and welfare of the school children of the Commonwealth.
Now Therefore, I do hereby certify that the regulatory amendments to 67 Pa. Code, Chapter 171, attached hereto as Annex A are required to meet the emergency conditions enumerated in the recitals above and to safeguard the public health, safety and welfare as described therein.
Further, I hereby authorize the Secretary of Transportation to publish these amendments in the Pennsylvania Bulletin as a Final Rulemaking consistent with the provisions of Section 6 of the Regulatory Review Act, as amended, 71 P. S. § 745.6(d).
Given under my hand and the Seal of the Governor, at the City of Harrisburg, on this 29th day of April in the year of our Lord two thousand and five, and of the Commonwealth the two hundred and twenty ninth.
Governor
Annex A TITLE 67. TRANSPORTATION PART I. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Subpart A. VEHICLE CODE PROVISIONS ARTICLE VII. VEHICLE CHARACTERISTICS CHAPTER 171. SCHOOL BUS AND SCHOOL VEHICLES Subchapter A. GENERAL PROVISIONS § 171.1. Applicability.
(a) Scope. This chapter applies to equipment and safety requirements for school buses as provided for in 75 Pa.C.S. § 4552 (relating to general requirements for school buses) and for other vehicles transporting school children as provided for in 75 Pa.C.S. § 4553 (relating to general requirements for other vehicles transporting school children).
(b) Exemptions. School buses manufactured or converted prior to September 14, 1996, must comply with the regulations in effect at the time they were manufactured or converted, except that Subchapter G (relating to operation standards for vehicles subject to this chapter) applies to vehicles subject to this chapter regardless of the date of manufacture or conversion.
(c) FMVSS. Vehicles manufactured as school buses are required to be in compliance with FMVSS as established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at 49 CFR 571 (relating to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards).
(d) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. Vehicles manufactured as school buses and operating in interstate commerce are required to be in compliance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations as established by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) at 49 CFR Parts 393 and 396 (relating to parts and accessories necessary for safe operation; and inspection, repair and maintenance). See Appendix A.
§ 171.2. Definitions.
The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
Bus--A motor vehicle designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver; or a motor vehicle, other than a taxicab or limousine, designed to transport not more than 15 passengers, including the driver, and used for the transportation of persons for compensation. The term does not include a vehicle used in a ridesharing arrangement, as defined in the act of December 14, 1982 (P. L. 1211, No. 279) (55 P. S. §§ 695.1--695.9), which provides for ridesharing arrangements and provides that certain laws are inapplicable to ridesharing arrangements, or a school bus.
Converted school bus--A vehicle not originally manufactured to be a school bus.
Convex mirror--A mirror having a curved reflective surface whose shape is the same as that of the exterior surface of a section of a sphere.
Department--The Department of Transportation of the Commonwealth.
Designated seating position--Under 49 CFR 571.3 (relating to definitions), a plain view location capable of accommodating a person at least as large as a 5th percentile adult female, if the overall seat configuration and vehicle design is of a type that the position is likely to be used as a seating position while the vehicle is in motion, except for auxiliary seating accommodations such as temporary or folding jump seats. A bench or split bench seat in a passenger car, truck or multipurpose passenger vehicle with a GVWR less than 10,000 pounds, having greater than 50 inches of hip room (measured in accordance with SAE Standard J1100(a)--See Appendix A) may not have less than three designated seating positions, unless the seat design or vehicle design is of a type that the center position cannot be used for seating.
FMVSS--Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards published in the Code of Federal Regulations.
Forward control--A configuration in which more than half of the engine length is rearward of the foremost point of the windshield base and the steering wheel hub is in the forward quarter of the vehicle length.
GVWR--Gross vehicle weight rating--The value specified on the Federal weight certification label by the manufacturer as the loaded weight of a single vehicle.
Insignia--Any identification statement, symbol, figure, logo or distinguishing sign, name or mark.
Mass transit pupil transportation bus--A bus, other than a school bus, that is operated by an urban mass transportation system and used exclusively for the transportation of children to and from school and school-related activities, even if used for other transportation purposes at other times.
Multifunction school activity bus--A school bus used to transport students on field trips, athletic trips or other curricular or extracurricular activities, but not used for to-and-from school transportation.
Pupil Transportation Section--The Pupil Transportation Section of the Bureau of Driver Licensing of the Department.
SAE--The Society of Automotive Engineers.
School--An institution for the education or training of children, including but not limited to kindergartens, rehabilitation centers, day care centers, Head Start centers, group day care homes, family day care homes and summer camps.
School bus--A motor vehicle designed to carry 11 passengers or more, including the driver, and used for the transportation of preprimary, primary or secondary school students to or from public, private or parochial schools or events related to these schools or school-related activities. The types of school buses are as follows:
(i) Type A school bus. A school bus converted from or having a body constructed upon a van-type truck or front-section vehicle chassis, with a left side driver's door and the entrance doors behind the front wheels. This definition includes two classifications: Type A1, with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) less than or equal to 10,000 pounds; and Type A2, with a GVWR greater than 10,000 pounds.
(ii) Type B school bus. A school bus constructed utilizing a stripped chassis, with the entrance door behind the front wheels. This definition includes two classifications: Type B1, with a GVWR less than or equal to 10,000 pounds; and Type B2, with a GVWR greater than 10,000 pounds.
(iii) Type C school bus. A school bus constructed utilizing a chassis with a hood and front fender assembly without a left side driver's door and with the entrance door behind the front wheels.
(iv) Type D school bus. A school bus constructed utilizing a stripped chassis with the entrance door ahead of the front wheels.
School vehicle--A motor vehicle, except a motorcycle, designed for carrying no more than ten passengers, including the driver, and used for the transportation of preprimary, primary or secondary school students while registered by or under contract to a school district or private or parochial school. The term includes vehicles having chartered, group and party rights under the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission and used for the transportation of school children.
Specially equipped school bus--A school bus used to transport children which, in addition to meeting the requirements for school buses as described in this chapter, contains special equipment as required in Subchapter D (relating to specially equipped school bus standards).
Stop signal arm--A device that can be extended outward from the side of the school bus to provide a signal to other motorists not to pass because the bus has stopped to load and discharge passengers.
Type 2 seat belt assembly--A combination of pelvic and upper torso restraints.
Unit magnification mirror--A plane or flat mirror with a reflective surface through which the angular height and width of the image of an object is equal to the angular height and width of the object when viewed directly at the same distance except for flaws that do not exceed normal manufacturing tolerances.
Upper torso restraint--A portion of a seatbelt assembly intended to restrain movement of the chest and shoulder regions.
Subchapter B. SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS STANDARDS § 171.14. Brakes.
(a) General rule.
(1) Unless otherwise provided for by this section, a school bus must be equipped with a chassis brake system which conforms with the provisions of FMVSS No. 105, No. 106 and No. 121, as applicable.
(2) The antilock brake system (ABS), provided in accordance with FMVSS No. 105 or No. 121, shall provide wheel speed sensors for each front wheel and for each wheel on at least one rear axle. The system shall provide antilock braking performance for each wheel equipped with sensors.
(3) Brake systems shall be designed to permit visual inspection of brake lining wear without removal of any chassis components.
(4) The brake lines, booster-assist lines and control cables shall be protected from excessive heat, vibration and corrosion and installed in a manner which prevents chafing.
(5) The parking brake system for either air or hydraulic service brake systems may be of a power assisted design. The power parking brake actuator shall be a push-pull device located on the instrument panel within seated reach of a 5th percentile female driver. As an option, the parking brake may be set by placing the automatic transmission shift control mechanism in the ''park'' position.
(6) The power-operated parking brake system may be interlocked to the engine key switch so that once the parking brake has been set and the ignition switch turned to the ''off'' position, the parking brake cannot be released until the key switch is turned back to the ''on'' position.
(b) Hydraulic brakes. A bus using a hydraulic-assist brake shall be equipped with audible and visible warning signals that provide a continuous warning to the driver of a loss of fluid flow from the primary source and of a failure of the back-up pump system.
(c) Air brakes. A bus equipped with air brakes shall conform to the following:
(1) The air pressure supply system shall include a desiccant-type air dryer installed according to the manufacturers' recommendations. The air pressure storage tank system may incorporate an automatic drain valve.
(2) The dashboard instrument panel of a bus equipped with an air brake system shall include an air pressure gauge of a type allowing the driver to comply with CDL pretrip inspection requirements.
(3) An air brake shall have both a visible and audible warning device whenever the air pressure falls below the level where warnings are required under FMVSS No. 121.
§ 171.18. Color.
(a) General rule. A school bus chassis, including wheels and bumpers, shall be black. A school bus hood, cowl and fender shall be National School Bus Yellow. See Appendix B.
(b) Exceptions. Exceptions to subsection (a) are as follows:
(1) Wheel rims shall be of a trim used by the rim manufacturer.
(2) School bus hoods may be nonreflective National School Bus Yellow--See Appendix A--or lusterless black matching National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Federal Standard No. 595a, Color 37038. See Appendix A.
(3) The service door frame may be black.
(4) The mirror brackets and other body accessories may be stainless steel with a satin finish.
(c) Multifunction school activity bus. The color requirements in this section do not apply to multifunction school activity buses.
§ 171.20. Electrical system.
(a) Battery. The requirements for the battery are as follows:
(1) The battery shall have a minimum cold cranking capacity rating equal to the cranking current required for 30 seconds at 0° F (-17.8° C) and a minimum reserve capacity rating of 120 minutes at 25 amp. Higher capacities may be required dependent upon optional equipment and local environmental conditions.
(2) Batteries in Type B, C and D school buses shall be mounted on a sliding tray.
(b) Generator or alternator. Requirements for generators and alternators are as follows:
(1) Every Type A and B school bus up to 15,000 pounds GVWR shall have a minimum 60 ampere per hour alternator.
(2) Every Type B school bus over 15,000 pounds GVWR and every Type C and D school bus shall be equipped with an alternator meeting SAE Standard J180b--See Appendix A--with a minimum output rating of 100 amperes, capable of producing a minimum of 50% of its maximum rated output at the engine manufacturer's recommended idle speed.
(3) Every school bus equipped with an electrical power lift shall have a minimum 100 ampere per hour alternator.
(4) A direct drive generator or alternator is permissible in lieu of belt drive. Belt drive shall be capable of handling the rated capacity of the generator or alternator with no detrimental effect on other driven components.
(5) Refer to SBMI Design Objectives Booklet. See Appendix A--for required generator or alternator capacity.
(c) Wiring. Requirements for wiring are as follows: Wiring shall conform to current applicable SAE Standards. Wiring and circuits shall be of a standard color and number coding and each chassis shall have a wiring diagram and circuit that coincides with the wiring and circuitry of the chassis.
§ 171.21. Exhaust system.
(a) General rule. The exhaust pipe, muffler and tailpipe shall be outside the body compartment and securely attached to the chassis with clamps and hangers of a type and installed as recommended by the chassis manufacturer.
(b) Tailpipe. The tailpipe shall be constructed of a corrosion-resistant tubing material at least equal in strength and durability to 16 gauge steel tubing.
(c) Tailpipe extension. The exhaust system of a school bus powered by a gasoline engine shall discharge to the atmosphere at or within 6 inched forward of the rearmost part of the school bus.
(d) Tailpipe extension for school buses using fuels other than gasoline. The exhaust system for a school bus using fuels other than gasoline shall discharge to the atmosphere either at or within 15 inches forward of the rearmost part of the vehicle; or to the rear of all doors or windows designed to be opened, except windows designed to be opened solely as emergency exits.
(e) Insulation. The exhaust system on a gasoline powered chassis shall be properly insulated from fuel tank connections by a securely attached metal shield at any point where it is 12 inches or less from the tank or tank connections.
(f) Muffler. The muffler shall be constructed of corrosion resistant material.
(g) Discharge lines and outlets. The discharge lines and outlets on school buses equipped with compressed or liquefied gas fuel systems shall be installed in accordance with Chapter 175 (relating to vehicle equipment and inspection).
(h) Exhaust system hangers. Exhaust systems may be equipped with hangers that permit required movement due to expansion and contraction caused by heat of the exhaust and relative motion between the engine and chassis of a vehicle.
(i) Exhaust system and discharge location. Exhaust systems are not permitted to discharge to the atmosphere at a location immediately below the fuel tank or the fuel tank filler pipe. Exhaust systems shall also extend and discharge completely to the outside edge of the vehicle body.
(j) Exception. This section does not apply to auxiliary fuel-fired heating systems.
§ 171.36. Tires and rims.
The requirements for the tires and rims of a school bus are as follows:
(1) School buses shall be equipped with tires and rims which conform to the vehicle chassis manufacturer's specifications as to tire size, in that the tires and rims are not smaller than those that have been recommended by the chassis manufacturer. Tires and rims shall meet the requirements of FMVSS Nos. 119 and 120. See Appendix A.
(2) Dual rear tires shall be provided on Type A2, Type B, Type C and Type D school buses.
(3) Tires on the same axle shall be of the same size and type of construction--bias, belted or radial. Type A school bus tires shall be of same size and type of construction on all axles.
(4) If the vehicle is equipped with a spare tire and rim assembly for emergency use, it shall be of the same size as those mounted on the vehicle.
(5) Tube type tires and tubeless equivalent tires shall be provided on dual wheel vehicles.
(6) When tires are replaced, they shall be of a quality equivalent to the original equipment.
(7) Radial type tires at least equivalent in strength and size to the bias construction tire specified may be substituted; however, no mixing of radial type and bias construction type tires may be permitted on the same axle.
(8) Regrooved, recapped or retreaded tires shall comply with the following:
(i) Regrooved, recapped or retreaded tires may not be used on front wheels or on single rear wheels.
(ii) Regrooved tires shall comply with safety standards certified by the tire manufacturer as meeting 49 CFR 569 (relating to regrooved tires)--see Appendix A--and shall be stamped as ''Regroovable.''
(iii) Recapped or retreaded tires shall comply with FMVSS No. 117. See Appendix A.
(iv) Regroovable tires may be retreaded, recapped or regrooved.
(9) No tire may be used which is in an unsafe condition. Tread depth on tires may at no time be less than 4/32 of an inch on the front and 2/32 of an inch on the rear as measured on two adjacent treads by an acceptable gauge such as the Dill, or its equivalent.
(10) A spare tire, if used, shall be suitably mounted in an accessible location outside the passenger compartment. Types A and B school buses need not comply with this paragraph.
§ 171.37. Transmission.
(a) Automatic. An automatic or semiautomatic transmission shall have at least three forward speeds and one reverse speed.
(b) Manual. On manual transmissions, second and higher gears shall be synchronized except when incompatible with engine power. A minimum of three forward speeds and one reverse speed shall be provided.
Subchapter C. SCHOOL BUS BODY STANDARDS § 171.47. Color.
The requirements for the color of school bus bodies are as follows:
(1) The school bus body shall be painted a uniform National School Bus Yellow. See Appendix B.
(2) The roof of the school bus may be painted white.
(3) The body exterior trim, including the exterior mirrors, may be black. The bumper shall be black.
(4) If a school bus is equipped with reflective material, other than that required under §§ 171.50 and 171.59 (relating to doors and emergency exits; and lamps and signals), the reflective material shall be of automotive engineering grade or better. If additional reflective materials and markings are used, they may be applied as follows:
(5) The pilaster (vertical window post) may be black.
(6) The color requirements in this section do not apply to multifunction school activity buses.
§ 171.50. Doors and emergency exits.
(a) Service doors. The requirements for service doors are as follows:
(1) The service door shall be under the control of the driver, and designed so as to afford easy release and prevent accidental opening. When a hand lever is used, no part may come together so as to shear or crush fingers.
(2) The service door shall be located on the right side of the school bus opposite the driver and within direct view of the driver.
(3) The service door shall have a minimum horizontal opening of 24 inches and a minimum vertical opening of 68 inches. Type A school bus service doors shall have a minimum opening area of 1,200 square inches.
(4) The service door shall be of the split type, sedan type or jackknife type. Split-type door includes a sectioned door which divides and opens inward or outward. If one section of a split type door opens inward and the other opens outward, the front section shall open outward.
(5) Lower as well as upper windows shall have approved safety glazing. The bottom of the lower window may not be more than 35 inches from the ground when the bus is unloaded. The top of the upper window may not be more than 6 inches from the top of the door. Type A school buses shall have an upper window with an area of at least 350 square inches of approved safety glazing.
(6) Vertical closing edges on split type or folding type entrance doors shall be equipped with flexible material to protect the passengers' fingers. Type A school buses may be equipped with the chassis manufacturer's standard entrance door.
(7) There may be no door to the left of the driver on Type C or D school buses. Type A and B school buses may be equipped with the chassis manufacturer's standard entrance door.
(8) Doors shall be equipped with padding at the top edge of each door opening. The padding shall be at least 3 inches wide and 1 inch thick and extend the full width of the door opening.
(b) Emergency exits. Each school bus shall comply with FMVSS No. 217. See Appendix A. The area of square centimeters of the unobstructed opening for emergency exits shall collectively amount to at least 432 multiplied times the number of designated seating positions in the bus. The area of an opening equipped with a wheel chair lift is counted toward meeting additional emergency area requirements only if the lift is designed to be folded or stored so that the area is available for use by persons not needing the lift.
(1) The requirements for emergency exit doors are as follows:
(i) The emergency exit door shall be hinged according to FMVSS No. 217. See Appendix A. Double emergency exit doors shall also be hinged according to FMVSS No. 217. See Appendix A.
(ii) The upper portion of the rear emergency exit door shall have a window equipped with approved safety glazing, the exposed area of which is at least 400 square inches. The lower portion of the rear emergency door on Type B, C and D school buses shall contain a window of approved safety glazing, measuring a minimum of 350 square inches. Type A school buses are exempt from this subparagraph.
(iii) Except as provided in subparagraph (iv), no portion of a seat or a restraining barrier may be installed within the area bounded by the opening of a side emergency exit door, a vertical transverse plane parallel to that plane at a distance of 30 centimeters (11 3/4 inches) forward of that plane, and a longitudinal vertical plane passing through the longitudinal centerline of the bus. See Figure 4.
(iv) A seat bottom may be located within the area described in subparagraph (iii) if the seat bottom pivots and automatically assumes and retains a vertical position when not in use, so that no portion of the seat bottom is within the area described in subparagraph (iii) when the seat bottom is vertical. See Figure 5.
(v) No portion of a seat or restraining barrier--located forward of the area described in subparagraph (iii) and between the door opening and a longitudinal vertical plane passing through the longitudinal centerline of the bus--may extend rearward of a vertical transverse plane tangent to the forwardmost portion of a latch mechanism on the door. See Figures 5 and 6.
(vi) Each emergency exit door of a school bus shall be equipped with a positive door opening device that, after the release mechanism has been operated:
(A) Bears the weight of the door.
(B) Keeps the door from closing past the point at which the door is perpendicular to the side of the bus body, regardless of the body's orientation.
(C) Provides a means for release or override.
(vii) The positive door opening device shall perform the functions specified in subparagraph (vi)(A) and (B) without the need for additional action beyond opening the door past the point at which the door is perpendicular to the side of the bus body.
(viii) Emergency door exits shall be equipped with padding at the top edge of each door opening. The padding shall be at least 3 inches wide and 1 inch thick and extend the full width of the door opening.
(ix) The emergency exit door opening may not be blocked with an obstruction higher than 1/4 inch across the bottom of the emergency exit door opening.
(x) Each school bus emergency exit door shall allow manual release of the door by a single person, from both inside and outside the passenger compartment. The release mechanism shall operate without the use of remote controls or tools, and notwithstanding any failure of the vehicle's power system. When the release mechanism is not in the position that causes an emergency exit door to be closed, and the vehicle's ignition is in the ''on'' position, a continuous warning sound shall be audible at the driver's seating position.
(xi) Two side emergency exit doors may not be located, in whole or in part, within the same post and roof bow panel space.
(xii) Supplemental security locks installed on emergency doors shall be equipped with an ignition interlock system or an audiovisual alarm located in the driver's compartment. Hasps may not be used.
(2) The requirements for emergency roof exits are as follows:
(i) Each emergency roof exit shall be hinged on its forward side, and shall be operable from both inside and outside the vehicle.
(ii) In a school bus equipped with a single emergency exit, the exit shall be located as near as practicable to the midpoint of the passenger compartment.
(iii) In a bus equipped with two emergency roof exits:
(A) One emergency roof exit shall be located as near as practicable to a point equidistant between the midpoint of the passenger compartment and the foremost limit of the passenger compartment.
(B) The other emergency roof exit shall be located as near as practicable to a point equidistant between the midpoint of the passenger compartment and the rearmost point of the passenger compartment.
(iv) In a bus equipped with three or more emergency roof exits, the roof exits shall be installed so that, to the extent practicable, the longitudinal distance between each pair of adjacent roof exits is the same and equal to:
(A) The distance from the foremost point of the passenger compartment to the foremost roof exit.
(B) The distance from the rearmost point of the passenger compartment to the rearmost roof exit.
(v) Except as provided in subparagraph (vi), each emergency roof exit shall be installed with its longitudinal centerline coinciding with a longitudinal vertical plane passing through the longitudinal centerline of the school bus.
(vi) In a bus equipped with two or more emergency roof exits, for each roof exit offset from the longitudinal vertical plane specified in subparagraph (v), there shall be another roof exit offset from that plane an equal distance to the other side.
(vii) Each school bus emergency roof exit shall allow manual release of the exit by a single person, from both inside and outside the passenger compartment, using not more than two release mechanisms.
(viii) Each school bus emergency roof exit, after the release mechanism has been operated, shall be manually extendable by a single person to a position that permits an opening at least 41 centimeters--16 1/8 inches--high and 41 centimeters--16 1/8--wide.
(3) The requirements for emergency exit windows are as follows:
(i) A bus equipped with emergency exit windows shall have an even number of these windows, not counting a push-out rear window. Side emergency exit windows shall be evenly divided between the right and left sides of the bus.
(ii) Each school bus emergency exit window shall allow manual release of the exit by a single person, from inside the passenger compartment, using not more than two release mechanisms. Each release mechanism shall operate without the use of remote controls or tools, and notwithstanding a failure of the vehicle's power system. When the release mechanism is open and the vehicle's ignition is in the ''on'' position, a continuous warning shall be audible at the driver's seating position.
(4) The engine starting system of a bus may not operate if an emergency exit is locked from either inside or outside the bus. An emergency exit is considered locked if the release mechanism cannot be activated and the exit cannot be opened by a person at the exit without a key or other special device, or a combination or other special information.
(5) The requirements for emergency exit labeling are as follows:
(i) Each school bus emergency exit shall be labeled ''Emergency Door'' or ''Emergency Exit,'' as appropriate, in letters at least 5 centimeters (2 inches) high, of a color that contrasts with its background. For emergency exit doors, the label shall be located at the top of, or directly above, the emergency exit door on both the inside and outside surfaces of the bus. The label for roof exits shall be located on an inside surface of the exit, or within 30 centimeters (11 3/4 inches) of the roof exit opening. For emergency exit windows, the label shall be located at the top of, or directly above, or at the bottom of the emergency exit window on both the inside and outside surfaces of the bus. If the school bus is equipped with tinted windows, the emergency exit labeling may not be placed on the glass, unless it is placed on both the inside and outside.
(ii) Concise operating instructions describing the motions necessary to unlatch and open the emergency exit shall be located within 15 centimeters (5 15/16 inches) of the release mechanism on the inside surface of the bus. These instructions shall be in letters at least 1 centimeter (3/8 inches) high and of a color that contrasts with its background--for example: ''Lift to Unlatch, Push or Open;'' or ''Turn Handle, Push Out to Open.''
(iii) Each opening for a required emergency exit shall be outlined around its outside opened perimeter with a minimum 3 centimeters--1 1/8 inches--wide retroreflective tape, either red, white or yellow in color, which meets the requirements of FMVSS No. 131. See Appendix A.
§ 171.54. Heaters.
(a) The requirements for heaters are as follows:
(1) Heaters shall provide evenly distributed heat throughout the interior of the bus.
(2) At least one heater shall provide defrosting for the windshield, driver's side sash and entrance door.
(3) Heater hoses shall be adequately supported to guard against excessive wear due to vibration. The hoses may not dangle or rub against the chassis or sharp edges and may not interfere with or restrict the operation of any engine function. Heater hoses shall conform to applicable SAE Standards. See Appendix A. Heater lines on the interior of the bus shall be shielded to prevent scalding of the driver or passengers.
(4) A hot water heater system shall include a shutoff valve installed in the pressure and return lines at the engine. There shall be a water flow regulating valve installed for convenient operation by the driver. Type A school buses are exempt from this paragraph.
(5) Accessible bleeder valves shall be installed to remove air from the heater lines. The valves shall be installed in an appropriate place in the return lines of the heater.
(6) Heater motors, cores and fans shall be readily accessible for service. Access panels shall be provided as needed.
(b) Auxiliary fuel-fired heating systems are permitted, provided they comply with the following:
(1) The auxiliary heating system fuel shall utilize the same type fuel as specified for the vehicle engine.
(2) The heaters may be either of a direct hot air type or connected to the engine's coolant system.
(3) An auxiliary heating system, when connected to the engine's coolant system, may be used to preheat the engine coolant or preheat and add supplementary heat to the bus's heating system.
(4) Auxiliary heating systems shall be installed pursuant to the manufacturer's recommendations and may not direct exhaust in a manner that will endanger bus passengers.
(5) Auxiliary heating systems which operate on diesel fuel shall be capable of operating on #1, #2 or blended diesel fuel without the need for system adjustment.
(6) Auxiliary heating systems shall be low voltage.
(7) Auxiliary heating systems shall comply with all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, including FMVSS 301 as well as SAE test procedures.
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[Continued from previous Web Page] § 171.55. Identification.
(a) Required. Every school bus body shall bear the words ''SCHOOL BUS'' in black letters at least 8 inches high on both the front and the rear of the body, or on signs attached thereto. Lettering shall be placed as high as possible without impairment of its visibility. Lettering shall conform to ''Series B'' of Standard Alphabets for Highway Signs.
(b) Identification number. A school bus shall display an identification number consisting of no more than 4 black numbers, letters or a combination of numbers and letters. The numbers or letters shall be a minimum 5 inches in height and shall be displayed in a prominent location on the front, rear and on both sides of the bus. On a school bus with a rounded front, the identification number displayed on the front of the bus may be displayed on the black front bumper in yellow numbers, letters, or a combination of numbers and letters, in lieu of black numbers, letters, or a combination of numbers and letters on the front of the yellow bus body.
(c) School, bus company and manufacturer markings. School buses shall have the name of the school district, private or parochial school, school bus contractor, or school bus owner clearly visible, lettered on each side of the school bus body in the upper body belt band area as close as practical to the bottom ledge of the bottom window sash in letters of not less than 4 inches in height. Lettering shall be in black or National School Bus Yellow, depending on the contrasting background color. See Appendix B. A paper or vinyl route identification number or symbols may be placed in the rear of the first right or left passenger window, or both. The bus contractor may have his name or the name of the company in letters no larger than 3 inches in height. The dealer identification insignia may be displayed, in an area not to exceed 6 inches in height by 12 inches in width. The manufacturer's insignias may be displayed. Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission certification number and the U.S. DOT identification number, and any other required commercial vehicle markings may be displayed.
(d) Roof-top identification. School buses may display the first eight digits of the title number on the roof in numbers of at least 12.75 inches and not more than 15 inches in height. Lettering shall be in black reflective material and placed in a longitudinal column with the first digit beginning at the front and the last digit ending towards the rear of the school bus as illustrated as follows:
* * * * * (e) Additional markings. Except as set forth in this section, signs or lettering are not permitted.
§ 171.58. Interior.
The requirements for the interior of school buses are as follows:
(1) The interior of every school bus shall be free of unnecessary projections likely to cause injury. This standard requires inner lining on ceilings and walls. If the ceiling is constructed so as to contain lapped joints, the forward panel shall be lapped by the rear panel, and exposed edges shall be beaded, hemmed, flanged or otherwise treated to minimize sharp edges.
(2) Every school bus shall meet the requirements of FMVSS No. 302, as to the flammability of interior materials. See Appendix A.
(3) Book racks or luggage racks are not permitted.
(4) Interior radio/stereo speakers shall be of the flush mounted type. Exposed parts shall be treated to minimize sharp edges.
(5) The driver's area forward of the foremost padded barriers shall permit the mounting of required safety equipment and vehicle operating equipment.
(6) The requirements for air-conditioning units are as follows:
(i) Persons installing air-conditioning units in school buses after the vehicle's original manufacture date shall install the equipment in accordance with manufacturer's specification and applicable FMVSS.
(ii) Interior ceiling-mounted air-conditioning units, mounted above the seats within the head protection zone or at the rear of the bus, shall be padded with materials meeting FMVSS No. 302 to an extent to insure compliance with the head impact test requirements of FMVSS No. 222. See Appendix A.
(iii) This paragraph does not prohibit the installation of air-conditioning units in locations other than those described in subparagraph (ii). Air-conditioning units may be installed in other locations if labeled as described in subparagraph (i).
§ 171.59. Lamps and signals.
(a) General rule. All lamps, signals, reflectors and their installation must be in conformance with applicable FMVSS and SAE standards.
(b) Exterior lamps. Exterior lamps shall meet the requirements of FMVSS No. 108.
(c) Flashing signal lamps and stop signal arm devices. The requirements for flashing signal lamps and stop signal arm devices are as follows:
(1) Signal lamps. Every school bus shall be equipped with 8-way warning lamps consisting of two red and two amber alternately flashing signal lamps at the rear of the vehicle and two red and two amber alternately flashing signal lamps at the front of the vehicle.
(i) Each amber signal lamp shall be located near each red signal lamp, at the same level, but closer to the vertical centerline of the school bus.
(ii) The system shall be wired so that the amber signal lamps are activated manually, and if activated, are automatically deactivated and the red signal lamps automatically activated when the school bus service door is opened.
(iii) Amber and red warning lamps must alternate between left and right at a minimum rate of 60 flashes per minute.
(iv) LED and/or strobe lights may be used in the 8-way warning lamps system.
(v) If strobe lights are used, the strobe effect must appear as a flash of varying intensity and not separate flashes. All amber and red warning lamps must strobe in the same pattern. The same pattern is the same number of flashes per lamp before the system alternates to the other side.
(vi) The area around the lens of each alternately flashing signal lamp shall be of a black contrasting color. The use of visors or hoods with an appropriate black background to fit the shape of the visors or hoods and the roofcap is permitted.
(vii) Flashers for alternately flashing red and amber signal lamps shall be enclosed in the school bus body in a readily accessible location.
(2) Stop signal arm devices. A school bus may be equipped with strobe or LED flashing stop signal, or both. The signal may be equipped with two flashing strobe or LED lights, or both, at least 4 inches in diameter, red in color and double faced. Stop signal arm devices on school buses shall comply with FMVSS No. 131--See Appendix A--and the following requirements:
(i) The stop signal arm shall be a regular octagon which is at least 450 mm × 450 mm--17.72 inches × 17.72 inches--in diameter.
(ii) The stop signal arm shall be red on both sides, except as provided in subparagraphs (iii)--(v).
(iii) The stop signal arm shall have a white border at least 12 mm--0.47 inch--wide on both sides, except as provided in subparagraph (v).
(iv) The stop signal arm shall have the word ''STOP'' displayed in white upper-case letters on both sides, except as provided in subparagraph (v). The letters shall be at least 150 mm--5.9 inches--in height and have a stroke width of at least 20 mm--0.79 inch.
(v) If two stop signal arms are installed on a school bus, the rearmost stop signal arm may not contain lettering, symbols or markings on the forward side.
(vi) The stop signal arm shall comply with clause (A) or (B), or both.
(A) The entire surface of both sides of the stop signal arm shall be reflectorized with Type III reflectorized material that meets the minimum specific intensity requirements of FMVSS No. 125. See Appendix A. If two stop signal arms are installed on a school bus, the forward side of the rearmost stop signal arm may not be reflectorized.
(B) Each side of the stop signal arm shall have at least two red lamps that meet the requirements of SAE Standard J578. See Appendix A. The lamps shall be centered on the vertical centerline of the stop arm. One of the lamps shall be located at the extreme top of the stop arm and the other at its extreme bottom.
(vii) The stop signal arm shall be installed on the left side of the bus.
(viii) The stop signal arm shall be located so that, when in the extended position, the following requirements are met:
(A) The stop signal arm is perpendicular to the side of the bus, +5°F.
(B) The top edge of the sign is parallel to and within 6 inches of a horizontal plane tangent to the lower edge of the driver's window frame.
(C) The vertical centerline of the stop sign is at least 9 inches away from the side of the school bus.
(ix) If a rearmost stop signal arm is installed on a school bus, the stop signal arm shall comply with subparagraphs (vii) and (viii).
(x) The stop signal arm shall be automatically extended so that it complies with subparagraph (viii), at a minimum, whenever the red signal lamps required by FMVSS No. 108, S5.1.4--See Appendix A--are activated; except that a device may be installed that prevents the automatic extension of a stop signal arm. The mechanism for activating the device shall be within the reach of the driver. While the device preventing automatic extension is activated, a continuous or intermittent signal audible to the driver shall sound. The audible signal may be equipped with a timing device but shall require the signal to sound for at least 60 seconds. If a timing device is used, it shall automatically recycle each time the service entry door is opened while the engine is running and the manual override is engaged.
(xi) The lamps on each side of the stop signal arm, when operated at the manufacturer's design load, shall flash at a minimum rate of 60 flashes per minute.
(xii) The stop signal arm and components shall comply with SAE Standard J1133. See Appendix A.
(3) Exception. A multifunction school activity bus is exempt from the flashing signal lamps and stop arm device requirements of this section. However, a multifunction school activity bus which is not in compliance with the requirements of § 171.18 (relating to color) may not have 8-way warning lamps and stop arm devices.
(d) Interior lamps. Interior lamps shall adequately illuminate the aisle and step well.
(e) Turn signal and stop lamps. The rear turn signal lamps shall be at least 7 inches in diameter, or if in a shape other than round, a minimum of 38 square inches, and meet SAE Standards. These signals shall be connected to the chassis hazard warning switch to cause simultaneous flashing of the turn signal lamps when needed as vehicular traffic hazard warning. The turn signal lamps shall be placed as wide apart as practical and their centerline shall be approximately 8 inches below the rear windows. Type A school bus lamps shall be 21 square inches in lens area. Just inside the turn signal, there shall be installed at the same elevation, two 7 inch diameter stop lamps, or if in a shape other than round, a minimum of 38 square inches. The lamps shall flash at a rate of 60--120 flashes per minute.
(f) Monitor. If a school bus is equipped with indicators to monitor the front and rear lamps, it shall be mounted in full view of the driver. If the full circuit current passes through the indicator, each circuit shall be protected by a fuse, circuit breaker or multiplex electrical circuit technology.
§ 171.64. (Reserved).
§ 171.67. Traction assist devices.
School buses may be equipped with sanders and automatic tire chains. Sanders and automatic tire chains shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's installation procedures.
§ 171.68. Seat belts.
(a) Seat belt for the driver. A Type 2 seat belt meeting the requirements of FMVSS Nos. 208 and 209--See Appendix A--shall be provided for the driver. The belt shall be equipped with a retractor of sufficient quality and strength to keep the belt retracted and off the floor when not in use. The belt shall be anchored in accordance to FMVSS No. 210--See Appendix A.
(b) Seat belts for the driver and all other designated seating positions. Every Type A school bus shall be equipped with an integral Type 2 seat belt assembly at the driver's designated seating position and at the right front passenger's designated seating position, if any. All other designated seating positions shall have a Type 1 or Type 2 seat belt assembly. Seat belt assemblies shall comply with FMVSS Nos. 208, 209 and 210--See Appendix A.
(c) Web cutters. Every school bus equipped with passenger seat belts shall have at least one web cutter securely mounted in a visible location in the driver's compartment.
§ 171.69. Seats and crash barriers.
The requirements for seats and crash barriers are as follows:
(1) Seats shall have a minimum seating depth of 15 inches.
(2) A seating space at least 13 inches wide shall be provided for each passenger.
(3) Each seat, seat back cushion and crash barrier shall be covered with a material having at least a 42-ounce finished weight, 54 inches width, and finished vinyl coating of 1.06 broken twill, or other material with equal tensile strength, tear strength, seam strength, adhesion strength, resistance to abrasion, resistance to cold and flex separation. Seat materials shall comply with FMVSS No. 302. See Appendix A.
(4) Seats not designed to meet FMVSS No. 222--See Appendix A--are not permitted. Specially equipped school buses, flip seats which comply with FMVSS No. 217--See Appendix A--and school bus seats designed with an integrated child restraint seat which complies with FMVSS No. 213--See Appendix A--are exempt from this paragraph. Child safety seats which comply with FMVSS No. 213 are also exempt from this paragraph if they are used and secured at all times as designated by the manufacturer.
(5) Except as set forth in paragraphs (6)--(11), the backs of all seats of similar size shall be of the same width at the top, of the same height above the floor, and shall slant at the same angle with the floor. A school bus seat designed with an integrated child restraint seat, which complies with FMVSS No. 213, shall have a crash barrier or have a seat back of similar size or height in front of it.
(6) Each school bus passenger seat shall have a minimum seat back height of 24 inches measured from the top of the seat cushion.
(7) The horizontal distance between passenger seats may not be more than 28 inches measured from the front of the seat back cushion forward to the back of the restraining barrier.
(8) Seats shall be forward-facing.
(9) Seats shall be installed in a manner to prevent the seats from disengaging from the seat frame under extraordinary operating conditions. Seats may not have springs protruding and may not have tears greater than 1 inch.
(10) Seats and anchorages shall comply with FMVSS No. 222. See Appendix A.
(11) A padded barrier shall be placed in front of all forward-facing passenger seats that do not have another seat in front of them, as required by FMVSS No. 222. See Appendix A.
§ 171.70. Steps.
The requirements for steps are as follows:
(1) The lower step at the service door may be not less than 12 inches and not more than 16 inches from the ground, based on standard chassis specifications.
(2) The service door entrance may be equipped with at least a two-step stepwell. Risers in each case shall be approximately equal. When a plywood floor is used on steel, the differential may be increased by the thickness of the plywood used. When a three-step stepwell is used, the first step at the service door shall be approximately 10 to 14 inches from the ground when the school bus is empty, based on standard chassis specifications. Type D school buses shall have at least a three-step stepwell with the first step at the service door 12 to 16 inches from the ground.
(3) Steps shall be enclosed to prevent accumulation of ice and snow.
(4) Steps may not protrude beyond the side body line.
(5) A grab handle at least 20 inches in length shall be provided in an unobstructed location inside the doorway. The grab handle shall be designed or installed to prevent items of school children's clothing, personal items or an appendage from being snagged in the grab handle or door.
(6) Steps on Types A and B school buses may be the manufacturer's standard.
(7) Steps, including those in the floor line platform area, shall be covered with 3/16-inch rubber floor covering or other nonskid material that is equal in wear and abrasion resistance to top grade rubber.
(8) The step tread material shall be permanently bonded to a durable backing material that is resistant to corrosion.
(9) The step tread shall have a 1 1/2 inch white nosing as an integral piece without any joint.
(10) The requirements for the rubber portion of step treads are as follows:
(i) Special compounding shall be used to allow for good abrasion resistance and a high coefficient of friction.
(ii) The rubber shall be flexible enough to allow it to be bent around a 1/2 inch mandrel both at 130°F and 20°F, without breaking or cracking.
§ 171.73. Sun shield.
(a) An interior adjustable transparent sun shield, with a finished edge and at least 6 inches by 30 inches shall be installed in Types B, C and D school buses in a position convenient for use by the driver.
(b) A sun shield (visor) shall be installed according to manufacturers standard on all Type A school buses. Additionally, Type A school buses may use an interior adjustable transparent sun shield, at least than 6 inches by 16 inches.
§ 171.74a. Crossing control arm.
School buses shall be equipped with a crossing control arm which shall be automatically activated whenever the bus is stopped with the red warning signals in use.
(1) The crossing control arm shall meet or exceed SAE Standard J1133.
(2) The crossing control arm shall be mounted on the right side of the front bumper and may not open more than 90°.
(3) The crossing control arm shall extend a minimum of 60 inches from the front bumper when in the extended position.
(4) The crossing control arm shall extend simultaneously with the stop arm by means of the stop arm controls.
(5) The crossing control arm shall incorporate system connectors (electrical, vacuum or air) at the gate and shall be easily removable to allow for towing of the school bus.
(6) All components of the crossing control arm and all connections shall be waterproofed.
(7) If the crossing control arm is not constructed of noncorrosive or nonferrous material, it shall be zinc-coated or aluminum-coated or treated by equivalent process.
(8) There may not be sharp edges or projections on the crossing control arm that could cause hazard or injury to students.
(9) A multifunction school activity bus is not required to be in compliance with this section.
§ 171.76. Ventilation.
The requirements for the ventilating system are as follows:
(1) The school bus body shall be equipped with a ventilating system.
(2) If used, auxiliary fans for the left or right side of the bus shall be placed in a location where they can be adjusted by the driver for their maximum effectiveness. These fans shall be 6 inches in diameter. The fan blades shall be covered with a protective cage and each fan shall be controlled by a separate switch.
§ 171.78. Windows.
The following apply to windows:
(1) Each full side window shall provide an unobstructed emergency opening at least 9 inches high and 22 inches wide, obtained by lowering the window.
(2) School buses shall be equipped with split sash windows. Push-out type windows may be used.
(3) Glass in the windshield, windows and doors shall be of approved safety glazing so mounted that the identifying designation is visible, and of sufficient quality to prevent distortion of view in any direction. Glazing materials shall comply with FMVSS No. 205. See Appendix A. Glass may be mounted in a conventional rubber gasket or affixed to the body by a bonding process.
(4) Exposed edges of glass shall be banded or have a finished edge.
§ 171.80. Windshield wipers.
A windshield wiping system, two-speed or more, shall be installed and in safe operating condition. The wipers shall be operated by one or more air or electric motors of sufficient power to operate wipers.
§ 171.81. Wiring.
Wiring shall conform to the following:
(1) Wiring shall conform to current applicable recommended practices of SAE Standard J1292. See Appendix A.
(2) Circuits shall conform to the following specifications:
(i) Wiring shall be arranged in at least six regular circuits, as follows:
(A) Head, tail, stop (brake) and instrument panel lamps.
(B) Clearance, side-marker and stepwell lamps-step well lamp shall be actuated when service door is opened.
(C) Dome lamps.
(D) Ignition and emergency door signal.
(E) Turn signal lamps and hazard warning switch.
(F) Alternately flashing signal lamps.
(ii) Each circuit shall be protected by a fuse, circuit breaker or multiplex electrical circuit technology. A system of color coding shall be used.
(iii) A combination circuits listed in this paragraph may be subdivided into additional independent circuits.
(iv) At least one additional circuit shall be installed for heaters and defrosters.
(v) Whenever possible, other electrical functions, such as sanders and electric-type windshield wipers, shall be provided with independent and properly protected circuits.
(vi) Each body circuit shall be coded by number or letter on a diagram of circuits and shall be attached to the body in a readily accessible location.
(3) The entire electrical system of the body shall be designed for the same voltage as the chassis on which the body is mounted.
(4) A body wiring diagram of easy readable size shall be furnished or affixed in an area convenient to the electrical accessory control panel.
(5) Wiring shall have an amperage capacity equal to or exceeding the designed load. Wiring splices shall be done at an accessible location and noted as splices on the wiring diagram.
(6) Body power wire shall be attached to a special terminal on the chassis.
(7) Wires passing through metal openings shall be protected by grommets.
(8) Wires not enclosed within the body shall be fastened securely at intervals of not more than 18 inches. Joints shall be soldered or joined by equally effective connectors.
§ 171.83. Portable emergency warning devices.
Every bus shall carry at least three portable emergency reflective triangles, as specified by Chapter 167 (relating to portable emergency warning devices). They shall be mounted in an accessible place in the driver's compartment.
§ 171.85. Video equipment.
Installation of video equipment is at the discretion of the school district or the school bus contractor.
§ 171.86. Fire axe.
Fire axes are prohibited.
Subchapter D. ADDITIONAL STANDARDS FOR SPECIALLY EQUIPPED SCHOOL BUSES AND SCHOOL VEHICLES § 171.91. General requirement.
School buses used for transporting students with disabilities shall comply with Subchapters B, C, G and this subchapter. School vehicles used for the transportation of students with disabilities shall comply with Subchapter E and this subchapter.
§ 171.92. Aisles.
(a) School buses equipped with a power lift or a ramp shall have aisles a minimum of 30 inches wide leading from the wheelchair or other type of mobility device area to the emergency door, power lift or ramp special service entrance. Under § 171.42 (relating to aisle), school buses that are not equipped with a power lift or ramp shall have aisles with a minimum clearance of at least 30 centimeters--11 3/4 inches--wide leading to the emergency door and the service entrance door.
(b) School vehicles may not be equipped with more than two wheelchair positions. (Each wheelchair seating position is counted as four designated seating positions, under 49 CFR 571.3(b) (relating to definitions).
§ 171.94. Grab handles.
Grab handles shall be provided on the interior of school buses on each side of the right front service door.
§ 171.95. Heaters.
Additional heaters may be installed in the rear portion of a school bus.
§ 171.96. Power lift.
(a) General. A school bus or school vehicle that is used specifically for the transportation of school children who utilize wheelchairs or other types of mobility devices, or who require life support equipment which cannot use the regular service entrance shall be equipped with a power lift. A power lift system shall comply and be installed in accordance with any applicable FMVSS. If a power lift system is inadequate to load or unload school children having special or unique needs, a ramp device may be installed.
(b) Specific requirements. The requirements for power lifts are as follows:
(1) The power lift shall be located either in the rear or on the right side of the vehicle body, but confined within the perimeter of the vehicle body when not extended. The power lift may not be attached to the exterior sides of the vehicle.
(2) The lifting mechanism shall be able to lift a minimum pay load of 800 pounds. A clear opening and platform to accommodate a 30-inch wide wheelchair shall be provided.
(3) When the platform is in the fully up position, it shall be locked in position mechanically by means other than a support or lug in the door.
(4) Controls shall be provided that enable the operator to activate the lift mechanism from either inside or outside of the school bus. There shall be a means of preventing the lift platform from falling while in operation due to a power failure.
(5) Power lifts shall be equipped so they may be manually operated in the event of a power failure.
(6) The lift travel shall allow the lift platform to rest securely on the ground.
(7) Edges of the platform shall be designed to prevent the wheelchair or other type of mobility device from slipping or rolling off the platform and to prevent the operator's feet from being entangled during the raising and lowering process.
(8) A self-adjusting, skid resistant plate shall be installed on the outer edge of the platform to minimize the incline from the lift platform to the ground level.
(9) A circuit breaker, fuse or an electronic device which provides protection against short circuits, thermal overloads and reversed polarity shall be installed between the power source and the lift motor, if electrical power is used.
(10) The lift mechanism shall be designed to prevent excessive pressure from building in the hydraulic system when the platform reaches the full up or full down position.
§ 171.97. Ramps.
(a) General. If a power lift system is inadequate to load and unload students having special or unique needs, a ramp device may be installed.
(b) Requirements. The requirements for ramps are as follows:
(1) Ramps shall be rigid and of sufficient strength to support the wheel chair or other type of mobility device, occupant and attendants without stress damage.
(2) Ramps shall be equipped with a protective flange on each longitudinal side to keep wheel chairs or other types of mobility devices on the ramp.
(3) Ramp floors shall be of a nonskid material.
(4) Ramps shall be equipped with a handle and constructed so as to permit one person to put the ramp in place and return it to its storage place.
(5) Ramps, during use, shall be connected to the school bus or school vehicle at floor level to permit easy access of wheel chairs or other types of mobility devices, and to be free of danger of detachment.
(6) A dustproof and waterproof enclosed container shall be provided if the ramp is stored under the floor.
§ 171.99. Restraining devices.
(a) Seat frames and seats may be equipped with belt restraint systems designed and installed in accordance with FMVSS Nos. 209 and 213 and used as designated by the manufacturer. Attachment framework and anchorage devices shall conform with FMVSS No. 210--See Appendix A.
(b) Drivers of school vehicles are required to comply with the requirements of 75 Pa.C.S. § 4581 (relating to child passenger restraints) and the Department's regulations implementing those requirements.
§ 171.102. Special light.
Lights shall be placed inside the school bus or school vehicle to sufficiently illuminate the lift area and shall be activated from the door area.
§ 171.103. Special service entrance.
(a) General. A special service entrance may be constructed to accommodate a wheelchair lift for the loading and unloading of passengers.
(b) Requirements for school buses. The following apply to the special service entrance on school buses:
(1) The special service entrance shall be located at a convenient point on the right--curb side--of the school bus and far enough to the rear to prevent the door, when open, from obstructing the right front service door--excluding a regular front service door lift.
(2) The opening may extend below the floor through the bottom of the body skirt. If such an opening is used, reinforcements shall be installed at the front and rear of the floor opening to support the floor and provide the same strength as other floor openings.
(3) With doors open, the minimum clear opening shall be 30 inches in width.
(4) A drip moulding shall be installed above the opening to effectively divert water from the entrance.
(5) The entrance shall be of sufficient width and depth to accommodate various mechanical lifts and related accessories as well as the lifting platform.
(6) Door posts and headers from the entrance shall be reinforced sufficiently to provide support and strength equivalent to the areas of the side of the school bus not used for service doors.
(c) Requirements for school vehicles. The following apply to the special service entrance on school vehicles:
(1) The special service entrance shall be located at a convenient point to the right--curb side or to the rear of the school vehicle.
(2) With doors open, the minimum clear opening shall be 30 inches in width.
(3) A drip molding shall be installed above the opening to effectively divert water from the entrance.
(4) The entrance shall be of sufficient width and depth to accommodate the mechanical lift and related accessories as well as the lifting platform.
(5) Door posts and headers from the entrance shall be reinforced sufficiently to provide support and strength equivalent to original manufacture.
§ 171.104. Special service entrance doors.
The requirements for special service entrance doors are as follows:
(1) Either a single door or double doors may be used for the special service entrance.
(2) Doors shall open outwardly.
(3) Doors shall have positive fastening devices to hold the doors in the open position.
(4) Doors shall be weather sealed. Double doors shall be so constructed that a flange on the outside of the forward door overlaps the edge of the rear door when closed.
(5) If optional power doors are installed, the design shall permit release of the doors for opening and closing from inside the school bus or school vehicle.
(6) If manually operated dual doors are provided, the rear door shall have at least a one point fastening device to the header.
(i) The forward mounted door shall have at least three fastening devices-one to the header, one to the floor line of the body and the other into the rear door.
(ii) These locking devices shall afford maximum safety when the doors are in the closed position.
(iii) The door and hinge mechanism shall be of sufficient strength to provide for the same type of use as a standard entrance door.
(7) Door materials, panels and structural strength shall be equivalent to the conventional service and emergency doors. Color, rub rail extensions, lettering and other exterior features shall match adjacent sections of the body.
(8) Each door shall have windows set in rubber compatible within 1 inch of the lower line of the adjacent sash.
(9) Doors shall be equipped with a device that will actuate an audible or visible signal located in the driver's compartment when the doors are not securely closed and the ignition is in the ''on'' position.
(10) The lifting mechanism switch shall be wired so as to prevent the lifting mechanism from operating when the lift platform door is closed.
(11) Supplemental security locks installed on special service entrance doors shall be equipped with an ignition interlock system or an audiovisual alarm located in the driver's compartment.
§ 171.105. Identification.
A specially equipped school bus or school vehicle may display the universal handicapped symbol on the rear of the vehicle below the window line. The emblem shall be white on blue, may not exceed 12 inches in height and width, and shall be of reflective material.
§ 171.107. Web cutter.
Every specially equipped school bus and school vehicle shall have at least one web cutter securely mounted in a visible location within the driver's compartment.
Subchapter E. SCHOOL VEHICLE STANDARDS § 171.121 Applicability.
The requirements of this subchapter apply to motor vehicles used to transport preprimary, primary or secondary school students to or from public, private or parochial schools or events related to these schools or school-related activities, which are designed to carry 11 to 15 passengers, including the driver, and which are registered in this Commonwealth as a bus prior to March 1, 1993, or a motor vehicle which is designed to carry 11 to 15 passengers, including the driver, and which was titled to any public, private or parochial school on or before March 1, 1993, and which is registered to that public, private or parochial school in this Commonwealth as a bus prior to September 15, 1993 and school vehicles.
§ 171.125. Seating.
(a) Vehicle seats. Vehicle seats and seat belts shall be of a type and installed as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.
(b) Dividers. Dividers may not be used to separate the seats.
(c) Seating space. A designated seating position of safe design and construction shall be provided for each passenger and a passenger may not be carried for which a safe designated seating position is not available. Seats shall be forward facing.
(d) Child passenger restraints. Drivers of school vehicles are required to comply with the requirements of 75 Pa.C.S. § 4581 (relating to child passenger restraints) and the Department's regulations implementing those requirements.
§ 171.126. Web cutter.
Every school vehicle shall have at least one web cutter securely mounted in a visible location within the driver's compartment.
§ 171.127. Certification.
A school vehicle shall be certified by the original manufacturer or final stage manufacturer to meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for a passenger car or a multipurpose passenger vehicle.
Subchapter F. MASS TRANSIT PUPIL TRANSPORTATION BUS STANDARDS § 171.138. Portable emergency warning device.
Every bus shall carry at least three portable emergency reflective triangles, as specified by Chapter 167 (relating to portable emergency warning devices). They shall be mounted in an accessible place in the driver's compartment.
Subchapter G. OPERATION STANDARDS FOR VEHICLES SUBJECT TO THIS CHAPTER § 171.149. Unsafe operations.
(a) General. Vehicles subject to this chapter may not be operated in a condition that is likely to cause an accident or a breakdown of the vehicle.
(b) Exemption. A vehicle subject to this chapter discovered to be in an unsafe condition while being operated on the highway may be continued in operation only to the nearest place where repairs can safely be effected. The operation shall be conducted only if it is less hazardous to the public than to permit the vehicle to remain on the highway.
(c) Securing loose items. Any items stored by the driver shall be secured, so that the items do not interfere with the operation of the accelerator or brake pedal, impede the loading or unloading process or any other operational control for the safe operation of the vehicle.
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 05-991. Filed for public inspection May 20, 2005, 9:00 a.m.]
