Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024
Side windows used as emergency exits on buses (other than
school buses and buses operated by law enforcement agencies to transport
passengers) and all farm labor vehicles shall have the following:
(a) Type 1 Bus -- On a Type 1 bus, an
unobstructed opening at least 17 3/4 x 13 in. The total escape area shall be at
least 67 sq in. for each seating space, including the driver's. At least 40% of
the escape areas shall be located on one side of the bus.
(b) Type 2 Bus and Farm Labor Vehicle -- On a
Type 2 bus and any farm labor vehicle not a Type 1 bus, one or two openings, of
at least 564 sq in., with a minimum dimension of at least 12 in.
(1) In lieu of compliance with Section
1268(h)(1), a
farm labor vehicle less than 80 in. wide may be equipped with not less than one
sliding or push-out escape window on each side of the passenger compartment.
Each window shall provide an unobstructed opening of not less than 17 3/4 x 13
in. and shall be constructed and latched so that passengers can open it readily
in an emergency. The total escape areas shall equal at least 67 sq in. for each
seating space, and not less than 40% of this escape area shall be located on
one side of the vehicle. This does not apply to passenger(s) seated in the
driver's compartment separated from the passenger compartment.
(2) Rear emergency windows that may be used
in lieu of emergency exit doors shall provide an unobstructed opening of not
less than 6 sq ft and a minimum width of 16 in.
(3) All push out windows shall have
instructions for operation on the interior.
(c) Each modified limousine shall be equipped
as follows:
(1) Except as provided in
subparagraphs (A) and (B), a modified limousine shall be equipped with at least
two push-out escape windows within the passenger compartment. Each push-out
escape window shall provide an unobstructed opening of not less than 17 3/4 x
13 inches and shall be constructed and latched so that passengers can open it
readily in an emergency without the use of tools. The total escape areas shall
equal at least 67 square inches for each seating space, and not less than 40%
of this escape area shall be located on one side of the vehicle. Passenger
seating positions located in the driver compartment separated from the
passenger compartment by a partition are not required to be included in the
minimum total escape area calculation.
(A)
When the design of the modified limousine precludes the installation of a
push-out escape window on one side of the vehicle, a second push-out escape
window shall be mounted in the roof of the passenger compartment. When open,
the roof-mounted push-out escape exit shall provide an unobstructed opening of
not less than 17 3/4 x 13 inches and shall be constructed and latched so that
passengers can open it readily in an emergency without the use of tools. The
total escape areas shall equal at least 67 square inches for each passenger
seating space.
(B) When the design
of the modified limousine precludes the installation of even one push-out
escape window on a side of the vehicle, a push-out escape window shall be
mounted in the roof of the passenger compartment. When open, the roof-mounted
push-out escape exit shall provide an unobstructed opening of not less than 17
3/4 x 1 3 inches and shall be constructed and latched so that passengers can
open it readily in an emergency without the use of tools. The total escape area
shall equal at least 67 square inches for each passenger seating
space.
(C) A determination the
design of the vehicle precludes the installation of any push-out escape window
required by this section shall be made and attested to in writing by the entity
certifying compliance with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards or an
independent engineering firm.
(i) Motor
carriers shall obtain and retain proof of the design preclusion determination
for the life the vehicle is in their possession or control.
(ii) The original written proof of the design
preclusion determination shall be given to the purchasing or receiving party
when the vehicle is sold by or transferred from the possession of the motor
carrier.
(iii) A copy of the design
preclusion certification shall be retained for six months after the vehicle
leaves the motor carrier's possession or control.
(iv) Proof of the design preclusion
determination shall be presented upon request and made available for inspection
by any authorized representative of the
Department.
(2)
All push-out escape exits shall have instructions for operation on the interior
of the window. Instructions shall be visible to passengers within the passenger
compartment and be maintained in a condition which renders them legible in an
emergency. Operation instructions may be provided using universally
recognizable symbols such as arrows or other symbols, or other means to easily
convey the instructions to passengers in an emergency.
(3) Installation of all push-out emergency
exits shall be completed in a manner which ensures no device or element of
design, or any requirement of any Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
applicable at the time of manufacture is removed, disabled, or otherwise
rendered inoperative or ineffective.
(4) Subsection (c) shall apply to modified
limousines modified on or after July 1, 2015. Beginning January 1, 2018, the
subsection shall also apply to all modified limousines modified prior to July
l, 2015.
1. Amendment
filed 5-14-79; designated effective 7-1-79 (Register 79, No. 19).
2.
Change without regulatory effect amending subsection (b)(1) filed 5-11-95
pursuant to section
100, title 1, California Code of
Regulations (Register 95, No. 19).
3. New subsections (c)-(c)(4) and
amendment of NOTE filed 7-31-2017 as an emergency; operative 7-31-2017
(Register 2017, No. 31). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL
by 1-29-2018 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the
following day.
4. Certificate of Compliance as to 7-31-2017 order
transmitted to OAL 1-19-2018 and filed 2-27-2018 (Register 2018, No.
9).
Note: Authority cited: Sections 27375, 31401, 34501, and
34501.5, Vehicle Code. Reference: Sections 27375, 31401, 34501 and 34501.5,
Vehicle Code.
