3.6.1 The power lift (power up and gravity down with a manual backup system) shall be located on the right side of the bus body when not extended.
3.6.1.1 School buses with hydraulic brakes shall be equipped with a hydraulic brake interlock system meeting Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards and ensure the lift can not operate unless the parking brake is set. The interlock shall be wired through the ignition switch.
3.6.1.2 A ramp device may be used in lieu of a mechanical lift if the ramp meets all the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as found in 36 CFR §1192.23 Vehicle ramp. (See NSTSP, Appendix D)
3.6.1.3 A ramp device which does not meet the specifications of ADA but does meet the specifications of paragraph 3.6.3 of this section may be installed and used, when, and only when, a power lift system is not adequate to load and unload students having special and unique needs. A readily accessible ramp may be installed for emergency exit use. If stowed in the passenger compartment, the ramp must be properly secured and placed away from general passenger contact. It must not obstruct or restrict any aisle or exit while in its stowed or deployed position.
3.6.1.4 All vehicles covered by this specification shall provide a level change mechanism or boarding device (e.g., lift or ramp) complying with paragraphs 3.6.2 or 3.6.3 of this section with sufficient clearances to permit a wheelchair or other mobility aid user to reach a securement location.
3.6.2 Vehicle lift
3.6.2.1 Design loads. The design load of the lift shall be at least 600 pounds. Working parts, such as cables, pulleys, and shafts, which can be expected to wear, and upon which the lift depends for support of the load, shall have a safety factor of at least six, based on the ultimate strength of the material. Non working parts, such as platform, frame, and attachment hardware that would not be expected to wear, shall have a safety factor of at least three, based on the ultimate strength of the material.
3.6.2.2 Lift capacity: The lifting mechanism and platform shall be capable of lifting at least 800 pounds.
3.6.2.3 Controls: Controls shall be provided that enable the operator to activate the lift mechanism from either inside or outside the bus. The controls may be interlocked with the vehicle brakes, transmission or door, or they may provide other appropriate mechanisms or systems to ensure the vehicle cannot be moved when the lift is not stowed and so the lift cannot be deployed unless the interlocks or systems are engaged. The lift shall deploy to all levels (e.g., ground, curb, and intermediate positions) normally encountered in the operating environment. Where provided, each control for deploying, lowering, raising, and stowing the lift and lowering the roll off barrier shall be of a momentary contact type requiring continuous manual pressure by the operator and shall not allow improper lift sequencing when the lift platform is occupied. The controls shall allow reversal of the lift operation sequence, such as raising or lowering a platform that is part way down, without allowing an occupied platform to fold or retract into the stowed position.
3.6.2.3.1 Exception: Where the lift is designed to deploy with its long dimension parallel to the vehicle axis which pivots into or out of the vehicle while occupied (i.e., "rotary lift"), the requirements of this paragraph, prohibiting the lift from being stowed while occupied, shall not apply if the stowed position is within the passenger compartment and the lift is intended to be stowed while occupied.
3.6.2.4 Emergency operation: The lift shall incorporate an emergency method of deploying, lowering to ground level with a lift occupant, and raising and stowing the empty lift if the power to the lift fails. No emergency method, manual or otherwise, shall be capable of being operated in a manner that could be hazardous to the lift occupant or to the operator when operated according to manufacturer's instructions and shall not permit the platform to be stowed or folded when occupied, unless the lift is a rotary lift and is intended to be stowed while occupied. No manual emergency operation shall require more than 2 (two) minutes to lower an occupied wheelchair to ground level.
3.6.2.5 Power or equipment failure: Platforms stowed in a vertical position, and deployed platforms when occupied, shall have provisions to prevent their deploying, falling, or folding any faster than 12" per second or their dropping of an occupant in the event of a single failure of any load carrying component.
3.6.2.6 Platform barriers: The lift platform shall be equipped with barriers to prevent any of the wheels of a wheelchair or mobility aid from rolling off the platform during its operation. A movable barrier or inherent design feature shall prevent a wheelchair or mobility aid from rolling off the edge closest to the vehicle until the platform is in its fully raised position. Each side of the lift platform that extends beyond the vehicle in its raised position shall have a barrier with a minimum height of 1 1/2". Such barriers shall not interfere with maneuvering into or out of the aisle. The loading edge barrier (outer barrier), which functions as a loading ramp when the lift is at ground level, shall be sufficient when raised or closed, or a supplementary system shall be provided, to prevent a power wheelchair or mobility aid from riding over or defeating it. The outer barrier of the lift shall automatically raise or close, or a supplementary system shall automatically engage, and remain raised, closed, or engaged at all times that the platform is more than 3" above the roadway or sidewalk and the platform is occupied. Alternatively, a barrier or system may be raised, lowered, opened, closed, engaged, or disengaged by the lift operator, provided an interlock or inherent design feature prevents the lift from rising unless the barrier is raised or closed or the supplementary system is engaged.
3.6.2.7 Platform surface: The platform surface shall be free of any protrusions over 1/4" high and shall be slip resistant. The platform shall have a minimum clear width of 32" at the platform to 30" above it, and a minimum clear length of 48" measured from 2" above the surface of the platform to 30" above the surface of the platform.
3.6.2.8 Platform gaps: Any openings between the platform surface and the raised barriers shall not exceed 5/8" in width. When the platform is at vehicle floor height with the inner barrier (if applicable) down or retracted, gaps between the forward lift platform edge and the vehicle floor shall not exceed 1/2 inch horizontally and 5/8 inch vertically. Platforms on semi automatic lifts may have a hand hold not exceeding 1 1/2" by 4 1/2" located between the edge barriers.
3.6.2.9 Platform entrance ramp: The outboard entrance ramp or loading edge barrier used as a ramp and the transition plate from the inboard edge of the platform to the vehicle floor shall not exceed a slope of 1:8, measured on level ground, for a maximum rise of 3", and the transition from roadway or sidewalk to ramp may be vertical without edge treatment up to 1/4". Thresholds between 1/4" and 1/2" high shall be beveled with a slope no greater than 1:2.
3.6.2.10 Platform deflection: The lift platform (not including the entrance ramp) shall not deflect more than 3 degrees (exclusive of vehicle roll or pitch) in any direction between its unloaded position and its position when loaded with 600 pounds applied through a 26" by 26" test pallet at the centroid of the platform.
3.6.2.11 Platform movement: No part of the platform shall move at a rate exceeding 6" per second while lowering and lifting an occupant, and shall not exceed 12" per second during deploying or stowing. This requirement does not apply to the deployment or stowage cycles of lifts that are manually deployed or stowed. The maximum platform horizontal and vertical acceleration when occupied shall be 0.3 g.
3.6.2.12 Boarding direction: The lift shall permit both inboard and outboard facing of wheelchair and mobility aid users.
3.6.2.13 Use by standees: Lifts shall accommodate persons using walkers, crutches, canes or braces, or who otherwise have difficulty using steps. The platform may be marked to indicate a preferred standing position.
3.6.2.14 Handrails: Platforms on lifts shall be equipped with handrails on two sides, which move in tandem with the lift, and which shall be graspable and provide support to standees throughout the entire lift operation. Handrails shall have a usable component at least 8" long with the lowest portion a minimum 30" above the platform and the highest portion a maximum 38" above the platform. The handrails shall be capable of withstanding a force of 100 pounds concentrated at any point on the handrail without permanent deformation of the rail or its supporting structure. The handrail shall have a cross sectional diameter between 1 1/4" and 1 1/2" or shall provide an equivalent grasping surface, and have eased edges with corner radii of not less than 1/8". Handrails shall be placed to provide a minimum 1 1/2" knuckle clearance from the nearest adjacent surface. Handrails shall not interfere with wheelchair or mobility aid maneuverability when entering or leaving the vehicle.
3.6.2.15 Circuit breaker: A resettable circuit breaker shall be installed between the power source and lift motor if electrical power is used. It shall be located as close to the power source as possible, but not within the passenger and driver compartment.
3.6.2.16 Excessive pressure: Lift design shall prevent excessive pressure that could damage the lift system when the platform is fully lowered or raised or that could jack the vehicle.
3.6.2.17 Documentation: The following information shall be provided with each vehicle equipped with a lift:
3.6.2.17.1 A phone number where information can be obtained about installation, repair, and parts. (Detailed written instructions and a parts list shall be available upon request.)
3.6.2.17.2 Detailed instructions regarding use of the lift and readily visible when the lift door is open, including a diagram showing the proper placement and positioning of wheelchair or mobility aids on lift.
3.6.2.18 Training materials: The lift manufacturer shall make available training materials to ensure the proper use and maintenance of the lift. These may include instructional videos, classroom curriculum, system test results, or other related materials.
3.6.2.19 Identification and certification: Each lift shall be permanently and legibly marked or shall incorporate a non removable label or tag that states that it conforms to all applicable requirements of the NSTSP. In addition, the lift manufacturer or an authorized representative, upon request of the original titled purchaser, shall provide a notarized Certificate of Conformance, either original or photocopied, which states that the lift system meets all the applicable requirements of the NSTSP.
3.6.3 Vehicle ramp
3.6.3.1 If a ramp is used, it shall be of sufficient strength and rigidity to support the special device, occupant, and attendant(s). It shall be equipped with a protective flange on each longitudinal side to keep special device on the ramp.
3.6.3.2 Floor of ramp shall be constructed of non skid material.
3.6.3.3 Ramp shall be equipped with handles and be of weight and design to permit one person to put ramp in place and return it to its storage place.
3.6.3.4 Ramps used for emergency evacuation purposes may be installed in raised floor buses by manufacturers. They shall not be used as a substitute for a lift when a lift is capable of servicing the need.