Code of Massachusetts Regulations
540 CMR - REGISTRY OF MOTOR VEHICLES
Title 540 CMR 7.00 - Minimum Standards For Construction and Equipment of School Buses and Minimum Standards For School Pupil Transport Vehicles
Section 7.06 - Equipment Requirements
Current through Register 1518, March 29, 2024
All school buses shall have equipment conforming to the following standards.
(1) Fire Extinguishers. The bus shall be equipped with at least one pressurized, dry chemical fire extinguisher complete with hose, to meet Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.'s approval. Extinguisher must be mounted in a bracket, located in the driver's compartment and readily accessible to the driver and passengers. A pressure gauge shall be mounted on the extinguisher so as to be easily read without moving the extinguisher from its mounted position.
(2) First-aid Kit. The first-aid kit shall be removable, moistureproof, dustproof, and mounted in an accessible and marked place within the driver's compartment. The contents shall include:
two - 1" x 2½ yards adhesive tape rolls
24 - sterile gauze pads 3" x 3"
100 - ¾" x 3" adhesive bandages
eight - 2" bandage compress
ten - 3" bandage compress
two - 2" x 6 yards sterile gauze roller bandages
two - non-sterile triangular bandages approximately 39" x 35" x 54" with two safety pins
three - sterile gauze pads 36" x 36"
three - sterile eye pads
one - rounded end scissors
one - pair medical examination gloves
one - mouth-to-mouth airway
(3) Body Fluid Clean-up Kit. Each bus shall have a removable and moistureproof body fluid clean-up kit. It shall be properly mounted and identified as a body fluid clean-up kit.
The contents shall include:
one - Absorbent powder
one - Hard surface disinfectant towelette
one - Scoop and spatula
one - Biohazard bag
one - Unmarked bag
ten - Paper towelette
two - Medical examination gloves
two - Antiseptic toweletts
(4) Warning Devices for Disabled Vehicles. At least three red electric lanterns or red emergency reflectors which comply with United States Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 125 shall be provided.
(5) Wheel Chocks. Each bus shall have one pair of secured rubber chocks, in compliance with M.G.L. c. 90, § 13.
(6) Storage of Equipment. All required equipment shall be readily accessible to the driver and passengers and secured to prevent dislodging in the event of vehicle upset. Any optional equipment or supplies must also be so secured. Any trash receptacle shall be securely mounted in a proper location and emptied daily. Any broom shall be securely mounted in a location away from passengers.
(7) Locked Compartment. The fire extinguisher, first-aid kit, warning devices, and wheel chocks may be stored under lock and key provided that the locking device is connected with an automatic audible warning signal to notify the driver of the locked compartment when the ignition is turned on, and a device to prevent activation of the starter mechanism of the vehicle engine while said compartment is locked. The compartment shall be legibly labeled to indicate storage of the required equipment.
(8) Belt Cutter. All buses shall contain a belt cutter visibly mounted in the driver's area for use in emergencies including evacuations.
