Current through March 20, 2024
007.01
General Requirements. Pupil transportation vehicles
designed for transporting children with special transportation needs shall
comply with National School Transportation Specifications & Procedures and
with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) applicable to their Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) category. In addition, any pupil transportation
vehicle to be used for the transportation of children who are confined to a
wheelchair or other mobile positioning device, or who require life support
equipment which prohibits use of the regular service entrance, shall be
equipped with a power lift, unless a ramp is needed for unusual circumstances
related to passenger needs.
007.02
Emergency Exit. All school and activity buses equipped
with a power lift shall provide a 30-inch aisle leading from any
wheelchair/mobility aid position to at least one emergency door. A wheelchair
securement position shall never be located directly in front of a power lift
door location. When provided, the lift service door is considered an emergency
exit.
007.03
Communications. All pupil transportation vehicles
which are used to transport individuals with disabilities shall be equipped
with a two way electronic voice communication system which can be used at any
point in the vehicles' route. This system may be after market
provided.
007.04
Glazing. Tinted glazing may be installed in all doors,
windows, and windshields consistent with federal, state, and local
regulations.
007.05
Identification. Vehicles with power lifts used for
transporting individuals with disabilities shall display the International
Symbol of Accessibility below the window line. Such emblems shall be white on
blue background, shall not exceed 12 inches in size, and shall be of a
high-intensity reflectorized material meeting Federal Highway Administration
(FHWA) FP-85 Standards.
007.06
Passenger Capacity Rating. In determining the
passenger capacity of a school transportation vehicle for purposes other than
actual passenger load (i.e., vehicle classification, or various
billing/reimbursement models), any location in a vehicle intended for
securement of an occupied wheelchair/mobility aid during vehicle operations may
be regarded as four designated seating positions. Similarly, each lift area may
be regarded as four designated seating positions. (Small vehicles are exempt.)
(See Appendix J for Wheelchair or Mobility and Envelope diagram.)
007.07
Power Lifts and
Ramps. On all vehicles other than small vehicles, power lift shall
be located on the right side of the vehicle body when not extended. The lift
may be located on the left side of the bus if used to deliver individuals to
the left side of one way streets.
007.07A All
vehicles covered by this specification shall provide a level-change mechanism
or boarding device (e.g., lift or ramp). which comply with the requirements set
forth in FMVSS 403, Platform Lift Systems for Motor Vehicles,
and FMVSS 404, Platform Lift Installations in Motor
Vehicles.
007.07B
Vehicle Lift. The design load of the lift shall be at
least 800 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. Nonworking parts, such as platform, frame, and attachment
hardware which would not be expected to wear, shall have a safety factor of at
least three, based on the ultimate strength of the material.
007.07C
Lift
Capacity. The lifting mechanism and platform shall be able to
operate effectively with a wheelchair and occupant mass of at least 800
pounds.
007.07D
Lift
Controls. (See 49 CFR 571.402, S 6.7, Control
Systems)
007.07E
Emergency Operation. (See
49 CFR
571.403, S 6.9, Backup
Operation)
007.07F
Power or Equipment Failure. (See
49 CFR
571.403, S 6.2.2Maximum Platform
Velocity).
007.07G
Platform Barriers. (See
49 CFR
571.403, S 6.4.7, Wheelchair
Retention).
007.07H
Platform Surface. (See
49 CFR
571.403,, S 6.4.2, S 6.4.3, Platform
Requirements).
007.07I
Platform Gaps. (See
49 CFR
571.403, S 6.4.4, Gaps, Transitions
and Openings).
007.07J
Platform Deflection. (See
49 CFR
571.403, S 6.4.5, Platform
Deflection).
007.07K
Platform Movement. (See
49 CFR
571.403, S 6.4.5Maximum Platform
Acceleration).
007.07L
Boarding Direction. The lift shall permit both inboard
and outboard facing of wheelchair and mobility aid users.
007.07M
Use by
Standees. Lifts shall be capable of accommodating persons using
walkers, crutches, cane or braces, or who otherwise have difficulty using
steps. The platform may be marked to indicate a preferred standing
position.
007.07N
Handrails. (See
49 CFR
571.403, S 6.4.9,
Handrails).
007.07O
Circuit
Breaker. A resetable circuit breaker shall be installed between
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/driver
compartment.
007.07P
Excessive Pressure. (See
49 CFR
571.403, S 6.8, Jacking
Prevention).
007.07Q
Documentation. The following information shall be
provided with each vehicle equipped with a lift.
007.07Q1 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.)
007.07Q2 Detailed instructions regarding use
of the lift are readily visible when the lift door is open, including a diagram
showing the proper placement and positioning of wheelchair/mobility aids on
lift.
007.07R
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.
007.07S
Identification and
Certification. Each lift shall be permanently and legibly marked
or incorporate a non-removable label or tag which states that it conforms to
all applicable requirements of the National School Transportation
Specifications & Procedures. 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 photo
copied, which states that the lift system meets all the applicable requirements
of the National School Transportation Specifications &
Procedures.
007.07T
Vehicle Ramp.
007.07T1 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.
007.07T2 Floor of ramp shall be of non-skid
material.
007.07T3 Ramp shall be
equipped with handles and be of weight and design to permit one (1) person to
put ramp in place and return it to its storage place.
007.07T4 Ramps installed in raised floor
buses by manufacturers may be used for emergency evacuation purposes. They
shall not be used as a substitute for a lift when a lift is capable of
servicing the need.
007.08
Regular Service
Entrance.
007.08A On power-lift
equipped vehicles, step shall be the full width of the step well, excluding the
thickness of doors in open position.
007.08B A device shall be provided to assist
passengers during entry or exit. This device shall allow for easy grasping or
holding and shall have no openings or pinch points which might entangle
clothing, accessories or limbs.
007.08C An additional handrail may be
provided on all specially equipped school buses. This handrail shall be located
on the opposite side of the entrance door from the handrail required in
subsection 005.25 of this Chapter and shall meet the same requirements for
handrails.
007.09
Restraining Devices.
007.09A On power-lift equipped vehicles with
a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or more, seat frames may be equipped with attachments
or devices to which belts, restraining harnesses or other devices may be
attached. Attachment framework or anchorage devices, if installed, shall
conform to FMVSS No. 210, Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages. Any
belt assembly anchorage shall comply with FMVSS No 210, Seat Belt
Assembly Anchorages.
008.09B Seat belt assemblies, if installed,
shall conform to FMVSS No. 209, Seat Belt Assemblies.
007.09C Child restraint systems,
which are used to facilitate the transportation of children who in other modes
of transportation would be required to use a child, infant, or booster seat,
shall conform to FMVSS No. 213, Child Restraint
Systems.
007.10
Seating Arrangements. Flexibility in seat spacing to
accommodate special devices shall be permitted to meet passenger requirements.
All seating shall meet the requirements of FMVSS No. 222, School Bus
Passenger Seating and Crash Protection.
007.11
Securement and Restraint
System for Wheelchair/Mobility Aid and Occupant. For purposes of
better understanding the various aspects and components of this section, the
term "securement and tiedown" and the phrases "securement system" or "tiedown
system" are used exclusively in reference to the device(s) which anchor the
wheelchair to the vehicle. The term "restraint" or the phrase "restraint
system" are used exclusively in reference to the equipment that is intended to
limit the movement of the wheelchair occupant in a crash or sudden maneuver.
The term "wheelchair tiedown" and "occupant restraint system" (WTORS) is used
to refer to the total system that secures the wheelchair and restrains the
wheelchair occupant.
007.11A Wheelchair
Tiedown and Occupant Restraint System (WTORS) general requirements:
007.11A1 A wheelchair and occupant restraint
system installed in specially equipped school buses shall be designed,
installed, and operated for use with forward-facing wheelchair-seated
passengers and shall comply with applicable requirements of FMVSS 222,
School Bus Passenger Seating and Crash Protection, and SAE
J2249, Wheelchair Tie down and Occupant Restraint Systems for Use in
Motor Vehicles.
007.11A2
The WTORS, including the anchorage track, floor plates, pockets or other
anchorages, shall be provided by the same manufacturer or shall be certified to
be compatible by manufacturers of all equipment/systems used.
007.11A3 Wheelchair securement positions
shall be located such that wheelchairs and their occupants do not block access
to the lift door.
007.11A4 A device
for storage of the WTORS shall be provided. When the system is not in use, the
storage device shall allow for clean storage of the system, shall keep the
system securely contained within the passenger compartment, shall provide
reasonable protection from vandalism, and shall enable the system to be readily
accessed for use.
007.11A5 The
WTORS, including the storage device, shall meet the flammability standards
established in FMVSS No. 302, Flammability of Interior
Materials.
007.11A6 The
following information shall be provided with each vehicle equipped with a
securement and restraint system:
007.11A6a A
phone number where information can be obtained about installation, repair and
parts.
007.11A6b Detailed
instructions regarding use, including a diagram showing the proper placement of
the wheelchair/mobility aids and positioning of securement devices and occupant
restraints, including correct belt angles.
007.11A7 Wheelchair Securement/Tiedown (See
49 CFR
571.403, S 5.4. 3, S 5.4.4). Each wheelchair
position in a specially equipped school bus shall have a minimum clear floor
area of 30 inches laterally by 48 inches longitudinally. Additional floor area
may be required for some wheelchairs. Consultation between the user and the
manufacturer is recommended to ensure that adequate area is provided.
007.11A8 Occupant restraint system
(See
49 CFR
571.403, S 5.4.3, S 5.4.4). If the upper
torso belt anchorage is higher than 44 inches measured from the vehicle floor,
an adjustment device, as part of the occupant restraint system, shall be
supplied.
007.12 Special Light. Doorways in which lifts
are installed, shall have, when lift is to be used, at least 2 foot-candles of
illumination measured on the floor of the vehicle immediately adjacent to the
lift, and on the lift, when deployed at the vehicle floor level.
007.13
Special Service
Entrance.
007.13A Power lift
equipped bodies shall have a special service entrance to accommodate the power
lift.
Exception: If the lift is designed to operate within the
regular service entrance, and is capable of stowing such that the regular
service entrance is not blocked in any way, and that persons entering or
exiting the vehicle are not impeded in any way, a special service entrance
shall not be required.
007.13B The special service entrance and door
shall be located on the right side of the vehicle and shall be designed so as
not to obstruct the regular service entrance. (Small vehicles are exempt.)
Exception: A special service entrance and door may be located
on the left side of the vehicle only if the vehicle is primarily used to
deliver children to the left side of one way streets and its use is limited to
that function.
007.13C The
opening may extend below the door 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 give the same strength as other
floor openings.
007.13D A drip
molding shall be installed above the opening to effectively direct water from
entrance.
007.13E Door posts and
headers from entrance shall be reinforced sufficiently to provide support and
strength equivalent to the areas of the side of the bus not used for special
service entrance.
007.14
Special Service Entrance Doors.
007.14A A single door or double doors may be
used for the special service entrance.
007.14B A single door shall be hinged to the
forward side of the entrance unless doing so would obstruct the regular service
entrance. If, due to the above condition, the door is hinged to the rearward
side of the doorway, the door shall utilize a safety mechanism which will
prevent the door from swinging open should the primary door latch fail. If
double doors are used, the system shall be designed to prevent the door(s) from
being blown open by aerodynamic forces created by the forward motion of the
bus, and/or shall incorporate a safety mechanism to provide secondary
protection should the primary latching mechanism(s) fail.
007.14C All doors shall have positive
fastening devices to hold doors in the open position.
007.14D All doors shall be weather
sealed.
007.14E When
manually-operated dual doors are provided, the rear door shall have at least a
one-point fastening device to the header. The forward-mounted door shall have
at least three one-point fastening devices. One shall be to the header, one to
the floor line of the body, and the other shall be into the rear door. The door
and hinge mechanism shall be of a strength that is greater than or equivalent
to the strength of the emergency exit door.
007.14F 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.
007.14G Each door shall have windows set in a
waterproof manner that is visually similar in size and location to adjacent
non-door windows. Glazing shall be of same type and tinting (if applicable) as
standard fixed glass in other body locations.
007.14H Door(s) shall be equipped with a
device that will actuate an audible or flashing signal located in the driver's
compartment when door(s) is/are not securely closed and ignition is in "on"
position.
007.14I A switch shall be
installed so that the lifting mechanism will not operate when the lift platform
door(s) is/are closed.
007.14J
Special service entrance doors shall be equipped with padding at the top edge
of the door opening. Pad shall be at least three inches wide and one inch thick
and extend the full width of the door opening.
007.15
Support Equipment and
Accessories.
007.15A Each
specially equipped vehicle which is set up to accommodate wheelchair/mobility
aids or other assistive or restraint devices which utilize belts, shall contain
at least one (1) belt cutter properly secured in a location within reach of the
driver while belted into his/her driver's seat. The belt cutter shall meet the
requirements of subsection 005.41A2 of this Chapter.
007.15B Special equipment or supplies which
are used on the bus for mobility assistance, health support, or safety purposes
shall meet any local, federal, or engineering standards which may apply,
including requirements for proper identification. Equipment which may be used
for these purposes includes, but is not limited to:
007.15B1 Wheelchairs and other mobile seating
devices.
007.15B2 Crutches,
walkers, canes, and other ambulating devices.
007.15B3 Medical Support Equipment. This may
include respiratory devices such as oxygen bottles (which should be no larger
than 22 cubic feet for liquid oxygen and 38 cubic feet for compressed gas), or
ventilators. Tanks and valves should be located and positioned to protect them
from direct sunlight, bus heater vents, or other heat sources. Other equipment
may include intravenous, and fluid drainage apparatus.
007.15C All portable equipment and special
accessory items including equipment in subsection 007.15B, shall be secured at
the mounting location to withstand a pulling force of five times the weight of
the item, or shall be retained in an enclosed, latched compartment. The
compartment shall be capable of withstanding forces applied to its interior
equal to five times the weight of its contents without failure to the box's
integrity and securement to the bus. Exception: If these standards provide
specific requirements for securement of a particular type of equipment, the
specific standard shall prevail (i.e., wheelchairs).
