New Hampshire Code of Administrative Rules
Saf - Department of Safety
Subtitle Saf-C - Commissioner, Department of Safety
Chapter Saf-C 1300 - SCHOOL BUS TRANSPORTATION
Part Saf-C 1311 - MECHANICAL COMPONENTS
Section Saf-C 1311.02 - Brakes

(a) Each school bus chassis shall be equipped with a braking system, including service brakes and a parking brake.

(b) Each school bus using air or vacuum in the operation of the brake system shall be equipped with warning signals, readily audible or visible to the driver, that shall provide a continuous warning when the air pressure available in the system for braking is 60 psi or less, or the vacuum in the system available for braking is 8 inches of mercury or less. An illuminated gauge shall indicate to the driver the air pressure in pounds per square inch or the inches of mercury vacuum available for the operation of the brakes.

(c) Vacuum-assist brake systems shall have a reservoir used exclusively for brakes that shall be adequate to ensure the loss in vacuum at full stroke application of not more than 30 percent with the engine not running.

(d) The dry reservoir shall be safeguarded by a check valve or an equivalent device, so that in the event of failure or leakage in its connection to the source of compressed air or vacuum, the stored dry air or vacuum shall not be depleted by leakage or failure.

(e) Each school bus using a hydraulic assist-booster in the operation of the brake system shall be equipped with warning signals, readily audible or visible to the driver, that shall provide a continuous warning in the event of a loss of fluid flow from the primary source or loss of electric source powering the back-up system.

(f) The brake lines and booster-assist line shall be protected from excessive heat and vibration and shall be installed in a manner that prevents chafing.

(g) Each anti-lock brake system warning light shall be operational but not activated.