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 1311.05 - Exhaust System

Universal Citation: NH Admin Rules Saf-C 1311.05

Current through Register No. 40, October 3, 2024

(a) For the purposes of this section, "heat baffle" means a piece of metal used to shield pipes within a school bus from excessive heat.

(b) The exhaust system, which shall include the exhaust manifolds, joining gaskets, piping leading from the exhaust manifold, the muffler(s) and tailpipe(s), shall not enter the bus body at any location, and shall be securely attached or suspended from the chassis frame.

(c) The exhaust system pipe shall be made of non-flexible, 16 gauge steel or the equivalent.

(d) The complete exhaust system shall be tightly connected and free from leaks, and shall be properly insulated from the electrical wiring or any combustible part of the school bus.

(e) The exhaust system shall not pass within 12 inches of the fuel tank and its connection, or any flexible brake system hose, unless a heat baffle is used, in which case a minimum exhaust system separation of 1.5 inches shall be maintained to the fuel tank, its fittings and any flexible brake system hoses. The exhaust system may be less than 12 inches from the fuel tank on diesel powered buses.

(f) The size of the pipes in the exhaust system shall not be reduced below the size of the engine manifold.

(g) The exhaust system and its elements shall be securely fastened.

(h) The muffler shall be constructed of a corrosion resistant material.

(i) The exhaust system on vehicles designed for the transportation of special needs students may be routed to the left of the right frame rail, to allow installation of a wheelchair lift on the right side of the vehicle.

(j) Each tailpipe shall:

(1) Be of sufficient length to exit the rear of the school bus or the left side of the bus body no more than 18 inches forward of the front edge of the rear wheel house opening;

(2) If designed to exit at the rear of the school bus, extend no less than 5 inches beyond the end of the chassis frame;

(3) If designed to exit at the left side of the bus body, extend no less than 48.5 inches or if the bus body is 102 inches in width, 51.5 inches, outboard from the chassis center line;

(4) Extend no more than required by the manufacturer's specifications beyond the perimeter of the school bus body for a side-exit pipe or the bumper for a rear-exit pipe;

(5) Not exit beneath a fuel fill or emergency exit door on each type C or D school bus; or

(6) Meet the manufacturer's specifications on each type A or B school bus.

#4873, eff 07-24-90; ss by #6297, eff 7-23-96; ss by #8122, INTERIM, eff 7-17-04, EXPIRES: 1-13-05; ss and moved by #8248, eff 1-4-05 (from Saf-C 1310.05); amd by #8723, eff 9-8-06

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