New Jersey Administrative Code
Title 13 - LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY
Chapter 20 - ENFORCEMENT SERVICE
Subchapter 50C - STANDARDS FOR SPECIALLY EQUIPPED SCHOOL BUSES
Section 13:20-50C.13 - Securement system for wheelchairs/mobile seating devices and occupants
Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 6, March 18, 2024
(a) The school bus body shall be designed for the positioning and securement of wheelchairs/mobile seating devices and occupants in a forward-facing position. Securement system hardware and attachment points for the forward-facing system shall be provided. The wheelchair/mobile seating device securement system and the occupant restraint system shall comply with all applicable requirements of FMVSS No. 222 ( 49 CFR § 571.222 ), incorporated herein by reference, as amended and supplemented.
(b) The wheelchair/mobile seating device securement system shall have a minimum of four anchorage points, with a minimum of two body floor attachment points located at the rear and a minimum of two body floor attachment points located at the front of the space designated for the wheelchair/mobile seating device.
(c) A Type 2 lap/shoulder belt restraint system that meets all applicable requirements of FMVSS Nos. 209 and 210 ( 49 CFR §§ 571.209 and 571.210 ), incorporated herein by reference, as amended and supplemented, shall be provided for restraint of the occupant's pelvic lap area and upper torso area.
(d) The wheelchair/mobile seating device securement and occupant restraint system shall be designed to pass a dynamic sled test at a minimum impact speed/deceleration force of 30 miles per hour/20 gravities. The dynamic test shall be performed in accordance with the procedures set forth in Appendix A of SAE Recommended Practice J2249 (January 1999), "(Normative) Frontal Impact Test," incorporated herein by reference, as amended and supplemented. When tested, the wheelchair/mobile seating device securement and occupant restraint system shall meet the performance requirements specified in section 6.2 of SAE Recommended Practice J2249 (January 1999), "Frontal Sled Impact Test," incorporated herein by reference, as amended and supplemented. The dynamic test shall be performed using system assemblies, components, and attaching hardware that are identical to the final installation in type, configuration, and positioning. The body structure at the anchorage points may be simulated for the purpose of the sled test, but the simulated structure shall not exceed the strength of the attachment structure to be used in the final body installation. The test dummy shall be retained within the securement system throughout the test and forward movement shall be such that no portion of the test dummy's head or knee pivot points passes through a vertical transverse plane intersecting the forward most point of the floor space designed for the mobile seating device. All hardware shall remain positively attached throughout the test and there shall be no failure of any component. Each mobile seating device belt assembly including attachments, hardware, and anchorages shall be capable of withstanding a force of not less than 2,500 pounds.
(e) The belt material at each space designated for the mobile seating device and the occupant restraint system shall be similar in size and fabric.
(f) If an anchorage unit is surface-mounted, the anchorage height above the floor surface shall not exceed 3/4 inch and the anchorage unit shall be ramped on all sides.
(g) The wheelchair/mobile seating device securement system and occupant restraint system shall comply with all applicable requirements of FMVSS No. 222 ( 49 CFR § 571.222 ), incorporated herein by reference, as amended and supplemented.
(h) The occupant restraint system shall be designed to be attached to the school bus body, either directly or in combination with the wheelchair or mobile seating device securement system, by a method that prevents the transfer of weight or force from the wheelchair/ mobile seating device to the occupant in the event of an impact.
(i) Securement system attachments or coupling hardware not permanently attached to the school bus body shall be designed to prevent such attachments or hardware from being accidentally disconnected.
(j) All attachment or coupling devices shall be accessible and operable without the use of tools or other mechanical assistance.
(k) All securement and restraint system hardware and components shall be free of sharp or jagged areas and shall be of a noncorrosive material or shall be treated to resist corrosion in accordance with FMVSS No. 209 ( 49 CFR § 571.209 ), incorporated herein by reference, as amended and supplemented.
(l) The occupant restraint system shall be made of materials that do not stain, soil, or damage an occupant's clothing.
(m) The mobile seating device and all securement and restraint system hardware and components shall be located and installed such that when the mobile seating device is occupied and secured, access to the emergency door or the power lift door is not blocked.
(n) The school bus body floor and sidewall structures where the securement and restraint system anchorages are attached shall have equal or greater strength than the load requirements of the system(s) being installed.
(o) For each school bus equipped with a securement system, the following information shall be provided by the securement system manufacturer to either the school bus body manufacturer or the school bus operator:
