New York Codes, Rules and Regulations
Title 17 - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Chapter VI - Transportation Regulations
Subchapter D - Motor Carriers Of Passengers
Article 3 - Safety
Part 720 - Bus And Passenger Carrying Vehicle Safety Regulations
Section 720.5 - Emergency exits
Universal Citation: 17 NY Comp Codes Rules and Regs ยง 720.5
Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 39, September 25, 2024
(a) General requirements (all vehicles).
Emergency exits. All vehicles shall be equipped with emergency exits, as required by FMVSS and any additional requirements as contained in this Part. Specifically:
(1) Steps. There shall be no steps leading to
any emergency exit.
(2) Design.
Emergency exits shall be designed and maintained in a free operating condition
and the passageway thereto shall be unobstructed.
(3) Instructions. Opening instructions shall
be displayed on the interior adjacent to or on any emergency exit.
(4) Additional exits. Any additional
emergency exit that is installed at the option of the operator,
manufacturer/dealer or is required by this Part must meet all FMVSS
requirements as of the date of installation and the applicable requirements of
this Part.
(5) Vehicles having a
capacity to carry more than 10 persons, (adults or children), and no more than
two doors shall have access to a rear exit or, in lieu of the rear exit, one
push-out window on each side of the vehicle.
(b) School buses (Type A, B, C, D).
(1) Emergency exits: Each school
bus shall meet the following:
(i) Effective
date. School buses manufactured prior to the effective date of this regulation
must meet the emergency exit requirements as specified in the FMVSS and this
Part that were applicable on the vehicle date of manufacture for emergency
door(s), exit window(s), push out window(s), roof exit(s) dimensions, location,
identification lights and lettering. All school buses manufactured on or after
the effective date of this regulation shall meet all the applicable emergency
exit requirements of the FMVSS effective at the time of manufacture, as well as
the applicable provisions of this section.
(ii) Audible warning device. An audible
warning device shall be provided to alert driver if any emergency exit (door,
window or roof hatch) is locked. The warning device shall function while engine
is running or ignition is in the on position and shall incorporate an
interlocking electrical circuit that prevents the engine from being started
when locked.
(iii) The number of
emergency exits shall be provided in accordance with the following listing:
|
Vehicle |
Passenger |
Type A, B, C, D |
Type D |
|
Group |
Capacity |
Front Engine Buses |
Rear Engine Buses |
|
1 |
10-22 |
1 rear emergency door |
1 left side emergency door 1 rear emergency window |
|
2 |
23-45 |
1 rear emergency door 2 push out windows 1 roof hatch |
1 left side emergency door 1 rear emergency window 2 push out windows 1 roof hatch |
|
3 |
46-70 |
1 rear emergency door 1 left side emergency door 3 push out windows 2 roof hatch |
1 left side emergency door 1 rear emergency window 3 push out windows 2 roof hatch |
|
4 |
71-84 |
1 rear emergency door 1 left side emergency door 1 right side emergency door 2 push out windows 2 roof hatches |
1 left side emergency door 1 rear emergency window 1 right side emergency door 2 push out windows 2 roof hatches |
Notes:
(1) For Group 4, all 80 - 84 passenger
capacity vehicles require one additional Push Out Window or Roof
Hatch;
(2) Vehicles with three or
more wheelchair positions manufactured on or after January 1, 1990 shall be
equipped with at least one roof hatch.
(2) Emergency exit doors and rear exit
windows. Each school bus shall meet the following:
(i) Emergency door. The emergency door shall
have a minimum dimension of 45 inches (vertical) and 24 inches (horizontal).
Type D exception. For a Type D rear engine bus, a rear emergency exit window
that meets the FMVSS Standards for size and location shall be
acceptable.
(ii) Red door light.
All doors shall have a two-inch ruby or red light mounted on inside above the
door connected to headlight or marker light circuit.
(iii) Exit markings. The words "EMERGENCY
EXIT" shall be placed both inside and outside directly above, on or adjacent to
the exit in letters of one and one-half inch minimum height. An arrow of
contrasting color (red or black) shall also be placed on the interior and
exterior of the door, as close as practicable to the door handle, which will
indicate direction to move the handle to unlatch the door. All lettering and
numbering shall conform to series B of Standard Alphabets for Highway Signs
within the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (17 NYCRR, Chapter
V).
(iv) Hinges. All doors shall be
hinged on two or more door-type hinges, properly spaced.
(v) Sealer strip. All doors shall be sealed
on all edges with rubber sealer strip.
(vi) Outward opening. All emergency doors
shall open outward at least 90 degrees. Those doors that are required to be
equipped with a door stop (holder) shall maintain this 90 degree opening when
door stop is engaged.
(vii) Opening
device. All doors shall be provided with a three-point fastening device
operated independently of the driver. The inside opening device shall operate
upward and shall be of contrasting color and easily accessible. It shall be
substantially constructed and engineered in such a manner that it provides for
easy opening and yet is protected against accidental release.
(viii) Outside door handle. All doors shall
be equipped with a recessed or flush outside handle, designed to prevent
hitching to or riding thereon and constructed to quickly release the door from
the outside.
(ix) Warning device.
All doors shall be equipped with a device, connected to a audible warning
signal, located in the driver's compartment which shall be activated when the
door is open or not fully latched. The switch shall be enclosed and wires
leading from switch shall be concealed in bus body.
(x) Door rigidity. All doors shall be
constructed in a manner to provide at least equal rigidity and crash resistance
on the sides and rear of the bus, except the upper door section shall be
equipped with approved glazing. The lower portion of the rear emergency door
shall have an area large enough to provide adequate vision and may be equipped
with glazing approved by DMV only.
(3) Push-out windows. Each school bus shall
meet the following requirements:
(i) Push-out
windows. Each window shall be hinged at the top and shall open approximately 90
degrees, or as near as practicable thereto, from the closed position and shall
be connected electrically to an audible signal which will warn the driver when
such windows are not completely latched. Side push-out windows shall have a
minimum height of at least 17 inches and a minimum width of at least 231/2
inches. Rear pushout windows shall have a minimum height of 17 inches and a
minimum width of 45 inches for a single window. If two windows are provided,
each shall have a minimum height of 17 inches and minimum width of 231/2
inches. Push-out windows shall have a positive latching device that is designed
to prevent accidental opening.
Note:
Vehicles meeting the applicable FMVSS for emergency exit window(s) opening dimensions shall be considered in compliance with this section.
(ii) Side
emergency windows. For buses equipped with two side emergency push out windows
on the same side of the bus, one window shall be located forward and one to the
rear of the midpoint of the passenger section.
(4) Roof hatch(s). Each shall meet the
following requirements:
(i) School buses
manufactured as 1984 or subsequent models:
(a)
Each such bus shall have roof hatches equipped with an audible warning device
located in the driver's compartment that activates with the ignition on if the
latch is released and any opening of the hatch occurs.
(b) Buses equipped with roof hatches designed
to provide ventilation shall have such warning devices installed so as to
activate whenever the safety latch is released and the ignition is
on.
(c) Such roof hatches shall
open from the outside and the exterior release mechanism shall be designed so
as to not add to the overall height of the vehicle.
(ii) Hinges. If hinged, the roof hatch shall
be located on the hatch toward the front of the bus.
(iii) Safety chain. If not equipped with
hinges, the roof hatch shall be equipped with a chain to prevent cover from
being separated from vehicle.
(iv)
Spacing. Roof hatches shall not be closer than three feet when more than one
hatch is installed.
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. New York may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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