Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 14-90.007 - Vehicle Equipment Standards and Procurement Criteria

(1) Every bus transit system shall ensure that buses procured and operated meet the following minimum standards:

(a) The capability and strength to carry the maximum allowed load and not exceed the manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), gross axle weighting, or tire rating.

(b) Structural integrity that mitigates or minimizes the adverse effects of collisions.

(c) Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), 49 C.F.R. Part 571, Sections 102, 103, 104, 105, 108, 207, 209, 210, 217, 302, 403 and 404, Rev. 10/09, hereby incorporated by reference.

(2) Proof of strength and structural integrity tests on new buses procured shall be submitted by manufacturers or bus transit systems to the Department.

(3) In addition to the above, every bus operated in this state shall be equipped as follows:

(a) Mirrors. There shall be two exterior rear vision mirrors, one at each side. The mirrors shall be firmly attached to the outside of the bus and located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway to the rear along both sides of the vehicle. Each exterior rear vision mirror, on Type I buses, shall have a minimum reflective surface of 50 square inches. Neither the mirror nor the mounting shall protrude farther than the widest part of the vehicle body except to the extent necessary to produce a field of view meeting or exceeding the requirements of this section. All Type I buses shall, in addition to the above requirements, be equipped with an inside rear vision mirror capable of giving the driver a clear view of seated and standing passengers. Buses having a passenger exit door that is located inconveniently for the driver's visual control shall be equipped with additional interior mirrors to enable the driver to view the passenger exit door. In lieu of interior mirrors, trailer buses and articulated buses may be equipped with closed circuit video systems or adult monitors in voice control with the driver.

(b) Wiring and Batteries. Electrical wiring shall be maintained so as not to come in contact with moving parts, heated surfaces, or be subject to chafing or abrasion which may cause insulation to become worn. Every Type I bus manufactured on or after February 7, 1988, shall be equipped with a storage battery electrical power main disconnect switch. The disconnect switch shall be practicably located in an accessible location adjacent to or near to the battery and be legibly and permanently marked for identification. Every storage battery on a public-sector bus shall be mounted with proper retainment devices in a compartment which provides adequate ventilation and drainage.

(c) Brake Interlock Systems. All Type I buses having a rear exit door shall be equipped with a rear exit door/brake interlock that automatically applies the brake upon driver activation of the rear exit door to the open position. Brake interlock application shall remain activated until deactivated by the driver and the rear exit door returns to the closed position. The rear exit door brake interlock on such buses shall be equipped with an identified override switch enabling emergency release of the brake interlock function. The override switch shall not be located within reach of the seated driver. Air pressure application to the brake during brake interlock operation, on buses equipped with rear exit door/brake interlock, shall be regulated at the equipment's original manufacturer's specifications.

(4) Standee Line and Warning. Every bus designed and constructed to allow standees shall be plainly marked with a line of contrasting color at least two inches wide, or be equipped with some other means to indicate that all passengers are prohibited from occupying a space forward of a perpendicular plane drawn through the rear of the driver's seat and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bus. A sign shall be posted at or near the front of the bus stating that it is a violation for a bus to be operated with passengers occupying an area forward of the line.

(5) Handrails and Stanchions. Every bus designed and constructed to allow standees shall be equipped with overhead handrails for standee passengers. Overhead handrails shall be continuous, except for a gap at the rear exit door, and terminate into vertical stanchions or turn up into a ceiling fastener. Every Type I and Type II bus designed for carrying more than 16 passengers shall be equipped with handrails, stanchions, or bars at least 10 inches long and installed to permit safe on-board circulation, seating and standing assistance, and boarding and alighting by elderly and handicapped persons. Type I buses shall be equipped with a safety bar and panel directly behind each entry and exit stepwell.

(6) Flooring, Steps, and Thresholds. Flooring, steps, and thresholds on all buses shall have slip resistant surfaces without protruding or sharp edges, lips, or overhangs, in order to prevent tripping hazards. All step edges and thresholds shall have a band of color(s) running the full width of the step or edge which contrasts with the step tread and riser, either light-on-dark or dark-on-light.

(7) Doors. Power activated doors on all buses shall be equipped with a manual device designed to release door closing pressure.

(8) Emergency Exits. All buses shall have an emergency exit door, or in lieu thereof, shall be provided with emergency escape push-out windows. Each emergency escape window shall be in the form of a parallelogram with dimensions of not less than 18" by 24", and each shall contain an area of not less than 432 square inches. There shall be a sufficient number of push-out or kick-out windows in each vehicle to provide a total escape area equivalent to 67 square inches per seat, including the driver's seat. No less than 40% of the total escape area shall be on one side of the vehicle. Emergency escape kick-out or push-out windows and emergency exit doors shall be conspicuously marked with a sign or light and shall always be kept in good working order so that they may be readily opened in an emergency. All such windows and doors shall not be obstructed, either inside or outside, so as to hinder escape. Buses equipped with an auxiliary door for emergency exit shall be equipped with an audible alarm and light indicating to the driver when a door is ajar or opened while the engine is running. Supplemental security locks operable by a key are prohibited on emergency exit doors unless these security locks are equipped and connected with an ignition interlock system or an audio visual alarm located in the driver's compartment. Any supplemental security lock system used on emergency exits shall be kept unlocked whenever a bus is in operation.

(9) Tires and Wheels. Tires shall be properly inflated in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations.

(a) No bus shall be operated with a tread groove pattern depth:

1. Less than 4/32 (1/8) of an inch, measured at any point on a major tread groove for tires on the steering axle of all buses. The measurements shall not be made where tie bars, humps, or fillets are located.

2. Less than 2/32 (1/16) of an inch, measured at any point on a major tread groove for all other tires of all buses. The measurements shall not be made where tie bars, humps, or fillets are located.

(b) No bus shall be operated with recapped, regrooved, or retreaded tires on the steering axle.

(c) Wheels shall be visibly free from cracks and distortions and shall not have missing, cracked, or broken mounting lugs.

(10) Suspension. The suspension system of all buses, including springs, air bags, and all other suspension parts shall be free from cracks, leaks, or any other defect which may cause its impairment or failure to function properly.

(11) Steering and Front Axle. The steering system of all buses shall have no indication of leaks which would or may cause its impairment to function properly, and shall be free from cracks and excessive wear of components that may cause excessive free play or loose motion in the steering system or above normal effort in steering control.

(12) Seat Belts. Every bus shall be equipped with an adjustable driver's restraining belt in compliance with the requirements of FMVSS 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies"49 C.F.R. 571.209, Rev. 10/09, and FMVSS 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages"49 C.F.R. 571.210, Rev. 10/09, hereby incorporated by reference.

(13) Safety Equipment. Every bus shall be equipped with one fully charged dry chemical or carbon dioxide fire extinguisher, having at least a 1A:BC rating, and bearing the label of Underwriter's Laboratory, Inc. The fire extinguishers shall be maintained as follows:

(a) Each fire extinguisher shall be securely mounted on the bus in a conspicuous place or in a clearly marked compartment and be readily accessible.

(b) Each fire extinguisher shall be maintained in efficient operating condition and be equipped with some means of determining if it is fully charged.

(c) Every Type I bus shall be equipped with portable red reflector warning devices in compliance with Section 316.300, F.S.

(14) Persons with Disabilities. Buses used for the purpose of transporting individuals with disabilities shall meet the requirements set forth in 49 C.F.R. Part 38, Rev. 10/09 hereby incorporated by reference, as well as the following:

(a) Installation of a wheelchair lift or ramp shall not cause the manufacturer's GVWR, gross axle weight rating, or tire rating to be exceeded.

(b) Except in locations within 3 1/2 inches of the bus floor, all readily accessible exposed edges or other hazardous protrusions of parts of wheelchair lift assemblies or ramps that are located in the passenger compartment shall be padded with energy absorbing material to mitigate injury in normal use and in case of a collision. This requirement shall also apply to parts of the bus associated with the operation of the lift or ramp.

(c) The controls for operating the lift shall be at a location where the bus driver or lift attendant has a full view, unobstructed by passengers, of the lift platform, its entrance and exit, and the wheelchair passenger, either directly or with partial assistance of mirrors. Lifts located entirely to the rear of the driver's seat shall not be operable from the driver's seat, but shall have an override control at the driver's position that can be activated to prevent the lift from being operated by the other controls (except for emergency manual operation upon power failure).

(d) The installation of the wheelchair lift or ramp and its controls and the method of attachment in the bus body or chassis shall not diminish the structural integrity of the bus nor cause a hazardous imbalance of the bus. No part of the assembly, when installed and stowed, shall extend laterally beyond the normal side contour of the bus, nor vertically beyond the lowest part of the rim of the wheel closest to the lift.

(e) Each wheelchair lift or ramp assembly shall be legibly and permanently marked by the manufacturer or installer with the following information:

1. The manufacturer's name and address.

2. The month and year of manufacture.

3. A certificate that the wheelchair lift or ramp securement devices, and their installation, conform to State of Florida requirements applicable to accessible buses.

(15) Wheelchairs. Wheelchair lifts, ramps, securement devices, and restraints shall be inspected and maintained as required by this rule chapter. Instructions for normal and emergency operation of the lift or ramp shall be carried or displayed in every bus.

Notes

Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 14-90.007

Rulemaking Authority 334.044(2), 341.041(3), 341.061(2)(a) FS. Law Implemented 341.061(2)(a) FS.

New 9-7-87, Amended 11-10-92, 8-2-94, 8-7-05, 6-24-08, 9-16-10.

New 9-7-87, Amended 11-10-92, 8-2-94, 8-7-05, 6-24-08, 9-16-10.