[Comment: Information regarding
availability, as well as the date or applicable version of the materials
incorporated by reference in this rule, can be found in paragraphs (C) and (D)
of rule 4501-52-01 of the Administrative
Code.]
(A)
Lighting requirements
(1)
All exterior
lighting devices shall be:
(a)
Electric;
(b)
Permanently and
securely mounted except as provided in paragraph (A)(3)(e) of this rule;
(c)
Visible as to be capable of being seen at all distances between five hundred
feet and fifty feet under clear atmospheric conditions during the time lamps
are required to be lighted; and
(d)
Steadily burning
except turn signals, stop lamps when used as turn signals, vehicular hazard
warning flashing lamps, or warning lamps on school buses when used as
such.
(2)
Combination of lighting devices and reflectors
(a)
Except as
provided in paragraph (A)(2)(b) of this rule, two or more lighting devices and
reflectors, whether or not required by these rules, may be combined optically
if:
(i)
Each
required lighting device and reflector conforms to the applicable rules in this
chapter; and
(ii)
Neither the mounting nor the use of a non-required
lighting device or reflector impairs the effectiveness of a required lighting
device or reflector or causes that device or reflector to be inconsistent with
the applicable rules in 49 C.F.R. part 393 .
(b)
Prohibited
combinations
(i)
A turn signal shall not be combined optically with
either a head lamp or other lighting device or combination of lighting devices
that produces a greater intensity of light than the turn signal lamp;
(ii)
A
turn signal shall not be combined optically with a stop lamp unless the stop
lamp function is always deactivated when the turn signal function is activated;
or
(iii)
A clearance lamp shall not be combined optically with
a tail lamp or identification lamp.
(3)
Requirements for
headlamps
(a)
Each bus shall be equipped with a headlighting system located at the front and
composed of at least two headlamps, not including fog or other auxiliary lamps,
with an equal number on each side of the vehicle.
(b)
Headlamps shall
be white in color.
(c)
The height of the center point of the headlights shall
be not less than twenty-two inches or more than fifty-four inches above the
road surface.
(d)
Headlamps shall be constructed and installed so as to
provide adequate and reliable illumination.
(e)
Each headlamp
shall be mounted so that the beams are readily adjustable, both vertically and
horizontally, and the mounting shall be such that the aim is not readily
disturbed by ordinary conditions or service.
(f)
Each
headlighting system shall provide an upper and lower distribution of light,
selectable at the driver's will.
(4)
Requirements for
turn signals
(a)
Every bus shall be equipped with a directional
signaling system capable of clearly indicating an intention to turn, or move,
to either the right or left.
(b)
Every
directional signaling system shall be visible from both the front and the
rear.
(c)
Requirements for front turn signals
(i)
Each bus shall
be equipped with at least two turn signals at or near the front, located and
equally distributed on each side of the vertical center-line at the same height
and as far apart as practicable.
(ii)
Front turn
signals, while being operated as a turn signal, shall be amber in color.
(iii)
Front turn signals so constructed (double-faced) and located as to be visible
from the front or the back of the bus shall have the front-facing lens amber in
color and the rear-facing lens red in color.
(iv)
The height of
the center point of each front turn signal shall be not less than fifteen
inches or more than eighty-three inches above the road surface.
(d)
Requirements for rear turn signals
(i)
Each bus shall
be equipped, at the rear, with at least two turn signals, red or amber in
color, located and equally distributed on each side of the vertical center-line
at the same height and as far apart as practicable.
If the lighting device used as a rear
turn signal is amber in color, the lighting device shall have no other function
than that of a turn signal or vehicular hazard warning flashing lamps.
(ii)
The height of the center point of each rear turn
signal shall be not less than fifteen inches or more than eighty-three inches
above the road surface.
(e)
Vehicular hazard
warning flashing lamps
(i)
Every bus shall be equipped with a signaling system
that, in addition to signaling turning movements, shall have a switch or
combination of switches that will cause the two front turn signals and the two
rear turn signals to flash simultaneously as a vehicular traffic hazard
warning.
(ii)
The vehicular traffic hazard warning flashing lamps
shall be capable of flashing simultaneously with the ignition of the vehicle on
or off.
(iii)
The front vehicular traffic hazard warning flashing
lamps shall be amber in color when operated as the vehicular traffic hazard
warning flashing lamps.
(iv)
The rear vehicular traffic hazard warning flashing
lamps shall be either amber or red in color.
(5)
Requirements for identification lamps
For the purposes of those provisions
within this rule applying to buses having a specific minimum width, overall bus
width measurements are to be made from a point on one side or end of a
commercial motor vehicle to the same point on the opposite side or end of the
vehicle. The following shall be excluded from the measured width of commercial
motor vehicles, as applicable: rear view mirrors, turn signal lamps, handholds
for cab entry/egress, splash and spray suppressant devices, load induced tire
bulge; and all non-property carrying devices, or components thereof that do not
extend more than three inches beyond each side of the vehicle.
(a)
Front
identification lamps
(i)
Each bus eighty inches or more in overall width shall
be equipped with three identification lamps, amber in color, mounted with the
center lamp on the vertical centerline on the front of the bus.
(ii)
All
three identification lamps shall be on the same level and as close to the top
of the bus as practicable with lamp centers spaced not less than six inches or
more than twelve inches apart.
(iii)
No bus may be
equipped with lamps that are in a horizontal line with the required lamps
specified in paragraphs (A)(5)(a)(i) and (A)(5)(a)(ii) of this rule unless
those lamps are required by this rule.
(b)
Rear
identification lamps
(i)
Each bus eighty inches or more in overall width shall
be equipped with three identification lamps, red in color, mounted with the
center lamp as close a practicable to the vertical centerline on the rear of
the bus.
(ii)
All three identification lamps shall be on the same
level and as close to the top of the bus as practicable with lamp centers
spaced not less than six inches or more than twelve inches apart.
(iii)
No
bus may be equipped with lamps that are in a horizontal line with the required
lamps specified in paragraphs (A)(5)(b)(i) and (A)(5)(b)(ii) of this rule
unless those lamps are required by this rule.
(6)
Requirements for clearance lamps
For the purposes of those provisions
within this rule applying to buses having a specific minimum width, overall bus
width measurements are to be made from a point on one side or end of a
commercial motor vehicle to the same point on the opposite side or end of the
vehicle. The following shall be excluded from the measured width of commercial
motor vehicles, as applicable: rear view mirrors, turn signal lamps, handholds
for cab entry/egress, splash and spray suppressant devices, load induced tire
bulge; and all non-property carrying devices, or components thereof that do not
extend more than three inches beyond each side of the vehicle.
(a)
Front clearance
lamps
Each bus eighty inches or more in
overall width shall be equipped with two clearance lamps, amber in color,
mounted one on each side of the vertical centerline to indicate overall width.
The front clearance lamps shall be on the same level and as high as
practicable.
(b)
Rear clearance lamps
Each bus eighty inches or more in
overall width shall be equipped with two clearance lamps, red in color, mounted
one on each side of the vertical centerline to indicate overall width. The rear
clearance lamps shall be on the same level and as high as practicable.
(c)
Requirements for side marker lamps
(i)
Front side
marker lamps
Each bus shall be equipped with two
side marker lamps, amber in color, mounted one on each side and located as far
to the front as practicable.
Front side marker lamps shall not be
located less than fifteen inches above the road surface.
(ii)
Intermediate side marker lamps
Each bus, with an overall length
greater than thirty feet, shall be equipped with two side marker lamps, amber
in color, mounted one on each side, at or near the midpoint between the front
and rear side marker lamps.
Intermediate side marker lamps shall
not be located less than fifteen inches above the road surface.
(iii)
Rear side marker lamps
Each bus shall be equipped with two
side marker lamps, red in color, mounted one on each side and located as far to
the rear as practicable.
Rear side marker lamps shall not be
located less than fifteen inches above the road surface.
(d)
Requirements for reflectors
(i)
Front side
reflectors
Each bus shall be equipped with two
reflectors, amber in color, mounted one on each side as far to the front as
practicable.
Front side reflectors shall not be
located less than fifteen inches or more than sixty inches above the road
surface.
(ii)
Intermediate side reflectors
Each bus, with an overall length
greater than thirty feet, shall be equipped with two side reflectors, amber in
color, mounted one on each side, at or near the midpoint between the front and
rear side reflectors.
Intermediate side reflectors shall not
be located less than fifteen inches or more than sixty inches above the road
surface.
(iii)
Rear side reflectors
Each bus shall be equipped with two
side reflectors, red in color, mounted one on each side and located as far to
the rear as practicable.
Rear side reflectors shall not be
located less than fifteen inches or more than sixty inches above the road
surface.
(iv)
Rear reflectors
Each bus shall be equipped with two
reflectors, red in color, mounted one on each side of the vertical centerline
as far apart as practicable.
The rear reflectors shall be on the
same level and located not less than fifteen inches or more than sixty inches
above the road surface.
(e)
Requirements for
tail lamps
(i)
Each bus shall be equipped with at least two tail lamps, red in color, mounted
and equally distributed, on each side of the vertical centerline, at the rear
of the bus.
(ii)
The tail lamps shall be located as far apart as
practicable and at the same level but not less than fifteen inches or more than
seventy-two inches above the road surface.
(f)
Requirements for
stop lamps
(i)
Each bus shall be equipped with at least two stop lamps, red in color, mounted
and equally distributed, on each side of the vertical centerline, at the rear
of the bus.
(ii)
The stop lamps shall be located as far apart as
practicable and at the same level but not less than fifteen inches or more than
seventy-two inches above the road surface.
(iii)
The stop lamps
shall be actuated upon application of the bus service brakes.
(g)
Requirements for license plate lamp
(i)
Each bus shall be equipped with at least one license
plate lamp, white in color, located at the rear license plate.
(ii)
The license
plate lamp shall illuminate the license plate from either the top or the
sides.
(iii)
The license plate lamp shall be illuminated when the
bus headlamps are illuminated.
(h)
Requirements for
back-up lamp
(i)
Each bus shall be equipped with at least one back-up
lamp, white in color, located on the rear of the bus.
(ii)
The back-up
lamp shall operate when the bus is in reverse gear.
(B)
Requirements for electrical system
(1)
The electrical
wiring shall:
(a)
Be systematically arranged and installed in a
workmanlike manner. The presence of bare, loose, dangling, chafing, or poorly
connected wires is prohibited.
(b)
Be so installed
that connections are protected from weather, abrasion, road splash, grease,
oil, fuel and chafing;
(i)
Battery ground on a grounded electrical system shall
be readily accessible.
(ii)
Electrical contact surfaces shall be clean and free of
oxide, paint, or other non-conductive coating.
(c)
Be grouped
together, when possible, and protected by nonconductive tape, braid, or other
covering capable of withstanding severe abrasion or shall be protected by being
enclosed in a sheath or tube;
(d)
Be properly
supported in a manner to prevent chafing;
(e)
Not be so
located as to be likely to be charred, overheated, or enmeshed in moving
parts;
(f)
Not have terminals or splices located above the fuel
tank except for the fuel sender wiring and terminal; and
(g)
Be protected
when passing through holes in metal by a grommet, or other means, or the wiring
shall be encased in a protective covering.
(2)
The electrical
current to all low tension circuits shall pass through overload protective
devices except that this requirement shall not apply to battery-to-starting
motor or battery-to-generator circuits, ignition and engine control circuits,
horn circuits, electrically-operated fuel pump circuits, or electric brake
circuits.
Buses manufactured after June 30, 1953,
shall have protective devices for electrical circuits arranged so that:
(a)
The
headlamp circuit or circuits shall not be affected by a short circuit in any
other lighting circuits; or
(b)
The protective
device shall be an automatic reset overload circuit breaker if the headlight
circuit is protected in common with other circuits.
(3)
Every storage
battery, unless located in the engine compartment, shall be covered by a
removable cover or enclosure.
(a)
Removable covers, or enclosures shall be substantial
and shall be securely latched or fastened.
(b)
The storage
battery compartment and adjacent metal parts which might corrode by reason of
battery leakage shall be painted or coated with an acid-resisting paint or
coating and shall have openings to provide ample battery ventilation and
drainage.
(c)
Whenever the cable to the starting motor passes
through a metal compartment, the cable shall be protected against grounding by
an acid and waterproof insulating bushing.
(d)
Whenever a
battery and a fuel tank are both placed under the driver's seat, they shall be
partitioned from each other, and each compartment shall be provided with an
independent cover, ventilation, and drainage.
(C)
Requirements for braking systems
(1)
All buses shall be equipped with brakes acting on all
wheels.
(2)
All brakes shall at all times be capable of
operating.
(3)
All components in the braking system shall be properly
maintained, properly secured and free of leaks, cracks, loose or broken
parts.
(a)
The
service brake chambers and spring brake chambers on each end of an axle shall
be the same size.
(b)
The effective length of the slack adjuster on each end
of an axle shall be the same.
(c)
Brake linings
and pads
(i)
Air drum brakes
Steering axle brake linings or pads
shall have a thickness of not less than three-sixteenth inch at the shoe center
for a shoe with a continuous strip of lining; less than one-quarter inch at the
shoe center for a shoe with two pads; or worn to the wear indicator if the
lining is so marked.
Non-steering axle brake linings or pads
shall have a thickness of not less than one-quarter inch or to the wear
indicator if the lining is so marked.
(ii)
Air disc
brakes
Brake linings or pads shall have a
thickness of not less than one-eighth inch.
(iii)
Hydraulic
brakes
Brake linings or pads shall have a
thickness of not less than one-sixteenth inch.
(iv)
Electric
brakes
Brake linings or pads shall have a
thickness of not less than one-sixteenth inch.
(4)
All buses shall have:
(a)
A service brake
system so arranged that one application valve shall when applied operate all
the service brakes; and
(b)
Brake system warning devices and gauges as
follows:
(i)
Every bus shall be equipped with a signal that provides a warning to the driver
when a failure occurs in the vehicle's service brake system.
(a)
Hydraulic brake systems
A bus manufactured on or after July 1,
1973, and having service brakes activated by hydraulic fluid shall be equipped
with a warning signal that performs as follows:
(i)
If federal motor vehicle safety standard number 105,
49 C.F.R.
section 571.105 was applicable at the time
the bus was manufactured, the warning signal shall conform to the requirements
of that standard.
(ii)
If federal motor vehicle safety standard number 105,
49 C.F.R.
section 571.105 was not applicable to the bus
at the time the bus was manufactured, the warning signal shall become
operative, before or upon application of the brakes in the event of a
hydraulic-type complete failure of a partial system. The signal shall be
readily audible or visible to the driver.
(b)
Air brake systems
A bus having service brakes activated
by compressed air shall be equipped, and perform as follows:
(i)
The bus shall have a low air pressure warning device that
conforms to the following requirements:
(A)
If federal motor vehicle safety standard number 121,
49 C.F.R. section
571.121 was applicable to the vehicle at the
time it was manufactured, the warning device shall conform to the requirements
of that standard.
(B)
If federal motor vehicle safety standard number 121,
49 C.F.R. section
571.121 was not applicable to the vehicle at
the time it was manufactured, the vehicle shall have a device that provides a
readily audible or visible continuous warning to the driver whenever the
pressure of the compressed air in the braking system is below a specified
pressure, which shall be at least one-half of the compressor governor cutout
pressure.
(ii)
The bus shall have a pressure gauge which indicates to the
driver the pressure in pounds per square inch available for braking.
(c)
Vacuum brake systems
Every bus having service brakes
activated by vacuum shall be equipped with:
(i)
A device that provides a readily audible or visible
continuous warning to the driver whenever the vacuum in the bus supply
reservoir is less than eight inches of mercury; and
(ii)
A vacuum gauge which indicates to the driver the vacuum in
inches of mercury available for braking.
(d)
Hydraulic brakes applied or assisted by air or vacuum
A bus having a braking system in which
hydraulically activated service brakes are applied or assisted by compressed
air or vacuum shall be equipped with both a warning signal that conforms to the
requirements of paragraph (C)(4)(b)(i)(a) and paragraph (C)(4)(b)(i)(b) of this
rule or paragraph (C)(4)(b)(i)(c) of this rule.
(ii)
The warning
signals, devices and gauges required by this rule shall be maintained in
operative condition.
(c)
A parking brake
system
(i)
All
buses shall be equipped with a parking brake system adequate to hold the
vehicle under any condition of loading.
(ii)
The parking
brake system shall at all times be capable of being applied either by the
driver's muscular effort, or by spring action, or by other energy, provided,
that if such other energy is depended on for application of the parking brake,
then an accumulation of such energy shall be isolated from any common source
and used exclusively for the operation of the parking brake.
(iii)
The parking
brake system shall be held in the applied position by energy other than fluid
pressure, air pressure, or electric energy.
(d)
Emergency brake
system
(i)
A
bus manufactured on or after July 1, 1973, shall have an emergency brake system
consisting of either:
(a)
Emergency features of the service brake system; or
(b)
A system separate from the service brake system.
A control by which the driver applies
the emergency brake system shall be located so that the driver can readily
operate it when properly restrained by any seat belt assembly provided for the
driver's use. The control for applying the emergency brake system may be
combined with either the control for applying the service brake system or the
control for applying the parking brake system. However, all three controls may
not be combined.
(5)
All buses, if
equipped with air brakes, shall have the braking system so constructed that in
the event any brake line to any of the front wheels is broken, the driver can
apply the brakes on the rear wheels despite such breakage.
The means used to apply the brakes may
be located forward of the driver's seat as long as it can be operated manually
by the driver when the driver is properly restrained by any seat belt assembly
provided for use.
Every bus shall meet this requirement
or comply with the rules and regulations in effect at the time of its
manufacturer.
(6)
Requirements for brake tubing and brake hose
(a)
All brake tubing
and brake hoses shall:
(i)
Be free of leaks;
(ii)
Be long and
flexible enough to accommodate without damage all normal motions of the parts
to which it is attached;
(iii)
Be suitably
secured against chafing, kinking, or other mechanical damage; and
(iv)
Be
installed in a manner that prevents it from contacting the vehicle's exhaust
system or any other source of high temperatures.
(b)
All connections
for air, vacuum, or hydraulic braking systems shall:
(i)
Be properly
connected;
(ii)
Be free of leaks, constrictions, or other conditions
which would adversely affect the performance of the brake system.
(7)
Reservoirs required
(a)
All air or
vacuum braking systems shall be equipped with a reservoir(s) sufficient to
ensure a full service brake application with the engine stopped without
depleting the air pressure or vacuum below seventy per cent of that pressure or
degree of vacuum indicated by the gauge immediately before the brake
application is made. For the purpose of this section, a full service brake
application is considered to be made when the service brake pedal is pushed to
the limit of its travel.
(b)
All reservoirs shall be secured and free of
leaks.
(c)
Each service reservoir system shall be protected
against a loss of air pressure or vacuum due to a failure or leakage in the
system between the service reservoir and the source of air pressure or vacuum,
by check valves or equivalent devices whose proper functioning can be checked
without disconnecting any air or vacuum line or fitting.
(d)
Each reservoir
shall have a condensate drain valve that can be manually operated.
Automatic condensate drain valves may
be used provided the automatic feature may be operated manually or manual means
of draining the reservoir(s) is retained.
(8)
All brakes shall
be in proper adjustment for the size and type of brake and shall not meet or
exceed the specifications contained in the following tables relating to
"adjustment limit." (Dimensions are in inches.)
Clamp type brake chamber data
|
Type
|
Outside diameter (inches)
|
Adjustment limit (inches)
|
|
6
|
4-1/2
|
1-1/4
|
|
9
|
5-1/4
|
1-3/8
|
|
12
|
5-11/16
|
1-3/8
|
|
16
|
6-3/8
|
1-3/4
|
|
20
|
6-25/32
|
1-3/4
|
|
24
|
7-7/32
|
1-3/4
|
|
30
|
8-3/32
|
2
|
|
36
|
9
|
2-1/4
|
"Long stroke" clamp type brake chamber
data
|
Type
|
Outside diameter
(inches)
|
Adjustment limit (inches)
|
|
12
|
5-11/16
|
1-3/4
|
|
16
|
6-3/8
|
2
|
|
20 (2-1/2" rated
stroke)
|
6-25/32
|
2
|
|
20 (3" rated stroke)
|
6-25/32
|
2-1/2
|
|
24 (2-1/2" rated
stroke)
|
7-7/32
|
2
|
|
24 (3" rated stroke)
|
7-7/32
|
2-1/2
|
|
30
|
8-3/32
|
2-1/2
|
Bolt type brake chamber data
|
Type
|
Outside diameter
(inches)
|
Adjustment limit (inches)
|
|
A
|
6-15/16
|
1-3/8
|
|
B
|
9-3/16
|
1-3/4
|
|
C
|
8-1/16
|
1-3/4
|
|
D
|
5-1/4
|
1-1/4
|
|
E
|
6-3/16
|
1-3/8
|
|
F
|
11
|
2-1/4
|
|
G
|
9-7/8
|
2
|
Rotochamber data
|
Type
|
Outside diameter
(inches)
|
Adjustment limit
(inches)
|
|
9
|
4-9/32
|
1-1/2
|
|
12
|
4-13/16
|
1-1/2
|
|
16
|
5-13/32
|
2
|
|
20
|
5-15/16
|
2
|
|
24
|
6-13/32
|
2
|
|
30
|
7-1/16
|
2-1/4
|
|
36
|
7-5/8
|
2-3/4
|
|
50
|
8-7/8
|
3
|
DD-3 brake chamber data
|
Type
|
Outside diameter
(inches)
|
Adjustment limit
(inches)
|
|
30*
|
8-1/8
|
2-1/4
|
|
* This chamber has three air
lines and is found on motor coaches.
|
|
|
Wedge brake data
Combined movement of both brake shoe
lining scribe marks shall not exceed one-eighth inch.
(D)
Requirements for steering systems
(1)
All bus steering system components shall be securely
mounted, not leaking, not cracked or broken.
(2)
Steering system
components shall not contain any welded repairs, modifications or other
conditions that interfere with free movement of any steering component.
(3)
The
steering wheel shall be securely attached and operate freely through the limit
of travel in both directions.
The steering wheel shall not have any
spokes cracked through or missing.
(4)
The steering
column shall be securely fastened.
Steering column U-bolts or other
positioning parts shall not be loose or missing.
(5)
The steering
universal joints shall not be worn, faulty or obviously repaired by
welding.
(6)
The steering gear box shall not have loose or missing
mounting bolts or cracks in the gear box or mounting brackets.
(7)
The pitman arm
on the steering gear output shaft shall not be loose on the steering gear
output shaft.
(8)
Ball and socket joints
(a)
There shall not
be any movement, under steering load, of a stud nut.
(b)
There shall not
be any motion, other than rotational, between any linkage member and its
attachment point of more than one-eighth inch measured with hand pressure
only.
(9)
There shall not be loose or missing nuts on tie rods,
pitman arm, drag link, steering arm, or tie rod arm.
(10)
Steering wheel
lash shall not exceed the following parameters:
Steering wheel lash parameters
|
Steering wheel diameter
|
Manual steering system
|
Power steering system
|
|
16" or less
|
2"+
|
4 1/2"+
|
|
18"
|
2 1/4"+
|
4 3/4"+
|
|
19"
|
2 3/8"+
|
5"+
|
|
20"
|
2 1/2"+
|
51/4"+
|
|
21"
|
2 5/8"+
|
5 1/2"+
|
|
22"
|
2 3/4"+
|
5 3/4"+
|
(11)
Power steering systems
(a)
All components
of the power system shall be in operating condition.
(b)
No parts shall
be loose, broken or missing.
(c)
Belts shall not
be frayed, cracked or slipping.
(d)
Power steering
systems shall not leak.
(e)
Power steering systems shall have sufficient fluid in
the reservoir.
(E)
Requirements for
suspension systems
(1)
No axle positioning part shall be cracked, broken,
loose or missing.
(2)
Axles shall be in proper alignment.
(3)
No leaf spring
shall be cracked, broken, or missing or shifted out of position.
(4)
No
coil spring shall be cracked or broken.
(5)
No torsion bar
or torsion bar suspension shall be cracked or broken.
(6)
Air
suspension
(a)
The air pressure regulator valve shall not allow air into the suspension system
until at least fifty-five pounds per square inch (psi) is in the braking
system.
(b)
The vehicle shall be level (not tilting to the left or
right).
(c)
Air leakage shall not be greater than three psi in a
five-minute time period when the vehicle's air pressure gauge shows normal
operating pressure (between ninety and one hundred psi).
(d)
Air suspension
components shall be capable of maintaining air pressure
(F)
Requirements for tires
(1)
Tires shall not
have:
(a)
Body
ply or belt material exposed through the tread or sidewall;
(b)
Any tread or
sidewall separation;
(c)
Be flat, under-inflated or have an audible leak;
or
(d)
Any cut(s) to the extent that the ply or belt material
is exposed.
(2)
The steering axle shall not be equipped with any tire
that is regrooved, recapped or retreaded.
(3)
Steering axle
tires shall have a tread depth of at least four thirty-seconds of an inch when
measured at any major tread groove. Measurements shall not be made where tie
bars, humps, or fillets are located.
(4)
Non-steering
axle tires shall have a tread depth of at least two thirty-seconds of an inch
when measured at any major tread groove. Measurements shall not be made where
tie bars, humps, or fillets are located.
(G)
Requirements for
wheels
Wheels or rims shall not:
(1)
Be
cracked or broken;
(2)
Have stud or bolt holes elongated (out of round);
or
(3)
Have missing or loose nuts or bolts.
(H)
Requirements for frames
(1)
Frames shall not be cracked, loose, sagging or
broken.
(2)
Bolts or brackets securing the body to the frame shall
not be loose, broken, or missing.
(3)
Frame rail
flanges between the axles shall not be bent, cut or notched, except as
specified by the manufacturer.
(4)
All repairs to
any frame member shall be done in a workmanlike manner and contain no cracked
or broken repairs.
(I)
Requirements for
cab and body components
(1)
Door and door parts used as an entrance or exit shall
not be missing or broken.
(2)
Doors shall not
sag so that they cannot be properly opened or closed.
(3)
No door shall be
wired shut or otherwise secured in the closed position so that it cannot be
readily opened.
(4)
All bolts or brackets securing body components to the
frame shall not be loose, broken, or missing.
(5)
The hood shall
be securely fastened.
(6)
All seats shall be securely mounted.
(7)
The front bumper
shall not be missing, loosely attached, or protruding beyond the outside edges
of the bus.
(J)
Requirements for exhaust systems
(1)
Every bus having
a device capable of expelling harmful combustion fumes shall have a system to
direct the discharge of such fumes.
(2)
Every exhaust
system shall:
(a)
Have no part located where its location would likely
result in burning, charring, or damaging the electrical wiring, the fuel
supply, or any combustible part of the bus;
(b)
Not discharge to
the atmosphere at a location immediately below the fuel tank or the fuel tank
filler pipe;
(c)
For gasoline engine powered buses, discharge to the
atmosphere at or within six inches forward of the rearmost part of the
bus;
(d)
For other than gasoline engine powered buses,
discharge to the atmosphere either:
(i)
At or within fifteen inches forward of the rearmost
part of the vehicle; or
(ii)
To the rear of all doors or windows designed to be
open, except windows designed to be opened solely as emergency exits;
(e)
Be securely fastened to the bus;
(f)
Not be
temporarily repaired with wrap or patches; and
(g)
Not have any
leak or discharge at a point forward of the discharge locations prescribed in
paragraph (J)(2)(c) or paragraph (J)(2)(d) of this rule.
(3)
The
exhaust system may use hangers which permit required movement due to expansion
and contraction caused by heat of the exhaust and relative motion between
engine and chassis of the vehicle.
(K)
Requirements for
fuel systems
(1)
The rules in this section apply to systems for
containing and supplying fuel for the operation of a bus and for the operation
of auxiliary equipment installed on, or used in connection with a bus.
(2)
Location of fuel system
Each fuel system shall be located on
the bus so that:
(a)
No part of the system extends beyond the widest part
of the bus;
(b)
No part of a fuel tank is forward of the front
axle;
(c)
Fuel spilled vertically from a fuel tank while it is
being filled will not contact any part of the exhaust or electrical systems,
except the fuel level indicator assembly;
(d)
Fill pipe
openings are located outside the vehicle's passenger compartment and its cargo
compartment; and
(e)
No part of the fuel system of a bus manufactured on or
after January 1, 1973, is located within or above the passenger
compartment.
(3)
Fuel tank installation
Each fuel tank shall be securely
attached to the bus in a workmanlike manner.
(4)
The fuel system
shall not supply fuel by gravity or siphon feed directly to the carburetor or
injector.
(5)
If the fuel system includes a selection control valve
which is operable by the driver to regulate the flow of fuel from two or more
fuel tanks, the valve shall be installed so that either:
(a)
The driver may
operate the control valve while watching the roadway without leaving the
driver's seat; or
(b)
The driver shall stop the bus and leave the driver's
seat in order to operate the control valve.
(6)
Fuel tank
certification and markings
Each liquid fuel tank shall be legibly
and permanently marked by the manufacturer with the following minimum
information:
(a)
The month and year of manufacture;
(b)
The
manufacturer's name on tanks manufactured on and after July 1, 1988, and a
means of identifying the facility at which the tank was manufactured; and
(c)
A
certificate that it conforms to
49 C.F.R.
393.67.
(7)
Fuel lines
(a)
A fuel line not
completely enclosed in a protective housing shall not extend more than two
inches below the fuel tank or its sump.
(b)
Diesel fuel
crossover, return, and withdrawal lines which extend below the bottom of the
tank or sump shall be protected against damage from impact.
(c)
Every fuel line
shall be:
(i)
Long enough and flexible enough to accommodate normal movements of the parts to
which it is attached without incurring damage; and
(ii)
Secured against
chafing, kinking, or other causes of mechanical damage.
(d)
Excess flow valve
When pressure devices are used to
force fuel from a fuel tank, a device which prevents the flow of fuel from the
fuel tank if the fuel feed line is broken shall be installed in the fuel
system.
(8)
Liquid fuel
tanks
(a)
A
diesel fuel tank manufactured before January 1, 1973, shall:
Have each fill pipe fitted with a cap
that can be fastened securely over the opening in the fill pipe. (Screw threads
or a bayonet-type joint are examples of methods of conforming to the
requirements of this paragraph.)
(b)
A gasoline tank,
other than a side-mounted gasoline tank shall:
(i)
Have joints
closed by arc-, gas-, seam-, or spot-welding, by brazing, by silver soldering,
or by techniques which provide heat resistance and mechanical securement at
least equal to those specifically named.
Joints shall not be closed solely by
crimping or by soldering with a lead-based or other soft solder;
(ii)
The
fuel tank body shall have flanges or studs suitable for the installation of all
fittings;
(iii)
Have at least four full threads in engagement in each
fitting;
(iv)
Not have drains or other bottom fittings extend more
than three-fourths of an inch below the lowest part of the fuel tank or
sump;
(v)
Have drains or other bottom fittings protected against
damage from impact;
(vi)
If a fuel tank has drains the drain fittings shall
permit substantially complete drainage of the tank;
(vii)
Have drains or
other bottom fittings shall be installed in a flange or spud designed to
accommodate it;
(viii)
Have the fittings through which fuel is withdrawn from
a fuel tank located above the normal level of fuel in the tank when the tank is
full;
(ix)
Have the fill pipe designed and constructed to
minimize the risk of fuel spillage during fueling operations and when the
vehicle is involved in a crash;
(x)
Have each fill
pipe fitted with a cap that can be fastened securely over the opening in the
fill pipe. (Screw threads or a bayonet-type joint are examples of methods of
conforming to the requirements of this paragraph);
(xi)
If the fuel
tank has a capacity greater than twenty-five gallons, have a venting system
which, in the event the tank is subjected to fire, will prevent internal tank
pressure from rupturing the tank's body, seams, or bottom opening;
(xii)
Have a non-spill air vent (such as a ball check)
The air vent may be combined with the
fill-pipe cap or safety vent, or it may be a separate unit installed on the
fuel tank;
(xiii)
If the body of the fuel tank is readily visible when
the tank is installed on the vehicle, the tank shall be plainly marked with its
liquid capacity and marked with a warning against filling it to more than
ninety-five per cent of its liquid capacity;
(xiv)
A liquid fuel
tank manufactured on or after January 1, 1973, shall be designed and
constructed so that:
(a)
The tank cannot be filled, in a normal filling operation,
with a quantity of fuel that exceeds ninety-five per cent of the tank's liquid
capacity; and
(b)
When the tank is filled, normal expansion of the fuel will
not cause fuel spillage.
(9)
Liquefied
petroleum gas systems
A fuel system that uses liquefied
petroleum gas as a fuel for the operation of a motor vehicle or for the
operation of auxiliary equipment installed on, or used in connection with a bus
shall conform as follows:
(a)
Fuel tank shall be marked to indicate that the system
conforms to the applicable standards;
(b)
Shall be
securely mounted;
(c)
Shall have a properly fitted filler cap; and
(d)
Shall
not be leaking.
(10)
A private motor
carrier of passengers may continue to operate a bus which was not subject to
49 C.F.R.
393.67 or federal motor vehicle safety
standard number 301,
49 C.F.R.
571.301 in effect at the time of its
manufacture, provided the fuel tank is maintained to the original
manufacturer's standards.
(L)
Requirements for
rear-impact guard(s)
(1)
Every bus manufactured after December 31, 1952 in
which the vertical distance between the rear bottom edge of the body (or the
chassis assembly if the chassis is the rearmost part of the vehicle) and the
ground is greater than thirty inches when the bus is empty, shall be equipped
with a rear impact guard(s).
(2)
If required, the
rear-impact guard(s) shall be installed and maintained in such a manner
that:
(a)
The
vertical distance between the bottom of the guard(s) and the ground does not
exceed thirty inches when the bus is empty;
(b)
The maximum
lateral distance between the closest points between guards, if more than one is
used, does not exceed twenty-four inches.
(c)
The outermost
surfaces of the horizontal member of the guard are no more than eighteen inches
from each side extremity of the bus; and
(d)
The impact
guard(s) are no more than twenty-four inches forward of the rear extremity of
the bus.
(3)
Construction and attachment of rear-impact
guard(s).
The rear-impact guard(s) shall be
substantially constructed and attached by means of bolts, welding, or other
comparable means.
(4)
Bus components
and structures may be used to satisfy the requirements of paragraph (L)(1) of
this rule if the components and structures provide the rear end protection
comparable to impact guard(s) conforming to the requirements of paragraph
(L)(2) of this rule.
(M)
Requirements for
window glass, window construction and glazing
(1)
Glazing material
used in windshields, windows, and doors on a bus manufactured on or after
December 25, 1968, shall at a minimum meet the requirements of federal motor
vehicle safety standard number 205,
49 C.F.R.
571.205 in effect on the date of manufacture
of the bus.
The glazing material shall be marked in
accordance with federal motor vehicle safety standard number 205,
49 C.F.R.
571.205,(S6) .
(2)
Every bus shall
be equipped with a windshield.
(a)
Every windshield or portion of a multi-piece
windshield shall be mounted using the full periphery of the glazing
material.
(b)
Every windshield shall be free of discoloration or
damage except as follows:
(i)
Coloring or tinting of windshields and the windows to
the immediate right and left of the driver is allowed, provided the parallel
luminous transmittance through the colored or tinted glazing is not less than
seventy per cent of the light at normal incidence in those portions of the
windshield or windows which are marked as having a parallel luminous
transmittance of not less than seventy per cent.
(ii)
A strip of
sunscreening applied along the top edge of the windshield so long as such
material is transparent, is in compliance with federal motor vehicle safety
standard number 205,
49 C.F.R.
571.205, or other applicable federal
standards and does not extend downward beyond five inches from the top of the
windshield.
The transmittance of not less than
seventy per cent does not apply to other windows on the bus.
(c)
Antennas, transponders, and similar devices shall not
be mounted more than six inches below the upper edge of the windshield.
These devices shall be located outside
the area swept by the windshield wipers, and outside the driver's sight lines
to the road and highway signs and signals.
(d)
Decals and
stickers required under federal or state laws may be placed at the bottom or
sides of the windshield provided such decals or stickers do not extend more the
four and one-half inches from the bottom of the windshield and are located
outside the area swept by the windshield wipers, and outside the driver's sight
lines to the road and highway signs or signals.
(3)
Window
construction
(a)
A bus manufactured before September 1, 1973, having a
seating capacity of more than eight persons shall have, in addition to the area
provided by the windshield, adequate means of escape for passengers through
windows.
The adequacy of such means of escape
shall be determined in accordance with the following standards:
(i)
For each seated
passenger space provided, inclusive of the driver that shall be at least
sixty-seven square inches of glazing if such glazing is not contained in a
push-out window; or
(ii)
At least sixty-seven square inches of free opening
resulting from opening of a push-out type window.
(iii)
No area shall
be included in this minimum prescribed area unless:
(a)
It will provide an unobstructed opening sufficient to
contain an ellipse having a major axis of eighteen inches and a minor axis of
thirteen inches; or
(b)
An opening containing two hundred square inches formed by a
rectangle thirteen inches by seventeen and three-fourths inches with corner
arcs of six inch radius.
(c)
The major axis of the ellipse and the long axis of the
rectangle shall make an angle of not more than forty-five degrees with the
surface on which the unladen bus stands.
(d)
The area shall be measured either by removal of the glazing
if not of the push-out type or of the movable sash if of the push-out type, and
it shall be either glazed with laminated safety glass or comply with paragraph
(M)(4) of this rule.
(e)
No less than forty per cent of such prescribed glazing or
opening shall be on one side of any bus.
(b)
A bus
manufactured on or after September 1, 1973, having a seating capacity of more
than ten persons, inclusive of the driver, shall have emergency exits in
conformity with federal motor vehicle safety standard number 217,
49
C.F.R. 571.217.
(c)
A bus
manufactured before September 1, 1973 may conform to the requirements of
paragraph (M)(3)(b) of this rule in lieu of conforming to paragraph (M)(3)(a)
of this rule.
(4)
Push-out window requirements
(a)
Except as
provided in paragraph (M)(3)(c) of this rule, every glazed opening in a bus
manufactured before September 1, 1973, and having a seating capacity of more
than eight persons, used to satisfy the requirements of paragraph (M)(1) of
this rule, if not glazed with laminated safety glass, shall have a frame or
sash so designed, constructed, and maintained that it will yield outwardly to
provide the required free opening when subjected to the drop test specified in
test 25 of the standard referred to in paragraph (M)(1) of this rule. The
height of drop required to open such push-out windows shall not exceed the
height of drop required to break the glass in the same window when glazed with
the type of laminated glass specified in test 25 of this standard. The sash for
such windows shall be constructed of such material and be of such design and
construction as to be continuously capable of complying with the above
requirement.
Buses required to meet the requirements
of this section may conform to the requirements of paragraph (M)(4)(b) of this
rule.
(b)
On a bus manufactured on or after September 1, 1973,
and having a seating capacity of more than ten persons, inclusive of the
driver, each push-out window shall conform to federal motor vehicle safety
standard 217,
49
C.F.R. 571.217.
(5)
Window
obstructions Windows, if otherwise capable of complying with paragraph (M)(3)
of this rule, shall not be obstructed by bars or other such means located
either inside or outside such windows such as would hinder the escape of
occupants unless such bars or other such means are so constructed as to provide
a clear opening, at least equal to the opening provided by the window to which
it is adjacent when subjected to the same test specified in paragraph (M)(4)(a)
of this rule. The point of application of such test force shall be such as will
be most likely to result in the removal of the obstruction.
(6)
Emergency
exits
(a)
Window markings
(i)
On a bus manufactured before September 1, 1973, each
bus push-out window and any other bus escape window glazed with laminated
safety glass required in paragraph (M)(3) of this rule, shall be identified as
such by clearly legible signs, lettering, or decaling.
(ii)
Such marking
shall include appropriate wording to indicate that it is an escape window and
also the method to be used for obtaining emergency exit.
(iii)
A bus required
to comply with this section may instead comply with paragraph (M)(6)(b) of this
rule.
(iv)
A bus manufactured on or after September 1, 1973,
shall mark emergency exits required by paragraph (M)(4)(b) of this rule to
conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard number 217,
49
C.F.R. 571.217.
(b)
Door
markings
Each emergency door shall have such
door clearly marked in letters at least one inch in height with the
words:
(i)
Emergency door; or
(ii)
Emergency
exit.
(N)
Requirements for
windshield wipers and washing systems
(1)
Every bus shall
be equipped with at least two automatically-operating windshield wiper blades,
one on each side of the centerline of the windshield, and a windshield washing
system for cleaning rain, snow, or other moisture from the windshield.
Windshield wiper blades shall be in
such condition as to provide clear vision for the driver, unless one such blade
be so arranged as to clean an area of the windshield extending to within one
inch of the limit of vision through the windshield at each side.
(2)
Every
bus manufactured after June 30, 1953, which depends upon vacuum to operate the
windshield wipers, shall be so constructed that the operation of the wipers
will not be materially impaired by change in the intake manifold
pressure.
(O)
Requirements for heaters
(1)
Every heater on
a bus shall be capable, at all times, of providing a reasonable amount of heat
and comply with the requirements as set forth in paragraphs (O)(2) to (O)(9) of
this rule.
The installation and use of the
following types of heaters is prohibited:
(a)
Exhaust
heaters
Any type of exhaust heater in which
the engine exhaust gases are conducted into or through any space occupied by
persons or any heater which conducts engine compartment air into any such
space;
(b)
Unenclosed flame heaters
Any type of heater employing a flame
which is not fully enclosed;
(c)
Heaters
permitting fuel leakage
Any type of heater from the burner of
which there could be spillage or leakage of fuel upon the tilting or
overturning of the vehicle in which it is mounted;
(d)
Heaters
permitting air contamination
(i)
Any heater taking air, heated or to be heated, from
the engine compartment or from direct contact with any portion of the exhaust
system;
(ii)
Any heater taking air in ducts from the outside
atmosphere to be conveyed through the engine compartment unless said ducts are
so constructed and installed as to prevent contamination of the air so conveyed
by exhaust or engine compartment gases;
(e)
Solid fuel
heaters Any stove or other heater employing solid fuel;
(f)
Portable
heaters
Portable heaters shall not be used in
any space normally occupied by persons;
(2)
Heater
specifications
Every heater shall be so located or
protected as to prevent contact therewith by occupants, unless the surface
temperature of the protecting grilles or of any exposed portions of the
heaters, inclusive of exhaust stacks, pipes, or conduits shall be lower than
would cause contact burns.
(a)
Adequate protection shall be afforded against igniting
parts of the vehicle or burning occupants by direct radiation.
(b)
Effective guards
shall be provided for the protection of passengers or occupants against injury
by fans, belts, or any other moving part.
(c)
Every heater and
every heater enclosure shall be securely fastened to the vehicle in a
substantial manner so as to provide against relative motion within the vehicle
during normal usage or in the event the vehicle overturns.
(d)
Every heater
shall be so designed, constructed, and mounted as to minimize the likelihood of
disassembly of any of its parts, including exhaust stacks, pipes, or conduits
upon overturn of the vehicle in or on which it is mounted.
(e)
When either in
normal operation or in the event of overturn, there is or is likely to be
relative motion between the fuel tank for a heater and the heater, or between
either of such units and the fuel lines between them, a suitable means shall be
provided at the point of greatest relative motion so as to allow this motion
without causing failure of the fuel lines.
(f)
For every bus
designed to transport more than fifteen passengers, including the driver, means
shall be provided to prevent unauthorized persons from tampering with the
operating controls. Such means may include:
(i)
Remote control
by the driver;
(ii)
Installation of controls at inaccessible places
(iii)
Control of adjustments by key or keys;
(iv)
Enclosure of
controls in a locked space;
(v)
Locking of
controls; or
(vi)
Other means of accomplishing this purpose.
(3)
Hoses for all hot water and steam heater systems shall
be specifically designed and constructed for that purpose.
(4)
Every heater
employing any electrical apparatus shall be equipped with electrical
conductors, switches, connectors, and other electrical parts of ample
current-carrying capacity to provide against overheating.
(5)
Every electric
motor employed in any heater shall be of adequate size and so located that it
will not be overheated.
(6)
Electrical circuits shall be provided with fuses
and/or circuit breakers to provide against electrical overloading.
(7)
All
electrical conductors employed in or leading to any heater shall be secured
against dangling, chafing, and rubbing and shall have suitable protection
against any other condition likely to produce short or open circuits.
(8)
If a
separate storage battery is located within the personnel or cargo space, such
battery shall be securely mounted and equipped with non-spill filler
caps.
(9)
Every heater employing the combustion of oil, gas,
liquefied petroleum gas, or any other combustible material shall be provided
with substantial means of conducting the products of combustion to the outside
of the vehicle.
(a)
The exhaust pipe, stack, or conduit if required
shall:
(i)
Be
sufficiently substantial and so secured;
(ii)
Shall not leak
or discharge products of combustion within the vehicle; and
(iii)
Shall be so
insulated as to make unlikely the burning or charring of parts of the vehicle
by radiation or by direct contact.
(b)
The place of
discharge to the atmosphere and the means of discharge of such products shall
be such as to minimize the likelihood of their re-entry into the vehicle under
all operating conditions.
(c)
Combustion
chamber design, construction and installation:
(i)
Combustion
chambers shall be designed, constructed and installed to prohibit against the
leakage of products of combustion into the air to be heated and
circulated.
(ii)
Material used in combustion chambers shall be such as
to provide against leakage because of corrosion, oxidation or other
deterioration.
(iii)
Joints between combustion chambers and the air
chambers with which they are in thermal and mechanical contact shall:
(a)
Be so designed and constructed as to prevent leakage
between the chambers; and
(b)
The materials used in such joints shall have melting points
substantially higher than the maximum temperatures likely to be attained at the
points of jointure.
(iv)
Every fuel tank
for heaters of the combustion type shall be located outside of and lower than
the passenger space.
(a)
When necessary, suitable protection shall be afforded by
shielding or other means against the puncturing of any such tank or its
connection by flying stones or other objects.
(b)
Gravity or siphon feed is prohibited for heaters using
liquid fuels.
(c)
Heaters using liquid fuels shall be equipped with automatic
means for shutting off the fuel or for reducing such flow of fuel to the
smallest practicable magnitude, in the event of overturn of the vehicle.
(v)
Heaters using liquefied petroleum gas as fuel shall
have the fuel line equipped with automatic means at the source of supply for
shutting off the fuel in the event of separation, breakage, or disconnection of
any of the fuel lines between the supply source and the heater.
(d)
Automatic means, or manual means if the control is
readily accessible to the driver without moving from the driver's seat, shall
be provided to shut off the fuel and electrical supply in case of failure of
the heater to function for any reason, or in case the heater should function
improperly or overheat.
Heaters subject to this section and not
provided with automatic controls shall be provided with "tell-tale" means to
indicate to the driver that the heater is functioning properly.
(e)
Every
combustion-type heater manufactured after December 31, 1952, shall be clearly
marked with:
(i)
Information to indicate the type of service for which
such heater is designed; and
(ii)
A certification
by the manufacturer that the heater meets the applicable requirements for such
use.
(P)
Requirements for
defrosting devices
Every bus shall be equipped with a
means for preventing and/or removing the accumulation of ice, snow, frost or
condensation that could obstruct the driver's view through the
windshield.
(Q)
Requirements for rear-vision mirrors
(1)
Every bus shall
be equipped with two rear-vision mirrors, one at each side, firmly attached to
the outside of the bus, free of cracks or discoloration and so located as to
reflect to the driver a view of the highway to the rear, along both sides of
the bus.
All rear-vision mirrors must be easily
adjustable and must be capable of holding, during normal operations, any
adjustment.
(2)
All rear-vision mirrors and their replacements shall
meet, as a minimum, the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard
number 111,
49 C.F.R.
571.111.
Mirrors installed on a bus manufactured
prior to January 1, 1981, may be continued in service, provided that if the
mirrors are replaced they shall be replaced with mirrors meeting, as a minimum,
the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 111,
49 C.F.R.
571.111.
(R)
Requirements for
horns
Every bus shall be equipped with a
horn and actuating elements which shall be in such condition as to give an
adequate and reliable warning signal.
(S)
Requirements for
speedometers
(1)
Every bus shall be equipped with a speedometer
indicating vehicle speed in miles per hour.
(2)
Every
speedometer shall be accurate to within plus or minus five miles per hour at a
speed of fifty miles per hour.
(T)
Requirements for
floors All flooring in all buses shall:
(1)
Be substantially
constructed;
(2)
Be free of unnecessary holes and openings;
(3)
Be
maintained so as to minimize the entrance of fumes, exhaust gases, or fire;
and
(4)
Not be permeated with oil or other substances likely
to cause injury to persons using the floor as a traction surface.
(U)
Requirements for driveshaft protection
Any driveshaft extending lengthways
under the floor of the passenger compartment shall be protected by means of at
least one guard or bracket at that end of the driveshaft which is provided with
a sliding connection (spline or other such device) to prevent the whipping of
the shaft in the event of failure of the connection or any of its component
parts.
A driveshaft contained within a torque
tube shall not require any such protective device.
(V)
Requirements for
standee line or bar
(1)
Except as provided below, every bus which is designed
and constructed with grab handles, straps, or bars so as to allow standees,
shall be plainly marked with a line of contrasting color at least two inches
wide or equipped with some other means so as to indicate to any person that
he/she is prohibited from occupying a space forward of a perpendicular plane
drawn through the rear of the driver's seat perpendicular to the longitudinal
axis of the bus.
(2)
Every bus shall have clearly posted at or near the
front, a sign with letters at least one-half inch high stating that it is a
violation of the federal motor carrier safety regulations for a bus to be
operated with persons occupying the prohibited area.
(3)
Exception
(a)
The requirements
of paragraph (V) of this rule shall not apply to any level of the bus other
than that level in which the driver is located; nor
(b)
Shall this
paragraph prohibit any seated person from occupying permanent seats located in
the prohibited area provided such seats are so located that person sitting
therein will not interfere with the driver's safe operation of the bus.
(W)
Requirements for seats
(1)
Aisle seats are
prohibited.
No bus shall be equipped with aisle
seats unless such seats are so designed and installed as to automatically fold
and leave a clear aisle when they are unoccupied.
(2)
Every seat shall
be securely fastened to the vehicle.
Exception: paragraph (W)(2) of this
rule shall not apply to a custom-built bus with flooring and/or seating so
designed and installed as to prevent self-movement of the seating during normal
operations of the bus.
(3)
Adjustable seats
shall be movable throughout the entire range of their adjustment and shall lock
in the desired position.
(4)
Seat cushions or backrests shall be present, in good
condition, and securely attached.
(5)
If seats were
originally equipped with headrests, the headrests shall not be missing, damaged
or not securely attached.
(X)
Requirements for
the driver's seat
(1)
Driver's seat shall be securely fastened to the
vehicle.
(2)
If adjustable, the seat shall be movable throughout
the entire range of its adjustment and shall lock in the desired
position.
(3)
Seat belt assemblies
(a)
Buses
manufactured on or after January 1, 1965, and before July 1, 1971, shall be
equipped with:
(i)
A lap belt or a lap and torso belt seat belt assembly
that conforms to federal motor vehicle safety standard number 209,
49 C.F.R.
571.209 installed at the driver's seat;
and
(ii)
Seat belt anchorages that conform to the location and
geometric requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 210,
49 C.F.R.
571.210.
(b)
Buses
manufactured on or after July 1, 1971 shall conform to the requirements
of:
(i)
Federal motor vehicle safety standard number 208,
49 C.F.R.
571.208 (relating to sear belt assemblies);
and
(ii)
Federal motor vehicle safety standard number 210,
49 C.F.R.
571.210 (relating to installation of seat
belt anchorages).
(c)
Buses
manufactured on or after January 1, 1972 shall conform to the requirements of
federal motor vehicle safety standard number 207,
49 C.F.R.
571.207 (relating to seating systems).
(Y)
Requirements for television receivers
(1)
Any bus equipped
with a television viewer(s), screen(s) or other means of visually receiving a
television broadcast or a video system capable of playing visual recordings
shall:
(a)
Have the viewer(s) or screen(s) located in the bus at a point to the rear of
the back of the driver's seat if such viewer(s) or screen(s) are in the same
compartment as the driver;
(b)
Shall be so
located as not to be visible to the driver, while he/she is driving the
bus.
(2)
This section does not apply to vehicular
closed-circuit video systems designed and used for the safe operation of the
bus.
(Z)
Requirements for emergency equipment Every bus shall
be equipped as follows:
(1)
Fire extinguishers
Every bus shall have at least one fire
extinguisher that:
(a)
Is properly filled;
(b)
Is located so it
is readily accessible inside the driver's and/or the passengers'
compartment;
(c)
Is securely mounted to the vehicle;
(d)
Is designed,
constructed, and maintained to permit visual determination of whether it is
fully charged;
(e)
Has an extinguishing agent that does not need
protection from freezing;
(f)
Does not use a
vaporizing liquid that gives off vapors more toxic than substances shown as
having a toxicity rating of five or six in the underwriters' laboratories
"classification of comparative life hazard of gases and vapors"; and
(g)
Has
an underwriters' laboratories rating of 5 B:C except two fire extinguishers
with an underwriters' laboratories rating of a least 4 B:C may replace on 5 B:C
rated fire extinguisher.
(2)
Reflective
warning devices
(a)
Every bus shall be equipped with at least three
bi-directional emergency reflective triangles that conform to the requirements
of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 125,
49 C.F.R.
571.125.
(b)
The reflective
warning devices required by this section shall:
(i)
Be maintained in
good condition;
(ii)
Not have broken or missing pieces; and
(iii)
Be
capable of being properly set up and remain standing under normal
conditions.
(3)
Spare
fuses
Every bus shall have at least one
spare fuse or other overload protective device, if the devices used are not of
a reset type, for each kind and size used.
(AA)
Marking of
buses
Buses required to comply with the
rules and regulations of the federal motor carrier administration or the public
utilities commission of Ohio shall display their company name on both sides of
the bus:
(1)
In addition to the company name, for-hire intrastate
motor carriers of passengers shall display, on both sides of the vehicle, the
company's unique identification number issued by the public utilities
commission of Ohio preceded by the letters, "PUCO," or the identification
number issued by the federal motor carrier safety administration preceded by
the letters, "USDOT";
(2)
In addition to the company name, interstate motor
carriers of passengers shall display, on both sides of the bus, the motor
carrier identification number issued by the federal motor carrier safety
administration, preceded by the letters "USDOT."
(BB)
Insurance
requirements
(1)
Every bus, as defined in section
4513.50 of the Revised Code,
shall contain evidence of proper liability insurance coverage as required in
Chapter 4901:2-13 of the Administrative Code.
(CC)
Other
(1)
All other
vehicle components not otherwise specifically mentioned in this rule
shall:
(a)
Be
in proper working condition; and
(b)
Not be loose,
broken, missing or otherwise defective.
(2)
Any bus that
previously was registered as a school bus that is used or is to be used
exclusively for purposes other than the transportation of children:
(a)
Shall be painted
a color different from that prescribed for school buses by section
4511.77 of the Revised Code
and;
(b)
Shall have:
(i)
The words,
"STOP," "STATE LAW," and "SCHOOL BUS," removed or obliterated;
(ii)
The
automatically extending stop warning sign, required by section
4511.75 of the Revised Code,
removed; and
(iii)
The flashing red amber lights, required by section
4511.771 of the Revised Code,
disabled and covered, or removed.
Replaces: 4501-52-03, 4501-52-04
