Ohio Admin. Code 4501-5-02 - School bus construction standards
[Comment: For dates and availability of material incorporated
by reference in this rule, see paragraph (R)
These standards apply to any school bus used to transport school children to and from school and/or school related activities and events.
(A) Access steps. (except
"Type A" buses)
(1) Steps shall be installed
on each side of the school bus to allow access to windshield for
cleaning.
(2) Grab handles shall be
securely mounted in a suitable position to assist in using the steps.
(3) In lieu of steps installed on each side,
the steps are permitted in or on the front bumper if the windshield can be
accessible for cleaning from that position.
(B)
Air compressor
for accessories.
(1)
Minimum width of aisle shall be twelve inches at floor level.
(2) Minimum width of aisle between seats
shall be twelve inches at seat level.
(3) The aisle shall not be less than twelve
inches wide between any two objects from the service doors to the aisle in the
passenger area from floor to ceiling.
(4) Hold-down fastening devices used on
inside engine cover shall be designed to prevent hooking or catching on shoes
or clothing.
(1) The front and rear axles,
including suspension assemblies, and all frame-to-ground components, shall have
a gross axle weight rating when measured at the ground at least equal to that
portion of the load as would be imposed by the chassis manufacturer's maximum
gross vehicle weight rating.
(2)
Heavy-duty" double-acting shock absorbers compatible with the manufacturer's
rated axle capacity shall be installed on the front and rear of the school bus
chassis.
(3) Suspension assemblies
as specified shall maintain/control stability of school bus under all
conditions.
(1) "Type B, C and D" buses:
(a) A battery or batteries of at least eight
hundred cold cranking amperes for a gasoline powered engine.
(b) A battery or batteries of at least one
thousand two hundred fifty cold cranking amperes for a diesel powered
engine.
(2) "Type A I
and A II" buses:
(a) A battery or batteries of
at least six hundred cold cranking amperes for a gasoline powered
engine.
(b) A battery or batteries
of at least one thousand cold cranking amperes for a diesel powered
engine.
(3) A battery or
batteries of at least one thousand two hundred cold cranking amperes if
equipped with a lift.
(4)
One-piece" non-spliced battery cables shall be provided by the chassis
manufacturer. All cables shall conform to SAE standard J541 with respect to
electrical resistance.
(5) "Type A
I and A II" buses may have the battery/batteries located at the manufacturer's standard
either under the hood, enclosed under the steps at
the left side driver's door, or mounted as a "Type B, C or D" bus.
Batteries for "Types B, C, and D" buses shall be mounted in the body skirt by
the body manufacturer. Rear engine buses may have batteries mounted in engine
compartment.
(6) A drawer-type
pull-out tray shall be installed whenever the battery/batteries are
mounted in
accessed
through the body fender skirt. The batteries shall be enclosed by a
compartment constructed of mill-applied zinc coated steel, or other acid
resistant material, provided with drain ports, hold-down carrier mounted so as
to avoid blocking filler ports, and latching device to prevent accidental
opening. Drawer assembly shall be covered with acid-resistant paint or
material. Rust proofing shall be applied to battery
box. Battery tray shall be equipped with a positive locking device to
keep tray from sliding completely out to prevent battery from being
dropped.
(1) All construction components (except door
handles, grab handles, interior decorative parts, other interior plated parts,
and components heavier than twelve-gauge), shall be of prime commercial quality
mill-applied zinc coated steel, other anti-corrosive coating or composite
materials. Components must meet or exceed current strength and durability and
all applicable "Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards." The zinc plating shall
be one hundred twenty grams per meter square minimum coating weight (grade sixty
G60 ) or
equivalent applied by either hot dipping or electroplating. All such
construction materials shall be fire resistant.
(2) All metal surfaces that will be painted
shall be chemically cleaned, etched, zinc-phosphate coated, and zinc-chromate
or epoxy-primed, or conditioned by equivalent process.
(3) In providing for the requirements in
paragraphs (E)(1)
(F)(1) and (E)(2)
(F)(2) of this rule, particular attention shall
be given to lapped surfaces, welded connections of structural members, cut
edges, punched or drilled holed areas in sheet metal, closed or box sections,
unvented or undrained areas, and surfaces subject to abrasion during vehicle
operation.
(4) Upon final assembly
of the bus body and after mounting body upon chassis, the total unit strength
of the school bus shall meet or exceed all strength criteria as established by
FMVSS 571.220 and FMVSS 571.221.
(5) Body construction shall provide a
dustproof and watertight unit.
(6)
Exterior body panels shall meet or exceed FMVSS
571.221.
(a) The
floor shall be not less than fourteen-gauge mill, corrosive resistant coated
steel or composite materials. If zinc plated, the plating shall be one hundred
twenty grams per meter square minimum coating weight (grade sixty) or
equivalent applied by either hot dipping or electroplating.
(b)
The floor may be
flat.
(c)
"Type A" buses have an additional step from the step
well.
(a) Manufacturers shall install one
rub rail at approximately seat level, except for the opening for engine
compartment side door in a rear engine bus. This rail shall extend from the
main vertical post behind the service door to the forward-most vertical post on
the left side of the body, including left side emergency door. (Rear emergency
door exempted)
(b) A second rub
rail shall be installed at approximately the floor line and cover the same
longitudinal area as the seat level rail, except at wheel housings, and needs
only to extend to the radii of right and left rear corners.
(c)
A third rub rail
may be installed on the lower edge of the body skirt.
(9)
Fold out steps may be installed at the regular service
entrance.
(a)
The fold out step will provide a step level that is six
inches or less to ground level.
(b)
The fold out step
may be power activated or manually operated.
All braking systems and components shall meet or exceed the minimum requirements specified in applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 571.105 or 571.121 and the following:
(1) Air or hydraulic brake systems are
acceptable. If brakes are air actuated, they shall be of the cam drum type on
front and rear wheels, disc front and drum rear or four - wheel disc. Brakes that are hydraulically actuated,
shall be disc front and drum rear or four - wheel
disc.
(2) All air brake systems
shall have both visual and audible warning systems that activate as required by
FMVSS 571.121. Hydraulic brake systems that utilize hydraulic power assist
shall have both visual and audible warning systems that activate as required by
FMVSS 571.105.
(3) For air brake
systems, an air pressure gauge shall be provided in the instrument panel
capable of complying with CDL pre-trip inspection requirements.
(4) Air compressors that supply air to brakes
must have sufficient rated capacity that meets or exceeds FMVSS 571.121
(minimum of thirteen cubic feet per minute) and shall be pressure oil fed.
Clean air to all compressors shall be supplied and filtered through engine air
cleaner.
(5) Separate compressors that supply
air to accessories only and not braking systems, shall be a minimum of nine and
one half cubic feet per minute.
(1) Front bumper for all buses having a GVWR
of twenty-one thousand five hundred pounds or less shall be manufacturers
standard. ("Type A" buses)
(2)
Front bumper for all buses having a GVWR greater than twenty-one thousand five
hundred pounds rating:
(a) Bumper shall be at
least three-sixteenths of an inch thick pressed steel channel, one-piece
construction, with a minimum width of eight inches after forming. Materials
other than pressed steel may be used if equivalent in strength and durability
of pressed steel.
(b) Bumper shall
be contoured to offer maximum protection of fender lines without permitting
snagging or hooking.
(c) Bumper
shall be attached to the frame and extended forward of grille, head lamps,
fender, or hood sections and extend the entire width of the bus to provide
maximum protection.
(d) The bumper
shall be of sufficient strength to permit lifting the bus with a bumper type
lift for servicing
(e) All shall have sufficient
strength to permit pushing a vehicle of equal weight without permanent
distortion to bumper, chassis, or body.
(3) Rear bumper.
(a) Bumper shall be of sufficient strength to
permit lifting the bus with a bumper type lift for servicing and shall be one
piece, heavy-duty type of pressed steel channel, at least three-sixteenths inch
of thickness. Materials other than pressed steel may be used if equivalent in
strength and durability of pressed steel.
(b)
Buses rear
bumper
Bumper shall be a minimum of
eight inches in height after forming.
(c) Bumper shall be wrapped around back
corners of bus and extend forward at least twelve inches, measured from
rear-most point of body at floor line. Rear bumper shall also protect rear
corners of body by extending beyond the body exterior side panels. The bend of
the rear bumper at the rear body corners shall be sufficient to allow the
entire contour of the forward end of the rear bumper to extend no more than one
inch beyond the body line of the exterior side panels.
(d) Bumper shall be fastened to chassis frame
side rails in such a manner as to develop full strength of bumper section from
rear or side impact. Bracing materials shall have an impact ratio comparable to
that of bumper material and shall be fastened at the ends and radii of the
bumper, attached to the side of the frame only and not to the body at any
point.
(e) Bumper shall extend
beyond rear-most part of body surface at least one inch, measured at floor
line.
(f) No spaces, projections,
or cutouts that will permit a handhold are permitted.
(g) Front ends of the bumper shall be
enclosed by endcaps or other protective metal or shall have the ends rounded or
tucked in and shall be free from sharp edges or projections likely to cause
injury or snagging.
(h) A rubber or
metal strip shall be installed to close any opening exceeding one-fourth inch
between rear bumper and body metal.
(i) The bumper vertical distance between the bottom of the
bumper and the ground shall not exceed thirty inches when the vehicle is empty.
(H) Clutch - chassis using manual
transmission shall be equipped with a clutch which shall have a rated capacity
in a range from equal to the maximum net engine torque up to ten greater than
the maximum net engine torque.
(I) Color.
(1) Bumpers shall be black.
(2) Fender and body shall be painted national
school bus yellow.
(3) Hood
shall
may be
painted non-reflective national school bus yellow or flat black (except "Type
A").
(4) Frame shall be painted
black.
(5) Grille may be painted
national school bus yellow, black or chrome or anodized aluminum in finish.
Rear engine bus grille area(s) shall be national school bus yellow.
(6)
Wheels, spokes
and rims
Steel wheels shall be black
, and/or gray. Aluminum wheels are permitted.
(7) All lettering and numbering on exterior
shall be black.
(8) Background area
and optional hoods for warning lights shall be black.
(9)
Required
rub
Rub rails shall be black, optional rub rails may be color of body or
black.
(10) Service door
may be black. Note:
(a) Special service doors
shall not be black.
(b) Left side
driver's door on "Type A and A II" buses shall not be black.
(J) Cooling system.
(1)
Cooling system
shall be manufacturer's standard
The cooling
system radiator shall be of sufficient capacity to cool the engine at all
speeds in all gears. Thermostatic controls shall keep the engine at the
manufacturer's recommended operating temperature.
(2)
Cooling fan(s)
may be variable speed.
Permanent anti-freeze
shall be compatible with the cooling system and engine.
(3)
The cooling
system shall have a means of checking the coolant without having to remove the
radiator cap
The cooling system shall be
equipped with a coolant recovery or a deaeration system. The system shall be of
sufficient size to allow for the added expansion from the added coolant needed
for the body heating system. The cooling system shall have a means of checking
the coolant without having to remove the radiator cap.
(4) If equipped with an automatic
transmission, shall have a heavy duty cooling system to provide additional
cooling required by the automatic transmission.
(5) A fan/s shall be installed to
aid the cooling system.
(6) On vehicles requiring hoses or
extensions to a coolant recovery system from the radiator, the hose or
extension shall be so designed to permit adding coolant without trapping
air.
(7) The manufacturer shall add the
required amount of appropriate antifreeze to protect the cooling system to
minus twenty degrees fahrenheit tested at normal engine
temperature.
(K) Defroster.
(1) Defroster system shall meet or exceed SAE
standard J381 performance requirements without use of auxiliary fan.
(2) The defroster system shall be of
sufficient capacity to keep windshield area, left front side
driver's window to
rear of the driver's vision, and service door glass area free of
condensation or ice under all possible combinations of pupil load and climatic
conditions.
(3) Defroster system
shall be capable of providing at least sixty per cent fresh air.
(4) Two adjustable six-inch auxiliary
defroster fans shielded with small mesh
metal or polypropylene guards shall be installed. Only one adjustable six-inch
auxiliary defroster fan is required for
"Type A" buses.
(b)
(a) Each auxiliary
defroster fan/s
fan(s) shall be controlled individually by a
multi-speed switch.
(c)
(b) The switch shall be located within easy reach of
the driver while seated.
(a) Fan/s shall be mounted to
complement the defroster system.
(L) Drive shaft and differential.
(1) Drive shafts and universal joints are to
be original equipment manufacturer standard.
(2) Metal drive shaft guards are required for
each drive shaft section extending lengthwise under the floor of the passenger
compartment to prevent projecting through the floor or dropping to the ground
if broken. The drive shaft guard shall be at the end of the shaft which is
provided with a sliding connection (spline or other such device) to prevent
whipping of the shaft in event of failure thereof or any of its component
parts.
(3) The rear axle ratio
shall be compatible with engine, transmission and tire size.
(M) Driver's seat.
(1) Minimum distance between steering wheel
and back rest of driver's seat shall be eleven inches. Driver's seat shall have
vertical adjustment of not less than four inches and horizontal adjustment of
not less than four inches.
(2) The
driver's seat and driver's area shall have a restraining barrier meeting FMVSS
571.222 positioned immediately behind the driver's area.
(3) The driver's seat upholstery shall meet
FMVSS 571.302 (Flammability of interior materials).
(4) A emergency
locking retractor-type
"Type II" seat
belt is required for the driver shall be
installed. Belts shall be equipped with protective boots of sufficient
quality and strength to keep it retracted and off the floor and within easy
reach of the driver. Belt shall be adjustable on one side only and keep the
driver from sliding sideways under the belt.
(5)
Seating options
allowed:
Belt and emergency locking retractor
upper torso restraint shall be installed in compliance with FMVSS 571.209, FMVSS 571.210, and SAE standard J800.
(a)
Adjustable air
driver's seat;
(b)
Internal heating provided by manufacturer;
and
(c)
Driver alert technology.
(6) An emergency locking retractor
upper torso restraint shall be provided and shall work in unison with the seat
belts.
(7) May be adjustable air drivers
seat (six-way or eight way) and may be heated from the
manufacturer.
(N) Electrical system.
(3)
(2) All wiring shall
conform to current society of automotive engineers standards.
(1) Alternator.
(a) Minimum of a one hundred forty five
ampere alternator on all "Type A" buses.
(b) Minimum of a one
two hundred
eighty ampere alternator on all other
buses.
(c) Output must be approximately
sixty amperes or more at engine manufactures recommended idle
speed.
(2) Manufacturer shall provide an
adequate electric power source terminal for bus body power
connection.
(O) Emergency equipment.
(1) All shall be mounted in an easily
accessible location.
(2) Bus shall
be equipped with at least one dry-chemical-type fire extinguisher of at least
five-pound capacity, 3A -
- 40 B.C. rating, located outside of the
passenger area, mounted in a quick release-type bracket and easily accessible
by the driver. The extinguisher shall be equipped with a dial-type graduated
gauge which indicates loss of pressure. Fire extinguisher shall be of the type
that permits the dry-chemical base to be refilled by ordinary
procedures.
(3) First aid kits
shall be dustproof, plainly labeled, mounted in a location easily accessible to
the driver, located outside of the passenger area, and securely mounted in a
metal or plastic container.
(4)
Minimum units for the school bus shall be as
follows: A sixteen-unit kit shall be used on buses less than fifty designed
maximum capacity. A twenty-four unit kit is required for
all buses of fifty or
more designed maximum capacity. Note: The first aid kit may be
installed at time of manufacture by the manufacturer, installed by dealer, or
installed by the owner/operator of the school bus.
(5) Three triangle reflectors with weighted
stands shall be properly encased for easy storage. The triangle reflectors
shall meet FMVSS 571.125. The storage container shall be mounted to prevent
movement and shall be mounted within easy access of the driver.
(6) Six thirty-minute fusees
are permitted and shall be encased for easy
storage. The storage container shall be mounted to prevent movement and shall
be mounted within easy access of the driver. The fusees shall not be stored in
the passenger area. No spiked fusees are permitted.
(7) One body fluid kit shall be required. The
kit shall contain the following items:
(a)
Effective chlorine absorbent deodorant.
(b) Effective germicidal detergent. If
detergent contains alcohol, no more than one fluid ounce is permitted in a
single-use disposable container.
(c) Single-use, disposable bag.
(d) Single-use, disposable scraper.
(e) Minimum of one pair of disposable,
single-use, effective protective gloves.
(f) Effective hand rinse. If hand rinse
contains alcohol, no more than one-half fluid ounce is permitted in a
single-use disposable container.
(g) The body fluid clean-up kit shall be
easily accessible to the driver in the area of the first aid kit and shall be
securely mounted in a metal or plastic container.
(h) If alcohol is included, the body fluid
clean-up kit shall not contain more than one and one-half fluid ounces of
alcohol.
Note: The body fluid kit may be installed at time of manufacture, installed by dealer or the owner/operator of the school bus.
(P) Emergency exits.
Any installed emergency exit shall comply with the design and
performance requirements of FMVSS 571.217 applicable to that type of exit,
regardless of whether or not that exit is required by FMVSS 571.217. Additional
exits are allowed in addition of
(1) Emergency doors.
(a) Emergency doors shall meet FMVSS 571.217.
An interior handle shall be provided to pull the door shut from the inside
which may be used as a protection against accidental release.
(b) When the interior
handle
fastening device is not in the
position that causes the emergency door to be closed, a continuous warning
sound shall be audible at the driver's
driver's seating position and in the vicinity of
the emergency door and the dome lights (driver's
driver's
dome light excluded) shall illuminate with the ignition switch in any
position.
(c) Exterior door handle
shall be of permanent hitch-proof design and mounted with enough clearance to
permit opening without touching door surface.
(d) All emergency door openings shall be
completely weather-stripped.
(e)
There shall be no step-type mechanism in the use of the emergency
door.
(f) There shall be a head
bumper pad installed on the inside at the top of the emergency exit frame. This
pad shall be approximately four inches in width and extend across the entire
top of the emergency exit opening and shall meet FMVSS 571.302 for flammability
standards of interior materials.
(2) Rear emergency door.
(a) On all buses, except rear-engine design,
an emergency door shall be located in the rear of the school bus body and
centered with respect to the body.
(b) Emergency door shall have a minimum
horizontal opening of twenty-four inches and a minimum vertical opening of
forty-eight inches measured from floor level.
(c) Rear emergency door shall be hinged on
right side and shall open outward.
(d) The rear emergency door shall contain
upper and lower glass panels. Glass in emergency door shall provide maximum
area of visibility for safe operation of the school bus.
(e)
The rear
emergency door shall have a prop rod/lock out bar.
(3) Left side emergency door.
(a) On all rear-engine school buses, a left
side emergency door shall be installed.
(b) If a door sill or heater line extends
above the floor line, a ramp shall be provided covering the area over which a
foot must pass as
when an individual exits through the door.
(c)
The left side
emergency door shall have a prop rod/lock out bar.
(4) Emergency side window exits.
(a) Emergency window shall display the words
"emergency exit" at the top of or directly above, or at the bottom of the
emergency window exit on both the inside and outside of the bus, in a color
contrasting the background.
(b)
Emergency windows, when not fully latched, shall activate a continuous warning
sound that shall be audible in driver's compartment and activate all dome
lights (driver's dome lights excluded). Warning sound and dome lights shall be
operational with the ignition switch in any position.
(5) Emergency window, rear-engine buses.
(a) An emergency window shall be installed
above the engine compartment.
(b)
Window shall be hinged from top and provided with a device to ensure against
accidental closing when open.
(c)
Emergency window in rear shall be equipped with a latch on the inside, and also
be equipped with a handle of hitch-proof design which will permit opening from
the outside.
(d) Emergency window
shall display the words "emergency exit" at the top of or directly above, or at
the bottom of the emergency window exit on both the inside and outside of the
bus, in a color contrasting the background.
(e) Emergency window, when not fully latched,
shall activate a continuous warning sound that shall be audible in the driver's
compartment and all dome lights shall activate (driver dome lights excluded).
Warning sound and dome lights will be operational with the ignition switch in
any position.
(6)
Emergency roof exits.
(a) A continuous warning
sound that shall be audible in the driver's compartment and all dome lights
shall activate when the hatch is opened in the escape position (driver dome
lights excluded). Warning sound and dome lights shall be operational with
ignition switch in any position.
(b) If a bus is not manufactured with a
static vent, the emergency roof exit shall be a static-type with exhaust
vent.
(7) Number of
emergency roof exits required.
(a) One roof
hatch is required for a bus with a manufacturer's rated
seating
shell
capacity of one to forty-five.
(b)
Two roof hatches are required for a bus with a manufacturer's rated
seating
shell
capacity of forty-six and above.
(Q) Engine speed governor shall be installed
on all buses. Setting shall comply with manufacturer's maximum recommended
governed speed. A revolution per minute limiter in lieu of the engine speed
governor is acceptable. Note: Recommended governed speed will reference maximum
speed limits established in section
4511.21 of the Revised
Code.
(R) Exhaust system.
(1) Exhaust pipe, muffler or a diesel
particulate filter in lieu of the muffler, and tailpipe shall be outside bus
body and attached to chassis.
(2)
The tailpipe and after-treatment system shall be
constructed of a corrosion-
resistant tubing
material at least equal in strength and durability to sixteen-gauge steel
tubing of equal diameter.
Muffler shall be
heavy-duty truck type of aluminized or stainless steel or ceramic coated to
offer maximum resistance to corrosion or oxidation.
(3)
The tailpipe may
be flush with, or shall not extend more than two inches beyond, the perimeter
of the body for side-exit pipe or the bumper for rear-exit pipe. The exhaust
shall be designed such that exhaust gas will not be trapped under the body of
the bus.
All exhaust pipes and tailpipes shall
be constructed of sixteen gauge or greater aluminized steel tubing or stainless
steel tubing. Short sections of flexible pipe may be used between the exhaust
manifold/s and the exhaust pipe to allow flexing of the exhaust system during
vehicle operation.
(4)
The tailpipe shall exit to the left or right of the
emergency exit door in the rear of the vehicle to the left side of the bus, in
front of or behind the rear drive axle, or the tailpipe may extend through the
bumper.
Diameter of
The tailpipe shall not
exit beneath any fuel filler location, emergency door, or lift door
not be reduced after it leaves the
muffler.
(5) The
exhaust system shall be insulated in a manner to
prevent any damage to any fuel system component.
tailpipe shall extend to but not beyond one inch of
the rear bumper. The rear end of tailpipe must be located at least twenty
inches to the right or left of the center line of the
chassis.
(6)
The design of the after-treatment systems shall not
allow active (non-manual)
The tail pipe may go through the
bumper.
(7)
Right side discharge exhaust systems are not
permitted.
(1)
The composition
of the DEF must comply with ISO 22241-1.
(2)
The DEF supply
tank shall be sized to meet a minimum ratio of three diesel fills to one DEF
fill.
(8) Right side discharge exhaust
systems are not permitted.
(9) The exhaust system on a
gas-powered chassis shall be insulated from the fuel tank and fuel tank
connections by a securely attached metal shield at any point where it is twelve
inches or less from the fuel tank.
(1) Total spread at outer edges of
front fenders, measured at fender line, shall exceed total spread of front
tires when front wheels are in straight ahead position.
(2) Front fenders shall be braced and free
from any body attachment. Trailing edge of front fender shall extend to bottom
of front body section. Fender extensions are acceptable.
(3)
Fiberglass
replacement fenders and cowl pieces are permitted.
(3) Chassis sheet metal shall not
extend beyond rear face of cowl.
(1) All floor covering shall
have a calculated burn rate of .1 mm per minute or less
using the test methods, procedures and formulas listed in
meet FMVSS 571.302(standard for flammability of interior materials
and be permanently bonded to the floor and must not crack or lose its adhesive
power when vehicle is subjected to sudden changes in temperature. Bonding or
adhesive material shall be waterproof and recommended by the manufacturer of
the floor covering material.
(2)
Underseat areas shall have a fire-resistant floor covering, having a minimum
overall thickness of one-eighth inch. The entire joint between the floor
covering and the wall of the school bus body shall be covered with a fitted,
rust-free metal or composite molding or reformed interior panel.
(3) Driver's compartment floor area shall
provide sure footing when wet and be of the
same quality material as the underseat floor covering. The driver's compartment
floor covering shall be attached to the floor.
(a) Exception - On "Type A" buses,
the driver's compartment floor area shall be manufacturer's standard. It shall
be attached to the floor.
(4) Center aisle covering shall be
fire-resistant, non-skid and wear-resistant. If ribbed, minimum thickness shall
be one hundred eighty-seven thousandths inch measured from the top of the ribs.
(5) If the bus is equipped with a
manual transmission, an inspection plate shall be installed for easy servicing
of the clutch and transmission. The plate shall be installed above the regular
floor covering when possible and shall not be undercoated.
(6) Brake, gear shift, and
accelerator boots shall be installed.
(9)
A plywood floor
shall be applied on top of the steel floor. Floor covering shall be applied on
top of the plywood. Plywood shall be five-eighths inch five-ply type CD
exterior grade. Plywood shall extend to fire-wall and under the driver's seat.
Plywood shall be sanded and vacuumed before covering is applied. Waterproof
sealing material shall be applied to seams in the sections of plywood floor.
Plywood shall be four feet by eight feet sections, pieced only as necessary.
Waterproof sealing applied on top of the plywood to hold the floor covering is
considered as one method of sealing the seams in the plywood
floor.
(10)
Equivalent material applied to top of steel floor may
be used in lieu of plywood, provided it has equal or greater insulation
r-value, sound abatement, deterioration-resistant and moisture-resistant
properties.
(11)
If alternate materials are used in lieu of plywood,
manufacturer must certify that FMVSS 571.222 and 571.302 are
met.
(V) Frame.
(1) Frame shall be designed to correspond
with or exceed standard practice performance criteria for trucks of same
general load specifications used for highway service.
(2) Chassis frame shall extend to rear edge
of rear body cross member.
(3)
Frame side members shall be one-piece construction with the following
exceptions:
(a) Extension of these members
shall be designed, furnished, and guaranteed by chassis or body manufacturer.
Installation shall be guaranteed by the company installing the extension.
Extension of frame lengths shall not be for the purpose of extending wheel
base.
(b) No holes shall be
permitted in the chassis rails except those drilled at the chassis plant or
authorized by the frame manufacturer.
(4) Welding to chassis rails is permitted
only when guaranteed by the company making the modifications and authorized by
the frame manufacturer. School buses that require
frame repairs shall be inspected by a factory authorized dealer or agent
following the completion of repairs. The Ohio state highway patrol
shall be notified after the repair and authorized inspection have been
completed and prior to the school bus being operated with students on
board.
(1) Fuel
tank shall have a minimum capacity of thirty-three
twenty-five gallons with a
thirty gallon actual draw, for buses up to and including
a shell capacity of fifty-nine passengers. School
buses of sixty passengers and above shall have a minimum capacity of sixty
gallons with a fifty-five gallon actual
draw. It shall be filled and vented outside of the body. Construction
will prevent the spillage or drainage of fuel on any part of the exhaust
system.
(2) Fuel filter with
replaceable element shall be installed. A flexible
connection which is gasoline and oil-proof shall be provided at the engine end
of the fuel line.
(3) In
addition to the fuel filter, all diesel fueled engines shall have a water
separator installed between fuel tank and the injector pumps. The fuel/water
separator may be incorporated with the fuel filter but the fuel/water separator
shall not serve as the fuel filter.
(4) Drain plug of at least one-fourth inch
pipe thread shall be located in center of the bottom of gas and diesel fuel
tanks.
(1) All
glass shall be manufactured and maintained as follows:
Glass table
|
Location |
Glass type |
Rating |
|
Service door |
Laminated |
AS 1 or AS 2 |
|
Emergency door |
Tempered or laminated |
AS 2 or AS 3 |
|
Emergency window |
Tempered or laminated |
AS 2 or AS 3 |
|
Windshield |
Laminated |
AS 1 |
|
Driver's side glass |
Laminated |
AS 1 or AS 2 |
|
All other glass in passenger's area |
Tempered or laminated |
AS 2 or AS 3 |
Exception- On "Type A" buses the driver's door glass shall be manufacturer's standard.
All other glass not noted in table
shall meet FMVSS 571.205 Glazing Materials.
(2)
All other glass
not noted in table shall meet FMVSS 571.205 glazing materials.
(1)
Heating systems shall provide evenly distributed heat throughout the bus body
and provide defrosting for windshield, drivers
driver's left
side window and service door.
(2)
Buses shall be equipped with heaters capable of maintaining inside temperature
of fifty degrees fahrenheit
Fahrenheit using an ambient temperature of zero
degrees to ten degrees fahrenheit
Fahrenheit as measured per SAE standard
J2233.
(3) Buses shall be
equipped with a front heater.
(4)
Heaters shall display the name plate rating in accordance with the standard
code for testing and rating automotive bus hot water heater and ventilating
equipment.
(5) All heaters shall be
independently controlled by multi-speed switches.
(6) All hot water lines inside the
driver's/passenger's area shall be enclosed.
(7) Heater cores and fans shall be completely
encased, but designed to permit servicing heating assembly by removing all or
part of the case.
(8)
If applicable, heater
Heater hose installation in the engine
compartment shall include two shut-off valves able to shut off coolant
completely when necessary.
(a) One shut-off
valve shall be mounted between the water pump inlet and heater hose
connection.
(b) One shut-off valve
shall be mounted between the motor
engine block and the heater hose connection.
(9) There shall be a heater flow
regulating valve installed for convenient operation when the driver is in a
normal seated position.
Buses shall be equipped with a horn/s
(CC)
Electronic stability control shall be equipped
on:
(1)
Air
brake equipped school buses with a build date of August 1, 2019 or
later.
(2)
All school buses with a build date of August 1, 2020 or
later.
(1) Chassis shall be
equipped with the following instruments and gauges. Lights in lieu of gauges
are not acceptable.
(a) Speedometer.
(b) Odometer which will
give
show
accrued mileage up to nine hundred ninety
nine
ninety-nine thousand nine hundred
ninety nine
ninety-nine .
(c) A voltmeter with a graduated scale of sixteen volts. Voltmeter shall
show
showing the battery voltage.
It
The
voltmeter shall be off when the ignition switch is in the off
position.
(d) Oil pressure
gauge.
(e) Engine temperature
gauge.
(f) Fuel gauge.
(g) Air brake systems shall have independent
gauges indicating air pressure in the primary and secondary air
tanks.
(h)
All buses shall
Buses may be equipped with a tachometer
(except "Type A")
(i)
A diesel exhaust
fluid (DEF) gauge is required for diesel engines.
(2) All buses shall have a warning system
consisting of a light and optional audible warning to notify driver of low
engine oil pressure, low engine coolant level, and coolant overheating. System
shall not automatically shut off engine , unless
warning signals have been displayed to the driver and the engine has derated
for a period of time .
(3) All instruments shall be easily
accessible for maintenance and repair.
(5) All instruments/gauges required
by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards to be illuminated shall be
illuminated.
(1)
Bus body shall be fully insulated in the roof and all body panels to deaden
sound, reduce vibrations and heat transfer. Insulation,
(2)
Fire resistant
fiberglass insulation or equivalent material of at least one-inch
minimum thickness shall be added in the roof , in addition to the usual
sprayed on material, shall be a fiberglass or equal
material and fire-resistant.
(2) A plywood floor shall be applied
on top of the steel floor. Floor covering shall be applied on top of the
plywood. Plywood shall be five-eighths inch five-ply type CD exterior grade.
Plywood shall extend to fire-wall and under the driver's seat. Plywood shall be
sanded and vacuumed before covering is applied. Waterproof sealing material
shall be applied to seams in the sections of plywood floor. Plywood shall be
four feet by eight feet sections, pieced only as necessary. Waterproof sealing
applied on top of the plywood to hold the floor covering is considered as one
method of sealing the seams in the plywood floor.
(3) Option to plywood floor:
Equivalent material applied to top of steel floor may be used to replace
plywood, provided it has equal or greater insulation R-value, sound abatement,
deterioration-resistant and moisture-resistant properties.
(1)
Interior of the school bus shall be free of all projections.
(2) All school buses shall require inner
lining on ceiling and walls and shall include sound
abatement package
acoustical (perforated)
headlining in the driver area.
(3) The interior sound level at the driver's
seating position shall not exceed ninety decibels when measured in accordance
with test procedures found in
49 CFR
393.94(C).
(4)
Cameras and other
monitoring devices may be installed inside the bus as long as they do not
intrude into the head impact zone. For "Type C and D" buses, cameras may be
installed in the ceiling as long as they are above the window ling. Cameras
mounted on the sidewall cannot protrude more than three inches. All camera
mounting shall meet FMVSS 571.222.
(5)
Padded/foam
covered panels may be installed on the interior walls to prevent head injuries
by self-abusive pupils.
(a)
The padded panels shall be constructed of the same
materials used in the construction of the bus seats.
(b)
The padded panel
may cover the window.
(c)
The padded panel shall be attached to the sidewall of
the bus.
(d)
The padded panels shall not obstruct any portion of an
emergency window or exit.
(e)
Materials used in the padded panel shall comply with
FMVSS 571.302.
For "Type A" buses, the inside body height shall be
or more measured from floor to ceiling at
any point on longitudinal center line from the beginning of the aisle of the
passenger compartment to the end of the aisle.
(1) All lamps
herein listed and their installation shall conform to current standards and
recommendations of the society of automotive engineers and meet FMVSS
571.108.
(2) Construction of
components:
(a) Directional signal, stop
light, taillight, marker light, clearance light, identification light, back up
light and reflector lenses shall meet applicable society of automotive
engineers standards.
(b) All
exterior lamp sockets shall be zinc-plated or chromated steel, or other
suitable non-corrosive materials such as plastic or stainless steel.
(c) Alternately flashing warning signal
lamps, body-mounted directional signals and stop lamps shall be
grounded.
(3) When the
ignition switch is in the off position, the hazard warning, stop light, marker
lights, headlamps, passenger dome lights and emergency exit audible warnings
shall be operational.
(4) The
service door step-well light shall automatically operate when the headlights
are in operation and be activated by a switch controlled by the service door.
The light shall be a minimum of six
candlepower.
(5) High
beams are to be controlled by a column mounted dimmer switch.
(6)
A maximum of two
fog lamps may be installed. Fog lamps shall be amber in color.
(7)
Daytime running
lamps are required.
(8)
One white strobe light shall be installed on the roof
of the bus. The strobe light shall cycle sixty to two-hundred forty flashes per
minute. The roof strobe light shall be installed on the top of the bus toward
the rear as close to the center of the bus as is practical.
(a) Passenger dome
lights when activated shall adequately and uniformly illuminate aisleway to
three to four foot candles.
(b) Each dome light shall have a
minimum candle power of fifteen.
(a) Side and rear directional signals shall
be wired to operate properly with the front directional signals.
(b) Manufacturer shall install required
signal lamps to the directional signal control switch so all directional signal
lamps shall be operative. The directional signal system shall be installed on
an integral part of the hazard warning signal switch activated by an
independent switch furnished.
(c)
Direction signals, when illuminated, shall be amber in color and shall meet
society of automotive engineers specifications.
(d) Rear directional signals shall have a
minimum of thirty-eight square inches of illuminated surface each. The rear
directional signals shall be identical in type,
shape, size, and location.
(a) Two back up
lights are required and shall be mounted on or below the belt line on the
school bus body. Back up lights shall conform to FMVSS 571.108.
(b) All school buses shall be equipped with
an audible electrical warning device, automatically actuated when the bus is in
reverse gear. Device shall be one hundred seven decibels or more, meeting SAE
standard J994. Device shall be installed in an area on or behind the rear axle
(except "Type A"). A variable volume sounding device ranging from eighty-seven
to one hundred twelve decibels may be used, maintaining a minimum of five
decibels above the ambient noise level. Audible electric warning devices shall
meet FMVSS 571.112.
(a) Each bus shall have two combination
stop/tail lamps as required in FMVSS 571.108. These two lamps shall be
identical in type, shape, and size.
(b) In addition to the two stop/tail lamps
required by FMVSS 571.108, each bus shall be equipped with two combination
stop/tail lamps with a minimum illuminated surface area of thirty-eight square
inches, emitting red light plainly visible from a distance of five hundred feet
to the rear. These lamps shall be as high as practical but below the window
line and spaced as far apart laterally as practicable, but not less than three
feet. Measurements shall be taken from lamp centers. These additional two lamps
shall be identical in type, shape, and
size.
This light may be incorporated into the lower left brake/tail lamp.
Reflectors shall not be combined with any other lamp or items of associated equipment. Exception-front amber reflectors may be incorporated into a front lamp.
(a)
"
" (abbreviation is acceptable). This shall be the
only red colored or red outlined switch on the switch panel.
(b)
(i)The stop signal arm
lamps shall flash when extended.
(c)
The system shall be operational
with the ignition switch in any position.
(d)
(4)
Eight lamp
warning system.
(a)
LED "strobelike" effects may be used in the eight lamp
warning system. All lamps shall conform to FMVSS 571.108.
(b)
All eight amber
and red lamps must alternate between left and right at a rate of sixty to
one-hundred twenty cycles per minutes.
(c)
The "strobe"
effect must appear as a flash of varying intensity and not as separate
flashes.
(d)
All the warning lamps, amber and red, must "strobe" in
the same pattern.
(1)
"
" School
Bus"
" at
least eight inches high on both the front and rear of the body. Lettering shall
be placed as high as possible without impairment of visibility. The "School
Bus" marking shall be on a background of retro reflective national school bus
yellow material. The material shall be the same quality and type as Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards requires for the marking of emergency
exits.
(2)
"
" Stop"
" on the rear of
the bus in letters not less than ten inches centered on the metal panel of the
rear emergency door or for rear engine buses, centered on the rear of the
bus.
(3) Name of the private
school, school district, school bus owner or operator shall appear on both
sides of the vehicle at the belt line and be at least five inches
high.
(4) The county in which the
private school or the school district resides shall appear on both sides of the
vehicle in a minimum of three-inch letters, unless the name of the city or
exempted village appears as a part of the school district or private school
name.
(5) When required by FMCSR
390.21, the ownership of the school bus (company name, city, state and USDOT
number as required by FMCSR 390.21) shall appear on both sides of the bus. The
right side markings shall be to the rear of the service door below the floor
rub rail. The left side markings shall be in the area of the stop signal arm
below the floor rub rail. The markings shall be in two inch high letters. Only
the information required by FMCSR 390.21 shall be displayed.
(6) Local school bus numbers approximately
five inches high and shall be located as follows:
(a) On body near the service door.
(b) On the body, near the right lower tail
light.
(c) On the left side of the
body in the area of the driver's window.
(d) Visible to the front, in an area
designated by the operator.
(7) Buses shall be marked with reflectorized
material as follows: All reflectorized material shall be a
tetro
retro
reflective material which meets FMVSS 517.217 for marking of emergency exits.
In addition:
(a) All reflective material shall
be able to retain at least fifty per cent of the reflective values for a
minimum of seven years.
(b) All
reflective material shall be warranted against peeling, cracking, separation
and lifting due to weather conditions, pressure and mechanical washing for a
minimum of seven years.
(c)
Reflective yellow material two inches in width (plus/minus one forth inch)
shall be applied to both corners of the rear of the bus and extend from the
bumper vertically up to the top of the rear windows.
(d) All emergency doors and windows shall be
outlined in yellow only. Emergency roof exits shall be outlined in either red,
yellow or white around the outside perimeter with reflective material as
required by FMVSS 571.217.
(e) Both
sides of the bus body shall be marked with retro reflective national school bus
yellow material, extending the length of the body (passenger area) and located
at approximately the floor line. This marking shall be two inches in width and
run parallel with the rub rails.
(f) Three seven by fourteen-inch wide pieces
of white to white-silver in color reflective material shall be applied to the
front and rear of the bus to accommodate the state identification and local bus
numbers as follows:
(i) State identification
number on the front of the vehicle shall be placed on a seven by fourteen-inch
piece of reflective material which shall be applied and centered on the front
bumper. If the bumper is manufactured with the holes in the center for two
hooks, the seven by fourteen-inch piece of material may be located on the
driver's side of the bumper. If the bumper is less that
than six inches
in height, a seven by fourteen-inch plate will be permanently attached to the
bumper to accommodate the seven by fourteen-inch reflective material.
(ii) In the rear, the state identification
number and the local number shall be placed on individual seven by
fourteen-inch pieces of reflective material which shall be applied and centered
on the flat surface near the left and right lower taillights as the bus body
design will allow.
(8) Additional markings are permitted as
follows and are optional:
(d)
(b) Maximum of two
American flags, overall size of each decal shall not exceed six inches by
eleven inches, shall not interfere with required markings and shall not
be a
obstruct
the view of the driver
obstruction.
(f)
(d) Route number or
marker bracket beside entrance door.
(g)
(e)
Roof
Optional
roof ID numbers, if used, shall be black in
color and must measure eighteen inches tall by ten inches wide with a brush
stroke of three inches.
(a) Vinyl stick-on
lettering in lieu of painted-on letters, either on original equipment or as
replacement letters.
(b) "Stay Back 10 Feet" in four-inch
white-silver material may be applied and centered to the front and rear
bumpers. Letters shall be italicized and be Helvetica typle
font.
(c) Rear bumper may be marked
diagonally forty-five degrees with two-inch wide strips of yellow grade-five
material two inches apart.
(c)
Buses used for
transporting special needs may display two universal handicap emblems. The
emblems shall be reflectorized white on blue located on the front and rear
bumpers.
(e) Buses with wheelchair lifts,
used for transporting children with physical disabilities, may display two
universal handicap symbols located below the window line. Such emblems shall be
white on blue and shall not exceed twelve inches in size and may be
reflective.
(1) The buses shall be equipped with mirrors
meeting the requirements of FMVSS 571.111 for school buses.
(2) Interior rear view mirror shall be a
minimum of six by thirty inches. Exception:
"Type A" - Six by sixteen inches.
(3) All exterior mirrors shall be heated and
fully adjustable.
(4) Mirror
assemblies shall be warranted one hundred per cent replacement coverage for
thirty-six months against rust, and corrosion,
and against any reduction in clarity of view due to discoloration or other
deterioration of the lens.
(1) Isolators shall be placed
between the frame and body main cross-sill and intermediate members. The
isolators shall be at least one-fourth inch thick and shall be attached to
chassis frame or body members in a fashion to prevent the isolators from
shifting, separating or displacement of the isolators under severe operating
conditions.
(2) Bus body shall be
attached to chassis frame in such a manner as to prevent shifting or separation
of the body from the chassis under severe operating conditions.
(3) Body front shall be attached and sealed
to the chassis cowl in such a manner as to prevent entry of moisture.
(1) Shall be installed within easy reach of
the driver in a seated position.
(2) Switch shall be an on/off type.
(3) Shall deactivate factory installed
devices that produce noise. (Exception - devices installed in "Type A" buses
during the manufacture of the chassis/cowl).
(a) AM/FM radios
(b) Heaters
(c) Air conditioner fans
(d) Fans
(e) Defrosters
(4) This switch shall not deactivate safety
systems, such as windshield wipers, lighting systems or two-way communication
systems.
(MM) Oil filter of replaceable
element or cartridge type shall be provided and shall be connected by flexible
high-pressure type hose with wire braid reinforcement that will withstand
pressure and heat if it is not of built-in or engine-mounted design. Hose shall
meet SAE standard J1019.
(1) Paint finish coats to bus body, hood,
cowl and all attaching sheet metal and fiberglass parts shall be warranted for
sixty months or one-hundred thousand miles whichever
comes first
with no mileage limit,
one hundred per cent parts and labor, for adhesion and color
retention.
(2) Paint
finish to bus body, hood, cowl and all attaching sheet
metal and fiberglass parts shall be applied for a total dry thickness at
a minimum of one and eight tenths mils over all painted surfaces.
(3) Body exterior.
All exterior body and chassis sheet metal including fiberglass shall be painted with polyurethane paint or equivalent.
(4) All interior panels, walls, and roof
surfaces shall be painted. May be unpainted
finished
Finished metal/plastic
may be unpainted .
(1) All seating and
restraining barrier design and construction must meet the provisions of FMVSS
571.222. In addition, all seat back barriers must be
a minimum of twenty-eight inches in height, as measured from the intersection
of the forward surface of the seat back and the unpressed surface of the seat
cushion. The top surface of the restraining barriers shall be the same
height as the top surfaces of the seat backs
(2) All seats shall have a minimum depth of
fifteen inches.
(3) Equipment
installed above the seating area must comply with head impact zone requirements
found in FMVSS 571.222.
(4)
All school buses equipped with attachment points,
securement devices (seatbelts),
and/or wheelchair
securement systems shall also be equipped with a durable webbing cutter having
a full width hand-grip and protected blade. The cutter must be appropriately
stored in the driver's compartment to the left of the driver.
(a) Seat, seat back
cushion, seat bottom and restraining barrier shall be covered with
flame-barrier fire-retardant seating material. Such material must pass the
"National School Transportation Specifications and Procedures" school bus seat
upholstery "Fire Block" test.
(i) The flame
will not spread to seat back in front of the fire.
(ii) The flames on the rear seat will
self-extinguish.
(iii) The
flame-barrier, fire retardant seating material will successfully prevent the
underlying padding material from being exposed to the flames.
(b) All seat backs and restraining
barriers shall be covered with energy- absorbing padding material as required
by FMVSS 571.222.
(1)
Diesel engines shall have a minimum of two-hundred
horsepower and five-hundred twenty foot pounds of torque.
(2)
Gasoline engines
shall have a minimum of two-hundred sixty-five horsepower and four-hundred
sixty foot pounds of torque.
Diesel engines
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(1) The decal shall be approximately seven
inches by seven inches. At the top of the decal shall be the word "NOTICE",
underlined, and immediately below the word "NOTICE" the symbol for no handgun
allowed. Below the no handgun symbol, the decal shall state in black lettering
on a white background "Unless Otherwise Authorized By Law, Pursuant to Ohio
Revised Code Section 2923.122, No Person Shall
Knowingly Possess, Have Under The Person's Control, Convey Or Attempt To Convey
A Deadly Weapon Or Dangerous Ordnance Onto A School Bus (School Safety
Zone)."
(2) No other markings,
symbols or lettering are allowed on the decal.
(3) The location of the decal shall be on the
flat metal surface just above the seat rub rail to the immediate left of the
service door. The right edge of the decal shall be within two inches of the end
of the rub rail.
(1) Service door shall be outward-opening,
split-type on all buses. Service door shall be air, electric, or
manually-operated. Door shall be under the control of the driver and designed
to afford easy release and prevent accidental opening.
(2) Service door shall be located on right
side of bus opposite the driver and within the driver's direct view.
(3) Service door entrance shall have minimum
horizontal opening of twenty-four inches and minimum vertical opening of
sixty-eight inches.
(4) Glass in
service door shall provide maximum area of visibility for operation of the
bus.
(5) All edges of service door
shall be sealed by a flexible material to prevent air from entering the door
entrance when closed.
(6) There
shall be no safety rail or handholds mounted on the inside of the service
door.
(7) Only one handle or
handhold may be placed on the outside of the service door.
(8) There shall be a head bumper pad
installed on the inside at the top of the service door frame. This pad shall be
approximately four inches in width and extend across the entire top of the
service door opening and shall meet FMVSS 571.302 for flammability standards of
interior materials.
(9) Service
door shall have suitable access for easy lubrication.
(10) Manual service door.
(a) When a manual lever is used, no parts
shall come together so as to shear or crush fingers. Lever shall be equipped
with an approved safety latch to prevent accidental opening which will lock in
the over-center position when door is fully opened. Manually operated doors
shall require no more than twenty-five pounds of pull to close and may be
hydraulically assisted.
(b) Manual
door control mechanism shall be heavy-duty bearing type, adjustable for wear,
non-corrosive, anodized steel, or equivalent.
(11) On power-operated service doors, the
emergency release valve, switch or device to release the service door must be
placed above the required head bumper or at the same height to the immediate
left or right of the service door and must be clearly labeled.
(a) When the switch or lever is in the
released position, it will override door control in driver's area making it
non-operational in any of the door control positions.
(b) Whenever the switch or lever is placed in
the released position, it will allow the service door to be opened or closed
freely.
(c) This switch and
distribution block that control eight light warning system shall be securely
fastened near the door control valve and shall be easily accessible for service
and repair.
(1) The first step of the service door
shall be not less than six inches and not more than sixteen inches from the
ground.
(2) Service door entrance
shall be equipped with step risers that do not exceed ten inches. Risers in
each case shall be approximately equal.
(3) Steps shall be enclosed to prevent
accumulation of ice and snow.
(4)
Steps shall not protrude beyond side body line.
(5) Hand rails of maximum length, but not
less than ten inches long, shall be installed on both sides of the interior
step-well area. These handles shall be stainless steel clad. Both hand rails
shall be securely fastened and designed so as to prevent clothing or any other
item from being caught. Hand rails may also be yellow polymer coated.
(6) Surface of steps shall be of non-skid
material.
(a) Steps shall be covered with a
covering material which shall have non- skid characteristics. Step covering
shall have a turned-down nosing of a contrasting color of either white,
silver, yellow, or bright orange.
(b) Step covering shall be securely fastened
to the steps in a manner that will minimize tripping. This requires that the
heads of mounting screws or bolts be below the top surface of the step
tread.
(7) The service
door steps shall have a restraining barrier that is in compliance with FMVSS
571.222 positioned between the stairwell and the passenger compartment. This
barrier shall be equipped with a modesty panel.
(1) All school buses shall be
equipped with heavy-duty, truck-type integral power steering.
(2) Steering mechanism shall provide for easy
adjustment for lost motion.
(3) No
changes shall be made in the steering mechanism unless approved by
manufacturer.
(4) There shall be a
clearance of at least two inches between steering wheel and any other surface
or control.
The stop signal arm(s) shall comply with the requirements of FMVSS 571.131 (School bus pedestrian devices).
The school bus shall be equipped with at least one interior adjustable transparent sun visor, folding type, which is a minimum of six by thirty inches in size. If only one sun visor is installed, it shall be positioned for use by the driver. Exception - "Type A" shall be manufacturer's standard.
(1) Manufacturer or authorized dealer shall
balance all wheels and make necessary alignments prior to delivery.
(2) Dual rear tires and wheels shall be
provided (except "Type A".)
(3) All
tires on a given axle shall be of same size, tread design, construction and
capacity.
(4) All shall be equipped
with tubeless radial tires of proper size and load range
that meets or exceeds
for chassis gross vehicle weight ratings and body
combinations as required by FMVSS 571.120.
(5) Disc wheels shall be used.
(6)
Wheel
composition - wheels shall be made of steel or aluminum.
(1)
Two rear tow hooks shall be installed, with the hooks and their mounting of
sufficient strength to tow the vehicle at the vehicle's curb weight.
(2) Two front tow hooks may be installed,
with the hooks and their mounting of sufficient strength to tow the vehicle at
the vehicle's curb weight.
(1) Manufacturer shall furnish an automatic
transmission or automated manual transmission
unless the school bus owner specifies a manual
transmission.
(2) The
torque rating of the automatic transmission
shall meet or exceed the maximum torque output of the engine.
(3) Manual transmissions shall be
full synchromesh in all forward gears except first and reverse.
(1) Wheel-house shall be attached to floor
components in such a manner to prevent water, dust or fumes from entering the
bus body.
(2) Wheel-house openings
shall allow for easy tire removal and service.
(3) Inside height of wheel-housing above
floor line shall not exceed ten inches.
(4) Wheel-housing shall provide clearance to
permit the installation of tire chains per SAE standard J683.
(1) Driver's side window shall be capable of
opening and be equipped with a lock- type closure. Exception - "Type A" buses
shall be manufacturer's standard.
(2) Each side window in the passenger area
shall be split sash and provide unobstructed opening at least nine inches high
and twenty-two inches wide, obtained by lowering the upper sash. If the bus
body design does not allow for all windows to meet the width dimension
requirement, up to two side windows per side in the passenger area may be less
than the twenty-two inches. They may or may not open.
(3) Individual windows shall not have a
vertical opening greater than twelve inches. Stops shall be installed where
needed to obtain this dimension.
(4)
Windows may be
tinted pursuant to section
4513.241 of the Revised Code.
Any window tinting must also meet FMVSS 571.205.
(1) The windshield washer fluid reservoir
shall have a minimum capacity of two quarts in a rigid plastic container. It
shall be mounted outside the interior of the bus and in a position readily
accessible for refilling,
(2)
Windshield washer shall incorporate a check valve in supply line. Check valve
will not allow washer fluid to drain back into washer tank when not in
use.
(3)
Heated windshield wipers and heated washer fluid units are
permitted.
(1)
Will
be equipped with two
Two heavy-duty
windshield wipers are required .
(2) Windshield wipers to be operated by one
or more electric motors.
(3)
Windshield wipers shall be controlled with one switch. Switch shall provide
multi- speed operation and shall incorporate an intermittent
position.
(4) Wipers shall be wet
arm type.
(5) The windshield wiper
motor or motors shall have sufficient power and the wiper arms and blades shall
be of sufficient length to provide the largest cleaning area possible.
(6) Wiper blades shall be a minimum
of sixteen inches in length. The blade holders shall be the type that permits
replacement of only the rubber blade.
(7) The left side windshield wiper
shall be so positioned that the approximate center of the wiped area will be
directly in front of the driver in a normal seated position. The right side
windshield wiper shall be so positioned that the wiped area will provide the
driver with maximum vision to the right in a normal seated
position.
(1) All wiring shall conform to current
society of automotive engineers standards.
Wiring diagrams must be made available to school bus owners.
(2) Short circuit
protective devices shall be provided for each major circuit and all other
electrical functions, except starter motor and ignition circuits.
If equipped with a fuse box, replacement fuses shall
be carried.
(3) All wires
within body shall be insulated and protected by a covering which will protect
them from external damage and minimize dangers from short circuits. Whenever
wires pass through body members, additional protection in the form of an
appropriate type of insert shall be provided.
(4) Wires not enclosed within body shell
shall be fastened securely at intervals of not more than twenty-four
inches.
(5) All joints shall be
soldered or joined by equally effective connectors.
Notes
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 4511.76
Rule Amplifies: 4511.76
Prior Effective Dates: 07/15/1978, 02/11/1993, 02/18/1993, 09/01/1998, 09/01/2003, 12/01/2008, 05/15/2014
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