Access

(a) All classes of vehicles equipped to carry wheelchair bound students with mobility impairments shall provide two (2) means of egress from the vehicle. (b) All classes of vehicles except HP shall provide at least one (1) means of egress from the vehicle having a useable width of at least thirty-six (36) inches and equipped with a lift or ramp meeting the requirements of Section 14-275b-136 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. A second means of egress shall be provided on class HS and HB vehicles with a width of at least thirty (30) inches and equipped with mounts for a portable ramp which shall be carried and available for emergency use only. Mounts for portable ramps when not in use shall meet the requirements of Section 14-275b-138 (d) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. (c) Class HS vehicles shall have a lift service door with a clear opening at least forty-eight (48) inches high and thirty-nine (39) inches wide equipped with illuminating devices sufficient for loading during hours of darkness. (d) Wheelchair service doors shall be weather sealed and shall have positive fastening devices to hold doors in the open position. (e) When manually operated dual doors are provided, the rear side door or left rear door shall have at least a one-point fastening device to the header. The forward mounted side door or right rear door shall have at least three-point fastening devices, one to the header, one to the floor line of the body, and the other into the rear side or left rear door. The door and hinge mechanism shall be of a strength that is equivalent to or greater than the emergency exit door. (f) Doors shall be equipped with a device that will actuate an audible or visible signal located in the driver's compartment when a door is not securely closed and the ignition is in the "on" position. (g) A switch shall be installed to prevent the lifting mechanism from operating when the lift platform door is closed. (h) Doors shall be equipped with padding at the top edge of the door opening. Pads shall be not less than three (3) inches wide and one (1) inch thick and shall extend the full width of the door opening. (i) Class HS vehicles shall maintain a thirty (30) inch aisleway to both required exits from all occupied wheelchair seating positions.