F School Bus Emergency Exits

Section 443 Section 443.ILLUSTRATION F  School Bus Emergency Exits School buses manufactured on or after September 1, 1994 may be equipped with additional exits.  These additional exit requirements apply to school buses with an incomplete vehicle date of on or after September 1, 1994.  The incomplete vehicle date can be found on the bus' federal certification label. Each school bus will first be equipped with either a rear emergency door or a side emergency door and rear emergency window as stated in paragraphs (a) and (b). The following Tables specify the required number of exits depending on the vehicle's passenger capacity and emergency exit configuration. a)         One rear emergency door that opens outward and is hinged on the right side (either side in the case of a bus with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less), and the additional exits, if any, specified by Table 1. TABLE 1 Seating Capacity Additions exists required 1-45 None. 45-62 1 left side exit door or 2 exist windows 63-70 1 left side exit door or 2 exist windows, and 1 roof exit. 71 and above 1 left side exit door or 2 exit windows, and 1 roof exit, and any combination of door, roof, or windows such that the total capacity credit specified in Table 3 for these exits, plus 70, is greater than the seating capacity of the bus. b)         One emergency door on the vehicle's left side that is hinged on its forward side and a pushout rear window that provides a minimum opening clearance 16 inches high and 48 inches wide, and the additional exits, if any, specified by Table 2. TABLE 2 Seating Capacity Additional exits required 1-57 None. 58-74 1 right side exit door or 2 exit windows, and 1 roof exit. 75-82 1 right side exit door or 2 exit windows, and 1 roof exit. 83 and above 1 right side exit door or 2 exit windows, and 1 roof exit, and any combination of door, roof, or windows such that the total capacity credit specified in Table 3 for these exits, plus 82, is greater than the seating capacity of the bus. TABLE 3 Exit Type Capacity Credit Side Door 16 Window 8 Roof Exit 8 AGENCY NOTE:  In order to explain the use of Table 3, the following example is provided: The owner/operator of a 75 passenger bus can choose either a side door, window or roof exit to meet the additional exit requirements with buses with a seating capacity of 71 and above.  If the owner/operator chooses a side door, he/she would add 16 and 70 for a sum of 86.  As long as the sum is greater than the original passenger capacity of the bus, the exit choice is acceptable.