Specially Equipped School Bus Standards

The specifications in 540 CMR 7.07 are supplemental to specifications in the chassis and body sections; specially equipped buses should meet all the requirements of 540 CMR 7.05 and 7.06 in addition to those listed in 540 CMR 7.07. Because the field of special transportation is characterized by varied needs for individual cases and by a rapidly emerging technology for meeting these needs, a flexible, common-sense approach to the adoption and enforcement of specifications for these vehicles is prudent. The following standards address modifications to school buses that, with standard seating arrangement prior to modification, would accommodate more than ten people. If, by addition of a power lift, mobile seating device positions or other modifications, the capacity is reduced so that a vehicle is classified as Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), rather than a school bus, under Federal regulations, such vehicle is required to meet the same standards it would have had to meet prior to modification, and such MPV's are included in all references to school buses and subject to all requirements for school buses. The Registrar will not approve of the structural modification of a school bus originally meeting Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) unless the modifications are performed by the original vehicle manufacturer or its authorized representative. (1) General Requirements. (a) School buses designed for transporting students with special transportation needs shall comply with National Standards and with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards applicable to their GVWR category. (b) Any school bus to be used for the transportation of children who are confined to a wheelchair or other mobile positioning device, or who require life support equipment which prohibits use of the regular service entrance, shall be equipped with a power lift, unless a ramp is needed for unusual circumstances related to passenger needs. (2) Aisles. All school buses equipped with a power lift shall provide a 30-inch aisle leading from wheelchair position to at least one emergency door and the lift area. (3) Communications. All school buses should be equipped with an electronic voice communication system. (4) Glazing. Tinted glazing may be installed in all doors, windows and windshield consistent with federal, state, and local regulations. (5) Identification. Buses with power lifts used for transporting physically handicapped students shall display universal handicapped symbols located below the windowline on the lift door. A second handicapped placard shall be displayed on the side of the school bus opposite the lift door not less than five inches in height below the windowline. Such emblems shall be white on blue background, shall not exceed 12 inches in size, and shall be of a high intensity reflectorized material meeting U.S. Department of Transportation FHWA FP-85 Standards. (6) Power Lift. (a) Power lift shall be located on the right side of the bus body and confined within the bus body when not extended. No lift shall be installed above the vehicle fuel fill. (b) Lifting mechanism and platform shall be able to lift a minimum weight of 800 lbs.. Lift platform shall have minimum 30" clear usable width, unobstructed by required handrail. The minimum clear length of the platform between the outer edge barrier and inner edge shall be 40 inches. (c) When the platform is stowed, it shall be secured by a method built into the lift system. (d) Controls shall be provided that enable the operator to activate the lift mechanism from either inside or outside of the bus. There shall be a means of preventing the lift platform from falling while in operation due to a power failure or a single component mechanical failure. (e) Power lifts shall be equipped with a manual backup system for use in the event of a power failure. (f) Lift travel shall allow the lift platform to rest securely on the ground. (g) Outboard platform edge and sides shall be designed to restrain wheelchairs or other mobile seating devices from slipping or rolling off the platform. Platform outer edge barriers shall be able to be automatically or manually lowered when the platform is at ground level, but shall not be equipped with any type of latch that could result in a lowered barrier when the platform is above ground level. (h) Platform shall be equipped with at least one handrail, approximately 25 - 34 inches in height and a minimum of 18 inches in length. The handrail shall be designed to fold when in stowed position so as not to add to overall lift projection into the vehicle. (i) A self-adjusting, skid resistant plate shall be installed on the outer edge of the platform to minimize the incline from the lift platform to the ground level. This plate, if so designed, may also suffice as the restraining device described in 540 CMR 7.07(6)(g). The lift platform must be skid resistant. (j) A circuit breaker shall be installed between power source and lift motor if electrical power is used. (k) Lift design shall prevent excessive pressure that could damage the lift system when the platform is fully lowered or raised, or that could jack the vehicle. (l) The lift mechanism shall be designed to prevent folding or stowing of the lift when the lift platform is occupied. (7) Ramps. When a power lift system is not adequate to load and unload students having special and unique needs, a ramp device may be installed. (a) If a ramp is used, it shall be of sufficient strength and rigidity to support the special device, occupant, and attendant(s). It shall be equipped with a protective flange on each longitudinal side to keep the special device on the ramp. (b) The floor of ramp shall be of non-skid construction. (c) The ramp shall be of weight and design, and equipped with handle(s), to permit one person to put the ramp in place and return it to its storage place. (8) Regular Service Entrance. (a) Steps. 1. On power-lift equipped vehicles, steps shall be the full width of the stepwell, excluding the thickness of doors in the open position. 2. Steps shall be enclosed to prevent accumulation of ice and snow. 3. Steps shall not protrude beyond the side body line. (b) A grab handle not less than 20 inches in length shall be provided in an unobstructed location inside the doorway. (9) Restraining Devices. Seat frames may be equipped with attachments or devices to which belts, restraining harnesses or other devices may be attached. Attachment framework or anchorage devices, if installed, shall conform with 49 CFR 571.210. (10) Seating Arrangements. Flexibility in seat spacing to accommodate special devices shall be permitted to meet passenger requirements. All seating shall be forward-facing and seat spacing shall be in conformance with FMVSS No. 217 and FMVSS No. 222. (11) Securement System For Mobile Seating Device/Occupant. (a) For vehicles manufactured on or after January 15, 1993, the body shall be designed for forward-facing positioning and securement of mobile seating devices and occupants. Securement system hardware and attachment points for the forward-facing system shall be in compliance with FMVSS No. 222. (b) The mobile seating device securement system shall utilize four-point tie-downs, with a minimum of two body floor attachment points located at both the front and the rear of the space designated for the mobile seating device. (c) A Type 2 occupant securement system shall provide for securement of the occupant's pelvic lap area and upper torso area. (d) The mobile seating device/occupant securement system shall be successfully dynamically sled-tested at a minimum impact speed/force of 30 MPH/20 G's. The dynamic test shall be performed using system components and hardware (including attachment hardware) which are identical to the final installation in type, configuration, and positioning. The body structure at the attachment points may be simulated for the purpose of the sled test, but the simulated structure used to pass the sled test may not exceed the strength of the attachment structure to be used in the final body installation. The mobile seating device used for test purposes shall be a 150-pound powered wheelchair and the occupant shall be a 50th percentile male test dummy as specified in 49 CFR 571.208. Measurements shall be made on the test dummy during the test for head acceleration, upper thorax acceleration, and upper leg compressive force. These measurements shall not exceed the upper limits set forth in 49 CFR 571.208, S6.1.2, 6.1.3, and 6.1.4. The test dummy shall be retained within the securement system throughout the test and forward excursion shall be such that no portion of the test dummy's head or knee pivot points passes through a vertical transverse plane intersecting the forward-most point of the floor space designated for the mobile seating device. All hardware shall remain positively attached throughout the test and there shall be no failure of any component. Each mobile seating device belt assembly, including attachment hardware and anchorages, shall be capable of withstanding a force of not less than 2,500 lbs. to provide equal mobile seating device securement when subjected to forces generated by forward, rear or side impact. The belt materials at each space designated for the mobile seating device and the occupant restraint system shall be similar in size and fabric. (e) Occupant securement belt assemblies and anchorages shall also be certified to meet the requirements of 49 CFR 571.209 and 571.210. (f) The occupant securement system must be designed to be attached to the bus body either directly or in combination with the mobile seating device securement system, by a method which prohibits the transfer of weight or force from the mobile seating device to the occupant in the event of an impact. (g) All securement system attachments or coupling hardware not permanently attached shall be a "positive latch" type to prohibit accidental disconnecting. (h) All attachment or coupling systems designed to be connected or disconnected frequently shall be accessible and operable without the use of tools or other mechanical assistance. (i) All securement system hardware and components shall be free of sharp or jagged areas and shall be of a noncorrosive material or treated to resist corrosion. (j) The occupant securement system shall be made of materials which do not stain, soil, or tear an occupant's clothing. (k) No mobile seating device securement system hardware shall be placed so that a mobile seating device can be placed blocking access to lift door. (l) The following information shall be provided with each vehicle equipped with a securement system: 1. Detailed instructions, including a parts list, regarding installation and use of the system. 2. Detailed instructions, including a diagram, regarding the proper placement and positioning of the system, including correct belt angles. (12) Special Light. Lights shall be placed inside the bus to sufficiently illuminate the lift door area. (13) Special Service Entrance. (a) Power lift equipped bodies shall have a special service entrance to accommodate the power lift. (b) The special service entrance and door shall be located on the right side of the bus and shall be designed so as not to obstruct the regular service entrance. (c) The opening may extend below the floor through the bottom of the body skirt. If such an opening is used, reinforcements shall be installed at the front and rear of the floor opening to support the floor and give the same strength as other floor openings. (d) A drip molding shall be installed above the opening to effectively divert water from the entrance. (e) Door posts and headers from the entrance shall be reinforced sufficiently to provide support and strength equivalent to the areas of the side of the bus not used for special service entrance. (14) Special Service Entrance Doors. (a) A single door or double doors may be used for the special service entrance. (b) All doors shall have positive fastening devices to hold doors in the open position. (c) All doors shall be weather sealed. (d) When manually-operated dual doors are provided, the rear door shall have at least a one- point fastening device to the header. The forward-mounted door shall have at least three- point fastening devices, one to the header, one to the floor line of the body, and the one to the rear door. The door and hinge mechanism shall be of a strength that is equal to or greater than the emergency exit door. (e) Door materials, panels and structural strength shall be equivalent to the conventional service and emergency doors. Color, rub rail extensions, lettering and other exterior features shall match adjacent sections of the body. (f) Each door shall have windows set in rubber compatible within one inch of the lower line of adjacent sash. Glazing shall be of same type and tinting (if applicable) as standard fixed glass in other body locations. (g) Doors shall be equipped with a device that will activate an audible or flashing visible signal located in the driver's compartment when a door is not securely closed and ignition is in "on" position. (h) A switch shall be installed so that the lifting mechanism will not operate when the lift platform door is closed. (i) Special service entrance doors shall be equipped with padding at the top edge of the door opening. The pad shall be at least three inches wide and one inch thick and extend the full width of the door opening. (15) Support Equipment and Accessories. Portable student equipment or special accessory items shall be secured at the mounting location to withstand a pulling force of five times the weight of the item, or shall be retained in an enclosed, latched compartment. Such special items, if used, shall meet the following specifications: (a) Belt Cutter. Buses shall contain a belt cutter for use in emergencies, including evacuations. Belt cutters should be designed to eliminate the possibility of the operator or others being cut during use, and should be secured in a safe location such as a first-aid kit. (b) Crutches, Walkers, Canes, and Similar Devices. Any of these items shall be secured as specified above. (c) Medical Support Equipment. Medical support equipment, including oxygen bottles, ventilators, and other items, shall be secured as specified in 540 CMR 7.07(15).