Connecticut Administrative Code › Title 14 - Motor Vehicles. Use of the Highway by Vehicles. Gasoline › 275b - Minimum Requirements for Type I School Bus Construction and Equipment › Types of Equipment › Section 14-275b-138 - Wheelchair and appliance anchorages (tiedowns)

Current through July 10, 2024
(a) All
				wheelchair and appliance anchorage straps, or an equivalent floor to appliance
				flexible anchorage, when not in use, shall not be located on the floor of the
				vehicle but shall be securely retained or placed in a secure, clean, dry
				storage container so as not to present a hazard. Anchorage straps without a
				manufacturer's label shall not be used. Belts and anchorages shall be attached
				to the vehicle in accordance with the strength requirements of FMVSS #210. All
				vehicle mounted portions of anchorages shall be installed so that when in use
				they will not obstruct the movement of other passengers or present a hazard to
				persons or property.
(b) For
				wheelchairs occupied during vehicle motion, wheelchair anchorages shall comply
				with the requirements of Section
				14-275c-31(d)
				of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. Anchorage labels shall be
				marked to indicate the maximum wheelchair weight for which the anchorages have
				been tested. The anchorages shall have passed impact testing using a
				deceleration of twenty (20) g's from 30 MPH. In no case shall the elongation of
				the anchorage tested exceed that of the passenger restraint. Placement of such
				anchorages shall allow a minimum clear space of thirty (30) inches wide by
				fifty-three (53) inches long.
(c)
				For wheelchairs not occupied during vehicle motion, anchorages for empty chairs
				shall maintain the position of the empty wheelchairs so as to prevent contact
				with occupants during a sudden stop or collision and shall comply with the
				strength requirements of subsection (d).
(d) Appliance anchorages shall be provided
				for other apparatus for the occupants including but not limited to crutches and
				walkers. Appliance anchorages for apparatus in this subsection shall be
				composed of and installed using materials capable of withstanding a force equal
				to twenty (20) times the weight of the heaviest appliance to be restrained, and
				shall be marked to indicate the maximum weight capable of being
				restrained.
(e) Bulky, heavy or
				frangible portable items used by wheelchair bound individuals such as oxygen
				bottles, radios, lap-top computers or the like must be firmly attached to the
				persons's wheelchair and shall meet the requirements of subsection (d) of this
				section.
(f) Instructions for use
				and installation of wheelchair or appliance anchorages shall be located so as
				to be readily visible upon removal of the anchorages from their stored
				location. The instructions shall be in explanatory words and/or symbols, the
				text portion of the instructions having a minimum height of one eighth (1/8)
				inch on a contrasting background. The instructions shall be protected with
				clear durable laminate.
(g) All
				wheelchair or appliance anchorages not permanently attached shall be a
				"positive latch" type to prohibit accidental disconnecting. All anchorages
				designed to be connected or disconnected frequently shall be accessible and
				operable without the use of tools or other mechanical assistance.