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-136 - Lifts

Current through July 10, 2024
All lift platforms on vehicles used to transport students
				  with mobility impairments shall meet the following requirements and shall be
				  able to lift a maximum weight of eight hundred (800) pounds on HS and HB
				  vehicles and seven hundred fifty (750) pounds on all other classes of
				  vehicles:
(a) For class HS, HB and HV
				vehicles:
(1) The lift platforms shall have a
				minimum usable width of thirty (30) inches and a minimum usable length of
				forty-two (42) inches when measured two (2) inches above the platform surface,
				and shall have a minimum usable width of twenty-eight and one-half (281/2)
				inches and a minimum usable length of forty (40) inches when measured at the
				platform surface as shown in figure 1. The platform surface shall be skid
				resistant and shall be equipped with protective curbing on each side no less
				than one and one-half (11/2) inches above the platform surface. The platform
				slope shall not exceed ten percent (10%) in the passage direction when loaded
				with six hundred (600) pounds evenly applied in a thirty by thirty (30 x 30)
				inch square at the center of the platform. A self-adjusting steel or equivalent
				strength ramp transition plate shall be provided to allow smooth wheelchair
				passage from ground level onto the lowered lift platform. The transition plate
				shall raise to a position perpendicular to the platform plus or minus twenty
				degrees (±20°) and shall latch in order to provide a roll-off
				barrier or end flap for the wheelchair.
(2) In order to prevent a wheelchair located
				on the lift platform from tipping or inadvertently rolling or falling from the
				lift platform, the lift platform shall incorporate either:
(A) a raised end flap as provided in
				subdivision (1) of this subsection extending a minimum of three and one-half
				(31/2) inches in height, together with an adjustable restraint belt installed
				between the lift handrails or otherwise positioned across the open side(s) of
				the lift platform; or
(B) a raised
				end flap extending at least eight (8) inches in height from the lift platform
				floor along the open side(s) of the platform.
When required, the restraint belt shall be connected
				  electrically or mechanically to the lift mechanism to prevent raising or
				  lowering of the lift unless the restraint belt is properly latched. Both the
				  raised end flap and/or restraint belt shall be installed in a manner to
				  minimize risk to wheelchair occupants while on the lift platform. All
				  electrical controls and wiring shall be weatherproof. The electrical system of
				  the vehicle shall be capable of supporting the electrical requirements of the
				  lift without significantly reducing the electrical supply to the remainder of
				  the vehicle.
(3)
				A manual backup system shall also be provided for use in the event of power
				loss. The backup system shall be capable of repeatedly lowering and raising the
				platform in no more than two (2) minutes per complete cycle and shall be
				operable from inside the vehicle.