Illinois Administrative Code › Title 92 - TRANSPORTATION › Part 441 - INSPECTION PROCEDURES FOR TYPE I SCHOOL BUSES › Appendix H - Mirrors through Rub Rails

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 28, July 12, 2024
a)
MIRRORS
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
Every required mirror shall be of reflecting material
						  protected from abrasion, scratching, and corrosion. Mirror shall be firmly
						  installed on stable supports so as to five a clear, stable, reflected view.
						  Mirrors must meet all requirements of
						  49 CFR
						  571.111 to provide the required field of
						  view.
Convex crossover mirrors can be combined with either
						  the right or left side safety mirrors provided the convex mirror meets the
						  field of view and size requirements established in this subsection or in
						  49 CFR
						  571.111.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Mirrors do not meet requirements; defective;
						  excessively clouded; not securely attached; cracked or broken glass.
1)
Exterior
A)
Rear View
Driving
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
Shall be mounted outside on the left and right sides of
						  the bus. Must give seated driver a view to the rear along each side of the bus.
						  Must be at least 50 square inches of usable flat rectangular reflecting surface
						  on each side. (
						  49 CFR
						  571.111 )
If the rear view driving mirror does not provide the
						  required field of view, a convex driving mirror must be installed to expand the
						  driving view to the rear. However, the usable flat reflecting surface must be
						  rectangular and must maintain at least 50 square inches.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Rear view driving mirror does not meet requirements;
						  defective; excessively clouded; not securely attached; cracked or broken
						  glass.
B)
Right
Side
Safety
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
An outside convex mirror, either alone or in
						  combination with the crossover mirror system, shall give the seated driver a
						  view of the roadway along the right side of the bus between the most forward
						  surface of the right front tire and the rear of the rear bumper. The projected
						  reflecting surface of this convex mirror shall be at least 40 square inches
						  (71/8 inches diameter if a circle).
Extra-wide-angle convex mirror heads are permissible on
						  right front corner only.
Exception: A right safety mirror is optional on a bus
						  manufactured in August 1974 or earlier.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Right side safety mirror does not meet requirements;
						  defective; excessively clouded; not securely attached; cracked or broken
						  glass.
C)
Left Side
Safety
(Optional)
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
A convex mirror is required if the left rear view
						  driving mirror system does not give the seated driver a reflected view of the
						  roadway along the left side of the bus between the front edge or the driver's
						  seat (in most forward position) and the rear of the rear bumper. The convex
						  mirror shall be installed so that either alone or in combination with the rear
						  view driving mirror gives the seated driver the proper view.
Exception: A left safety mirror is optional on a bus
						  with chassis manufactured in March 1977 or earlier.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Left side safety mirror does not meet requirements;
						  defective; excessively clouded; not securely attached; cracked or broken
						  glass.
D)
Crossover
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
An outside convex mirror shall give the seated driver a
						  view of the front bumper and the area of roadway in front of the bus. The
						  projected reflecting surface of this mirror shall be at least 40 square inches
						  (71/8 inch diameter if a circle). (
						  49 CFR
						  571.111 )
Exception: If the seated driver of a forward control
						  bus has a direct view of the front bumper and the area of roadway in front of
						  the bus, a crossover mirror is optional.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Crossover mirror does not meet requirements; defective;
						  excessively clouded; not adjustable; not securely attached; cracked or broken
						  glass.
2)
Interior
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
Clear view safety glass mirror, minimum 6 inches x 30
						  inches overall; framed with rounded and padded corners and edges. It shall
						  afford good view of the bus interior and portions of the roadway to the
						  rear.
Exception: All buses manufactured prior to September
						  1974 are exempt from padding on the mirror.
Exception: For buses that meet the definition of a Type
						  I-A school bus, as defined in Section
						  441.40, the interior
						  mirror may meet manufacturer's specifications.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Interior mirror does not meet requirements; defective;
						  excessively clouded; not adjustable; not securely attached; cracked or broken
						  glass.
b)
PAINT
REQUIREMENTS
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
The exterior of the body, excluding the required rails,
						  shall be painted a uniform color, National School Bus Glossy Yellow. The front
						  and rear bumpers, required rub rails and wheels shall be black. Additional rub
						  rails may either be painted black or yellow. Grilles and hub caps may be a
						  bright finish (e.g., chrome, anodized aluminum, etc.). Retaining rings may be
						  gray or aluminum. Manufacturer's name or emblem may be any color but must not
						  interfere with required lettering, numbering, or arrows. Roofs may be white.
						  (Section 12-801 of the Illinois Vehicle Equipment Law)
For buses manufactured on or after May 2, 1994, each
						  opening for a required emergency exit must be outlined around its outside
						  perimeter with a minimum 1 inch (2.54 cm) wide yellow retroreflective tape.
						  This yellow retroreflective tape must be on the exterior surface of the bus.
						  Required yellow retroreflective tape can be located on the rear bumper provided
						  the space between the top of the bumper and bottom of the door is not adequate
						  to accommodate the tape. (
						  49
						  CFR 571.217 )
Optional: A white roof may extend only to within 6
						  inches above the drip rails on the sides of the body. The front and rear roof
						  caps shall remain National School Bus Glossy Yellow.
Optional: Black areas around flashers are permitted,
						  but must not interfere with "SCHOOL BUS" lettering.
Optional: Reflectorized tape is permitted provided it
						  reflects the same color that is applied to and is not located on any bumper
						  unless the bus was manufactured on or after May 2, 1994 (see paragraph
						  above).
Exception: Fenders on buses manufactured prior to
						  January 1976 may be painted black. (Section 12-801 of the Illinois Vehicle
						  Equipment Law)
Exception: Hoods may be lusterless black or lusterless
						  school bus yellow.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Paint does not meet color requirements or is in poor
						  condition (i.e., faded, peeling or rusted).
Optional black area around flashers interferes with
						  required lettering.
Required or optional reflectorized tape does not meet
						  color requirements.
c)
PROJECTIONS
1)
Exterior
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS
:
Entire rear and bumper area of bus must be
						  nonhitchable.
"Nonhitchable" is defined as the rear of the bus being
						  designed and maintained to prevent or discourage riding or grasping rear of bus
						  so as to "hitch" rides.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Projections do not comply with nonhitchable
						  requirements.
2)
Interior
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
Interior shall be free of all dangerous
						  projections.
Optional equipment (e.g., video camera) that is located
						  in the bulkhead area of the bus and not flush with the interior walls must meet
						  the following requirements:
1)
Must not interfere with occupants entering or exiting
						  the bus.
2)
Must not be located in driver's head impact
						  zone.
3)
Must not obstruct required lettering.
Additional projections (e.g., external speakers, air
						  conditioners) located within 59 inches from the floor shall be padded to
						  prevent injury. This includes inner lining of ceiling and walls. Installation
						  of book racks is not permissible.
Exception: Buses purchased prior to September 1974 may
						  be equipped with book racks. However, if book racks are present, they shall be
						  above side windows and shall not extend forward of the front seat or across or
						  above the emergency door. Racks must be free of projections likely to cause
						  injury.
AGENCY NOTE:
See RADIO NOISE for additional requirements.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Optional equipment in bulkhead does not meet
						  requirements.
Remaining projections are not padded (e.g., external
						  speakers). Book racks are present.
Flush mounted speakers are exempt from padding
						  requirements.
For buses purchased prior to September 1974, book racks
						  do not meet requirements.
d)
RADIO NOISE
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS
:
Radio/stereo speakers must be located at least four
						  feet behind the rearmost position of the driver's seat. Any speaker already
						  located in the prohibited area must be permanently deactivated.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
After January 1, 1999, speakers are located in a
						  prohibited area or are not deactivated.
AGENCY NOTE:
Two-way communication radios are allowed.
e)
REFLECTORS
1)
Front
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
Two yellow rigid or sheet type(tape) front reflex
						  reflectors shall be attached securely and as far forward as practicable.
						  (Section 12-202 of the Illinois Vehicle Equipment Law) They shall be located
						  between 15 and 60 inches above the roadway at either fender, cowl, or body and
						  installed so as to mark the outer edge of the maximum width of the bus. No part
						  of the required reflecting material may be obscured by a lamp, mirror, bracket,
						  or any other portion of the bus. No part of the required reflecting material
						  may be more than 11.8 inches (300 mm) inboard of the outer edge of the nearest
						  rub rail (12 inches on a bus with chassis manufactured in March 1977 or
						  earlier). The reflector may be any shape (e.g., square, rectangle, circle,
						  oval, etc.). A rigid type reflex reflector may be any size if permanently
						  marked either DOT, SAE A, or SAE J 594; otherwise, it shall display at least
						  seven square inches of reflecting material (about 3 inch diameter if a solid
						  circle).
A sheet type (tape) reflex reflector may conform to the
						  surface on which it is installed but its forward projected reflecting area
						  shall be at least eight square inches.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Missing or damaged reflective material; not located or
						  positioned as required.
2)
Left Side
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
One amber at or near the front and one red at or near
						  the rear. Mounted at a height not less than 15 inches and not more than 60
						  inches above the surface of the road. On sides of buses 20 feet or more in
						  length, one amber as near center as practicable must also be provided. (Section
						  12-202 of the Illinois Vehicle Equipment Law) Minimum three inches in
						  diameter.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Missing or damaged reflective material; not located or
						  positioned as required.
3)
Right Side
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
One amber at or near the front and one red at or near
						  the rear. Mounted at a height not less than 15 inches and not more than 60
						  inches above the surface of the road. On sides of buses 20 feet or more in
						  length, one amber as near center as practicable must also be provided (Section
						  12-202 of the Illinois Vehicle Equipment Law) Minimum three inches in
						  diameter.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Missing or damaged reflective material; not located or
						  positioned as required.
4)
Rear
Two red reflectors on rear body within 12 inches of
						  lower right and lower left corners. (Section 12-202 of the Illinois Vehicle
						  Equipment Law) Minimum three inches in diameter.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Missing or damaged reflective material; not located or
						  positioned as required.
f)
RUB RAILS
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
There shall be one rub rail located approximately at
						  seat level which shall extend from the rear of the service entrance completely
						  around the bus body without interruption, except at functioning doors or a rear
						  engine compartment, to a point of curvature near the front of the body on the
						  left side.
There shall be one rub rail on each side located
						  approximately at the floor line which shall extend over the same longitudinal
						  distance as the rub rail located at the seat level.
More than two rub rails may be installed on sides and
						  rear of bus.
Rub rails of longitudinally corrugated or ribbed steel
						  at least 3.9 inches (100 mm) wide shall be fixed on the outside of the
						  bus.
Exceptions:
1)
Rub rail need not extend across wheel housing.
2)
Rub rail may terminate at the point of curvature at the
						  right and left rear corners of the body.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Rub rails are missing; not firmly attached; incorrect
						  color; or incorrect number of rails.