Illinois Administrative Code › Title 92 - TRANSPORTATION › Part 438 - INSPECTION PROCEDURES FOR SPECIAL VEHICLES › Appendix F - Special Requirements for Buses (Vehicles Manufactured to Transport 11 or More Passengers, Including the Driver)

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 28, July 12, 2024
a) The requirements of this Appendix apply to the following
				types of buses listed in subsections (a)(1) through (a)(5). Any bus that is not
				listed in subsections (a)(1) through (a)(5) will be inspected according to
				either 92 Ill. Adm. Code 441, 443 and 445 (Inspection Procedures for School
				Buses); 92 Ill. Adm. Code 436 (Inspection Procedures for MFSABs that are
				manufactured on or after July 1, 2012 and that are owned or operated by or for
				schools K-12) or the appendix G Inspection Manual (49 CFR 399.appendix
				G).
1) Buses designed to transport 11-15 persons,
				including the driver;
2) Buses registered as charitable vehicles (except
				motorcoach-style buses and MFSABs that are manufactured on or after July 1,
				2012 and that are owned or operated by or for schools K-12);
3) MFSABs manufactured prior to July 1, 2012 and
				owned or operated by a public or private school (K-12);
4) Religious organization buses (except
				motorcoach-style buses and MFSABs that are manufactured on or after July 1,
				2012 and that are owned or operated by or for schools K-12); and
5) Senior citizen transport vehicles designed to
				transport 11-15 persons, including the driver.
b) In addition to Appendix A through Appendix E of this Part,
				buses listed in subsection (a) shall comply with the following:
1) EMERGENCY EXITS
A) IDENTIFICATION, INTERIOR
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
If the bus has a GVWR of more than 10,000 lbs., all
				exits that are labeled either "Emergency Door" or "Emergency Exit" are required
				to be marked with concise operating instructions describing each motion
				necessary to unlatch and open the exit. These operating instructions must be
				located within 6 inches of the release mechanism. (See
				49
				CFR 571.217 (S5.5.1).)
When a release mechanism is not located within an
				occupant space of an adjacent seat, a label shall be placed within the occupant
				space that indicates the location of the nearest release mechanism. (See
				49
				CFR 571.217 (S5.5.1).)
Buses with a GVWR of 10,000 lbs. or less are exempt
				from emergency exit labels and operating instructions. (See
				49
				CFR 571.217 (S5.5.1).)
If the bus is equipped with an emergency release
				handle for the service entrance door, concise operating instructions must be
				present within 6 inches (16 cm) of the release mechanism.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Emergency exits are not properly identified.
B) ALARMS AND LOCKS
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
If the bus is equipped with an emergency door lock,
				e.g., vandal lock, the bus must be equipped with the following:
The engine starting system shall not operate while
				any emergency exit door is locked from either inside or outside the bus. An
				alarm cut-off or "squelch" control is prohibited.
An audible alarm shall alert the driver when the
				engine is running and any emergency exit door is locked.
Exception: Buses with a GVWR of 10,000 lbs. or less
				are manufactured so that vandal locks are not necessary (i.e., the locking and
				unlocking of the vehicle's doors are controlled from the interior of the
				vehicle). However, if any bus is equipped with a vandal lock, the provisions of
				subsection (b)(1)(B) will apply.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Bus is not equipped with an alarm when the emergency
				door is locked.
Bus' engine starts while emergency door is
				locked.
C) OBSTRUCTIONS
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
Emergency exits must maintain an opening of at least
				19 inches high by 13 inches wide.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Emergency exits are obstructed.
D) PROPER OPERATION
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
Operate emergency exit doors and windows.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Emergency exit door or window does not readily open
				and close.
2) FIRE EXTINGUISHER
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
Buses must be equipped with a fully charged fire
				extinguisher with a minimum rating of 10BC. The fire extinguisher must be
				mounted in bracket and readily accessible to the driver.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Fire extinguisher:
Is missing;
Does not meet the minimum rating of 10BC;
Is not fully charged;
Is not mounted in a bracket; or
Is not readily accessible to the driver.
3) LETTERING (EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR)
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
No bus inspected under this Section can display the
				words "SCHOOL BUS" at any location on the bus.
MFSABs that are owned or operated by or for public
				school districts, private schools or school transportation contractors (K-12)
				are subject to the following:
The name of the owner or the entity for which the
				MFSAB is operated, or both, shall be painted in a contrasting color on both
				sides, centered as high as practicable below the window line, in letters at
				least 4 inches high on the exterior of the body.
"NO STANDEES" is required on the interior bulkhead
				above the windshield in letters at least 2 inches high.
MFSABs will also be required to display the decal
				"TO COMMENT ON MY DRIVING CALL" or "TO REPORT ERRATIC DRIVING CALL", followed
				by the area code and phone number of the MFSAB owner. The decal must be white
				with black lettering and black numerals that measure one inch high. The decal
				shall be located on the rear window glazing below the rear seat back, on the
				MFSAB body below the rear window line, or on the rear bumper. The decal must be
				visible to the motoring public from the rear of the bus and cannot obstruct any
				required lettering or numerals. The decal cannot be located on any emergency
				door glazing or any emergency window glazing. Magnetic signs are
				prohibited.
Exception: If an MFSAB is being presented for
				inspection by a dealer or a manufacturer prior to delivery to the owner, the
				"TO COMMENT ON MY DRIVING CALL" or "TO REPORT ERRATIC DRIVING CALL" decal is
				optional. (If the decal is not present when the MFSAB is purchased, the decal
				must be applied by the MFSAB owner.)
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
"SCHOOL BUS" is displayed at any location on the
				bus.
Required lettering is not present.
Required lettering is not painted on or is not
				displayed in decals.
4) LIGHTS AND LENSES
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
Inspect the bus for the presence of the following
				prohibited lights or lenses:
Functioning strobe light (not required to be
				removed).
Yellow and/or red alternately flashing warning
				lights.
Red lenses on the front of the bus.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Bus is equipped with prohibited lighting.
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
Inspect religious organization buses for the
				presence of an optional 4-light unison flashing amber signal system.
Two lights at the front and two at the rear of the
				bus may be mounted as high and as widely spaced laterally on the same level as
				is practicable.
Each light must be a sealed beam at least 51/2
				inches in diameter and have sufficient intensity to be visible at 500 feet in
				normal sunlight.
The system shall be actuated only by means of a
				manual switch.
There shall be a device for indicating to the driver
				that the system is operating properly or is inoperative.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Religious organization buses' warning lights, if
				installed:
Are not amber in color;
Do not operate in unison; or
Do not meet size, type or location
				requirements.
Device for indicating to the driver that the system
				is operating properly is not present or is inoperative.
5) SEATS, PASSENGER AND DRIVER
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
Inspect the driver's seat for proper operation of
				adjusting mechanism and to see that it is securely anchored to floor.
Inspect each passenger seat to make sure it is
				securely anchored to the floor.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Driver's seat does not adjust.
Seats are not securely anchored to floor.
6) STEPS AND FLOOR COVERING
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
If a center aisle is present, the entrance steps and
				aisle must be free of rips and holes.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
A center aisle is present and the entrance steps or
				aisle floor covering is ripped, torn or has holes.
7) STOP SIGNAL ARM PANEL AND NATIONAL SCHOOL BUS GLOSSY YELLOW:
				PROHIBITED ITEMS
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
Inspect the bus for the presence of the following
				prohibited items:
Stop signal arm panel; and
Paint that resembles national school bus glossy
				yellow.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Stop signal arm panel or paint that resembles
				national school bus glossy yellow is present on the bus.
8) WHEELCHAIR LIFT, RAMP, SECUREMENT ANCHORAGES AND
				DEVICES
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
If the bus is equipped with an operating lift or
				ramp, wheelchair securement anchorages and wheelchair securement devices must
				be present.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Vehicle is equipped with an operating lift or ramp
				but wheelchair securement anchorages or securement devices are missing.
9) HAND SANITIZER DISPENSER (OPTIONAL)
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
Dispenser must be securely installed in the
				driver/entry area, either behind the handrail or just to the right of the
				driver on the vertical portion of the dash in a location where hand sanitizer
				cannot drip or leak onto the entryway or passenger walkway. The dispenser must
				not be mounted as to cause a catch point to passengers as they enter or exit
				the bus.
Dispenser must be labeled with the words "sanitizer"
				or "hand sanitizer".
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Dispenser is not securely installed in the
				driver/entry area, either behind the handrail or just to the right of the
				driver on the vertical portion of the dash.
Dispenser is installed in a location where it drips
				or leaks onto the entryway or passenger walkway.
Dispenser is mounted in a way to cause a catch point
				to passengers as they enter or exit the bus.
Required label is missing.
10) DRIVER PROTECTIVE BARRIER (OPTIONAL)
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
A driver protective barrier panel may be installed
				directly behind the driver. The panel must be mounted to the wall of the bus as
				flush as practicable. If installed, the passenger seat directly behind the
				driver must be rendered inoperative (this can be accomplished by removing the
				lower seat cushion) to comply with FMVSS 571.222. If the lower seat cushion is
				removed, all exposed seat frame must be padded in compliance with FMVSS
				571.302. The panel shall be constructed of clear material compliant with FMVSS
				571.302, such as polycarbonate. The end of the barrier panel exposed to the
				passenger compartment shall be secured to a padded stanchion extending from
				floor to the ceiling. The stanchion shall be attached to the roof bow or a
				reinforced panel in the ceiling and a solid connection point on the floor. The
				barrier panel shall be in compliance with FMVSS 571.302 and FMVSS
				571.222.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
The barrier is installed in a location other than
				directly behind the driver or not flush to the wall of the bus. The passenger
				seat directly behind the driver is operative with a barrier installed or the
				lower seat cushion has been removed with padding installed that is not in
				compliance with FMVSS 571.302. Barrier is not constructed, secured, or padded
				in compliance with FMVSS 571.222 and 571.302.
11) COVID-19 RELATED LETTERING/SIGNAGE (OPTIONAL)
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
Lettering/signage that relates to COVID-19 (e.g.,
				assigned seating for students, social distancing, face coverings, guidelines
				adopted by the bus operator, etc.) may be installed on the interior of the bus.
				The lettering may be installed on the forward face of seat backs or seat
				cushions, ceiling, or bulkhead and shall not interfere with other required
				lettering.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Lettering or signage is installed on the exterior of
				the bus or in a place other than the forward face of seat backs or seat
				cushions, ceiling, or bulkhead.
Lettering or signage obstructs other required
				lettering.