Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 11 - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION › Subtitle 14 - MOTOR VEHICLE ADMINISTRATION-VEHICLE INSPECTIONS › Chapter 11.14.04 - Safety Standards for Trucks, Truck Tractors, Commercial Buses, and Type I School Vehicles › Section 11.14.04.14 - Interior and Emergency Equipment - Applicable to School Vehicles Only

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Seats,
				Stanchions, Rails.
Procedures:
Reject Vehicle If:
(1) Seats and Seat Belts: (a) Inspect seats for secure
						  anchorage to floor; (b) Inspect seats for condition of frames, springs, and
						  cover material; (c) Inspect driver's and occupant's seat belt webbing for
						  fraying, splitting, tearing, malfunctioning buckles; loose, damaged, or missing
						  anchorages or damaged or weakened floor pan; (d) Inspect for torn or broken
						  interior metal trim, etc., which may present a hazard to occupants.
(1) (a) Any seat anchor bolts are not securely fastened
						  to floor or side mounting rail. (b) Cover material is torn, springs are
						  exposed, seat frame is loose, cracked or broken. (c) Driver's seat belt is
						  missing. (d) Seat belt webbing is frayed, split or torn. (e) Buckles do not
						  operate properly. (f) Belt anchorages are loose, badly corroded, or not
						  fastened to belt. (g) Belt mounting surfaces are badly deformed, damaged, or
						  corroded. (h) Floor pans are damaged or weakened at anchorage. (i) Occupant's
						  seat belts are missing when required.
(2) Stanchions and Guard Rails (when applicable): Inspect
						  all stanchions, guard rails, grab handles, etc., for tightness, mounting, and
						  general condition.
(2) (a) Looseness is detected, or fastening parts are
						  missing, broken, or cracked. (b) Cover material or padding is torn (when
						  applicable).
B.
				Visors and Defroster. Sun visors shall be located in front and above the driver
				and passenger positions.
Procedures:
Reject Vehicle If:
(1) Sun Visors: Inspect sun visor for loose, missing or
						  broken parts which would prevent it from being adjusted, or holding an
						  adjustment.
(1) (a) Visor is missing. (b) Visor on driver's side
						  cannot be positioned to protect driver's eyes from sun. (c) Visor is difficult
						  to adjust or will not maintain a set adjustment.
(2) Windshield Defroster: Inspect for presence and proper
						  functioning of windshield defroster.The device and/or auxiliary fans, etc.,
						  shall keep windshield, window at driver's left, and glass in service door
						  clear.
(2) Windshield and defroster defogger is missing or fails
						  to function properly.
C.
				Heaters, Step or Stepwell, and Vents.
Procedures:
Reject Vehicle If:
(1) Interior Heaters: (a) Inspect heater or heaters for
						  capability of maintaining inside temperature of 50°F at minimum average
						  January outside temperature.
(b) Inspect for leakage and general
						  condition of heating system including heater hoses, tubing, shielding, valves,
						  and controls.
(1) (a) Heater cannot maintain a temperature of 50°F
						  at minimum average January outside temperature. (b) Leakage or malfunction of
						  heating system is detected. (c) Interior heater or pipes are not properly
						  shielded. (d) Cut off valve in engine compartment is not present.
(2) Step or Stepwell: Inspect general condition of step
						  or stepwell at all door entrances.
(3) Ventilation: Check for
						  function and general condition of ventilating system.
(2) (a) Step or stepwell is blocked or cluttered, or
						  surface material is loose. (b) Light for the stepwell is missing or fails to
						  function. (c) Step or stepwell is not covered with nonskid material.
(3) System fails to furnish fresh air under operating
						  conditions.
D.
				Fire Extinguisher, First Aid Kit, and Tire Chains. Every school vehicle shall
				be equipped with a dry chemical fire extinguisher, and first aid kit container
				mounted in plain view in the driver's compartment, and where applicable, tire
				chains.
Procedures:
Reject Vehicle If:
(1) Fire Extinguisher: (a) Inspect for presence,
						  location, condition, and accessibility of the fire extinguisher. Every school
						  vehicle shall be equipped with a nontoxic dry chemical fire extinguisher having
						  a rating of at least 5lb./10B.C. and equipped with a gauge.
(1) Extinguisher: (a) Is missing; (b) Seal is broken; (c)
						  Is not readily accessible to driver; (d) Gauge shows low-reading.
(2) First Aid Kit: Inspect for presence, accessibility,
						  and general condition of first aid kit. It shall be readily identifiable and
						  contain at least the following: (a) Four adhesive bandages; (b) Four adhesive
						  tapes-1 inch by 5 yards; (c) One bandage compress-2 inches by 48 inches; (d)
						  Four bandage compresses-4 inches by 4 inches; (e) Two gauze compresses-3 inches
						  by 3 inches; (f) Three gauze compresses-24 inches by 72 inches; (g) Two
						  triangular bandages-40 inches; (h) One gauze bandage-2 inches by 6 yards; (i)
						  One wire splint; (j) Two tourniquets; (k) One pair of forceps; (l) One pair of
						  scissors; (m) Unit kit-empty.
(2) First aid kit contents: (a) Are missing; (b) Are not
						  readily accessible; (c) Package seals are broken; (d) Not readily
						  identifiable.
(3) Tire Chains: When tire chains are required, inspect
						  for presence and condition of tire chains.
(3) Tire chains: (a) Are missing, when required; (b) Are
						  not serviceable; (c) Are not proper size.
E.
				Warning Devices.
Procedures:
Reject Vehicle If:
Inspect for presence, condition, and accessibility of:
(1) At least three red electric lanterns or three red emergency
						  reflectors which meet Bureau of Motor Carrier Safety Standards;
Warning devices: (1) Are missing, do not function as
						  designed, or are not of an approved type; (2) Are improperly stored;
(2) At least three red-burning fuses, 30-minute stand-up
						  type, stored in a canister near the driver.
(3) Are not readily accessible.
F.
				Color.
Procedures:
Reject Vehicle If:
Color-Inspect for proper color:
Colors do not match standard.
(1) Body-National School Bus Yellow;
(2) Lettering, body trim, and bumpers shall be black.
						  Bumpers may be covered with a retroreflective material.
G.
				Signs and Lettering.
Procedures:
Reject Vehicle If:
Signs and Lettering-Inspect for Lettering:
(1) "SCHOOL BUS" front and rear (8 inch by 1 inch stroke
						  black lettering mounted as high as possible);
(1) When required, are missing, illegible, or obscured.
						  (2) Are not proper size or color.
(2) "EMERGENCY DOOR OR EXIT" inside and outside (2 inch
						  by 3/8 inch stroke black lettering, mounted directly above the door or on the
						  door above the glass);
(3) Are not located as required or permitted.
(3) Operation of Emergency Door or Exit Latch (6 inch
						  black arrow by 3/4 inch stroke indicating direction to release door or exit,
						  inside and outside;
(4) "STOP ON SIGNAL" when required (4 inch by 3/4 inch
						  stroke black lettering below rear window);
(5) Side Emergency Windows (if equipped): (a) "EMERGENCY
						  EXIT" (2 inch by 3/8 inch stroke black lettering, mounted directly above the
						  emergency exit on both the inside and outside surfaces of the bus); (b)
						  Operating instructions necessary to unlatch and open emergency exit shall be in
						  letters of a color that contrasts with its background and located within 6
						  inches of the release mechanism on the inside surface of the vehicle(A decal
						  containing the instructions may be placed on the window. For buses manufactured
						  after July 31, 2009, the decal shall be transparent except for the
						  lettering.);
(6) Rear Emergency Window (if equipped): (a) "EMERGENCY
						  EXIT" (at least 2 inch by 3/8 inch stroke black lettering, mounted above the
						  window on the inside of the vehicle and above or below the window on the
						  outside of the vehicle); (b) Operating instructions necessary to unlatch and
						  open emergency exit shall be in letters of a color that contrasts with its
						  background and located within 6 inches of the release mechanism on the inside
						  and outside surface of the vehicle(Decals containing the instructions may be
						  placed on the window. For buses manufactured after July 31, 2009, the decal
						  shall be transparent except for the lettering.);
(7) Roof Vent/Emergency Exit: (a) "EMERGENCY EXIT" (in
						  letters at least 2 inches high, of a color that contrasts with its background
						  and located on an inside and outside surface of the exit, or within 12 inches
						  of the roof exit opening); (b) Operating instructions necessary to unlatch and
						  open emergency exit shall be in letters of a color that contrasts with its
						  background and located within 6 inches of the release mechanism on the inside
						  and outside surface of the vehicle.
H.
				Retro-Reflective Tape.
Procedures:
Reject Vehicle If:
Retro-Reflective Tape: Each opening for a required
						  emergency exit on a school vehicle manufactured after May 2, 1994 shall be
						  outlined around its outside perimeter with yellow retro-reflective tape having
						  a minimum width of 1 inch.
Retro-reflective tape: (1) Is missing when required, or
						  is loose, defective or obscured; (2) Is not the proper size or color; (3) Is
						  not located as required.
I.
				Identification. Inspect for presence, size, and condition of required or
				permitted identification.
Procedures:
Reject Vehicle If:
(1) Required: (a) Vehicles owned by local Boards of
						  Education:
Identification:
(1) When required, is
						  missing, illegible, or obscured;
(i) Name of school system (both sides of vehicle 6-1/2
						  inches high by 1 inch stroke),
(ii) Identification number (all
						  four sides 6 inches high by 3/4 inch stroke visible directly from the front,
						  rear, and each side);
(2) Is not proper size;
(3) Is not located
						  where required or permitted;
(4) Is not required or
						  permitted.
(b) Vehicles contracted to local Boards of Education:
(i) Contractor's name (to rear of entrance door 3 inches high by
						  1/2 inch stroke in a 16 inch x 30 inch area),
(ii) Identification
						  number (all four sides 6 inches high by 3/4 inch stroke visible directly from
						  the front, rear, and each side;
(c) All other vehicles:
(i) Owner's name
						  (to rear of entrance door 3 inches high by 1/2 inch stroke),
(ii)
						  Identification number (all four sides 6 inches high by 3/4 inch stroke visible
						  directly from the front, rear, and each side).
(2) Permitted: (a) ICC number (to rear of entrance door 3
						  inches high by 1/2 inch stroke); (b) Address of owner (to rear of entrance door
						  3 inches high by 1/2 inch stroke); (c) Telephone number of owner (to rear of
						  entrance door 3 inches high by 1/2 inch stroke).