Illinois Administrative Code › Title 92 - TRANSPORTATION › Part 443 - INSPECTION PROCEDURES FOR TYPE II 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 give 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 adjustable; 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 of 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:
All buses purchased during and after September 1974
						  must have a clear view safety glass mirror, metal backed and framed with
						  rounded corners and edges which shall be padded. Shall afford a good view of
						  the interior and roadway to the rear.
All buses purchased prior to September 1974 must have a
						  rear view mirror.
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 required rub rail
						  and lettering, shall be painted a uniform color. National School Bus Glossy
						  Yellow. Required rub rail and lettering must be black. Additional rub rails may
						  either be black or yellow. The front and rear bumpers and wheels may be black
						  or manufacturer's colors. Grilles and hub caps may be a bright finish (chrome,
						  anodized aluminum, etc.). 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 area around flashing lights is
						  permitted. Black area must not interfere with "SHOOL BUS" lettering.
Optional: Reflectorized tape is permitted provided it
						  reflects the same color that is applied to and cannot be located on any bumper
						  unless the bus was manufactured on or after May 1, 1994 (see above
						  paragraph).
Exception: Hoods may be lusterless black or lusterless
						  school bus yellow.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Paint does not meet color requirements; paint in poor
						  condition (i.e., faded, peeling or rusted).
Optional black area around flashers interferes with
						  required lettering.
Optional or required reflectorized tape does not meet
						  color requirements.
c) PROJECTIONS
1) Exterior
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
Entire rear of bus must be nonhitchable.
Exceptions: A bus manufactured in October 1978 or
						  earlier is exempt from nonhitchable bumpers. A bus manufactured in August 1974
						  or earlier is exempt from nonhitchable projections. Every school bus, however,
						  must have a nonhitchable door handle.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Exterior projections do not comply with nonhitchable
						  projection 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:
A)
Must not interfere with occupant's entering or exiting
						  the bus.
B)
Must not be located in driver's head impact
						  zone.
C)
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: All 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.
Exception: All buses purchased prior to September 1974
						  are exempt from padding on interior projections.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Optional equipment in bulkhead does not meet
						  requirements.
Remaining interior 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) 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.
Exception: Buses that measure 80 inches wide or less or
						  that measure 25 feet long or less are exempt. (Section 12-202(a) of the
						  Illinois Vehicle Equipment Law)
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
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
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.
Exception: Buses that measure 80 inches wide or less or
						  that measure 25 feet long or less are exempt. (Section 12-202(a) of the
						  Illinois Vehicle Equipment Law)
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Missing or damaged reflective material; not located or
						  positioned as required.
e) RUB RAILS
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
There shall be one rub rail located approximately at
						  seat level which shall extend from the rear of the entrance door on both sides,
						  except at functioning doors, to a point of curvature at the rear of the body.
						  Rub rails shall be constructed of 16-gauge longitudinally corrugated or ribbed
						  steel, ventilated four inches minimum width, and securely fastened to the body
						  by bolts, rivets, or welding.
Rub rails are not required on Type II service and
						  driver's entrance door; however, if installed, they must meet same requirements
						  as above.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Rub rails missing; not firmly attached; incorrect
						  color, or incorrect number of rails.