Illinois Administrative Code › Title 92 - TRANSPORTATION › Part 443 - INSPECTION PROCEDURES FOR TYPE II SCHOOL BUSES › Appendix I - Seat Belts through Steps

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 28, July 12, 2024
a) SEAT BELTS
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
A seat belt shall be installed for the driver. (Section
						  12-807 of the Illinois Vehicle Equipment Law)
Seat belts shall be installed for each pupil as
						  required by
						  49
						  CFR 571.222. At all times, each seat belt
						  shall be readily available for quick and easy use. If retractors are installed,
						  they shall be the automatic locking type. Each belt assembly shall be clean.
						  Belt material, buckle, tongue, etc., of each driver's belt shall remain above
						  floor when not in use.
Exception: On a bus with incomplete vehicle (chassis)
						  manufactured in March 1977 or earlier, pupil belts are not required.
Exception: On a bus manufactured in August 1974 or
						  earlier, driver's belts; etc., need not remain above floor.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Seat belts are not secured, not adjustable, cracked,
						  broken, frayed, torn or dirty. Retractor or buckle does not operate
						  properly.
b) SEAT, DRIVER'S
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
The driver's seat shall be rigidly positioned and have
						  a forward and backward adjustment without the use of tools or other nonattached
						  devices.
Seat padding and covering shall be in good condition
						  (i.e., fre from holes and tears). Seat cushions shall be securely fastened to
						  the seat frame.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Driver's seat is not securely anchored to floor; in
						  poor condition; adjustment mechanism does not function properly.
c) SEATS, PASSENGER
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
For buses purchased after September 1974 all seats
						  shall have a minimum depth of 14 inches and a minimum back rest height of 20
						  inches with a 13 inch allowable average hip room in determining seating
						  capacity. All seats shall be forward facing and securely fastened to part or
						  parts of bus which support them. No bus shall be equipped with jump seats or
						  portable seats (does not include child restraint systems). The center-to-center
						  seat spacing shall be no more than 24 inches, measured from the seating
						  reference point to the seat back or guard barrier in front of the seat. Padding
						  and covering shall be of fire resistant material. Minimum 36 inch headroom for
						  sitting position above top of undepressed cushion line on all seats (measured
						  vertically not more than seven inches from sidewall at cushion height and at
						  front and rear center of cushion). Backs of all seats of similar size shall be
						  of the same width at top and the same height from floor and shall slant at the
						  same angle with the floor. The top and side rails and seat backs shall be
						  padded to cushion level. Seat padding and covering shall be in good condition
						  (i.e., free from holes and tears). Seat cushions shall be securely fastened to
						  the seat frame. (
						  49
						  CFR 571.222 )
Exception: All buses purchased prior to September 1974
						  and after January 1, 1972, shall have a seating plan for 16 pupils consisting
						  of four rows of 30 inch forward facing seats with a minimum 12 inch aisle down
						  the center. No jump or portable seats allowed. No seat or other object placed
						  in the bus which restricts passageway to emergency door to less than 12
						  inches.
Exception: Those vehicles used as a school bus by
						  school districts and private contractors prior to January 1, 1972, and are
						  still in their possession that had previously passed a school bus safety
						  inspection can still be utilized if they continue to meet the inspection
						  requirements that were in effect at that time. These vehicles will not have to
						  be brought up to the above standards.
A flip-up seat may be located only adjacent to any side
						  emergency door. For buses manufactured on or after September 1, 1994, the
						  flip-up seat must conform to the following:
1)
The seat must be designed so that, when in the folded
						  position, the seat cushion is flat against the seat back to prevent a child's
						  limb from becoming lodged between the seat cushion and seat back.
2)
The seat must be designed to discourage a child from
						  standing on the seat cushion when in the folded position.
3)
The working mechanism under the seat must be covered to
						  eliminate any tripping hazard.
4)
All sharp metal edges on the seat must be padded to
						  prevent any sagging hazard.
5)
No portion of the door latch mechanism be obstructed by
						  a seat.
6)
There must be at least 11.7 inches (30 cm) measured
						  from the door opening to the seat back in front. (
						  49
						  CFR 571.217 )
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Passenger seats are not firmly attached to body; broken
						  frame; cushions not firmly attached; padding and covering not fire resistant.
						  Padding or covering is loose, in poor condition, or missing; seats are torn or
						  have holes; minimum seat dimensions or seat spacing is not in
						  compliance.
d) STEERING SYSTEM
1) Exterior
A) King Pins
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
Raise vehicle so as to unload kingpins (brakes should
						  be applied to eliminate wheel bearing looseness). Either grasp wheel at top and
						  bottom or use a bar for leverage. Attempt to rock wheel in and out. Check
						  movement at extreme top or bottom of tire. If movement exists, place a dial
						  indicator, tape measure, or a fixed device at the wheel and measure amount of
						  movement.
Place leverage bar under tire. Raise bar to check for
						  vertical movement between spindle and support axle.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Wheel bearing movement exceeds 1/4 inch; or kingpin
						  movement exceeds:
Wheel size
Max allowed
16" or less
1/4"
16.1 " to 18"
3/8"
over 18"
1/2"
B) Linkage
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
For buses with single "I" beam or tube type front axle,
						  hoist bus under axle. For buses with twin "I" beam type front axles or with "A
						  frame" control arms, each axle or arm must be hoisted independently so as to
						  load the ball joints. Grasp front and rear of tire and attempt to shake
						  assembly right and left to determine linkage looseness. Measure movement of
						  wheel.
Inspect for damage to or looseness in the following
						  linkage components:
i)
Ball Joints
ii)
Cotter Pins
iii)
Drag Link
iv)
Idler Arm
v)
Pitman Arm
vi)
Steering Box
vii)
Tie Rod
viii)
Tie Rod Ends
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Measurement is found to be in excess of:
Rim Diameter
Maximum Allowable
						  Movement
16" or less
1/4"
17" and 18"
3/8"
over 18"
1/2"
Any linkage component is bent; welded; loose;
						  insecurely mounted or missing.
C) Power Steering
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
Manually and visually inspect.
i)
Belts
ii)
Cylinders
iii)
Fluid Level
iv)
Hoses
v)
Mounting Brackets
vi)
Power Assist
vii)
Pump
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Steering components are:
i)
Loose, frayed, cracked, missing, incorrect belts
ii)
Loose and/or leaking
iii)
Low fluid level
iv)
Cracked, leaking, rubbed by moving parts
v)
Cracked, loose, or broken
vi)
No assist is evident
vii)
Loose, leaking
D) Toe-In/
Toe-Out
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
With wheels held in a straight ahead position, drive
						  vehicle slowly over the approved drive-on side slip indicator.
Excessive toe-in or toe-out is a general indication
						  that complete check should be made of all front wheel alignment factors
						  (caster, camber, steering axis inclination).
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
More than 30 feet per mile on the approved side slip
						  indicator.
E) Wheel
Bearings
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
With the front end of the vehicle lifted so as to load
						  any ball joints, grasp the front tire top and bottom, rock it in and out.
						  Record movement. To verify that any looseness detected is in the wheel bearing,
						  notice the relative movement between the brake drum or disc and the backing
						  plate or splash shield.
AGENCY NOTE:
Wheel bearing play can be eliminated by applying
						  service brakes.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Relative movement between drum and backing place,
						  measured at tire, is 1/4 inch or more.
2) Interior
A) Column
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
Inspect to determine that column support bracket is
						  properly tightened and all bolts are present.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Column support bracket is not properly tightened or
						  bolts are missing.
B) Lash
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
With road wheels in straight ahead position, turn
						  steering wheel unit a turning movement can be observed at the left road wheel.
						  Slowly reverse steering wheel motion and measure lash.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Lash exceeds following acceptable limits:
Steering wheel maximum diameter inches
Acceptable lash (inches) measured at maximum
						  circumference
16 or less
2
18
21/4
20
21/2
22
23/4
C) Shaft
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATINS:
Grasp steering wheel with both hands and attempt to
						  move shaft up and down.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Steering shaft moves up and down.
D) Steering Wheel
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
Inspect steering wheel condition.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Steering wheel is damaged. Any spokes are missing or
						  reinforcement ring is exposed.
E) Travel
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
Turn steering wheel through a full right and left turn
						  checking for binding, jamming and complete travel left and right.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Binding or jamming is present. Does not complete full
						  turn from left to right. Tire rubs on fender or frame during turn.
e) STEPS
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
The first service entrance step shall be no more than
						  131/2 inches off the ground. If necessary, a step of adequate width and length
						  shall be installed to meet this requirement. Provision shall be made to prevent
						  road splash from the wheel from accumulating on the step if installed outside
						  the body.
Risers shall be approximately equal in height, upper
						  risers no more than 1/2 inches in height.
The surface entrance steps shall have a nonskid
						  material applied. A 11/2 inch to three inch white nosing is required on the
						  floor at the top riser.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Steps or risers are not solid. Steps, risers or nonskid
						  material covering is missing, loose, or not in good condition. White nosing is
						  missing or in poor condition.