Illinois Administrative Code › Title 92 - TRANSPORTATION › Part 441 - INSPECTION PROCEDURES FOR TYPE I SCHOOL BUSES › Appendix I - Seat Belt, Driver's through Steps, Entrance

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 28, July 12, 2024
a)
SEAT BELT, DRIVER'S
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
Must be installed on driver's seat. (Section 12-807 of
						  the Illinois Vehicle Equipment Law) Belt material, buckle, tongue, etc. shall
						  remain above floor when not in use. If retractors are installed, they shall be
						  the automatic locking type.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Driver's seat belt is dirty, frayed, torn, cracked or
						  broken or if retractor or buckle does not operate properly.
b)
SEAT,
DRIVER'S
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
The driver's seat shall be rigidly positioned and shall
						  afford vertical, forward and backward adjustments of not less than 3.9 inches
						  (100 mm) without the use of a tool or non-attached device. The shortest
						  distance between the steering wheel and the back rest of the operator's seat
						  shall be no less than 11 inches (280 mm).
Seat padding and covering shall be in good condition,
						  free 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:
All seats shall have a minimum front to rear depth of
						  14 inches.
In determining seating capacity of a bus, individual
						  seating width shall be 13 inches where 3-3 (three pupils on both sides of
						  aisle) seating plan is used and 15 inches where 3-2 (three pupils on one side
						  of aisle and two pupils on other side of aisle plan is used. (
						  49
						  CFR 571.222 )
All seats shall be forward facing and shall be securely
						  fastened to that part or parts of the body which support them. No jump or
						  portable seats are allowed (does not include child restraint systems).
The forwardmost seat on the right side of the bus shall
						  be located so as not to interfere with the driver's vision and not be farther
						  forward than the rear of the driver's seat when adjusted to its rearmost
						  position.
The 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. (
						  49
						  CFR 571.222 )
A minimum of 36 inches of headroom for the sitting
						  position above the top of the undepressed cushion line of all seats shall be
						  provided. Measurement shall be made vertically not more than 7 inches from the
						  side wall at cushion height and at the front and rear center of cushion.
Seat backs of similar size shall be of the same width
						  at the top and of the same height from the floor and shall slant at the same
						  angle with the floor.
Buses manufactured after June 30, 1987, shall be
						  equipped with 28 inch seat backs. (Section 12-807.1 of the Illinois Vehicle
						  Equipment Law) Measure front of seat back from the top down to a point where
						  the seat back meets the seat cushion. This measurement must be at least 28
						  inches.
All buses manufactured during and after September 1974
						  shall be equipped with energy absorbing padding on all exposed top and side
						  rails. The side rails shall be padded in such a manner to retain the 12 inch
						  aisle (15 inches at two inches below top of seat back for buses manufactured
						  after June 30, 1987). On the rear of a seatback, the padding shall extend from
						  the top of the seat back to the top level of the seat cushion. Seat padding and
						  covering shall be of fire resistant material. 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.
Optional: The rearmost seats may be exempt from
						  seatback padding requirement.
Exception: All buses manufactured prior to September
						  1974 are exempt from padding on top and side rails and seat back to cushion
						  level.
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 snagging hazard.
5)
No portion of the door latch mechanism can 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.
For buses manufactured after June 30, 1987, seat back
						  height does not meet requirements.
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, chamber, 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 plate,
						  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 until 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
2 1/4
20
2 1/2
22
2 3/4
C)
Shaft
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
Grasp steering wheel with both hands and attempt to
						  move shaft up and down.
REJECT VEHICLE IF:
Steering shaft moves up and down.
AGENCY NOTE:
Steering shafts on International-Navistar vehicles will
						  move up and down but must be within manufacturer's tolerances.
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,
ENTRANCE
PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:
Steps shall be enclosed and shall not protrude beyond
						  side body line. Surface shall be of nonskid material with 11/2 to 3 inch white
						  nosing as part of the nonskid material. Riser of upper step not more than 15
						  inches in height. When more than two steps are used, risers must be
						  approximately of equal height, except when floor is plywood over steel.
						  (Increase by thickness of plywood.)
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.