Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Transportation › Chapter Trans 300 - Transportation Of School Children › Subchapter II - Equipment Standards › Section Trans 300.39 - Emergency exits

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) Each school bus shall have emergency
				exits that comply with
				49
				CFR 571.217 and FMVSS 217, bus window
				retention and release, and the following requirements. If a left side emergency
				door is utilized, there shall also be an emergency exit window in accordance
				with sub. (8), located in the back of the bus. A window by itself does not meet
				this requirement for an emergency exit.
(2) Required emergency exits shall be
				designed to be opened from both the inside and the outside of the bus. Side
				emergency exit windows are exempt from this requirement.
(3) There may not be any obstructions in the
				aisles or inside of the door that would delay or hinder an orderly use of the
				emergency exit. Articles transported on non-occupied seats inside the bus shall
				be secured.
(4) Steps leading to an
				emergency door are prohibited.
(5)
				The upper and lower portion of the central rear emergency door shall be
				equipped with approved safety glass, the area of which shall be not less than
				400 square inches in the upper portion and not less than 280 square inches in
				the lower portion. Van type buses are exempt from the requirement to have
				glazing in the lower part of the door. The left side emergency door shall be
				equipped with safety glass in the upper portion and the lower portion shall be
				of at least the same gauge metal as the body. The emergency door shall be
				hinged on the right side if it is in the rear of the bus and on the front side
				if it is in the left side and shall open only outward. Control of the emergency
				door from the driver's seat shall not be permitted.
(6) The emergency doors shall be equipped
				with a slide bar, cam-operated latch which shall have a minimum stroke of one
				inch. The latch shall be equipped with an electric plunger-type switch
				connected with a distinctive signal audible to the driver, shall be
				automatically operated, shall clearly indicate the unlatching of the emergency
				door and may not have a cutoff switch installed in the circuit. The switch and
				its activating plunger shall be enclosed in a case, which will prevent
				tampering, and wires leading from the switch shall be concealed in the body.
				The switch shall be so installed that the plunger contacts the farthest edge of
				the slide bar in such a manner that any movement of the slide bar will
				immediately close the circuit and activate the signal. The door latch shall be
				equipped with an interior handle which shall be capable of quick release but
				shall be protected against accidental release. The handle shall lift up to
				release the latch. The outside handle shall be such as to minimize hitching and
				shall be securely attached.
(7) If
				locks are installed on the emergency door they shall include a device to
				prevent the activating of the starter mechanism of the bus engine while any
				door is locked. An audio alarm shall indicate to the driver when any door lock
				is in the locked position while the ignition switch is in the "on" position.
				Any locking device on a school bus manufactured after July 1, 1977 or installed
				on any school bus after July 1, 1977 shall comply with these
				requirements.
(8) A rear emergency
				window at least 16 inches in height and as wide as practicable shall be
				provided in any bus where the emergency door is not in the rear. It shall be
				hinged at the top and designed to prevent accidental closing in an emergency. A
				positive latch on the inside of the window shall provide for quick release, but
				offer protection against accidental release. The outside handle shall be
				nondetachable and designed to minimize hitching.
(9) The inside of each emergency window shall
				have the designation "Emergency Exit". An emergency door shall be identified
				with either the words "Emergency Exit" or "Emergency Door" on the inside at the
				top of, or above the door. Directly beneath or above each "Emergency Door" or
				"Emergency Exit" designation specified by this section a label shall state in
				letters at least one inch high, "DO NOT BLOCK" in a color that contrasts with
				the background of the label. Concise operating instructions shall be located
				within 6 inches of the release mechanism. When a release mechanism is not
				located within an occupant space of an adjacent seat, a label that indicates
				the location of the nearest mechanism shall be placed within that occupant
				space. The outside of the emergency door shall be clearly marked "Emergency
				Door" or "Emergency Exit" in letters 2 inches high at the top of, or above the
				door or immediately below the upper glass. An arrow at least 6 inches long and
				3/4 inch in width indicating the direction the release mechanism should be
				turned to open the door shall be painted in black on the yellow background. The
				outside of the emergency window shall be labeled "Emergency Exit" in letters at
				least 2 inches high, directly above the window or on the window glazing. There
				may not be any labeling on the glazing indicating emergency door. Labeling or
				operating instructions may be located on the glazing of emergency window exits
				as long as the labeling or instructions are clearly visible inside and outside
				the vehicle.
(10) A distinctive
				audible signal automatically operated shall clearly indicate to the driver the
				unlatching of any emergency window and no cutoff switch shall be installed in
				the circuit.
(11) The area on the
				inside above the emergency door shall be covered with padding at least 2 inches
				high the entire width of the door opening.
(12) If the bus has a side emergency door,
				there shall be a clear, unrestricted area to permit an exit aisle of 12 inches
				from the center aisle of the bus without having to go over any obstructing
				seat. The 12-inch measurement may be taken at any position from floor to roof.
				The intent of this subsection is to provide a 12-inch unrestricted aisle to and
				through the side emergency door.
(13) Type A-II buses manufactured in 2 stages
				shall provide emergency exits as required for larger vehicles.
(14) In addition to side and rear emergency
				exits, doors, or windows, one or more roof hatches may be installed provided
				they meet all requirements specified in FMVSS 217. In addition to the audible
				warning required on emergency doors by FMVSS 217, additional emergency exits
				shall be likewise protected as indicated in s. Trans
				300.39(10).