INTRODUCTION The purpose of this document is to specify school bus minimum standards which modify or supplement the National School Transportation Specifications & Procedures, May 2015 Revised Edition. When using this document, you must have in hand the national specifications referred to above. The Minimum Standards for Alaska School Buses, 2017 Revised Edition, contains the production and equipment standards required for school buses that transport students to and from school. In addition to national specifications, the Minimum Standards for Alaska School Buses must comply with applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and other state and federal standards applicable to school buses on the date of manufacture. The Minimum Standards for Alaska School Buses, 2017 Revised Edition, is applicable to school buses manufactured on or after October 1, 2017. Within one year after date of publication of each revised edition of the National School Transportation Specifications for School Buses, it is the intent of the Department of Education & Early Development to review the Alaska Standards and revise as appropriate to conform to public input, national standards, and statutory/regulatory requirements of . The Minimum Standards for Alaska School Buses, 2017 Revised Edition, is organized into three distinct sections. The definitions of types of school buses are found on pages 342-343 of the National School Transportation Specifications & Procedures, May 2015 Revised Edition. The Bus Body and Chassis Specifications section sets the standards applicable to school bus bodies and chassis manufactured for, or used in, Alaska. The Specially Equipped School Bus Specifications section establishes standards for buses used for transporting students with special needs. The Alaska Bus Equipment Specifications section establishes auxiliary equipment requirements for buses transporting students in Alaska. Copies of the National School Transportation Specifications & Procedures, May 2015 Revised Edition, are available from: NASDPTS 5307 Indigo Way Middleton, WI 53562 Fax: (608) 827-6355 Or download from internet site: BUS BODY AND CHASSIS SPECIFICATIONS
The following Alaska Standards modify or supplement the Bus Body and Chassis Specifications, found on pages 29 through 70 of the National School Transportation Specifications & Procedures, May 2015 Revised Edition. Certification Replace Certification, page 34 of the National Specifications, with the following: The supplying vendor or dealer shall supply original to the District and copy to the Alaska Department of Education & Early Development, Pupil Transportation, certification in writing that its product meets Alaska Minimum Standards on items not covered by the FMVSS certification requirements of CFR 49 Part 567. A. A permanent label or metal plate shall be secured and readily visible in the driver's compartment upon which states the bus meets minimum standards for Alaska, un-laden weight, GVWR, and the manufacturer's maximum possible rated seating capacity of the bus. Emergency Exits Add Emergency Exits C.5., page 43 of the National Specifications, to read as follows: C.5. Each bus shall have a red or black arrow in the inside and a black arrow on the outside of the emergency door showing direction of throw of handle. Exhaust Add Exhaust C.1., page 44 of the National Specifications, to read as follows: C.1. The exhaust tail pipe may be extended beyond the rear bumper and vertically, to exhaust above the roof line of the bus, and must be shielded or insulated. Floors Add to Floors D., page 46 of the National Specifications, the following: D. The fuel tank access plate shall be insulated. Add Floors E., page 46 of the National Specifications, to read as follows: E. The floor shall have an overlay of 5-ply plywood 5/8 inch minimum (1/2” minimum in Type A buses,) marine-grade, or pressure-treated plywood. Edges of wood shall be located no less than ¼” from sides of bus to allow for expansion and contraction. The wood and the steel shall be bonded to prevent accumulation of moisture on the top surface of the steel floor and under the surface of the wood floor. Fuel System
Replace Insulation (Optional), page 54 of the National Specifications, with the following: A. All space between the inner and outer panels in the roof, sidewalls, body posts and roof channel cavities, including front and rear body cavities, shall be filled with fiberglass or other insulating material which will meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 302 where applicable. The insulation shall be firmly installed so it will retain its original position. Lamps and Signals Add to Lamps and Signals A.1, page 55 of the National Specifications, the following: A.1. A loading light shall be installed, outside and to the rear, or above the service door to illuminate the area in front of the door. The step-well light and loading light shall be illuminated by a service switch, to illuminate only when the service door is open. Replace Lamps and Signals F., page 57 of the National Specifications, with the following: F. Roof Mounted Strobe Light 1. A strobe light shall be mounted on the roof of the school bus, and meet all NSTS&P standards J845, with a 4 inch minimum height. The light shall be located on the center line of the roof no less than four (4) feet from the rear of the bus and not to exceed one third (1/3) the body length forward from the rear of the roof edge. The light must be in operation when students are on the bus. Stirrup Steps Replace Stirrup Steps, page 65 of the National Specifications, with the following: If the windshield and lamps are not easily accessible from the ground, there shall be at least one folding stirrup step or recessed foothold and suitably located handles on each side of the front of the body for easy accessibility for cleaning. Steps are permitted in or on the front bumper in lieu of the stirrup steps, if the windshield and lamps are easily accessible for cleaning from that position. Stop Signal Arm Add to Stop Signal Arm, page 65 of the National Specifications, the following: Stop Signal Arm shall be required. Storage Compartment Replace Storage Compartment (Optional), page 65 of the National Specifications, with the following: operated
Equipped School Buses found on pages 29 through 81 of the National School Transportation Specifications & Procedures, May 2015 Revised Edition, and in the preceding sections of this Alaska Minimum Standards document. General Equipment listed in this section is required to be on each bus used for transporting school children before the bus is placed into service. However, the nature of this equipment is such that it can be easily moved from a retired bus to a new one, and may not need to be purchased for each replacement bus. School bus manufacturers are not required to provide this equipment unless the items are specified in the purchase order. Communications All school buses shall be equipped with a two-way electronic voice communication system before the bus is placed into service. Systems may be provided by end-user. Emergency Equipment Add Emergency Equipment A.3. page 41 of the National Specifications, to read as follows: A.3. Fire extinguishers shall be ABC 5 (five) pound and affixed with a current certification tag unless within first year of manufacture date code of fire extinguisher. Add Emergency Equipment B.3. page 42 of the National Specifications, to read as follows: B.3. First Aid Kit shall meet the national standard suggested contents. Add Emergency Equipment C.1-3. page 42 of the National Specifications, to read as follows: C. Body Fluid Clean-up Kit 1. Each bus shall have a removable moisture proof and dust proof body fluid clean-up kit mounted in an accessible place within the driver's compartment. This place shall be marked to identify its location. 2. Minimum contents shall include: 1-cardboard scraper and scoop 1-pair latex disposable gloves 2-packages germicidal hand wipes 1-disposable face mask 2-plastic bags 2-twist ties 3-disposable paper towels 1-4 oz. package stabilized chlorine absorbent deodorant or equivalent. Detailed instructions on use of contents shall accompany each kit. Add to Emergency Equipment D., page 42 of the National Specifications, the following: D. Warning Devices