Section 300.39. Emergency exits.

 

(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) .

Cr. Register, February, 1983, No. 326 , eff. 3-1-83; am. (1), (2), (6), (9), r. and recr. (14), Register, February, 1995, No. 470 , eff. 3-1-95 ; am. (2), (3), (9) and (13), Register, December, 1997, No. 504 , eff. 1-1-98; CR 15-069 : am. (9) Register April 2016 No. 724 , eff. 5-1-16.