Section 301.29. Seating.

 

(1)  All seats shall be forward facing and securely fastened to that part or parts of the body which support them. A passenger seat cushion retention system shall be employed to prevent passenger seat cushions from disengaging from seat frames in event of accident.

(2)  The top corners and at least 10 inches of the top of the back surface of the seat backs shall be padded sufficiently to reduce the likelihood of injury. Hand holds may be incorporated on a seat back. These holds are exempt from the padding requirement.

(3)  For purposes of this subsection, a "foldaway seat" is a single or double seat designed so the seat back folds down or the seat bottom folds up and includes seats where the entire folded assembly may lock securely along the interior wall of the vehicle. Foldaway seats shall comply with the requirements in 49 CFR 571.207 . A "flip-up seat" may be used at a side emergency door location. A flip-up seat shall conform to the following requirements:

(a) The automatic flip-up seat shall be designed and constructed to inhibit passenger limbs from becoming lodged between the seat cushion and seat back.

(b) The working mechanism under the seat shall be covered to eliminate any tripping hazard.

(c) The bottom of the flip-up seat shall be covered with sheet metal or other material of equal strength and durability and any sharp edges padded to prevent injury or snagging clothing.

(d) The seat shall be designed and constructed to rise to a vertical position automatically when not occupied.

(4)  All passengers aboard an HSV shall be seated in a permanently mounted seat. The department shall interpret the removable seat in a van as being a permanently mounted seat. This subsection does not apply to persons transported in a wheelchair or some other device which would make this provision impractical.

(5)  Rear or center facing seats in a station wagon are not permitted.

Cr. Register, March, 1982, No. 315 , eff. 4-1-82; am. (2) and (4), r. and recr. (3), cr. (5), Register, April, 1997, No. 496 , eff. 5-1-97.