Section 300.31. Brakes.

 

(1)  Every school bus shall meet federal brake standards under 49 CFR 393.40 to 393.52 , 396.17 , and applicable standards under 49 CFR 571.105 and 571.121 , in effect at the time of manufacture. Each brake system including the parking brake shall be maintained in good working order. The brake system shall be free of any leaks. The lines and hoses may not be chafed, flattened or restricted in any way.

(2)  A type A-I, B, C or D school bus that uses air assisted brakes shall be equipped with a low pressure warning system which functions at 60 psi and lower. The governor cut out pressure may not exceed 135 psi. The governor cut in pressure may not be lower than 80 psi.

(3)  A type A-I, B, C or D school bus that uses vacuum assisted brakes shall be equipped with a low pressure warning system which functions when the vacuum is 8 inches of mercury and less.

(4)  A type A–I, B, C or D school bus when equipped with air or vacuum assisted brakes shall be equipped with a reserve tank having a capacity of not less than 1,000 cubic inches to provide additional air or vacuum for the primary brake system. There shall be a check valve or pressure protective valve to protect the system from loss of air or vacuum. There shall be no accessory except the low pressure warning device operated from the air or vacuum reserve tank or its connecting lines. The low pressure warning system shall be installed to indicate the air pressure or vacuum in the tank. The gauge required to monitor this system shall be visible to the driver at all times. Unless previously equipped, a type A-I school bus with a GVWR of 11,500 pounds or less that uses vacuum assisted brakes is not required to be equipped with an additional reserve tank and gauge, provided the vacuum assist system meets FMVSS No. 105.

(5)  Every school bus shall be equipped with a power assist brake system.

(6)  The interior of the brake drums, brake linings, brake discs, and pads shall be free of cracks and contamination from oil or grease.

(7)  The brake systems shall be properly adjusted to provide maximum braking effort in accordance with 49 CFR 396.17 (appendix G).

Cr. Register, February, 1983, No. 326 , eff. 3-1-83; am. (1), (6), (7), Register, February, 1995, No. 470 , eff. 3-1-95 ; am. (1) to (4), Register, December, 1997, No. 504 , eff. 1-1-98; CR 03-116 : am. (4) Register April 2004 No. 580 , eff. 5-1-04.