Section 444.20  Special Equipment for Children who are Physically and/or Orthopedically Challenged

a)         Wheelchair Occupant Restraints:

1)         For buses manufactured prior to January 17, 1994, appropriate and adequate wheelchair occupant restraints must be installed at each wheelchair location which transports a student in a wheelchair.  The restraints must be securely anchored to the wheelchair or the floor of the vehicle.

2)         For buses manufactured on or after January 17, 1994, each wheelchair location which transports a student in a wheelchair must comply with all wheelchair occupant restraint requirements established in 49 CFR 571.222 (S5.4 through S5.4.4) (October 1, 1992; as amended at 58 FR 4586, January 15, 1993 and as amended at 58 FR 46873, September 3, 1993).

b)         Special Right Side Service Door Opening:  A special door opening may be located on right side of bus.

1)         Door, when open, shall not obstruct a front right service door. Door opening shall be adequate to accommodate wheel chairs.

2)         Device(s) shall be installed that will actuate an audible or visible signal, located in driver's compartment, when door opening is not securely closed.

3)         Each door shall contain a fixed or movable window as nearly as practical aligned with and of same size as other window(s) on right side of bus.

4)         A positive fastening device shall be installed to hold door(s) in open position.  Each hinged door shall open outwards. When the special service door is completely open for loading and unloading passengers with special needs and being held by the fastening device, the audible alarm can be deactivated.

5)         Door panel(s) shall be constructed to be equivalent in strength and materials to other doors in the school bus.

6)         Door opening posts and headers shall be reinforced sufficiently to provide support and strength equivalent to area of side of bus not used for service doors.  Outriggers from chassis shall be installed at front and/or rear of door opening as necessary to support floor so that it will carry the same passenger and/or cargo load(s) as other floor portions.

7)         Requirements for Bi-Parting Doors only:

A)        Door shall be made of two panels of approximately equal width, equipped with hinges, hinged to side of bus and each panel shall open outward.  Forward panels shall be provided with overlapping flange to close space where door panels meet.  Weather seal(s) shall be provided to close all door edges.

B)        Door shall be equipped with at least one-point fastening device on rear panel to floor or header and at least two-point fastening device to floor and header on forward door panel, both manually operated.

8)         Special Lamp:  A lamp shall be placed inside bus over special service door opening, or at other location if shielded to prevent glare.  The lamp shall illuminate the floor inside the opening and shall be operated from door area.

c)         Ramps and Lifts:

1)         Floor of ramp or lift shall be covered with nonskid material.

2)         Protection against dust and water sufficient to ensure reliable operation shall be provided.

3)         Power Lift:

A)        If power lift is used, it shall be of sufficient capacity and dimension to lift maximum service load.  When lift is at top or bottom of the service travel limits it shall provide easy egress and ingress from the lift.

B)        If electricity is used, the alternator or generator and the battery must be of ample capacity.

C)        Controls shall be operable from both interior and exterior of vehicle.

D)        Device(s) shall be installed which will prevent operation of lift until doors are opened.

E)         In travel position the lift must be securely fastened as necessary to prevent its falling or swinging against any person.

4)         Ramp:

A)        Ramp shall be of sufficient strength and rigidity to support the service load. Ramp shall be equipped with protective flange on each longitudinal side to keep wheelchair on ramp.

B)        Ramp shall be equipped with handle, or handles, and be of such weight or construction as to permit one person to put ramp in place and to return it to travel position.

C)        Ramp shall be connected to bus in such manner as to permit easy movement of wheelchair to floor of bus.

D)        Ramp length shall be sufficient for easy ingress and egress.

d)         Wheelchair Securement Anchorages:

1)         In buses manufactured prior to January 17, 1994, positive wheelchair securement anchorages shall be provided, attached to the floor or wall, or both, that will securely hold wheelchair in position in bus.

2)         In buses manufactured on or after January 17, 1994, each wheelchair location must be equipped with forward-facing wheelchair securement anchorages. Additional securement anchorages which allow other than forward-facing orientation can be added to a wheelchair location provided the forward-facing anchorages are not altered and the additional anchorages meet all other standards established in 49 CFR 571.222 (S5.4 through S5.4.4) (October 1, 1992; as amended at 58 FR 4586, January 15, 1993 and as amended at 58 FR 46873, September 3, 1993).

e)         Grab Handles:  Grab Handles shall be provided on each side of front right service entrance when this entrance is used for ingress or egress of physically challenged children who need such handle(s) on either side.

(Source:  Amended at 18 Ill. Reg. 14800, effective September 20, 1994)