Section 1269 - Side Windows as Emergency ExitsSide windows used as emergency exits on buses (other than school buses and buses operated by law enforcement agencies to transport passengers) and all farm labor vehicles shall have the following:
(a) Type 1 Bus -- On a Type 1 bus, an unobstructed opening at least 17 3/4 x 13 in. The total escape area shall be at least 67 sq in. for each seating space, including the driver's. At least 40% of the escape areas shall be located on one side of the bus.(b) Type 2 Bus and Farm Labor Vehicle -- On a Type 2 bus and any farm labor vehicle not a Type 1 bus, one or two openings, of at least 564 sq in., with a minimum dimension of at least 12 in. (1) In lieu of compliance with Section 1268(h)(1), a farm labor vehicle less than 80 in. wide may be equipped with not less than one sliding or push-out escape window on each side of the passenger compartment. Each window shall provide an unobstructed opening of not less than 17 3/4 x 13 in. and shall be constructed and latched so that passengers can open it readily in an emergency. The total escape areas shall equal at least 67 sq in. for each seating space, and not less than 40% of this escape area shall be located on one side of the vehicle. This does not apply to passenger(s) seated in the driver's compartment separated from the passenger compartment.(2) Rear emergency windows that may be used in lieu of emergency exit doors shall provide an unobstructed opening of not less than 6 sq ft and a minimum width of 16 in.(3) All push out windows shall have instructions for operation on the interior.(c) Each modified limousine shall be equipped as follows:(1) Except as provided in subparagraphs (A) and (B), a modified limousine shall be equipped with at least two push-out escape windows within the passenger compartment. Each push-out escape window shall provide an unobstructed opening of not less than 17 3/4 x 13 inches and shall be constructed and latched so that passengers can open it readily in an emergency without the use of tools. The total escape areas shall equal at least 67 square inches for each seating space, and not less than 40% of this escape area shall be located on one side of the vehicle. Passenger seating positions located in the driver compartment separated from the passenger compartment by a partition are not required to be included in the minimum total escape area calculation.(A) When the design of the modified limousine precludes the installation of a push-out escape window on one side of the vehicle, a second push-out escape window shall be mounted in the roof of the passenger compartment. When open, the roof-mounted push-out escape exit shall provide an unobstructed opening of not less than 17 3/4 x 13 inches and shall be constructed and latched so that passengers can open it readily in an emergency without the use of tools. The total escape areas shall equal at least 67 square inches for each passenger seating space.(B) When the design of the modified limousine precludes the installation of even one push-out escape window on a side of the vehicle, a push-out escape window shall be mounted in the roof of the passenger compartment. When open, the roof-mounted push-out escape exit shall provide an unobstructed opening of not less than 17 3/4 x 1 3 inches and shall be constructed and latched so that passengers can open it readily in an emergency without the use of tools. The total escape area shall equal at least 67 square inches for each passenger seating space.(C) A determination the design of the vehicle precludes the installation of any push-out escape window required by this section shall be made and attested to in writing by the entity certifying compliance with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards or an independent engineering firm.(i) Motor carriers shall obtain and retain proof of the design preclusion determination for the life the vehicle is in their possession or control.(ii) The original written proof of the design preclusion determination shall be given to the purchasing or receiving party when the vehicle is sold by or transferred from the possession of the motor carrier.(iii) A copy of the design preclusion certification shall be retained for six months after the vehicle leaves the motor carrier's possession or control.(iv) Proof of the design preclusion determination shall be presented upon request and made available for inspection by any authorized representative of the Department.(2) All push-out escape exits shall have instructions for operation on the interior of the window. Instructions shall be visible to passengers within the passenger compartment and be maintained in a condition which renders them legible in an emergency. Operation instructions may be provided using universally recognizable symbols such as arrows or other symbols, or other means to easily convey the instructions to passengers in an emergency.(3) Installation of all push-out emergency exits shall be completed in a manner which ensures no device or element of design, or any requirement of any Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard applicable at the time of manufacture is removed, disabled, or otherwise rendered inoperative or ineffective.(4) Subsection (c) shall apply to modified limousines modified on or after July 1, 2015. Beginning January 1, 2018, the subsection shall also apply to all modified limousines modified prior to July l, 2015.Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 13, § 1269
1. Amendment filed 5-14-79; designated effective 7-1-79 (Register 79, No. 19).
2. Change without regulatory effect amending subsection (b)(1) filed 5-11-95 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 95, No. 19).
3. New subsections (c)-(c)(4) and amendment of NOTE filed 7-31-2017 as an emergency; operative 7-31-2017 (Register 2017, No. 31). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 1-29-2018 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
4. Certificate of Compliance as to 7-31-2017 order transmitted to OAL 1-19-2018 and filed 2-27-2018 (Register 2018, No. 9). Note: Authority cited: Sections 27375, 31401, 34501, and 34501.5, Vehicle Code. Reference: Sections 27375, 31401, 34501 and 34501.5, Vehicle Code.
1. Amendment filed 5-14-79; designated effective 7-1-79 (Register 79, No. 19).
2. Change without regulatory effect amending subsection (b)(1) filed 5-11-95 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 95, No. 19).
3. New subsections (c)-(c)(4) and amendment of Note filed 7-31-2017 as an emergency; operative 7-31-2017 (Register 2017, No. 31). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 1-29-2018 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
4. Certificate of Compliance as to 7-31-2017 order transmitted to OAL 1-19-2018 and filed 2-27-2018 (Register 2018, No. 9).