Statutes, codes, and regulations
Delaware Administrative Code
Title 14 - EducationTransportation
Standards for School Buses placed in production on or after January 1, 2012
Section 1104-2.0 - Standards for Specially Equipped School Buses

14 Del. Admin. Code § 1104-2.0

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Current through Register Vol. 28, No. 4, October 1, 2024
Section 1104-2.0 - Standards for Specially Equipped School Buses
2.1 General Requirements
2.1.1 Specially equipped school buses shall comply with these standards and with FMVSSs applicable to their GVWR category.
2.1.2 Any school bus to be used for the transportation of children who utilize a wheelchair or other mobile positioning device, or who require life support equipment that prohibits use of the regular service entrance, shall be equipped with a power lift, unless a ramp is needed for unusual circumstances related to passenger needs.
2.1.3 Lift buses (48-60 passengers only) shall have flat floors.
2.1.4 Padded barriers shall be installed to protect wheelchair positions where seating does not interface as barrier.
2.1.5 Seats shall have the minimum spacing specified under FMVSS No. 222 School Bus Passenger Seating and Crash Protection per NHTSA February 1999 Guideline for the Safe Transportation of PreSchool Age Children in School Buses. There shall be at least 27 inches, measured at seat cushion level between the back of the seat back or barrier and the front of the seat back of the next seat to the rear.
2.1.6 All seats shall have lap shoulder seat belts installed with LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren). The 45 inch seats shall have 3 lap shoulder seat belts and 2 sets of LATCH; 39 inch seats shall have 2 lap shoulder seat belts and 2 sets of LATCH; and 30and 36inch seats shall have 2 lap shoulder seat belts and 1 set of LATCH.
2.1.7 Buses shall not be equipped with vehicle ramps.
2.2 Aisles: All school buses equipped with a power lift shall provide a minimum 30 inch aisle leading from any wheelchair position to at least one 30 inches wide emergency exit door. A wheelchair securement position shall never be located directly in front of (blocking) a power lift door location.
2.3 Glazing: Tinted glazing may be installed in all doors, windows and windshields (see "Windows", section 1 and "Special Service Entrance Door", this section).
2.4 Handrails: Two handrails (at the front and rear of the stepwell) shall be provided to assist passengers during entry or exit, and shall be designed to prevent entanglement, as evidenced by the passage of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) string and nut test.
2.5 Identification: Specially equipped school buses shall display the International Symbol of Accessibility below the window line. Such emblems shall be white on blue or black background, shall not exceed 12 inches square in size and shall be of a high intensity retroreflective material meeting the requirements of Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) FP-85, Standard Specifications for Construction of Roads and Bridges on Federal Highway Projects.
2.6 Passenger Capacity Rating: In determining the passenger capacity of a school bus for purposes other than actual passenger load (e.g., vehicle classification or various billing/reimbursement models), any location in a school bus intended for securement of a wheelchair during vehicle operations shall be regarded as four designated seating positions, and each lift area shall count as four designated seating positions.
2.7 Power Lifts
2.7.1 The power lift shall be located on the right side of the bus body.
2.7.1.1 All specially equipped school buses shall have a lift complying with paragraphs 2.7.2 with sufficient clearances to permit a wheelchair user to reach a securement location.
2.7.2 Vehicle lift and installation
2.7.2.1 General: Vehicle lifts and installations shall comply with the requirements set forth in FMVSS No. 403, Platform Lift Systems for Motor Vehicles, and FMVSS No. 404, Platform Lift Installations in Motor Vehicles. For lifts located at the rear of the bus, the power unit for the lift shall be located forward of the lift with controls secured to the interior of the lift door. For lifts located at the forward of the bus, the power unit for the lift shall be located rearward of the lift with controls secured to the interior of the lift door.
2.7.2.2 Design loads. The design load of the lift shall be at least 800 pounds. Working parts, such as cables, pulleys, and shafts, which can be expected to wear, and upon which the lift depends for support of the load, shall have a safety factor of at least six, based on the ultimate strength of the material. Non working parts, such as platform, frame, and attachment hardware that would not be expected to wear, shall have a safety factor of at least three, based on the ultimate strength of the material.
2.7.2.3 Lift capacity: The lifting mechanism and platform shall be capable of operating effectively with a wheelchair and occupant mass of at least 800 pounds.
2.7.2.4 Controls: (See 49 CFR 571.403, S 6.7, Control systems.)
2.7.2.5 Emergency operations: (See 49 CFR 571.403, S 6.9, Backup operation.)
2.7.2.6 Power or equipment failures: (See 49 CFR 571.403, S 6.2.2, Maximum platform velocity.)
2.7.2.7 Platform barriers: (See 49 CFR 571.403, S 6.4.7, Wheelchair retention.)
2.7.2.8 Platform surface: (See 49 CFR 571.403, S 6.4.2, S 6.4.3, Platform requirements.) (See also "Wheelchair or Mobility Aid Envelope" figure in the NSTSP, Specially Equipped School Bus Specifications.) The platform shall have a minimum clear width of 32 inches measured from two inches above the platform surface to 30 inches above the surface of the platform, and a minimum clear length of 48 inches measured from two inches above the surface of the platform to 30 inches above the surface of the platform.
2.7.2.9 Platform gaps and entrance ramps: (See 49 CFR 571.403, S 6.4.4, Gaps, transitions and openings.)
2.7.2.10 Platform deflection: (See 49 CFR 571.403, S 6.4.5, Platform deflection.)
2.7.2.11 Platform movement: (See 49 CFR 571.403, S 6.2.3, Maximum platform acceleration.)
2.7.2.12 Boarding direction: The lift shall permit both inboard and outboard facing of wheelchair and mobility aid users.
2.7.2.13 Handrails: (See 49 CFR 571.403, S 6.4.9, Handrails)
2.7.2.14 Circuit breaker: A resettable circuit breaker shall be installed between the power source and lift motor if electrical power is used. It shall be located as close to the power source as possible, but not within the passenger/driver compartment.
2.7.2.15 Excessive pressure: (See 49 CFR 571.403, S 6.8, Jacking prevention.)
2.7.2.16 Documentation: The following information shall be provided with each vehicle equipped with a lift:
2.7.2.16.1 A phone number where information can be obtained about installation, repair, and parts. (Detailed written instructions and a parts list shall be available upon request.)
2.7.2.16.2 Detailed instructions regarding use of the lift and readily visible when the lift door is open, including a diagram showing the proper placement and positioning of wheelchair mobility aids on the lift.
2.7.2.17 Training materials: The lift manufacturer shall make training materials available to ensure the proper use and maintenance of the lift. These may include instructional videos, classroom curriculum, system test results or other related materials.
2.7.2.18 Identification and certification: Each lift shall be permanently and legibly marked or shall incorporate a non removable label or tag that states it conforms to all applicable requirements of the NSTSP. In addition and upon request of the original titled purchaser, the lift manufacturer or an authorized representative shall provide a notarized Certificate of Conformance, either original or photocopied, which states that the lift system meets all the applicable requirements of the current NSTSP.
2.8 Regular Service Entrance: On power lift equipped vehicles, steps shall be the full width of the step well, excluding the thickness of doors in the open position.
2.9 Restraining Devices
2.9.1 On power lift equipped vehicles with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or more, seat frames may be equipped with attachment points to which belt assemblies can be attached for use with Child Safety Restraint Systems (CSRSs) that comply with FMVSS No. 213, Child Restraint Systems. Any belt assembly anchorage shall comply with FMVSS No. 210, Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages.
2.9.2 Alternatively, a child restraint anchorage system that complies with FMVSS No. 225, Child Restraint Anchorage Systems, may be installed.
2.9.3 Seat belt assemblies, if installed, shall conform to FMVSS No. 209, Seat Belt Assemblies.
2.9.4 Child safety restraint systems, which are used to facilitate the transportation of children who in other modes of transportation would be required to use a child, infant, or booster seat, shall conform to FMVSS No. 213.
2.10 Seating Arrangements: Flexibility in seat spacing to accommodate special devices shall be permitted to meet passenger requirements. All seating (forward facing) shall meet the requirements of FMVSS No. 222, School Bus Passenger Seating and Crash Protection.
2.11 Securement and Restraint System for Wheelchair or Mobility Aid and Occupants: For purposes of understanding the various aspects and components of this section, the term securement and tie down and the phrases securement system or tie down system are used exclusively in reference to the devices that anchor the wheelchair to the vehicle. The term restraint and the phrase restraint system are used exclusively in reference to the equipment that is intended to limit the movement of the wheelchair occupant in a crash or sudden maneuver. The term wheelchair tiedown and occupant restraint system (WTORS) is used to refer to the total system that secures the wheelchair and restrains the wheelchair occupant.
2.11.1 WTORS general requirements
2.11.1.1 A wheelchair tie down and occupant restraint system installed in a specially equipped school bus shall be designed, installed and operated for use with forward facing wheel chair seated passengers and shall comply with all applicable requirements of FMVSS No. 222, School Bus Passenger Seating and Crash Protection, and SAE J2249, Wheelchair Tie down and Occupant Restraint Systems for Use in Motor Vehicles.
2.11.1.2 WTORS, including the anchorage track, floor plates, pockets or other anchorages, shall be provided by the same manufacturer, or shall be certified to be compatible by manufacturers of all equipment systems used.
2.11.1.3 Wheelchair securement positions shall be located such that wheelchairs and their occupants do not block access to the lift door.
2.11.1.4 A device for storage of the WTORS shall be provided. When the system is not in use, the storage device shall allow for clean storage of the system, shall keep the system securely contained within the passenger compartment, shall provide reasonable protection from vandalism and shall enable the system to be readily accessed for use.
2.11.1.5 The WTORS, including the storage device, shall meet the flammability standards established in FMVSS No. 302, Flammability of Interior Materials.
2.11.1.6 The following information shall be provided with each vehicle equipped with a securement and restraint system:
2.11.1.6.1 A phone number where information can be obtained about installation, repair and parts. (Detailed written instructions and a parts list shall be available upon request.)
2.11.1.6.2 Detailed instructions regarding use, including a diagram showing the proper placement of the wheelchair mobility aids and positioning of securement devices and occupant restraints, including correct belt angles.
2.11.1.7 The WTORS manufacturer shall make training materials available to ensure the proper use and maintenance of the WTORS. These may include instructional videos, classroom curriculum, system test results or other related materials.
2.11.2 Wheelchair Securement Tiedown: (See 49 CFR 571.403, S 5.4.1, S 5.4.2.)
2.11.2.1 Each wheelchair position in a specially equipped school bus shall have a minimum clear floor area of 30 inches laterally by 52 inches longitudinally. Additional floor area may be required for some wheelchairs. Consultation between the user and the manufacturer is recommended to ensure that adequate area is provided.
2.11.3 Occupant Restraint System (See 49 CFR 571.403, S 5.4.3, S 5.4.4.)
2.12 Special Light: Doorways in which lifts are installed shall be equipped with a special light that provides a minimum of 2 foot candles of illumination measured on the floor of the bus immediately adjacent to the lift and on the lift during lift operation.
2.13 Special Service Entrance
2.13.1 Power lift equipped bodies shall have a special service entrance to accommodate the power lift.

Exception: A special service entrance shall not be required if the lift is designed to operate within the regular service entrance, is capable of stowing such that the regular service entrance is not blocked in any way and a person entering or exiting the bus is not impeded in any way.

2.13.2 The special service entrance and door shall be located on the right side of the bus and shall be designed so as not to obstruct the regular service entrance.
2.13.3 The opening may extend below the floor through the bottom of the body skirt. If such an opening is used, reinforcements shall be installed at the front and rear of the floor opening to support the floor and give the same strength as other floor openings.
2.13.4 A drip molding shall be installed above the special service entrance to effectively divert water from the entrance.
2.13.5 Door posts and headers at the special service entrance shall be reinforced sufficiently to provide support and strength equivalent to the areas of the side of the bus not used for special service entrance.
2.14 Special Service Entrance Door
2.14.1 A single door shall be used for the special service entrance. They shall have rub rails.
2.14.2 There shall be a 57" door height opening.
2.14.3 The door shall be hinged to the forward side of the entrance unless this would obstruct the regular service entrance. If the door is hinged to the rearward side of the doorway, the door shall utilize a safety mechanism which will prevent the door from swinging open should the primary door latch fail.
2.14.4 The door shall have positive fastening devices to hold the doors in the "open" position when the special service entrance is in use.
2.14.5 The door shall be weather sealed.
2.14.6 Door materials, panels and structural components shall have strength equivalent to the conventional service and emergency doors. Color, rub rail extensions, lettering and other exterior features shall match adjacent sections of the body.
2.14.7 The door shall have windows set in a waterproof manner that are visually similar in size and location to adjacent non door windows. Glazing shall be of same type and tinting as standard fixed glass in the side windows.
2.14.8 The door shall be equipped with a device that will actuate an audible or visible signal located in the driver's compartment when the door is not securely closed and the ignition is in "on" position.
2.14.9 A switch shall be installed so that the lift mechanism will not operate when the lift platform door is closed.
2.14.10 The special service entrance door shall be equipped with padding at the top edge of the door opening. The padding shall be at least 3 inches wide and 1 inch thick and shall extend the full width of the door opening.

14 Del. Admin. Code § 1104-2.0

15 DE Reg. 650 (11/01/11)