[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 4]
[Revised as of October 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR238.235]

[Page 568]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
       CHAPTER II--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF 
                             TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 238--PASSENGER EQUIPMENT SAFETY STANDARDS--Table of Contents
 
     Subpart C--Specific Requirements for Tier I Passenger Equipment
 
Sec. 238.235  Doors.

    (a) By December 31, 1999, each powered, exterior side door in a 
vestibule that is partitioned from the passenger compartment of a 
passenger car shall have a manual override device that is:
    (1) Capable of releasing the door to permit it to be opened without 
power from inside the car;
    (2) Located adjacent to the door which it controls; and
    (3) Designed and maintained so that a person may readily access and 
operate the override device from inside the car without requiring the 
use of a tool or other implement. If the door is dual-leafed, only one 
of the door leafs is required to respond to the manual override device.
    (b) Each passenger car ordered on or after September 8, 2000, or 
placed in service for the first time on or after September 9, 2002 shall 
have a minimum of two exterior side doors, each door providing a minimum 
clear opening with dimensions of 30 inches horizontally by 74 inches 
vertically.

    Note: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility 
Specifications for Transportation Vehicles also contain requirements for 
doorway clearance (See 49 CFR part 38).


Each powered, exterior side door on each such passenger car shall have a 
manual override device that is:
    (1) Capable of releasing the door to permit it to be opened without 
power from both inside and outside the car;
    (2) Located adjacent to the door which it controls; and
    (3) Designed and maintained so that a person may access the override 
device from both inside and outside the car without requiring the use of 
a tool or other implement.
    (c) A railroad may protect a manual override device used to open a 
powered, exterior door with a cover or a screen capable of removal 
without requiring the use of a tool or other implement.
    (d) Door exits shall be marked, and instructions provided for their 
use, as required by Sec. 239.107(a) of this chapter.

[64 FR 25660, May 12, 1999, as amended at 67 FR 19991, Apr. 23, 2002]