[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 49, Volume 5]

[Revised as of October 1, 2005]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 49CFR393.62]



[Page 407-408]

 

                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION

 

                      DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

 

PART 393_PARTS AND ACCESSORIES NECESSARY FOR SAFE OPERATION--Table of 

Contents

 

                Subpart D_Glazing and Window Construction

 

Sec. 393.62  Emergency exits for buses.



    (a) Buses manufactured on or after September 1, 1994. Each bus with 

a GVWR of 4,536 kg (10,000 pounds) or less must meet the emergency exit 

requirements of FMVSS No. 217 (S5.2.2.3) in effect on the date of 

manufacture. Each bus with a GVWR of more than 4,536 kg (10,000 pounds) 

must have emergency exits which meet the applicable emergency exit 

requirements of FMVSS No. 217 (S5.2.2 or S5.2.3) in effect on the date 

of manufacture.

    (b) Buses manufactured on or after September 1, 1973, but before 

September 1, 1994. (1) Each bus (including a school bus used in 

interstate commerce for non-school bus operations) with a GVWR of more 

than 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) must meet the requirements of FMVSS No. 217, 

S5.2.2 in effect on the date of manufacture.

    (2) Each bus (including a school bus used in interstate commerce for 

non-school bus operations) with a GVWR of 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) or less 

must meet the requirements of FMVSS No. 217, S5.2.2.3 in effect on the 

date of manufacture.

    (c) Buses manufactured before September 1, 1973. For each seated 

passenger space provided, inclusive of the driver there shall be at 

least 432 cm\2\ (67 square inches) of glazing if such glazing is not 

contained in a push-out window; or, at least 432 cm\2\ (67 square 

inches) of free opening resulting from opening of a push-out type 

window. No area shall be included in this minimum prescribed area unless 

it will provide an unobstructed opening of at least 1,290 cm\2\ (200 

in\2\) formed by a rectangle 33 cm by 45 cm (13 inches by 17\3/4\ 

inches). The maximum radius of the corner arcs shall not exceed 152 mm 

(6 inches). The long axis of the rectangle shall not make an angle of 

more than 45 degrees with the surface on which the unladen vehicle 

stands. The area shall be measured either by removal of the glazing if 

not of the push-out type, or of the movable sash if of the push-out 

type. The exit must comply with paragraph (d) of this section. Each side 

of the bus must have at least 40 percent of emergency exit space 

required by this paragraph.

    (d) Laminated safety glass/push-out window requirements for buses 

manufactured before September 1, 1973. Emergency exit space used to 

satisfy the requirements of paragraph (c) of this section must have 

laminated safety glass or push-out windows designed and maintained to 

yield outward to provide a free opening.

    (1) Safety glass. Laminated safety glass must meet Test No. 25, 

Egress, of American National Standard for Safety Glazing Materials for 

Glazing Motor Vehicles and Motor Vehicle Equipment Operating on Land 

Highways--Safety Standards ANSI/SAE Z26.1/96, August 1997. (See Sec. 

393.7 (b) for information on incorporation by reference and availability 

of this document.)

    (2) Push-out windows. Each push-out window shall be releasable by 

operating no more than two mechanisms and allow manual release of the 

exit by a single occupant. For mechanisms which require rotary or 

straight (parallel to the undisturbed exit surface) motions to operate 

the exit, no more than 89 Newtons (20 pounds) of force shall be required 

to release the exit. For exits which require a straight motion 

perpendicular to the undisturbed exit surface, no more than 267 Newtons 

(60 pounds) shall be required to release the exit.

    (e) Emergency exit identification. Each bus and each school bus used 

in interstate commerce for non-school bus operations, manufactured on or 

after September 1, 1973, shall meet the applicable emergency exit 

identification or marking requirements of FMVSS No. 217, S5.5, in effect 

on the date of manufacture. The emergency exits and doors on all buses 

(including school buses used in interstate commerce for non-school bus 

operations) must be marked ``Emergency Exit'' or ``Emergency



[[Page 408]]



Door'' followed by concise operating instructions describing each motion 

necessary to unlatch or open the exit located within 152 mm (6 inches) 

of the release mechanism.

    (f) Exception for the transportation of prisoners. The requirements 

of this section do not apply to buses used exclusively for the 

transportation of prisoners.



[70 FR 48052, Aug. 15, 2005]