[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 5]
[Revised as of October 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR393.62]

[Page 412-413]
 
                        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 413]]

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]