1 Colo. Code Regs. § 301-25-39.0

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 22, November 25, 2024

Section 1 CCR 301-25-39.0 - Specially Equipped Buses

39.1 Aisles

39.01(a) All school buses equipped with a power lift shall provide a minimum 30-inch pathway leading from any wheelchair position to at least one 30-inch-wide emergency exit door.

39.2 Identification

39.02(a) Specially equipped buses shall display the International Symbol of Accessibility on all four sides of the bus.

39.02(a)(1) Such emblems shall be white on a blue or black background and shall not exceed 12 inches square in size.

39.02(b)(2) Such emblems shall be of high-intensity retroreflective material meeting the requirements of the Federal Highway Administration's Standard Specifications for the Construction of Roads and Bridges on Federal Highway Projects, FP- 24.

39.3 Lighting

39.03(a) Doorways in which lifts are installed shall be equipped with a special interior light that is located above the lift, and that provides a minimum of two-foot candles of illumination measured on the floor of the bus immediately adjacent to the lift during lift operations.

39.4 Power Lifts and Ramps

39.04(a) The power lift shall be located on the right side of the bus body.

39.04(b) Vehicle Lift and installation

39.04(b)(1) Vehicle lifts and installations shall comply with the requirements set forth in 49 C.F.R., 571.403 and 49 C.F.R., 571.404.

39.04(b)(2) The lifting mechanism(s) and platform shall be capable of operating effectively with a wheelchair and occupant mass of at least 600 pounds per 49 C.F.R., 38.23 and 38.159.

39.04(c) A ramp device may be used in lieu of a mechanic lift if the ramp meets all of the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as found in 36 C.F.R., 1192.83.

39.04(c)(1) The floor of the ramp shall be covered with non-skid material.

39.04(c)(2) The ramp shall be of weight and equipped with a handle or handles to permit one person to put the ramp in place and return it to the storage location.

39.04(c)(3) The ramp shall be equipped with a protective flange on each longitudinal side to keep the wheelchair on the ramp.

39.5 Special Service Entrance

39.05(a) Power lift-equipped bodies shall have a special service entrance to accommodate the power lift.

39.05(b) 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.

39.05(c) 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.

39.05(d) Drip molding shall be installed above the special service entrance to effectively divert water from the entrance.

39.05(e) 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 the special service entrance.

39.6 Special Service Entrance Doors

39.06(a) A single door or double door may be used for the special service entrance.

39.06(b) A single 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 that will prevent the door from swinging open should the primary door latch fail.

39.06(c) If double doors are used, the system shall be designed to prevent the door(s) from being blown open by the aerodynamic forces created by the forward motion of the bus and/or shall incorporate a safety mechanism to provide secondary protection should the primary latching mechanism(s) fail.

39.06(d) All doors shall have a positive fastening mechanism to hold the door(s) in the "open" position when the special service entrance is in use per 21.03(a) of these rules.

39.06(e) All doors shall be weather-sealed, per 21.03(c) of these rules.

39.06(f) When manually operated dual doors are provided, the rear door shall have at least a one-point fastening mechanism to the header, and the forward- mounted door shall have at least three one-point fastening mechanisms per 21.03(a) of these rules.

39.06(f)(1) One fastening mechanism shall be to the header, one to the floor line of the body, and the other shall be into the rear door.

39.06(g) The door and hinge mechanism shall have strength that is greater than, or equivalent to, the strength of the emergency exit door.

39.06(h) Door materials, panels, and structural components shall have strength equivalent to conventional service and emergency exit doors.

39.06(h)(1) Color, Rub rail extensions, lettering, and other exterior features shall match adjacent sections of the body.

39.06(i) Each door shall have windows set in a waterproof manner that are visually similar in size and location to adjacent non-door windows per 21.03(e) of these rules.

39.06(i)(1) Glazing shall be of the same type and tinting (if applicable) as standard fixed glass in other body locations per 21.03(f) of these rules,

39.06(j) Door(s) shall be equipped with a device that will actuate an audible or visible signal located in the driver's compartment when the door(s) is not securely closed, and the ignition is in the "on" position.

39.06(k) A switch shall be installed so that the lift mechanism will not operate when the lift platform door(s) is closed.

39.06(l) Special service doors shall be equipped with padding at least three inches wide and one-inch thick at the top edge of the door opening and shall extend the full width of the door opening.

39.7 Support Equipment and Accessories (New Information)

39.07(a) If transporting oxygen that is not in use, the oxygen shall be secured. Consideration should be given to utilizing a securement device meeting SAE J3043, if applicable.

39.8 Wheelchair Tie-Down and Occupant Restraint System (WTORS)

39.08(a) Each individual wheelchair securement system shall consist of materials from one brand or manufacturer only.

39.08(b) Each wheelchair tie-down and occupant restraint system shall be designed, installed, and operated with forward-facing, wheelchair-seated passengers.

39.08(b)(1) All wheelchair tie-down and occupant restraint systems shall comply with all applicable requirements of FMVSS 222, FMVSS 302, and SAE J2249.

39.08(c) Wheelchair securement positions shall be located so that wheelchairs and their occupants do not block access to the lift door.

39.08(d) When the wheelchair tie-down occupant restraint system (WTORS) is not in use, the WTORS shall be secured. A storage device should be used to keep the WTORS clean, secure within the passenger compartment, and readily accessible.

39.08(e) Each wheelchair position in a specially equipped school bus shall have a minimum clear floor area of 30 inches laterally by 48 inches longitudinally. Additional floor area may be required for some wheelchairs per 49 C.F.R., 38.23 and 38.159.

39.08(f) Occupant Restraint System: If the upper torso belt anchorage is higher than 44 inches measured from the vehicle floor, an adjustment device shall be supplied as part of the occupant restraint system.

1 CCR 301-25-39.0

38 CR 07, April 10, 2015, effective 4/30/2015

46 CR 14, July 25, 2023, effective 8/14/2023

47 CR 19, October 10, 2024, effective 10/30/2024