C.M.R. 16, 222, ch. 1, § 222-1-180, subsec. 222-1-180-10

Current through 2024-51, December 18, 2024

Subsection 222-1-180-10 - CLASS B SCHOOL BUS INSPECTION STANDARDS

1. SCHOOL BUS BODY AND EXTERIOR

A. EXHAUST SYSTEM

(1) Reject vehicle if the exhaust pipe expels exhaust under the body of the bus.

(2) Reject vehicle if the exhaust pipe terminates more than 2 inches beyond the outside perimeter of the body or rear bumper or terminates inside of the perimeter of the body.

(3) Reject vehicle if, on a commercially operated school bus, the exhaust pipe terminates other than to the rear of the bus.

(4) Reject vehicle if, on a non-commercially operated school bus, the exhaust pipe terminates other than to the rear or to the left side of the bus. If the exhaust pipe terminates on the left side of the bus, it must terminate no more than 18 inches forward of the front edge of the rear wheel well.

(5) Reject vehicle if the exhaust pipe terminates on the right side of the bus.

(6) Reject vehicle if, on a type C or D bus, the tailpipe exits beneath a fuel fill or emergency door.

B. HOOD OR REAR MOUNTED ENGINE COMPARTMENT DOOR

(1) Reject vehicle if the hood or engine cover is missing.

(2) Reject vehicle if any latch is broken, missing, seized, not securely mounted, or inoperable.

(3) Reject vehicle if any support rod is missing, broken, or bent.

(4) Reject vehicle if the hinge mount area of the body is severely corroded.

(5) Reject vehicle if any safety cable (if the vehicle was originally so equipped) is broken, missing, or not securely attached.

(6) Reject vehicle if any hinge is cracked, missing, broken, or is excessively worn.

(7) Reject vehicle if any secondary latch (if applicable) is broken, missing, or inoperable.

C. BODY

(1) Reject vehicle if torn metal protrudes so as to be hazardous to passengers, pedestrians, or cyclists.

(2) Reject vehicle if the molding is loose or protrudes so as to be hazardous to passengers, pedestrians, or cyclists.

(3) Reject vehicle if any side panel is perforated, any rivets are missing or loose, or corrosion has resulted in weakening of the panel.

(4) Reject vehicle if any fenders are missing.

(5) Reject vehicle if any exterior rub rail is missing, damaged, loose, or has rivets missing.

(6) Reject vehicle if one rub rail is not approximately at seat cushion height.

(7) Reject vehicle if any body-to-chassis fasteners are damaged, loose or missing.

(8) Reject vehicle if there are any holes in body of vehicle that could allow exhaust gases into the passenger compartment.

D. FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS

(1) Reject vehicle if any bumper is loose, missing, or broken.

(2) Reject vehicle if any tom portion of a bumper protrudes so as to be hazardous to passengers, pedestrians, or cyclists.

(3) Reject vehicle if the bumper design is other than a design provided by the original equipment manufacturer.

(4) Reject vehicle if any fender or bumper mounts are loose, missing, or broken.

(5) Reject vehicle if there are any holes cut into the bumper or if the bumper has been altered from original (e.g.: reject vehicle if the bumper has been altered to provide a step or for exhaust).

E. BODY COLORS

(1) Reject vehicle if the body is not painted national school bus glossy yellow. The hood may be a lusterless black. The roof may be white.

(2) Reject vehicle if the bumpers are not a glossy black, unless painting is impracticable through use of rubber, retro reflective material or other devices.

(3) These requirements do not apply to "Allowable Alternative Vehicles", as defined in Maine applicable statute.

F. SCHOOL BUS SIGNS AND LETTERING

(1) Reject vehicle if the "School Bus" sign is not retro-reflective material or lighted.

(2) Reject vehicle if the "School Bus" sign is not displayed on the front and rear.

(3) Reject vehicle if the "School Bus" sign is not black on a yellow background.

(4) Reject vehicle if the "School Bus" sign is not as high as practical on a vertical plane.

(5) Reject vehicle if the "School Bus" sign lettering is not at least 8 inches high and 1.25 inches in width.

(6) Reject vehicle if lettering on the bus body is not black on a yellow background, or white on a black background if a black background is permitted.

(7) Reject vehicle if all emergency exits are not labeled on top of the inside and outside of the exits in accordance with Department of Education Rules.

(8) Reject vehicle if the "Emergency Door" sign is not identified on both the inside and the outside in black or red letters at least 2 inches high.

(9) Reject vehicle if there are any graphics or lettering on the exterior of a bus that do not comply with requirements set forth by Title 29-A MRSA and Department of Education rules.

(10) Numbers 1-6 of this subsection do not apply to "Allowable Alternative Vehicles", as defined in Title 29-A.

G. MIRRORS

(1) Interior Rear-View Mirrors

(a) Reject vehicle if the rearview mirror is missing.

(b) Reject vehicle if the rearview mirror is cracked, broken, obscured, or if the mirror surface is peeling, pitting, or covered with any item that prevents complete viewing (i.e., sticker or pictures).

(c) Reject vehicle if the rearview mirror will not maintain a fixed position when adjusted.

(2) Exterior Rear View and Cross-over Mirrors

(a) Reject vehicle if any mirror required by rule or law is missing.

(b) Reject vehicle if any mirror is obstructed, does not provide a clear view of the highway to the rear, or does not provide a clear view of the front hood line to the ground, and the bus sides in the front wheel and loading areas.

(c) Reject vehicle if any mirror mount is not secure, is loose, or protrudes excessively.

(d) Reject vehicle if the glass or other reflective material is cracked, pitted, or clouded to the extent that clear vision is obscured.

(e) Reject vehicle if any exterior rear-view mirror does not have 50 square inches of mirror glass or reflective material.

(f) Reject vehicle if any mirror cannot be adjusted or do not maintain a fixed position.

H. AUXILIARY COMPARTMENTS

(1) Reject vehicle if all access doors will not open or close, a latch will not hold, or if the hinges are damaged.

(2) Reject vehicle if compartment is not structurally sound.

(3) Reject vehicle if any counter-balance cable on baggage doors is frayed.

(4) Reject vehicle if any overhead rack or shelf is not securely mounted, the retaining components are missing, broken or mounted insecurely, or if the energy absorbing material on the rack or shelf is missing.

2. STOP LAMPS, ARMS, AND WARNlNGS

A. SCHOOL BUS STOP AND WARNING LAMPS Running lights must pass the Class D inspection standards.

Reject vehicle if the vehicle was originally equipped with a back-up alarm, and the alarm does not function properly.

The following requirements only apply to vehicles that are not allowable alternative vehicles;

(a) Reject vehicle if any school bus stop or warning lamp does not operate or does not alternate or strobe properly.

(b) Reject vehicle if any stop lamp is not red and any warning lamp is not amber. Roof mounted strobe lights may be red or white.

(c) Reject vehicle if the eight-way warning lamps are less than 5 inches in diameter. Reject vehicle if four-way red lights do not activate automatically when opening service door.

(d) Reject vehicle if the manual activation switch for 8-way warning lamps is inoperable.

B. SCHOOL BUS STOP ARMS

(1) Reject vehicle if the stop arm fails to operate per OEM design.

(2) Reject vehicle if the stop arm lamps fail to operate per OEM design.

(3) Reject vehicle if the stop arm lamps are not red.

(4) Reject vehicle if manufactured after September 1992 and not equipped with a stop arm.

(5) Reject vehicle if the lamps do not operate per OEM design.

(6) Reject vehicle if stop arm does not activate automatically with red lights when opening service door.

(7) Numbers 1-6 of this requirement do not apply to "Allowable Alternative Vehicles," as defined in Title 29-A

C. CROSSING ARMS (Required on all 2021 models and newer).

(1) Reject vehicle if crossing arm doesn't fully extend, fully retract to park position, or if manual override switch fails to operate.

(2) Reject vehicle if crossing arm does not activate with reds when opening service door.

(3) Reject vehicle if the crossing arm is damaged or bent so as to shorten the extended length to less than 70 inches on 2021 model year and up, 60 inches for prior model years.

3. DOORS, WINDOWS AND EXITS

A. STEP WELL (ENTRANCE AND EXIT STEPS)

(1) Reject vehicle if the step well is unsafe due to corrosion.

(2) Reject vehicle if step well area is cluttered or blocked.

(3) Reject vehicle if the step risers are loose.

(4) Reject vehicle if the anti-slip material is missing, loose, or is worn smooth.

(5) Reject vehicle if the step well area has been modified from OEM design.

(6) Reject vehicle if step well light does not function.

B. SERVICE DOOR AND EXIT DOOR

(1) Reject vehicle if binding is evident, jamming occurs, or the remote-control door malfunctions.

(2) Reject vehicle if the override device on a power-operated door does not operate or the control is not accessible to the driver.

(3) Reject vehicle if the door edge material is other than a flexible type.

(4) Reject vehicle if the strip seal along the bottom edge of the door is missing, tom, or does not seal properly.

(5) Reject vehicle if there are loose objects, magnets, decals, or pictures in entrance area. (Exception: Decals that are relevant to pupil transportation or AAV transportation service).

(6) Reject vehicle if glass is missing or broken, fogged or discolored such that the driver's view through any glass door panel is obstructed.

(7) Reject vehicle if there is moisture inside the double paned glass.

C. EMERGENCY DOOR OR EXIT

(1) Reject vehicle if the passage is blocked or restricted.

(2) Reject vehicle if the aisle is less than 12 inches wide.

(3) Reject vehicle if, on a wheelchair-equipped bus, the aisle is less than 30 inches wide from the wheel chair tie-down position to the lift door and at least one emergency door.

(4) Reject vehicle if the release mechanism fails to function from both inside and outside, has an improper latch, or fails to latch securely when closed. (Side push out windows need only to open from the inside).

(5) Reject vehicle if the emergency door or exit warning device fails to operate.

(6) Reject vehicle if two methods of escape are not present; one of which must be on the left side of the bus or to the rear of the vehicle.

(7) Reject vehicle if the head impact protection located across the top of the door header is missing or damaged.

(8) Reject vehicle if the roof hatch is missing or inoperable on school buses manufactured after January 1998, or on any other bus equipped with a roof hatch.

(9) Reject vehicle if the doors or exits are not as prescribed in the FMVSS based on bus type, year and capacity.

(10) Reject vehicle if the protective padding across inside top of door opening is missing, not fastened securely or damaged.

D. WINDOWS

1) Reject the vehicle if any emergency, side or driver's window cannot be opened or closed readily as designed.

2) Reject vehicle if there is moisture, fogging or discoloration inside a double paned glass to the point that the driver's view through glass is obstructed.

3) Reject vehicle if the side windows are comprised of a material other than safety glass AS-I, AS-2, AS-3, AS-10 and AS-11.

4) Reject vehicle if the side windows are broken, have exposed sharp edges, or if exposed edges are not banded.

5) Reject vehicle if the bus was manufactured after May 30, 2002 and the side windows are tinted so that less than 28% of the light passes through the glass unless a waiver has been granted by the Maine State Police due to a bona fide medical condition.

6) Reject vehicle if any additional tint is on the windshield (only the tint from the factory is permissible).

7) Reject vehicle if the bus was manufactured after May 30, 2002 and the entrance door, or driver's side window are tinted so that less than 80% of the light passes through the glass.

8) Reject vehicle if the rear window that goes across the back of the bus is tinted so less than 50% of the light passes through the glass.

E. PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR THE PHYSICALLY DISABLED

(1) Reject vehicle if the ramp, if the vehicle is so equipped, is not securely attached or if the fasteners are missing, broken, have holes in them or are inoperable.

(2) Reject vehicle if the power lift, if the vehicle is so equipped, is inoperable or not securely attached.

(3) Reject vehicle if the power controls are not operable or the lift does not respond to the controls.

(4) Reject vehicle if the wheelchair hold-downs are not operable, the pins are worn, the cables or belts are broken or frayed, or do not operate per OEM design, or if floor installed latch plates, tracks or tie downs are loose, badly worn, damaged or inoperable.

(5) For each wheelchair position, reject vehicle if the safety lap and shoulder belts are missing, torn or frayed, or if the buckles are not operable.

(6) Reject vehicle if the lift cannot be manually operated.

(7) Reject vehicle if any assistive or support equipment is not secured or cannot be secured during transport.

(8) Reject vehicle if the lift has been removed and if the door has not been either converted to meet all of the requirements of an emergency exit or if the exit has not been sealed, with all exit identification removed except inside and outside signage to indicate that "THIS IS NOT AN EXIT" using two-inch lettering black on yellow background (black on white background for AA V).

(9) Reject vehicle if all wheel chair positions are not forward facing.

(10) Reject vehicle if not equipped with transmission interlock as required by FMVSS 403 and 404.

4. SEATS AND FLOOR

A. DRIVER'S SEAT AND SAFETY BELT

(1) Reject vehicle if the driver's seat is loose, the frame of the seat is broken, the springs are exposed or broken, or if the seat cover material is removed.

(2) Reject vehicle if the driver's seat adjusting mechanisms do not operate or will not lock in position.

(3) Reject vehicle if the originally manufactured driver's safety belt or its equivalent replacement is not present.

(4) Reject vehicle if any safety belt has tom or frayed webbing, is not securely mounted or the buckle is inoperable.

(5) Reject vehicle if either the retractors fail to retract or allow the safety belt to extend to its maximum length, or if they are inoperable or damaged.

(6) Reject vehicle if driver's seat has been replaced with a seat other than a seat that is designed for school buses and does not have the appropriate head impact back.

(7) Reject vehicle if a seat belt cutter is not in reach of driver when the driver is in the normal driving position with seat belts worn.

B. PASSENGER SEATS AND GENERAL INTERIOR

(1) Reject vehicle if any seat frame is loose or broken.

(2) Reject vehicle if any seat frame does not face the front of the bus.

(3) Reject vehicle if the seat covering is tom so that the seat base or frame is exposed or if there are holes in any part of the seat.

(4) Reject vehicle if the seat backs are missing, loose or damaged.

(5) Reject vehicle if the energy absorbing material on any seat back is missing in an area more than 3 square inches and more than 1/4 inch deep.

(6) Reject vehicle if any safety belts (if originally so equipped) are missing, have tom or frayed webbing, are not securely mounted or if the buckle is inoperable.

(7) Reject vehicle if any seat that does not comply with FMVSS 210 has been equipped with a safety belt.

(8) Reject vehicle if any child restraint systems are not properly installed per OEM instructions.

(9) Reject vehicle if any safety seat belts are installed on other than a manufacturer certified seat belt ready seat frame.

(Reference Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 210).

(10) Reject vehicle if any installed Child Safety Restraint System does not have a registration and use instruction tag/label or is not installed per OEM instructions (In accordance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213).

C. FLOOR

(1) Reject vehicle if the floor is buckled, rusted, or rotted to the point of causing a hazard or allowing exhaust gases to enter the passenger compartment.

(2) Reject vehicle if the floor covering or trim is cracked, curled, worn, not sealed (waterproof) at the seams, or presents a tripping hazard.

(3) Reject vehicle if the sub-floor is not at least 5/8-inch plywood (except type A which may be 1/2, inch plywood).

(4) Reject vehicle if a hole in the floor is not sealed (i.e.; air line or bolt holes that are not in use).

5. INTERIOR EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES

A. GENERAL INTERIOR

(1) Reject vehicle if there are loose objects, decals, magnets, or pictures in driver and passenger compartment.

(2) Reject vehicle if hooks or other after-market accessories have been added that could cause a head impact injury to bus occupants in a collision.

(3) Reject vehicle if the compartment stanchions are loose or support bolts are missing, or they were installed contrary to the FMVSS in effect at the time of manufacture.

(4) Reject vehicle if any guardrails are loose or support bolts are missing.

(5) Reject vehicle if either the service entrance handrail is missing or loose, or if it fails the nut-drawstring test or if the handrail is not in compliance due to a manufacturer's recall.

(6) Reject vehicle if any interior metal is tom or corroded so as to create a hazard.

(7) Reject vehicle if the retaining barrier is missing or not within 24 inches of clear space in front of seat.

(8) Reject vehicle if there are any unsecured objects in the interior of the bus (e.g., brooms, trashcans, or chock blocks).

(9) Reject vehicle if head impact padding above service door is damaged, missing, or altered.

B. INTERIOR EQUIPMENT

(1) Windshield Defroster

(a) Reject vehicle if the fan fails to operate.

(b) Reject vehicle if there is no airflow.

(c) Reject vehicle if there is no defrost heat/temp control.

(2) Interior Heaters

(a) Reject vehicle if the fan fails to function properly.

(b) Reject vehicle if the interior heater fails to function properly.

(3) Dash Instruments and Indicators

(a) Reject vehicle if the horn activating mechanism has been altered from OEM design, the button position is not identified, or if the device does not function as intended.

(b) Reject vehicle if the horn is not clearly audible or does not operate.

(c) Reject vehicle if the speedometer fails to operate.

(d) Reject vehicle if the brake-warning indicator, ABS indicator, high beam indicator, turn signal indicator or hazard indicator lamps fail to operate.

(e) Reject vehicle if any of the following gauges or indicators are present but fail to operate; water temperature gauge, oil pressure gauge, ammeter, fuel gauge, vacuum gauge, or all pressure gauge.

C. OTHER INTERIOR ACCESSORIES

(1) Fire Extinguisher

(a) Reject vehicle if the fire extinguisher is missing or damaged.

(b) Reject vehicle if accessibility to the fire extinguisher is obstructed.

(c) Reject vehicle if the fire extinguisher rating is less than 10-B:C and at least 5 pounds.

(d) Reject vehicle if the mount is not secure, if the extinguisher is not in a quick release holder, or if it is not labeled appropriately in driver's area. There must be at least one fire extinguisher in the driver's area.

(e) Reject vehicle if the fire extinguisher is equipped with a seal, and the seal is broken or not in place.

(f) Reject vehicle if the fire extinguisher is equipped with a gauge, and the charge reading is less than the minimum, indicates "recharge", or is out of the normal range.

(g) Reject vehicle if the extinguisher is not Fire Marshall (FM) or Underwriters Lab (UL) approved and labeled, if it has no nameplate or instructions, or does not have current (annual) certified agency inspection tag showing date of inspection and initialed by a school employee every 30 days.

(h) Reject vehicle if any extinguisher, when inverted, the powder cannot be felt shifting freely.

(i) Reject vehicle if nozzle is deteriorated, clogged, or corroded to the point of affecting the normal operation of the extinguisher.

(2) Hazard Warning Kit

(a) Reject vehicle if the hazard warning kit is missing or the container is not secure, the kit does not contain three reflectors, or if the kit does not have advanced warning triangles (with stands) that are at least 7 inches high, with sides 17 to 22 inches long, and reflectors or electric lanterns.

(b) Reject vehicle if it does not have 2 chock blocks or if the chock blocks are not secured.

(3) First Aid and Biohazard Kits

(a) Reject vehicle if either the first aid or biohazard kit is missing.

(b) Reject vehicle if the first aid or biohazard kit is not secured or its location is not labeled in view of the driver.

C.M.R. 16, 222, ch. 1, § 222-1-180, subsec. 222-1-180-10