N.J. Admin. Code § 13:20-50B.1

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 24, December 18, 2024

Section 13:20-50B.1 - Air conditioning

(a) School buses may be equipped with an air conditioning system.

(b) Installation of an air conditioning unit shall not infringe on the inside body height requirements set forth in N.J.A.C. 13:20-50B.20. Installation of an air conditioning ducting system shall not infringe on the head protection zone as set forth in FMVSS No. 222 (49 CFR § 571.222), incorporated herein by reference, as amended and supplemented.

(c) An air conditioning unit shall not obstruct the rear emergency exit and shall be mounted in such a manner that it will not cause injury to persons entering or exiting the school bus.

(d) An air conditioning unit shall not be installed over a passenger seat or wheelchair position unless it conforms with FMVSS 222. An air conditioning ducting system that is mounted over a seat or wheelchair position shall not extend into the passenger compartment more than eight inches from the bulkhead nor more than 11 inches from the ceiling of the school bus. An air conditioning ducting system shall be designed and installed so as to be free of projections and sharp edges. Ducts shall be installed so that exposed edges face the front of the school bus and do not present sharp edges. The bottom and corners of ducts shall be padded with one-inch thick fire block material.

(e) Floor-mounted air conditioning units shall not be installed in a manner that allows passengers to stand or step onto the unit.

(f) An evaporator or air conditioning ducting system shall be designed and installed so as to be free of projections and sharp edges and shall be padded to prevent injury. Air conditioning ducts that are mounted over a seated position shall not extend more than eight inches from the bulkhead nor more than 11 inches from the ceiling of the school bus. Ducts shall not infringe on the head protection zone as set forth in FMVSS No. 222 (49 CFR § 571.222), incorporated herein by reference, as amended and supplemented.

(g) Roof-mounted air conditioning units shall not restrict the operation of any roof safety hatch.

(h) An air conditioning unit shall meet the performance specifications for air conditioning set forth in the NSTSP, 2010 Revised Edition (May 2010), incorporated herein by reference, as amended and supplemented.

(i) Notwithstanding (b) above, an air conditioning unit may be installed over the engine or in the driver's compartment in a Type D school bus.

(j) Notwithstanding (b) above, an air conditioning unit may be installed in the driver's compartment in a Type B and C school bus.

N.J. Admin. Code § 13:20-50B.1

Amended by R.2012 d.023, effective 2/6/2012.
See: 43 N.J.R. 1831(a), 44 N.J.R. 287(b).
In (d), inserted "unless it conforms with FMVSS 222"; and in (h), substituted "2010" for "2000" twice, and deleted "at pages 30-31" preceding ", incorporated".