N.J. Admin. Code § 13:20-50C.5

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

Section 13:20-50C.5 - Doors

(a) A school bus with a power lift shall be equipped with a special service door to accommodate the power lift.

1. The door shall be located on the right side of the school bus and designed so as not to obstruct the regular service door.

2. 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. This opening shall be certified as meeting the manufacturer's specifications for structural strength.

3. A drip molding shall be installed above the door opening to divert water from the entrance.

4. The door posts and headers shall be reinforced to provide support and strength equivalent to the sides of the school bus.

5. A single door or double doors shall be used.

6. The door(s) shall have a fastening device to hold it open. A fastening device(s) affixed to the outside shall not protrude more than 3/4 inch from the school bus body or door(s), nor be of a type that may cause injury when it is not securing the door(s) in an open position.

7. The door(s) shall be weathersealed.

8. When manually-operated dual doors are provided, the rear-mounted door shall have at least a one-point fastening device to the header. The forward-mounted door shall have at least three one-point fastening devices: one to the header, one to the floor line of the body, and one into the rear-mounted door.

9. The door and hinge mechanism strength shall be in compliance with the manufacturer's specifications. Hinges shall support the door and maintain the door in proper alignment for closing and latching.

10. The door material, panels, and structural strength shall be equivalent to those of the service and emergency doors. The color, rub rail extensions, lettering, and other exterior features shall match adjacent sections of the body.

11. The door(s) shall have glass set in a waterproof manner.

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

13. A switch shall be installed so that the lifting mechanism will not operate when the power lift platform door is closed.

14. The door(s) shall be equipped with padding at the top edge of the door opening. The padding shall be covered with fire block material and be at least three inches wide and one inch thick. The padding shall extend the full width of the door opening.

N.J. Admin. Code § 13:20-50C.5