N.J. Admin. Code § 13:20-50C.9

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 13:20-50C.9 - Power lift

(a) A school bus used for the transportation of students who use wheelchairs or other mobile seating devices or who require life support equipment shall be equipped with a power lift in accordance with FMVSS Nos. 403 and 404 ( 49 CFR 571.403 and 571.404 ), which are incorporated herein by reference.

(b) The power lift, with a nonskid platform, shall be located on the right side of the school bus body and shall be confined within the school bus body when not extended.

(c) The lifting mechanism and platform shall be capable of lifting a minimum weight of 800 pounds. The power lift platform shall have a minimum width of 30 inches unobstructed by the required handrails. The minimum length of the platform between the outer edge barrier and the inner edge shall be 40 inches.

(d) When the power lift platform is stored, it shall be securely fastened.

(e) Controls shall be provided that enable the operator to activate the power lift mechanism from either inside or outside of the school bus.

(f) The power lift shall be designed to prevent the platform from dropping while in operation in the event of a single failure of any load-carrying component.

(g) The power lift shall be equipped with a manual back-up system for use in the event of a power failure.

(h) The power lift shall be designed to allow the lift platform to rest securely on the ground.

(i) The outboard power lift platform edge and sides shall be designed to prevent a wheelchair or other mobile seating device from slipping or rolling off of the platform. The power lift platform outer edge barrier shall be designed to be automatically or manually lowered when the platform is at ground level, but shall not be equipped with any type of latch that could result in the lowering of the outer edge barrier when the platform is above ground level.

(j) Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, for school buses with a June 1993 through December 2005 chassis manufacture date, the platform shall be equipped with at least one handrail. The handrail shall be approximately 25 to 34 inches in height and a minimum of 18 inches in length and designed to fold when it is in a stored position. For school buses with a January 2006 or later chassis manufacture date, the power lift platform shall be equipped with a handrail on each side of the power lift platform. Each handrail shall be 25 to 34 inches in height above the platform and a minimum of 18 inches in length and shall be designed to fold when in a stored position. A handrail with a curved-end design shall be at least 24 inches in length.

(k) A self-adjusting, nonskid plate shall be installed on the outer edge of the power lift platform to minimize the incline from the power lift platform to ground level. This plate, if so designed, may also serve as the restraining device described in (i) above.

(l) A circuit breaker shall be installed between the power source and the power lift motor if electrical power is used.

(m) The power lift design shall prevent excessive pressure that may result in damage to the power lift system when the platform is fully lowered or raised.

(n) The power lift mechanism shall be designed to prevent the lift platform from being folded or stored when occupied.

(o) An interlock shall be provided to prevent the school bus from moving when the power lift or ramp is not in its fully stored and locked position.

N.J. Admin. Code § 13:20-50C.9

Amended by 50 N.J.R. 1821(a), effective 8/6/2018