Trans 300.27(1)(1) Every type A-I, B, C or D school bus shall be equipped with a barrier forward of the foremost right and left front seats that complies with FMVSS 222, school bus seating and crash protection. Trans 300.27(2)(2) A type A-II school bus manufactured in 2 stages shall be equipped with a barrier or a padded stanchion forward of the foremost right and left front seats. The barrier shall extend from the wall to the aisle. If a stanchion is utilized, the area immediately in front of the foremost seat shall be protected with a padded panel extending from no more than 4 inches above the floor to the crossbar. The stanchion bars shall be padded. Trans 300.27(3)(3) If the bus meets any federal requirements relating to the use of seat belts, the bus shall, in addition, be equipped with barriers or stanchions as indicated in this section. Trans 300.27 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, February, 1983, No. 326, eff. 3-1-83; am. Register, February, 1995, No. 470, eff. 3-1-95; am. (1) and (2), Register, December, 1997, No 504, eff. 1-1-98. Trans 300.28Trans 300.28 Battery. The storage battery shall have a cranking performance rating equal to or greater than the cubic inch displacement of the engine powered by any means other than with diesel fuel. Trans 300.28 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, February, 1983, No. 326, eff. 3-1-83. Trans 300.29(1)(1) All batteries shall be securely attached in a manner to prevent dislocation in the event of an accident. The battery may be mounted in the engine compartment or, when mounted outside of the engine compartment, it shall be contained in a closed, drained, weather-tight and vented compartment which shall retain the battery in the event of upset or roll-over of the bus. If the battery is mounted in the body skirt, the battery compartment door or cover shall be secured by a latch. The battery may not be located in the passenger compartment. Trans 300.29 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, February, 1983, No. 326, eff. 3-1-83; am. (1), Register, February, 1995, No. 470, eff. 3-1-95; am., Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 1-1-98. Trans 300.30(1)(1) Book racks, if installed, shall be located above the side windows. They may not extend forward of the foremost point of the front seat or across or above the rear emergency door. Trans 300.30(2)(2) Book racks made of expanded, punched, or woven metal are not permitted. Trans 300.30(4)(4) Book racks are permitted only in buses with a minimum of 72″ head room. Trans 300.30 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, February, 1983, No. 326, eff. 3-1-83; am. (1), Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 1-1-98; CR 15-069: am. (1) Register April 2016 No. 724, eff. 5-1-16. Trans 300.31(1)(1) Every school bus shall meet federal brake standards under 49 CFR 393.40 to 393.52, 396.17, and applicable standards under 49 CFR 571.105 and 571.121, in effect at the time of manufacture. Each brake system including the parking brake shall be maintained in good working order. The brake system shall be free of any leaks. The lines and hoses may not be chafed, flattened or restricted in any way. Trans 300.31(2)(2) A type A-I, B, C or D school bus that uses air assisted brakes shall be equipped with a low pressure warning system which functions at 60 psi and lower. The governor cut out pressure may not exceed 135 psi. The governor cut in pressure may not be lower than 80 psi. Trans 300.31(3)(3) A type A-I, B, C or D school bus that uses vacuum assisted brakes shall be equipped with a low pressure warning system which functions when the vacuum is 8 inches of mercury and less. Trans 300.31(4)(4) A type A–I, B, C or D school bus when equipped with air or vacuum assisted brakes shall be equipped with a reserve tank having a capacity of not less than 1,000 cubic inches to provide additional air or vacuum for the primary brake system. There shall be a check valve or pressure protective valve to protect the system from loss of air or vacuum. There shall be no accessory except the low pressure warning device operated from the air or vacuum reserve tank or its connecting lines. The low pressure warning system shall be installed to indicate the air pressure or vacuum in the tank. The gauge required to monitor this system shall be visible to the driver at all times. Unless previously equipped, a type A-I school bus with a GVWR of 11,500 pounds or less that uses vacuum assisted brakes is not required to be equipped with an additional reserve tank and gauge, provided the vacuum assist system meets FMVSS No. 105. Trans 300.31(5)(5) Every school bus shall be equipped with a power assist brake system. Trans 300.31(6)(6) The interior of the brake drums, brake linings, brake discs, and pads shall be free of cracks and contamination from oil or grease. Trans 300.31(7)(7) The brake systems shall be properly adjusted to provide maximum braking effort in accordance with 49 CFR 396.17 (appendix G). Trans 300.31 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, February, 1983, No. 326, eff. 3-1-83; am. (1), (6), (7), Register, February, 1995, No. 470, eff. 3-1-95; am. (1) to (4), Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 1-1-98; CR 03-116: am. (4) Register April 2004 No. 580, eff. 5-1-04. Trans 300.32(1)(1) The front bumper of type A-I, B, C or D buses shall have not less than an 8-inch face and shall extend between the frame rails as a minimum. The bumper shall be of sufficient strength and be positioned to permit pushing a vehicle of similar weight without distortion to the bumper, chassis, or body. Trans 300.32(2)(2) The rear bumper of type A-I, B, C or D buses shall have not less than an 8-inch face and shall wrap around the rear corners of the body to a point at least 12 inches forward. The bumper shall be of sufficient strength and shall be positioned to permit the bus to be pushed without distortion to either the bumper or the bus body. There shall be no more than 1/2 inch space between the bumper and the body. Protective material may be utilized to fill all or part of the required l/2 inch space. Trans 300.32(3)(3) Type A-II buses shall be equipped with bumpers on the front and on the rear. Trans 300.32 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, February, 1983, No. 326, eff. 3-1-83; am. (1), (2), Register, February, 1995, No. 470, eff. 3-1-95; am. (1) to (3), Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 1-1-98. Trans 300.33(1)(1) The passenger capacity of a school bus shall be determined by the following standards: Trans 300.33(1)(a)(a) Pupils through the 12th grade shall be allotted 13 inches of seating space. Trans 300.33(2)(2) There shall be displayed on the inside of the bus directly over the windshield on the right side a sign indicating the maximum pupil passenger capacity. The size of the letters and numerals shall be large enough to permit them to be read by passengers. Transportation of passengers in excess of the number designated on the sign or of the actual seat measurement is prohibited. Trans 300.33(3)(3) The total available seating capacity per seat shall determine the capacity of the bus. Fold down or fold up seats or reclining seats are not permitted except that at side emergency door locations, a “flip-up seat” may be used. The “flip-up seat” shall conform to the following requirements: Trans 300.33(3)(a)(a) The “flip-up seat” shall be designed and constructed to inhibit passenger limbs from becoming lodged between the seat cushion and seat back. Trans 300.33(3)(b)(b) The working mechanism under the seat shall be covered to eliminate any tripping hazard. Trans 300.33(3)(c)(c) The bottom of the “flip-up seat” shall be covered with sheet metal or other material of equal strength and durability and any sharp edges padded to prevent injury or snagging of clothing. Trans 300.33(3)(d)(d) The seat shall be designed and constructed to rise to a vertical position automatically when not occupied. Trans 300.33(4)(4) All passengers aboard a school bus shall be seated in a permanently mounted seat. This subsection does not apply to persons transported in wheelchairs or in other devices where special care is required. Trans 300.33 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, February, 1983, No. 326, eff. 3-1-83; am. (2), renum. (3) to (3) (intro.) and am., cr. (3) (a) to (d), Register, February, 1995, No. 470, eff. 3-1-95; am. (3) (intro.), Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 1-1-98. Trans 300.34(1)(1) All school buses shall be painted national school bus glossy yellow with the exception of the trim, grill, roof, wheels and the bumpers. Grills and wheels may be chrome, black, yellow, silver, white or gray. Engine hood tops may be painted matte black or lusterless yellow for glare reduction. Trans 300.34(3m)(3m) Rub rails shall have a 2 inch minimum black color down their center, by either painting or application of a high quality blackout film, paint film, or retro-reflective tape. The remainder of each rub rail shall be either black or national school bus glossy yellow. Trans 300.34(4)(4) The following may be designated as trim or body components and if painted shall be either black or yellow: Trans 300.34(4)(f)(f) Lamp flanges, housings, and an area around the tail, stop, turn, and back up lamps not to exceed 3 inches. Areas adjacent to rub rails may exceed 3 inches to the extent of the width of the rub rail. Trans 300.34(5)(5) The body manufacturer’s name including a logo may appear on the exterior of the vehicle in any color. Trans 300.34(6)(6) Noncontrasting reflective material is permitted to include, but not limited to, rub rails, snow rails, as “school bus” lettering and the owner’s identification as required in s. Trans 300.61 (6) or permitted in s. Trans 300.61 (7). Front or rear bumper, or both, may be marked diagonally 45° down to centerline of pavement with 2-inch wide strips of noncontrasting reflective material. Trans 300.34(7)(7) Yellow reflective tape may be located on the rub rail in areas of emergency exit windows in order to meet requirements of FMVSS 217. Trans 300.34(8)(8) An external camera, audio monitor or recording device housing shall be either national school bus glossy yellow, black, gray, or white. Trans 300.34(9)(9) Sensors used for anti-theft or pre-trip inspections shall be either national school bus glossy yellow, black, gray, or white Trans 300.34(10)(10) The roof of a school bus may be painted white. The front and rear roof caps shall be painted school bus glossy yellow or black. The white roof may not extend below the side windows, or if equipped, the drip rail. Trans 300.34 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, February, 1983, No. 326, eff. 3-1-83; am. (1), (4) (f), (6), Register, February, 1995, No. 470, eff. 3-1-95; am. (6) and cr. (7), Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 1-1-98; CR 03-116: am. (1), (4) (c) and (f), cr. (4) (k) Register April 2004 No. 580, eff. 5-1-04; CR 15-069: am. (1), renum. (3) (intro.) to (3) and am., r. (3) (a), (b), am. (4) (f), cr. (8) to (10) Register April 2016 No. 724, eff. 5-1-16. Trans 300.35(1)(1) The construction shall be of prime commercial quality steel or other metal, or material with strength at least equivalent to all-steel, as certified by the bus body manufacturer, except for the grill, hood, or fenders and shall comply with FMVSS 220, school bus rollover protection. Type A-I, B, C or D school buses shall comply with FMVSS 221, school bus body joint strength. Trans 300.35(2)(2) The construction shall provide a reasonably dustproof and weather tight unit. Openings between the chassis and passenger compartment shall be sealed to prevent fumes or exhaust gas from entering the bus body. Trans 300.35(3)(3) The floor or subfloor shall be of prime commercial quality steel of at least 14 gauge or material with strength at least equivalent to all-steel, as certified by the bus body manufacturer. Plywood may be used in addition to other flooring material. The floor shall be level from front to back and from side to side except in the wheel housing, toeboard, and driver’s seat platform areas. The body cross members below the floor may have no more than 2 consecutive and no more than 3 total members that are completely rusted through. Trans 300.35(4)(4) For type A-I, B, C or D buses, all joints within bus bodies which employ discrete fasteners, specifically those which join panels to panels, shall achieve a significant portion of the strength of the parent metal, so that all available panel materials are capable of serving as part of the structure. Trans 300.35(5)(5) All metal used in construction of the bus body shall be zinc- or aluminum-coated or treated by an equivalent process before the bus is constructed. Included are such items as structural members, inside and outside panels, floor panels and floor sill. Excluded are the door handles, grab handles, stanchions, interior decorative parts, and other interior plated parts. Trans 300.35(6)(6) Annually between December 1 and December 15, each school bus manufacturer shall certify to the department that all school buses manufactured for sale in Wisconsin in the following calendar year will comply with this section. The certification shall be filed in the division of state patrol. The certification may be addressed to the administrator, division of state patrol, P.O. Box 7912, Madison, WI 53707-7912. Trans 300.35(7)(7) Each school bus body manufacturer shall stamp the letters “WI” either preceding or following the body identification number to indicate that the bus body was built to meet Wisconsin school bus construction standards. The school bus body manufacturer shall furnish to the department a blueprint indicating the size and placement of the “WI” requirement on its buses to be sold in Wisconsin. A sample plate shall be furnished by the manufacturer to the division of state patrol showing the placement of the “WI”. This subsection does not apply to vehicles in use as school buses in Wisconsin prior to March 1, 1979. Trans 300.35(8)(8) The owner of any vehicle previously marked, registered, or titled in another jurisdiction as a school bus shall, prior to using the vehicle for any pupil transportation in Wisconsin, submit the vehicle for department inspection and approval as provided by s. Trans 300.13 (3). In addition, the owner shall provide proof satisfactory to the division of state patrol that the vehicle is constructed in compliance with this section. Trans 300.35 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, February, 1983, No. 326, eff. 3-1-83; am. (1), (2), (6), r. and recr. (8), Register, February, 1995, No. 470, eff. 3-1-95; emerg. am. (1) and (3), eff. 7-1-97; am. (1), (3) and (4), Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 1-1-98. Trans 300.355(1)(1) All school buses shall have a crossing gate installed by May 1, 2004. Trans 300.355(2)(2) The crossing gate shall be mounted on the right side of the front bumper and shall open to 90 degrees. Trans 300.355(3)(3) The crossing gate shall meet or exceed SAE J1133. The crossing gate shall be constructed of noncorrosive or nonferrous material or treated in accordance with body sheet metal specifications and shall have no sharp edges or projections that could cause hazard or injury to students. The color may be yellow, black, silver or gray. Trans 300.355(4)(4) The crossing control arm shall extend a minimum of 70 inches, measured from the bumper at the arm assembly attachment point, when in the extended position. The arm shall extend simultaneously with the stop arm by means of the stop arm controls. Trans 300.355(5)(5) An automatic recycling interrupt switch may be installed for temporary disabling of the crossing control arm. An electromagnetic device may be installed to stabilize the arm when in the stored position. Trans 300.355 HistoryHistory: CR 03-116: cr. Register April 2004 No. 580, eff. 5-1-04. Trans 300.36(1)(1) The defrosting system shall have the capacity to keep the windshield, the window to the left of the driver and the glass in the service door clear of fog and frost. The defroster outlets may not be restricted in any way. Trans 300.36(2)(2) Fans may be used in addition to defrosters, but shall be mounted so as not to obstruct the driver’s view. Trans 300.36(4)(4) The defrosting system shall conform to SAE standards J391 and J382. Trans 300.36 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, February, 1983, No. 326, eff. 3-1-83; cr. (4), Register, February, 1995, No. 470, eff. 3-1-95; am. (1), Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 1-1-98.
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