Trans 300.26(4) (4) A type A-II school bus shall be equipped with an alternator or generator of at least 60 ampere rating. If a school bus is equipped with a power lift, it shall be equipped with an 80 ampere or more rated alternator or generator.

Trans 300.26 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1983, No. 326, eff. 3-1-83; am. (4), Register, February, 1995, No. 470, eff. 3-1-95; am. (4), Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 1-1-98.

Trans 300.27 Trans 300.27 Barriers.

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 History History: 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 300.28 Trans 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 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1983, No. 326, eff. 3-1-83.

Trans 300.29 Trans 300.29 Battery carrier and connections.

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(2) (2) The cables to the battery may not be spliced.

Trans 300.29 History History: 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 Trans 300.30 Book racks.

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(3) (3) Book racks shall be free of projections or sharp edges.

Trans 300.30(4) (4) Book racks are permitted only in buses with a minimum of 72″ head room.

Trans 300.30 History History: 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 Trans 300.31 Brakes.

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 History History: 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 Trans 300.32 Bumpers.