Section 442.230  Emergency Exits and Door Alarms

a)         Each emergency exit shall be equipped with an interior opening device which may be quickly released but which is designed to offer protection against accidental release. Each exterior release handle must be nonhitchable.

AGENCY NOTE:  "Nonhitchable" is defined as the rear of the bus being designed and maintained to prevent or discourage riding or grasping the rear of the bus so as to "hitch" rides.

b)         All emergency exits shall conform to the applicable requirements of the FMVSS 217 (49 CFR 571.217).

1)         Each opening for a required emergency exit window or door must be outlined around its exterior perimeter with, at a minimum, 1 inch (2.54 cm) wide yellow retroreflective tape.  All retroreflective tape must be on the exterior surface of the bus and conform to all requirements of 49 CFR 571.217. Emergency roof exits may be outlined in either yellow or white retroreflective tape.  Yellow retroreflective tape can be located on the rear bumper or rub rail provided the space under the emergency exit door or emergency exit window is not adequate to accommodate the tape or provided rivets are present that prohibit the tape from being applied properly.

2)         Both audible and visible alarms shall alert the driver when the engine is running and any emergency exit door either:

A)        Is not fully latched, or

B)        Is locked and not readily operated manually.

3)         An audible alarm shall alert the driver when the engine is running and any emergency exit window either:

A)        Is not fully latched, or

B)        Is locked and not readily operated manually.

4)         The engine starting system shall not operate while any emergency exit door or window (optional or required) is locked from either inside or outside the bus. "Locked" means that the release mechanism cannot be activated and the exit cannot be opened by a person at the exit without a special device such as a key or special information such as a combination.

5)         An alarm cut-off or "squelch" control is prohibited.

6)         Exception:  No alarm is required for roof hatches.

(Source:  Amended at 31 Ill. Reg. 8238, effective May 25, 2007)