Section 449.10  Purpose and Scope

 

a)         This Part governs the use of liquefied petroleum gases (LPG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) as propellant fuel in school buses.  The installation, maintenance and operation of such fuel systems are covered by this Part.

 

b)         The installation of an alternate fuel system, using compressed or liquefied gases, shall not conflict with any Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard or any requirements of this Subchapter applicable to school buses.

 

Section 449.20  Application

 

a)         This Part applies to any school bus which is equipped to use any liquefied petroleum gas or compressed natural gas as a fuel propellant and began operation on or after February 26, 1990.

 

b)         This Part does not apply to any school bus which was equipped to use any liquefied petroleum gas or compressed natural gas as a fuel propellant before February 26, 1990.

 

(Source:  Amended at 19 Ill. Reg. 16732, effective December 1, 1995)

 

Section 449.30  Installation, Maintenance and Operation

 

a)         No person may operate a school bus which is equipped to use Liquified Petroleum Gas as a fuel propellant unless the installation, maintenance and operation is in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) Standard for the Storage and Handling of Liquefied Petroleum Gases, NFPA 58, February 6, 1989, not including any later editions or amendments.

 

b)         No person may operate a school bus which is equipped to use Compressed Natural Gas as a fuel propellant unless the installation, maintenance and operation of the fuel system is in accordance with NFPA 52, Standard for Compressed Natural Gas, (CNG) Vehicular Fuel Systems, June 8, 1988, not including any later amendments or editions.

 

Section 449.40  Container Installation

 

In addition to the requirements established by Section 449.30, installation shall comply with the following:

 

a)         Compressed or liquefied gas containers shall not be mounted in the passenger or driver's compartment.

 

b)         Container valves, appurtenances and connections shall be mounted in an enclosed compartment.

 

c)         Containers shall be located at least 36 inches from the entrance door and any emergency exit.  Due to the smaller size of Type II school buses, space limitations may sometimes make it impossible to locate a fuel tank further than 36 inches from an exit.  A Type II school bus has a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less as defined in Section 12-800 of the Illinois Vehicle Equipment Law (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 95½, par. 12-800).  If the original fuel tank for a Type II bus was located within 36 inches from any exit, the alternate fuel container may be located in the same location as the original tank.

 

Section 449.50  Carburetion Equipment

 

A fuel filter is required on alternate fuel systems.

 

Section 449.60  Pipe and Hose Installation

 

In addition to the requirements established by Section 449.30, pipes and hoses installed on school buses for operation of an alternate fuel system shall comply with the following:

 

a)         No fuel supply line shall pass through the driver or passenger's compartment.

 

b)         The pressure relief device shall be fabricated so that in the event of stress, the pipe or adaptor will break away without impairing the function of the relief valve.

 

c)         If installed, the adaptor connecting the piping system to the pressure relief device shall neither touch nor restrict any movable part of the pressure relief valve.

 

d)         The relief valve discharge piping system (piping system) must not be reduced at any point from the relief valve to the point of release into the atmosphere.

 

e)         The piping system shall be routed to minimize sharp elbows or bends. Installation of any commercially available piping installed to meet the manufacturer's specifications is acceptable. Any fittings that restrict the flow of discharge are prohibited.  From the pressure relief device adaptor to the atmosphere, the minimum inside diameter of the piping must measure at least 3/4 of an inch.

 

f)         The piping system shall neither block nor hamper the operation of any window or door.  The piping system shall preserve widths of passageways, aisles and emergency exits.

 

g)         Every portion of the piping system shall be gas tight (except the outlet) and shall be able to withstand forces from the discharge when the relief valve is in full open position.  If for any reason the discharge outlet becomes blocked, the piping system must be capable of holding the full system pressure.

 

h)         To facilitate the removal of accumulated water, a drain cock shall be installed at the lowest point of the piping system.  The drain must be capable of being held open manually and close automatically to prevent expelling LPG if discharged through the relief valve.  A weep hole, or other opening that may result in discharged LPG flaming beneath the bus is prohibited.

 

i)          The portion of the piping system that leads upward to the atmosphere shall be installed either inside the passenger compartment, on the outside of the bus, or in the body wall between the inner and outer "skins" of the bus body.

 

1)         Piping on the outside of the body shall be shielded below the window line to prevent "grabbing hold" or "hitching to."  However, discharge piping that is located between the windshield and the vent window at the left front corner of the body need not be shielded.

 

2)         Any portion of the piping system that is installed either inside the passenger compartment or inside the body wall shall consist of one piece originating below the bus floor and exiting outside the bus roof.  Every hole where piping passes through the floor or roof shall be sealed.

 

j)          The piping system must terminate above the eave lines of the bus body.

 

k)         The outlet of the piping system shall be located at least 36 inches from the air inlet or outlet of a ventilator or similar device installed on or near the roof.  A "similar device" includes the fresh air intake of a heating, ventilating or air conditioning system.  It does not include a side window that opens near the roof.

 

l)          A rain cap is required where the piping system exits into the atmosphere to minimize water or dirt from entering into either the relief valve or its discharge piping. Installation of any commercially available rain cap installed to meet the manufacturer's specifications is acceptable. The cap shall remain in place except when the relief valve operates.  The cap shall be installed to minimize the entrance of water or dirt while the vehicle is in motion.

 

m)        The discharge piping system on a special education school bus shall conform to all provisions of this Part.

 

Section 449.70  Identification

 

The fuel identification decal as required by Section 3-6.2.10 of NFPA 58 or Section 3-10.2 of NFPA 52 shall be displayed on the rear of the school bus not more than 12 inches above the top of the rear bumper and within 39 inches of the left side.  The decal shall not be placed on any black portion of the bus body.