a)

STOP SIGNAL

ARM PANEL

PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:

A stop signal arm panel must be installed on the left side of the bus and may be operated either manually or mechanically. Decals may be used in lieu of painting.

Buses manufactured on or after September 1, 1992 must be equipped with an octagon-shaped semaphore which meet the requirements listed below under "Octagon".

Buses manufactured prior to September 1, 1992 may either be equipped with an octagon-shaped semaphore which meets the requirements listed below under "Octagon" or a hexagon shaped semaphore which meets the requirements listed below under "Hexagon".

Octagon – The arm shall be octagon-shaped semaphore which measures at least 450 mm x 450 mm (17.72 inches x  17.72 inches) in diameter. The arm shall be red on both sides with a white border at least 12 mm (.47 inches) wide on both sides. The arm shall have the word "STOP" displayed in white uppercase letters on both sides. The letters shall be at least 150 mm (5.9 inches) in height and have a stroke width of at least 20 mm (.79 inches).

The octagon-shaped stop signal arm shall comply with either (a)(1) or (2) below:

1)

The entire surface of both sides of the arm can be reflectorized to meet 49 CFR 571.131; or

2)

Each side of the arm shall have at least two red lamps centered on the vertical centerline of the stop arm. One lamp shall be located at the extreme top of the arm and the other at its extreme bottom. The lamps shall light and flash alternately when stop arm is extended and likewise turn off and stop flashing when arm is closed. (49 CFR 571.131) (See Section 441.Illustration A for examples.)

Hexagon – The arm shall be a hexagon shaped semaphore approximately 18 inches wide and 18 inches long and of 16 gauge metal. The stop arm signal shall have the "STOP" painted on both sides in white letters at least six inches high with a brush stroke approximately ⅞ inch wide. The word "STOP" shall be painted on a panel with red background of approximately 8 inches by 16 inches. Remaining area of stop arm blade is to be painted white with a band of white border at least ½ inch wide painted from and rear on both sides as contrast. White portion of stop arm signal shall be reflectorized or shall have double-faced lamps with red lens approximately four inches in diameter located in the top and bottommost position of the blade.  These lamps shall light and flash alternately when stop arm is extended and likewise turn off and stop flashing when arm is closed. (Section 12-803 of the Illinois Vehicle Equipment Law) (See Section 441.Illustration A for examples.)

Optional: Strobe lamps are acceptable on stop signal arm panels.

Optional: Additional Stop signal arm panels must be located on the left side of the bus. Additional panels must operate in conjunction with the required panel and meet all stop signal arm panel requirements except as follows. The additional panel must not contain any lights, marking, or reflective material on the front side of the panel. The additional panel must be located in the rear half of the bus adjacent to the rearmost window.

REJECT VEHICLE IF:

Stop signal arm panel is in poor condition (i.e., faded, peeling, or rusted); lights do not operate properly (if installed); is not securely attached; is not operating properly; does not meet requirements; is missing.

b)

STORAGE

COMPARTMENT

(optional)

PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:

Covered, fire-resistant container securely fastened of adequate strength and capacity for tire chains and tools for minor emergency repairs.

REJECT VEHICLE IF:

If installed, does not meet requirements.

c)

SUN VISOR

PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:

Interior, adjustable, transparent, not less than 6 inches by 30 inches, installed above windshield. Must not interfere with view of interior rear view mirror.

Exemption: Buses purchased prior to August 1967 are exempt from having a transparent sun shield.

Exception: For school buses that meet the definition of a Type I-A school bus, as defined in Section 441.40, the sun visor may meet manufacture's standards.

REJECT VEHICLE IF:

Sun visor does not meet requirements.

d)

SUSPENSION

1)

Shocks

PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:

Bus shall be equipped with front and rear double-acting shock absorbers compatible with manufacturer's rated axle capacity.

With vehicle on a hoist or jacked up, visually inspect shock absorbers for excessive leakage, looseness of mounting, brackets, and bolts.

Physically grab upper and lower portion of shock inspecting for looseness in rubber bushing, mounting brackets or bolts.

REJECT VEHICLE IF:

Shocks are missing, broken, or have severe leakage (not slight dampness) occurs. Mounting bolts or mounts are broken or loose, or rubber bushing is partially or completely missing.

2)

Springs

PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:

A)

Coil

Visually inspect:

i)

Spring

ii)

Control arms

iii)

Torque arms (rear)

REJECT VEHICLE IF:

Coil is missing, disconnected, broken, loose bushings, welded or damaged.

B)

Leaf

PROCEDURRES/SPECIFICATIONS

With use of a pry bar and using frame as a pivot, attempt to pry front and rear spring attachments and check for movement.  Front of vehicle must be jacked up on chassis for checking front suspension.  Visually inspect:

i)

Springs

ii)

Shackles

iii)

Hangers

iv)

U-bolts

v)

Center bolts

vi)

Bushings or pivot

REJECT VEHICLE IF:

Springs are missing or broken.  Shackles or "U" bolts worn or loose.  Center bolt in springs sheared or broken. Steering stops allow tire to rub on frame or metal.  Any leaves are cracked or missing.  Any shackle, shackle pins, hangers, or "U" bolts are worn, loose, or missing.

C)

Torsion Bar (Stabilizer Bar)

PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS

Visually inspect:

i)

Torsion bar

ii)

Mounting brackets

iii)

Control arms

iv)

Torque arms (if applicable − rear)

v)

Stabilizer bar(s) (if applicable)

REJECT VEHICLE IF:

Torsion bar is missing, disconnected, broken, loose, welded, damaged.

e)

TOW HOOKS

(optional)

1)

Front

PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:

A front tow hook must not extend beyond the front of the front bumper. Each front tow hook not fastened securely to the chassis frame shall be connected to the frame by suitable braces.

REJECT VEHICLE IF:

Tow hook(s) extend beyond bumper, not securely attached.

2)

Rear

PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:

Any tow hook(s) installed on the rear shall be attached or braced to the chassis frame or to an equivalent structural member of an integral type bus. A tow hook must not extend beyond the rear face of the rear bumper.

REJECT VEHICLE IF:

Tow hook(s) extend beyond bumper, not securely attached.

f)

TRASH CONTAINER

(optional)

PROCEDURES/SPECIFICATIONS:

A trash container may be present. If present, it must be securely stored in the vehicle and must not obstruct an aisle.

REJECT VEHICLE IF:

Optional trash container does not meet requirements.