
[Federal Register: December 28, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 247)]
[Proposed Rules]               
[Page 68558-68564]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28de09-32]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

49 CFR Part 571

[Docket No. NHTSA-2009-0190]
RIN 2127-AK20

 
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Bus Emergency Exits and 
Window Retention and Release

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 
Department of Transportation (DOT).

[[Page 68559]]


ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This NPRM proposes two housekeeping measures relating to 
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 217, ``Bus emergency 
exits and window retention and release.'' First, in response to a 
petition for rulemaking from the School Bus Manufacturers' Technical 
Council, NHTSA proposes to amend the standard to specify that the 
exterior release (the exterior handle) for school bus rear emergency 
exit doors may be located opposite the door hinges. The standard 
currently specifies that the exterior release for rear emergency exit 
doors be located in the middle of the door. Second, this NPRM would 
clarify FMVSS No. 217 as to the number of force applications that are 
required to open a window or roof emergency exit. For exits with one 
release mechanism, the exit shall require two force applications to 
open. The standard currently specifies that the ``mechanism'' shall 
require two force applications to open. For exits with two release 
mechanisms, there shall be a total of three force applications to open 
the exit: one force application shall be applied to each of the two 
mechanisms to release the mechanism, and another force shall be applied 
to open the exit.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 26, 2010.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments to the docket number identified in 
the heading of this document by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: go to http://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments.
     Mail: DOT Docket Management Facility, M-30, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, West Building, Ground Floor, Rm. W12-140, 
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery or Courier: West Building Ground Floor, Room 
W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., between 9 am and 5 pm Eastern 
time, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     FAX: (202) 493-2551.
    Regardless of how you submit your comments, you should mention the 
docket number of this document.
    You may call the Docket Management Facility at 202-366-9826.
    Privacy Act: Please see the Privacy Act heading under Rulemaking 
Analyses and Notices.
    Instructions: For detailed instructions on submitting comments and 
additional information on the rulemaking process, see the Public 
Participation heading of the Supplementary Information section of this 
document. Note that all comments received will be posted without change 
to: http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information 
provided.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For non-legal issues, Mr. Charles 
Hott, Office of Vehicle Safety Standards (telephone: 202-366-0247) 
(fax: 202-366-4921), NVS-113. For legal issues, Ms. Dorothy Nakama, 
Office of the Chief Counsel (telephone: 202-366-2992) (fax: 202-366-
3820), NCC-112. These officials can be reached at the National Highway 
Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, 
DC 20590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

I. Background
II. Location of Exterior Release on Rear Emergency Exit Door
III. Window or Roof Emergency Exit Release
IV. Rulemaking Analyses and Notices

I. Background

    The purpose of FMVSS No. 217 (49 CFR 571.217) is to minimize the 
likelihood of occupants being thrown from the bus and to provide a 
means of readily accessible emergency egress. FMVSS No. 217 applies to 
buses (including school buses), except buses manufactured for the 
purpose of transporting persons under physical restraint. FMVSS No. 217 
establishes requirements for the retention of windows other than 
windshields in buses, and establishes operating forces, opening 
dimensions, and markings for bus emergency exits.

II. Location of Exterior Release on Rear Emergency Exit Door

    At S5.3.3.1(a), FMVSS No. 217 establishes provisions for the 
location of the interior and exterior releases (handles) for side and 
rear emergency door exits for school buses with a gross vehicle weight 
rating (GVWR) greater than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) (``large 
school buses''). The standard currently specifies at S5.3.3.1(a) and 
Figure 3D of the standard, and has specified since 1973, that the 
interior and exterior releases (handles) for rear emergency exit doors 
be located in the center of the door. However, school bus manufacturers 
have always understood the standard as requiring only the placement of 
the interior release (handle) to be in the center of the door, and that 
the exterior release (handle) may be near the edge of the door on the 
side opposite the hinges. This is because the exterior handle so 
located makes it easier for rescuers outside the school bus to open the 
rear emergency exit door, using a pulling motion, rather than pulling 
on an exterior handle located in the center of the door.\1\
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    \1\ Locating the outside handle in the center region of the door 
makes it harder for first responders to open the door from the 
outside in the event of an emergency. This is because of the 
mechanical advantage provided by the lever arm, e.g., the longer the 
distance between the handle and the door hinges, the less force is 
required to open the door. Thus, for optimum leverage, the handle 
should be operated from the side of the door as far away as possible 
from the door hinges.
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    The School Bus Manufacturers' Technical Council (SBMTC) petitioned 
the agency to amend FMVSS No. 217 to specify that the exterior release 
(handle) for school bus rear emergency exit doors may be located near 
the edge of the door on the side opposite the hinges. Specifically, 
SBMTC petitioned to amend S5.3.3.1(a) and one of the two drawings in 
Figure 3D.
    S5.3.3.1(a) specifies that the manual interior and outside releases 
(handles) are located: ``Within the high force access region shown in 
Figure 3A for a side emergency exit door, and in figure 3D for a rear 
emergency exit door.'' Figure 3D consists of two drawings. The left-
side drawing shows the vertical dimensions of the high force access 
region. As shown in the left-side drawing, the release (handle) may be 
located at any point from the left side of the door to the right. 
However, the right-side drawing, giving a different perspective of the 
rear exit, shows that the high force access region is a narrow area in 
the center of the door. Since S5.3.3.1(a) requires the interior and 
exterior releases (handles) to be ``[w]ithin the high force access 
region shown in * * * figure 3D for a rear emergency exit door,'' the 
releases must be in that narrow area in the center of the door shown in 
the right-side drawing of Figure 3D. As noted earlier, in actuality, 
SBMTC stated that manufacturers are ``universally'' placing the 
exterior releases on the side of the doors opposite the hinges.
    SBMTC suggests that we reconcile the language of the standard with 
the practices of the industry and with what petitioner believes is best 
for safety. The petitioner suggests that we make the right-side drawing 
of Figure 3D apply only to the interior release (handle) and not to the 
exterior release. With regard to applying the right-side drawing to the 
interior release (handle), the petitioner believes there are reasons to 
require the interior release to be in the center of the door: the 
location ensures that the release is visible to bus occupants, and is 
not obscured by seat backs if the door is wider than the bus's center 
aisle. Further, we note that the exit would be opened by a pushing 
rather than pulling

[[Page 68560]]

motion, so locating the handle in the center of the door does not 
markedly increase the difficulty of opening the door. However, since 
exterior releases (handles) are not obscured by seat backs, and since 
it is more difficult to open an exit by a pulling motion when the 
release (handle) is in the center of the door than when the handle is 
on the edge opposite the hinges, SBMTC believes that specifying a 
location in the center of the door serves no safety purpose for an 
exterior release.
    NHTSA agrees. We propose amending the standard to specify that the 
interior release (handle) for a rear emergency exit must be in the high 
force access region shown in both drawings of current Figure 3D, and 
that the exterior release for the exit must only be in the high force 
access region shown in the left-side drawing of current Figure 3D. 
Although no manufacturer currently places the exterior release in the 
center of the door, we request comment on whether we should require the 
exterior release to be no further than two inches away from the edge of 
the door. (To clarify the standard, NHTSA proposes that instead of 
having Figure 3D consist of two drawings, Figure 3D would be easier to 
understand if the left-side drawing were renamed Figure 3D(1) and the 
right-side drawing were renamed Figure 3D(2).) We tentatively agree 
that the school bus manufacturers' current practice of placing the 
exterior rear emergency exit door release (handle) near the edge of the 
door on the side opposite the hinges better meets the need for safety 
than placing the exterior release in the center of the door. Releases 
(handles) placed opposite the hinges would require less force to pull 
open the door for persons outside the school bus.
    We believe that this proposal is primarily a housekeeping measure 
that involves no cost implications, since all manufacturers of large 
school buses currently locate the exterior release (handle) on the edge 
of the door opposite the hinges. Demands on agency rulemaking resources 
have impeded the agency's progress in issuing this NPRM on this 
housekeeping matter. This proposal would provide more flexibility in 
locating the exterior release.
    Since all manufacturers currently meet the proposed changes 
discussed above regarding placement of the exterior release (handle), 
we propose making the amendments effective 60 days following 
publication of a final rule.

III. Window or Roof Emergency Exit Release

    At S5.3.3.2, FMVSS No. 217 specifies the type of and force 
applications to open emergency window exits in all school buses, and at 
S5.3.3.3 does the same for school bus emergency roof exits. At S5.3.2, 
the standard specifies the type of and force applications to open 
emergency exits in buses other than school buses.
    These paragraphs of the standard specify, among other things: ``In 
the case of [an exit] with one release mechanism, the mechanism shall 
require two force applications to release the exit. In the case of [an 
exit] with two release mechanisms, each mechanism shall require one 
[force] application to release the exit.'' The language first appeared 
in a November 2, 1992, final rule (57 FR 49423).
    In a June 13, 1994 interpretation letter to Blue Bird Body Company 
(Blue Bird), NHTSA stated that the sentence in S5.3.3.2, ``In the case 
of windows with one release mechanism, the mechanism shall require two 
force applications to release the exit,'' was incorrect. The agency 
stated that the sentence was meant to read: ``In the case of windows 
with one release mechanism, the exit shall require two force 
applications to open.'' (Emphasis added.) That is to say, the agency 
intended a window or roof exit with one release mechanism to be able to 
be opened with only two force applications: One force application that 
undoes the release mechanism and a second force application that opens 
the exit. The concern with the strict wording of the standard is that 
it could be read as specifying that two force applications are used to 
activate the single mechanism and that a third force application is 
applied to open the exit. This NPRM proposes to correct the wording so 
that it states more clearly what the agency had intended (described 
below). It should be noted that this rulemaking is primarily a 
housekeeping measure; we believe that all emergency window and roof 
exits are currently manufactured to meet the requirements that the 
agency had intended.
    Accordingly, the agency proposes the following changes. NHTSA 
believes that S5.3.2, S5.3.3.2, and S5.3.3 would be clearer if the 
requirements for releasing the mechanism(s) are separated from the 
requirements for opening the exit. NHTSA proposes to specify, for exits 
with one release mechanism, the exit shall require two force 
applications to open. For exits with two release mechanisms, there 
shall be a total of three force applications to open the exit: one 
force application shall be applied to each of the two mechanisms to 
release the mechanism, and another force shall be applied to open the 
exit.
    NHTSA proposes that if made final, these amendments to the force 
application requirements take effect one year after the final rule is 
published in the Federal Register, with early optional compliance 
permitted. To the agency's knowledge, all emergency window and roof 
exits are currently manufactured to meet the proposed requirements. 
However, to the extent that changes may be necessitated to meet the 
proposed requirements, NHTSA believes one year should be sufficient 
time to implement the changes. Comments are requested on these issues.

IV. Rulemaking Analyses and Notices

Executive Order 12866 and DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures

    This rulemaking document was not reviewed by the Office of 
Management and Budget under E.O. 12866. It is not considered to be 
significant under E.O. 12866 or the Department's Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034; February 26, 1979). NHTSA believes that 
there will be no costs associated with this proposed rule. We believe 
that all vehicles currently meet the proposed changes discussed in this 
NPRM.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    Pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq., 
as amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act 
(SBREFA) of 1996), whenever an agency is required to publish a notice 
of rulemaking for any proposed or final rule, it must prepare and make 
available for public comment a regulatory flexibility analysis that 
describes the effect of the rule on small entities (i.e., small 
businesses, small organizations, and small governmental jurisdictions). 
The Small Business Administration's regulations at 13 CFR part 121 
define a small business, in part, as a business entity ``which operates 
primarily within the United States.'' (13 CFR 121.105(a)). No 
regulatory flexibility analysis is required if the head of an agency 
certifies that the rule will not have a significant economic impact on 
a substantial number of small entities. The SBREFA amended the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act to require Federal agencies to provide a 
statement of the factual basis for certifying that a rule will not have 
a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities.
    NHTSA has considered the effects of this rulemaking action under 
the

[[Page 68561]]

Regulatory Flexibility Act. I hereby certify that if made final, this 
proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. If made final, this proposed rule 
would not substantively change existing FMVSS No. 217 requirements for 
small businesses that are school bus manufacturers.

National Environmental Policy Act

    NHTSA has analyzed this rulemaking action for the purposes of the 
National Environmental Policy Act. The agency has determined that 
implementation of this action would not have any significant impact on 
the quality of the human environment.

Executive Order 13132 (Federalism)

    NHTSA has examined today's proposal pursuant to Executive Order 
13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999) and concluded that no additional 
consultation with States, local governments or their representatives is 
mandated beyond the rulemaking process. The agency has concluded that 
the proposal does not have federalism implications because it does not 
have ``substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship 
between the national government and the States, or on the distribution 
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.''
    Further, no consultation is needed to discuss the preemptive effect 
of today's proposal. NHTSA's safety standards can have preemptive 
effect in at least two ways. First, the National Traffic and Motor 
Vehicle Safety Act contains an express preemption provision: ``When a 
motor vehicle safety standard is in effect under this chapter, a State 
or a political subdivision of a State may prescribe or continue in 
effect a standard applicable to the same aspect of performance of a 
motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment only if the standard is 
identical to the standard prescribed under this chapter.'' 49 U.S.C. 
30103(b)(1). It is this statutory command that unavoidably preempts 
State legislative and administrative law, not today's rulemaking, so 
consultation would be unnecessary.
    Second, the Supreme Court has recognized the possibility of implied 
preemption: State requirements imposed on motor vehicle manufacturers, 
including sanctions imposed by State tort law, can stand as an obstacle 
to the accomplishment and execution of a NHTSA safety standard. When 
such a conflict is discerned, the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution 
makes the State requirements unenforceable. See Geier v. American Honda 
Motor Co., 529 U.S. 861 (2000). However, NHTSA has considered the 
nature and purpose of today's proposal and does not currently foresee 
any potential State requirements that might conflict with it. Without 
any conflict, there could not be any implied preemption.

Executive Order 12988 (Civil Justice Reform)

    With respect to the review of the promulgation of a new regulation, 
section 3(b) of Executive Order 12988, ``Civil Justice Reform'' (61 FR 
4729, February 7, 1996) requires that Executive agencies make every 
reasonable effort to ensure that the regulation: (1) Clearly specifies 
the preemptive effect; (2) clearly specifies the effect on existing 
Federal law or regulation; (3) provides a clear legal standard for 
affected conduct, while promoting simplification and burden reduction; 
(4) clearly specifies the retroactive effect, if any; (5) adequately 
defines key terms; and (7) addresses other important issues affecting 
clarity and general draftsmanship under any guidelines issued by the 
Attorney General. This document is consistent with that requirement.
    Pursuant to this Order, NHTSA notes as follows. The preemptive 
effect of this proposed rule is discussed above. NHTSA notes further 
that there is no requirement that individuals submit a petition for 
reconsideration or pursue other administrative proceeding before they 
may file suit in court.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, a person is not required 
to respond to a collection of information by a Federal agency unless 
the collection displays a valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
control number. There are no collections of information associated with 
this notice of proposed rulemaking. Thus, the Paperwork Reduction Act 
would not apply.

National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act

    Section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement 
Act of 1995 (NTTAA), Public Law 104-113, section 12(d) (15 U.S.C. 272) 
directs NHTSA to use voluntary consensus standards in its regulatory 
activities unless doing so would be inconsistent with applicable law or 
otherwise impractical. Voluntary consensus standards are technical 
standards (e.g., materials specifications, test methods, sampling 
procedures, and business practices) that are developed or adopted by 
voluntary consensus standards bodies, such as the Society of Automotive 
Engineers (SAE). The NTTAA directs the agency to provide Congress, 
through the OMB, explanations when we decide not to use available and 
applicable voluntary consensus standards.
    After carefully reviewing the available information, NHTSA has 
determined that there are no voluntary consensus standards relevant to 
this rulemaking, as this NPRM seeks to clarify existing FMVSS No. 217 
requirements.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    Section 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) 
requires Federal agencies to prepare a written assessment of the costs, 
benefits, and other effects of proposed or final rules that include a 
Federal mandate likely to result in the expenditure by State, local or 
tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of more 
than $100 million in any one year (adjusted for inflation with base 
year of 1995). This proposed rule would not result in the expenditure 
by State, local, or tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the 
private sector of more than $100 million annually.

Plain Language

    Executive Order 12866 requires each agency to write all rules in 
plain language. Application of the principles of plain language 
includes consideration of the following questions:

--Have we organized the material to suit the public's needs?
--Are the requirements in the rule clearly stated?
--Does the rule contain technical language or jargon that is not clear?
--Would a different format (grouping and order of sections, use of 
headings, paragraphing) make the rule easier to understand?
--Would more (but shorter) sections be better?
--Could we improve clarity by adding tables, lists, or diagrams?
--What else could we do to make this rulemaking easier to understand?

    If you have any responses to these questions, please include them 
in your comments on this NPRM.

Regulation Identifier Number (RIN)

    The Department of Transportation assigns a regulation identifier 
number (RIN) to each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of 
Federal Regulations. The Regulatory Information Service Center 
publishes the Unified Agenda in April and October of each year. You may 
use the RIN contained in

[[Page 68562]]

the heading at the beginning of this document to find this action in 
the Unified Agenda.

Privacy Act

    Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all comments 
received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual 
submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf 
of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's 
complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on 
April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477 at 19478).

V. Public Participation

How Do I Prepare and Submit Comments?

    Your comments must be written and in English. To ensure that your 
comments are correctly filed in the Docket, please include the docket 
number of this document in your comments. Your comments must not be 
more than 15 pages long.\2\ We established this limit to encourage you 
to write your primary comments in a concise fashion. However, you may 
attach necessary additional documents to your comments. There is no 
limit on the length of the attachments.
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    \2\ See 49 CFR 553.21.
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    Please submit your comments by any of the methods discussed in the 
ADDRESSES section at the beginning of this NPRM.
    Please note that pursuant to the Data Quality Act, in order for 
substantive data to be relied upon and used by the agency, it must meet 
the information quality standards set forth in the OMB and DOT Data 
Quality Act guidelines. Accordingly, we encourage you to consult the 
guidelines in preparing your comments. OMB's guidelines may be accessed 
at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/fedreg/reproducible.html.

How Do I Submit Confidential Business Information?

    If you wish to submit any information under a claim of 
confidentiality, you should submit three copies of your complete 
submission, including the information you claim to be confidential 
business information, to the Chief Counsel, NHTSA, at the address given 
above under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. When you send a comment 
containing information claimed to be confidential business information, 
you should include a cover letter setting forth the information 
specified in our confidential business information regulation.\3\
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    \3\ See 49 CFR 512.
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    In addition, you should submit a copy, from which you have deleted 
the claimed confidential business information, to the Docket by one of 
the methods set forth at the beginning of this NPRM.

Will the Agency Consider Late Comments?

    We will consider all comments received before the close of business 
on the comment closing date indicated above under DATES. To the extent 
possible, we will also consider comments received after that date. 
Therefore, if interested persons believe that any new information the 
agency places in the docket affects their comments, they may submit 
comments after the closing date concerning how the agency should 
consider that information for the final rule.
    If a comment is received too late for us to consider in developing 
a final rule, we will consider that comment as an informal suggestion 
for future rulemaking action.

How Can I Read the Comments Submitted By Other People?

    You may read the materials placed in the docket for this document 
(e.g., the comments submitted in response to this document by other 
interested persons) at any time by going to http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the online instructions for accessing the dockets. You may also 
read the materials at the DOT Docket by going to the street address 
given above under ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 571

    Labeling, Motor vehicle safety, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Tires.

    In consideration of the foregoing, NHTSA proposes to amend 49 CFR 
part 571 as follows:

PART 571--FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS

    1. The authority for part 571 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 322, 30111, 30115, 30117 and 30166; 
delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.50.

    2. Section 571.217 is amended by:
    a. Revising S5.3.2(a), S5.3.2(b)(1) and (b)(2), S5.3.3.1(a), and 
the first sentence of S5.3.3.2;
    b. Redesignating S5.3.3.3 as S5.3.3.4;
    c. Adding a new S5.3.2.1 (a) and (b), S5.3.3.3 and S5.3.3.3.1;
    d. Revising the first sentence of newly redesignated paragraph 
S5.3.3.4;
    e. Adding S5.3.3.5 and S5.3.3.5.1 following S5.3.3.4(b)(3); and,
    f. Revising Figure 3D.
    The revised, redesignated and added text and figure read as 
follows:


Sec.  571.217  Standard No. 217; Bus emergency exits and window 
retention and release.

* * * * *
    S5.3.2 * * *
    (a) When tested under the conditions of S6., both before and after 
the window retention test required by S5.1, each emergency exit not 
required by S5.2.3 shall allow manual release of the exit by a single 
person, from inside the passenger compartment, using force applications 
each of which conforms, at the option of the manufacturer, either to 
S5.3.2.1(a) or S5.3.2.1(b).
* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (1) For vehicles manufactured before September 1, 2010, [this date 
has been inserted for illustration purposes], each exit described in 
S5.3.2(a) shall have not more than two release mechanisms. In the case 
of exits with one release mechanism, the mechanism shall require two 
force applications to release the exit. In the case of exits with two 
release mechanisms, each mechanism shall require one force application 
to release the exit. At least one of the force applications for each 
exit shall differ from the direction of the initial motion to open the 
exit by not less than 90[deg] and no more than 180[deg]. The force 
applications for the mechanism(s) must conform to either (a) or (b) of 
S5.3.2.1.
    (2) For vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2010, [this 
date has been inserted for illustration purposes], each exit described 
in S5.3.2(a) shall have no more than two release mechanisms. For exits 
with one release mechanism, the exit shall require two force 
applications to open the exit: one force application shall be applied 
to the mechanism and another force application shall be applied to open 
the exit. The force application for the release mechanism must differ 
by not less than 90 degrees and not more than 180 degrees from the 
direction of the initial motion to open the exit. For exits with two 
release mechanisms, there shall be a total of three force applications 
to open the exit: one force application shall be applied to each of the 
two mechanisms to release each mechanism, and another force shall be 
applied to open the exit. The force application for at least one of the 
release mechanisms must differ by not less than 90 degrees and not more 
than 180 degrees from the direction of the initial motion to open the 
exit. The force applications for the mechanism(s) must conform to 
either S5.3.2.1(a) or S5.3.2.1(b), as appropriate.

[[Page 68563]]

    S5.3.2.1(a) Low-force application.
    (1) Location. As shown in Figure 1 or Figure 3.
    (2) Type of motion. Rotary or straight.
    (3) Magnitude. Not more than 90 N.
    (b) High-force application.
    (1) Location. As shown in Figure 2 or Figure 3.
    (2) Type of motion. Straight, perpendicular to the undisturbed exit 
surface.
    (3) Magnitude. Not more than 270 N.
    S5.3.3.1 * * *
    (a) Location: Within the high force access region shown in Figure 
3A for a side emergency exit door, within the high force access region 
shown in both Figure 3D(1) and Figure 3D(2) for an interior release 
mechanism for a rear emergency exit door, and within the high force 
access region shown in Figure 3D(1) for an exterior release mechanism 
for a rear emergency exit door.
* * * * *
    S5.3.3.2 For vehicles manufactured before September 1, 2010, [this 
date has been inserted for illustration purposes], when tested under 
the conditions of S6, both before and after the window retention test 
required by S5.1, each school bus emergency exit window must allow 
manual opening of the exit by a single person, from inside the 
passenger compartment, using not more than two release mechanisms 
located in specified low-force or high-force regions (at the option of 
the manufacturer) with force applications and types of motions that 
conform to either S5.3.3.2(a) or (b) of this section. * * *
* * * * *
    S5.3.3.3 For vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2010, 
[this date has been inserted for illustration purposes], when tested 
under the conditions of S6., both before and after the window retention 
test required by S5.1, each school bus emergency exit window must allow 
manual opening of the exit by a single person, from inside the 
passenger compartment. Each exit shall have no more than two release 
mechanisms. The mechanism(s) must be located in either the specified 
low-force or high-force regions (at the option of the manufacturer), 
with force applications and types of motions that conform to either 
S5.3.3.3.1(a) or (b) of this section, as appropriate. For exits with 
one release mechanism, the exit shall require two force applications to 
open the exit. The force application for the release mechanism must 
differ by not less than 90 degrees and not more than 180 degrees from 
the direction of the initial motion to open the exit. For exits with 
two release mechanisms, there shall be a total of three force 
applications to open the exit: one force application shall be applied 
to each of the two mechanisms to release each mechanism, and another 
force shall be applied to open the exit. The force application for at 
least one of the release mechanisms must differ by not less than 90 
degrees and not more than 180 degrees from the direction of the initial 
motion to open the exit. Each release mechanism shall operate without 
the use of remote controls or tools, and notwithstanding any failure of 
the vehicle's power system. When a release mechanism is unlatched and 
the vehicle's ignition is in the ``on'' position, a continuous warning 
shall be audible at the driver's seating position and in the vicinity 
of that emergency exit.
    S5.3.3.3.1 The mechanism(s) must be located in either the specified 
low-force or high-force regions (at the option of the manufacturer), 
with force applications and types of motions that conform to either 
S5.3.3.3.1(a) or (b) of this section depending upon the location of the 
mechanism.
    (a) Emergency exit windows--Low-force application.
    (1) Location: Within the low-force access regions shown in Figures 
1 and 3 for an emergency exit window.
    (2) Type of motion: Rotary or straight.
    (3) Magnitude: Not more than 90 N.
    (b) Emergency exit windows--High-force application.
    (1) Location: Within the high-force access regions shown in Figures 
2 and 3 for an emergency exit window.
    (2) Type of motion: Straight and perpendicular to the undisturbed 
exit surface.
    (3) Magnitude: Not more than 180 N.
    S5.3.3.4 For vehicles manufactured before September 1, 2010, [this 
date has been inserted for illustration purposes], when tested under 
the conditions of S6, both before and after the window retention test 
required by S5.1, each school bus emergency roof exit shall allow 
manual opening of the exit by a single person from both inside and 
outside the passenger compartment, using not more than two release 
mechanisms located in specified low-force or high-force regions (at the 
option of the manufacturer) with force applications and types of 
motions that conform to either S5.3.3.4(a) or (b) of this section. * * 
*
* * * * *
    S5.3.3.5 For vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2010, 
[this date has been inserted for illustration purposes], when tested 
under the conditions of S6, both before and after the window retention 
test required by S5.1, each school bus emergency roof exit must allow 
manual opening of the exit by a single person, from inside the 
passenger compartment. Each exit shall have no more than two release 
mechanisms. The mechanism(s) must be located in either the specified 
low-force or high-force regions (at the option of the manufacturer), 
with force applications and types of motions that conform to either 
S5.3.3.5.1(a) or (b) of this section, as appropriate. For exits with 
one release mechanism, the exit shall require two force applications to 
open the exit. The force application for the release mechanism must 
differ by not less than 90 degrees and not more than 180 degrees from 
the direction of the initial motion to open the exit. For exits with 
two release mechanisms, there shall be a total of three force 
applications to open the exit: One force application shall be applied 
to each of the two mechanisms to release each mechanism, and another 
force shall be applied to open the exit. The force application for at 
least one of the release mechanisms must differ by not less than 90 
degrees and not more than 180 degrees from the direction of the initial 
motion to open the exit.
    S5.3.3.5.1 The mechanism(s) must be located in either the specified 
low-force or high-force regions (at the option of the manufacturer), 
with force applications and types of motions that conform to either 
S5.3.3.5.1(a) or (b) of this section depending upon the location of the 
mechanism.
    (a) Emergency roof exits--Low-force application.
    (1) Location: Within the low force access regions shown in Figure 
3B, in the case of buses whose roof exits are not offset from the plane 
specified in S5.2.3.2(b)(5). In the case of buses which have roof exits 
offset from the plane specified in S5.2.3.2(b)(5), the amount of offset 
shall be used to recalculate the dimensions in Figure 3B for the offset 
exits.
    (2) Type of motion: Rotary or straight.
    (3) Magnitude: Not more than 90 N.
    (b) Emergency roof exits--High-force application.
    (1) Location: Within the high force access regions shown in Figure 
3B, in the case of buses whose roof exits are not offset from the plane 
specified in S5.2.3.2(b)(5). In the case of buses which have roof exits 
offset from the plane specified in S5.2.3.2(b)(5), the amount of offset 
shall be used to recalculate the dimensions in Figure 3B for the offset 
exits.
    (2) Type of motion: Straight and perpendicular to the undisturbed 
exit surface.

[[Page 68564]]

    (3) Magnitude: Not more than 180 N.
* * * * *
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP28DE09.000


    Issued on: December 11, 2009.
Stephen R. Kratzke,
Associate Administrator for Rulemaking.
[FR Doc. E9-30324 Filed 12-24-09; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-59-P
