<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".31" citation="COMAR 11.19.02.31" title_num="11" subtitle_num="19" chapter_num="02" heading="Seats, Crash Barriers, and Interior.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Passenger Seats.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The minimum clearance of all aisles, including the aisle or passageway between seats leading to the emergency door, shall be 12 inches.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The forward-most seat on the right side of the vehicle shall be located so as not to interfere with the operator's vision and may not be farther forward than the rear of the operator's seat when adjusted to its rearmost position.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A minimum of 36 inches of headroom for the sitting position above the top of the undepressed cushion line of all seats shall be provided. Measurement shall be made vertically not more than 7 inches from the side wall at cushion height and at the fore and aft center of the cushion.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The backs of seats of similar size shall be of the same width at the top, of the same height from the floor, and shall slant at the same angle with the floor.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Seats shall be:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Forward facing and shall be securely fastened with bolts and nuts to supporting parts of the vehicle. Each leg shall be fastened with a minimum of two bolts and nuts. Portable seats are not acceptable. Aisles between forward facing seats shall have a minimum clear width of 12 inches; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>As of January 1, 2014, all vehicles procured for use in this State shall be constructed with materials that enable it to meet all the criteria of the school bus seat upholstery fire block test established by the National School Transportation Specifications and Procedures adopted at the most recent National Congress on School Transportation.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Aisle supports of seat backs shall be slanted away from the aisle sufficiently to give an aisle clearance of 15 inches at the tops of the seat backs.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>The rear davenport paneling shall be covered with fireblock upholstery or have fireblock material between the engine compartment and the passenger compartment, and the seat on rear engine busses shall be covered with fireblock upholstery. As of January 1, 2014, all vehicles procured for use in this State shall be constructed with materials that enable it to meet all the criteria of the school bus seat upholstery fire block test established by the National School Transportation Specifications and Procedures adopted at the most recent National Congress on School Transportation.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>A flip-up seat may be installed at side emergency doors.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Track Seating.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Track seating may be used.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The top of the track shall be flush with the floor.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The manufacturer shall install a label to indicate the required seat spacing.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Bolts, nuts, and washers or flanged-head nuts shall be used.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Operator's Seat.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The minimum distance between the steering wheel and the backrest of the operator's seat is 11 inches.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The operator's seat shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Be rigidly positioned;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Have vertical adjustment and fore and aft adjustment of not less than 4 inches, without the use of tools or other devices;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Be fastened to the floor with bolts, nuts, and washers or flanged-head nuts; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Be covered with Fire-Block material. As of January 1, 2014, all vehicles procured for use in this State shall be constructed with materials that enable it to meet all the criteria of the school bus seat upholstery fire block test established by the National School Transportation Specifications and Procedures adopted at the most recent National Congress on School Transportation.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Crash Barriers.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Crash barriers shall be located on both sides of the aisle in front of the most forward facing seat.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>On vehicles with the engine inside the front of the body, the minimum distance between the barrier at rear of the entrance step-well and the engine cover shall be 14 inches at floor level.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Barriers shall be covered with Fire-Block material. As of January 1, 2014, all vehicles procured for use in this State shall be constructed with materials that enable it to meet all the criteria of the school bus seat upholstery fire block test established by the National School Transportation Specifications and Procedures adopted at the most recent National Congress on School Transportation.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Sun Visor. An interior adjustable transparent sun visor not less than 6 inches wide and 30 inches long shall be installed so that it can be turned up to prevent being a hazard when not in use. It shall be supported by two brackets.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Steering Wheel. The steering wheel circumference shall have at least 2 inches of clearance at all points.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>Speakers. Ceiling or side-mounted speakers shall be flush mounted.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>