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MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ACTMotor Vehicle Safety RegulationsStandard 217Bus Window Retention, Release and Emergency Exits 217. (1) Subsections (2) and (2.1) do not apply to a windshield or a window of a size such that the length of the smallest chord along the surface of the glazing passing through the centroid is less than 200 mm (8 in.). (2) Every window glazing and surrounding window frame in a bus shall be retained by its surrounding structure in a manner that prevents the formation of an opening large enough to admit the passage of a sphere with a diameter of 100 mm (4 inches) that is pressed through the opening by a force of 22 N (5 pounds) including the weight of the sphere, when the window is tested according to the procedure set out in subsection (2.1). (2.1) Under the conditions set out in subsections (24) and (25), an increasing force shall be applied to the head form specified in Figure 4 to this section to cause it to move at a velocity of 51 mm per minute (2 in. per minute) from a point inside the vehicle that is at the centroid of the window glazing in a direction that is outward and perpendicular to the undisturbed surface of the glazing until one of the following occurs: (a) the force equals 5 300 N (1,200 lb.); (b) cracks have developed that penetrate to a depth of at least 80 per cent of the thickness of the glazing and radiate outward from the point of contact of the head form to two or more points at the window frame; (c) the glazing shatters; or (d) the inner surface of the glazing at the centroid has moved perpendicularly to the undisturbed surface of the glazing a distance equal to the square root of the length of the smallest chord along the surface of the glazing passing through the centroid divided by (i) 1.25, where the distance is measured in centimetres, or (ii) 2, where the distance is measured in inches. (3) Every bus, other than a school bus and a bus manufactured for the purpose of transporting persons under physical restraint, shall be provided with unobstructed openings for rapidly urgent egress, the combined areas of which, when measured (a) in square centimetres, is equal to at least 430 times the number of designated seating positions on the bus; or (b) in square inches, is equal to at least 67 times the number of designated seating positions on the bus. (4) A minimum of 40 per cent of the combined areas of the unobstructed openings required by subsection (3) shall be provided on each side of the bus. (5) In determining the combined areas of unobstructed openings provided in a bus, no emergency exit, regardless of its actual area, shall be deemed to measure more than 3 450 cm2 (536 square inches). (6) Subject to subsection (7), the unobstructed openings required by subsection (3) shall be provided in every bus with a GVWR of more than 4 536 kg (10,000 lb.) by (a) at least one side door for each three designated seating positions in the vehicle; or (b) side exits and at least one rear emergency exit that meets the requirements of subsections (11) to (14) when the bus is upright and when it is overturned on its side and any occupant is standing facing the rear emergency exit. (7) Where the configuration of a bus described in subsection (6) precludes the installation of an accessible rear emergency exit, the bus shall be equipped in its rear half with a roof emergency exit that meets the requirements of subsections (11) to (14) when the bus is overturned on its side and any occupant is standing facing the roof emergency exit. (8) The unobstructed openings required by subsection (3) shall be provided in every bus with a GVWR of 4 536 kg (10,000 lb.) or less by (a) devices that meet the requirements of subsections (11) to (14) and do not use remote controls or central power systems; (b) windows that can be opened manually to a position providing an opening large enough to admit unobstructed passage of an ellipsoid, with its major axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, that is generated by the rotation about its minor axis of an ellipse having a major axis of 500 mm (20 inches) and a minor axis of 330 mm (13 inches); or (c) doors. (9) Every school bus shall be provided with, at the option of the manufacturer, (a) one rear emergency door that opens outward and is hinged on the right side for a bus with a GVWR of more than 4 536 kg (10,000 lb.); (b) at least one rear emergency door that opens outward and is hinged on either side for a bus with a GVWR of 4 536 kg (10,000 lb.) or less; or (c) the following emergency exits, namely, (i) one emergency door (A) hinged on its forward side, and (B) located on the left side of the bus in the rear half of the bus passenger compartment, and (ii) one push-out rear window that (A) provides a minimum opening clearance 400 mm (16 in.) high and 1 200 mm (48 in.) wide, (B) is capable of being released by the operation of not more than two mechanisms that are located in the high-force access region as shown in Figure 3C and that do not have to be operated simultaneously, and (C) for release and opening, requires a force of not more than 180 N (40 lb.) applied in the directions specified in subsections (13) and (14). (10) Every school bus shall be provided with a warning system that shall (a) be activated when the vehicle ignition is in the ON position and (i) any emergency exit of the bus is locked in such a manner that the release mechanism of the exit cannot be activated by a person at that exit without the use of a special device, such as a key, or special information, such as a lock combination, (ii) a release mechanism that opens an emergency exit is not in the fully latched position, or (iii) one or more emergency exits are not in the fully closed position; and (b) generate a continuous warning sound audible at the driver's seating position and in the immediate vicinity of the emergency door or push-out window that caused the system to be activated. (11) Every push-out window or other emergency exit not required by subsection (9) shall have one or two release mechanisms located within the access regions shown in Figure 1, Figure 2 or Figure 3. (12) The lower edge of the low-force access region in Figure 1 and the lower edge of region B of the high-force access region in Figure 2 shall be located (a) 130 mm (5 inches) above the adjacent seat, or (b) if an arm rest is fitted, 50 mm (2 inches) above the arm rest, whichever is the higher. (13) When tested in accordance with the conditions set out in subsections (24) and (26) both before and after the window retention test described by subsection (2), every emergency exit of a bus, other than an emergency door required by subsection (9), shall allow manual release of the exit release mechanism by an occupant using, at the option of the manufacturer, (a) a low-force application of not more than 90 N (20 pounds) in a rotational or linear direction if the emergency exit release mechanism is located as shown in Figure 1 or Figure 3 of this section; or (b) a high-force application of not more than 270 N (60 pounds) in a linear direction perpendicular to the undisturbed emergency exit surface if the emergency exit release mechanism is located as shown in Figure 2 or Figure 3 of this section. (14) Every emergency exit release mechanism shall require for its operation not more than two applications of force, one of which must differ by 90 to 180 degrees from the direction of the initial push-out motion of the emergency exit. (15) Under the conditions set out in subsections (24) and (26), both before and after the window retention test described in subsection (2.1), every school bus emergency door shall be capable of being manually released by one person, from inside and outside the bus, using a force not exceeding 180 N (40 lb.) that is applied (a) within the access region for high forces shown in Figure 3B to this section for a side emergency exit door and in Figure 3D to this section for a rear emergency exit door; (b) in any direction from outside the bus; or (c) in an upward direction from inside the bus. (16) Every school bus emergency door release mechanism shall be capable of being operated without the use of remote controls or tools and shall function independently of the vehicle's power system. (17) Every emergency exit of a bus, other than an emergency door required by subsection (9), shall, after the release mechanism has been operated, be capable of being opened outward manually by an occupant, using the force applications described in subsection (13), to a position providing an opening large enough to allow the unobstructed passage of the ellipsoid described in paragraph (8)(b). (18) Under the conditions set out in subsections (24) and (26), both before and after the window retention test described in subsection (2.1), every emergency exit door of a school bus shall, after the release mechanism has been operated, be capable of being opened outward manually by one person to a position that provides (a) in the case of a side emergency exit door, an opening at least 1 143 mm (45 in.) high and 610 mm (24 in.) wide located so that a vertical transverse plane tangent to the rearmost point of the closest seat back passes through the forward edge of the side emergency exit door; and (b) in the case of a rear emergency exit door, an opening at least 610 mm (24 in.) wide that allows the unobstructed passage of a rectangular parallelepiped that measures 1 143 mm (45 in.) in height, 305 mm (12 in.) in width perpendicular to the sides of the bus, and 610 mm (24 in.) in depth parallel to the sides of the bus, the bottom of which remains within 25 mm (1 in.) of the floor at all times during its passage through the opening. (18.1) After insertion of a rectangular parallelepiped described in paragraph (18)(b), a rear emergency exit door or, where there are two rear emergency exit doors, both doors, shall be capable of being closed and latched. (18.2) A school bus that has a GVWR of less than 4 536 kg (10,000 lb.) and two rear doors that function as emergency exit doors shall have (a) a single release mechanism that simultaneously opens both rear doors in a manner such that neither rear door can interfere with the opening of the other rear door under any circumstances; (b) hinging and latching mechanisms that prevent the rear doors from opening when they are closed and fully latched and, under the conditions set out in subsections (24) and (26), a force of 9 000 N (2,000 lb.) is applied perpendicularly to any part of the door other than the window glass by a circular steel plate having a diameter of 150 mm (6 in.) and a thickness of 13 mm (1/2 in.); and (c) a single interior handle that operates the latching mechanisms and that is situated within 150 mm (6 in.) of a vertical plane equidistant from both sides of the aisle leading to the rear doors when the rear doors are closed and fully latched. (18.3) The rear doors of a school bus referred to in subsection (18.2) shall, under the conditions set out in subsections (24) and (26) and, after undergoing the test specified in paragraph (18.2)(b), be capable of being opened from outside and inside the bus using a force not exceeding 180 N (40 lb.). (19) Every push-out window or other emergency exit in a bus shall, for the purposes of identification and operation, be identified with a label located within 150 mm (6 inches) of its release mechanism bearing words in both official languages or an approved symbol that identifies the emergency exit, and followed by concise operation instructions in both official languages, except that school bus emergency exits shall be identified in accordance with the requirements of subsection (23). (20) Where a release mechanism is not located within the occupant space of an adjacent seat, a label indicating the location of the nearest release mechanism in both official languages and meeting the requirements of subsection (21) shall be placed within the occupant space. (21) The marking on every label referred to in subsections (19) and (20) shall be legible to an occupant with corrected visual acuity corresponding to a Snellen ratio of 20/40 who is a person described in (a) paragraph (22)(a), (b) or (c) when the locations described in the other two of those paragraphs are occupied; and (b) paragraph (22)(d) or (e) when the only source of light is the normal night time illumination of the bus interior and the occupant is a person described in subsection (22). (22) For the purposes of subsection (21), the following persons are described: (a) a person seated in the adjacent seat; (b) a person seated in the seat directly adjoining the adjacent seat; (c) a person standing in the aisle location that is closest to the adjacent seat; (d) a person standing in the aisle location nearest to the emergency exit when the exit has no adjacent seat; or (e) a person lying with his back against the floor opposite the roof emergency exit if the vehicle is so equipped. (23) Each school bus emergency exit provided in accordance with subsection (9) shall (a) be identified as "Emergency Door" and "Porte de secours" or "Emergency Exit" and "Issue de secours" or "Sortie de secours", whichever is applicable, in letters at least 50 mm (2 in.) high of a colour that contrasts with its background located at the top of or directly above the emergency door or exit on both the inside and outside surfaces of the bus; and (b) have concise operating instructions describing the motions and, if applicable, sequence of motions necessary to unlatch and open the emergency door or exit, in letters at least 9.5 mm (3/8 in.) high of a colour that contrasts with its background, located within 150 mm (6 in.) of the release mechanism on the inside surface of the bus. (24) For the purposes of subsections (2), (13), (15), (17) and (18) (a) the vehicle shall be on a flat, horizontal surface; and (b) the temperature inside and outside shall be maintained between 20°C and 30°C (70°F and 85°F) for a period of four hours immediately preceding the tests and during the tests. (25) For the purpose of subsection (2), all windows installed in the vehicle shall be closed and latched in the manner intended for normal bus operation if latches are provided, except that to demonstrate compliance of windows installed in folding doors, the test need not be performed with the doors installed in the vehicle. (26) For the purposes of subsections (13), (15), (17) and (18), all seats, arm rests and interior objects near the windows of the vehicle shall be adjusted for normal use with the seats in the upright position.
FIGURE 1 LOW-FORCE ACCESS REGION FOR EMERGENCY EXITS HAVING ADJACENT SEATS
FIGURE 2 HIGH-FORCE ACCESS REGIONS FOR EMERGENCY EXITS HAVING ADJACENT SEATS
3A Roof Emergency Exit
3B Side Emergency Exit FIGURE 3 LOW AND HIGH-FORCE ACCESS REGIONS FOR EMERGENCY EXITS WITHOUT ADJACENT SEATS
3C REAR EMERGENCY EXIT WITH REAR OBSTRUCTION
3D REAR EMERGENCY EXIT WITHOUT REAR OBSTRUCTION
FIGURE 4 HEAD FORM
Established by the CONSOLIDATED REGULATIONS OF CANADA, 1978.amended by SOR/80-159 21 February, 1980 pursuant to sections 4 and 7 of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, effective September 30, 1980 Revoked and replaced. SOR/86-978 11 September, 1986 pursuant to sections 4 and 7 of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act Subsection 217(2) of Schedule IV of the French version; subsection 217(8) of Schedule IV of the French version preceding paragraph (b); paragraph 217(9)(b) of Schedule IV; subsection 217(15) of Schedule IV of the French version preceding paragraph (b); paragraph 217(18)(a) of Schedule IV; subparagraph 217(18)(b)(i) of Schedule IV; paragraph 217(18)(c) of Schedule IV preceding subparagraph (ii); section 217 of Schedule IV by adding subsection (18.1); subsection 217(20) of Schedule IV of the French version; and subsection 217(25) of Schedule IV. SOR/87-176 19 March, 1987 pursuant to sections 4 and 7 of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act Subsection 217(6) of Schedule IV preceding paragraph (b); subsection 217(8) of Schedule IV preceding paragraph (a); subsection 217(9) of Schedule IV; subparagraph 217(10)(a)(i) of Schedule IV; paragraph 217(15)(a) of Schedule IV preceding subparagraph (i); paragraph 217(15)(b) of Schedule IV preceding subparagraph (i); paragraph 217(18)(b) of Schedule IV preceding subparagraph (i); paragraph 217(18)(c) of Schedule IV preceding subparagraph (i); subsection 217(18.1) of Schedule IV preceding paragraph (a); paragraph 217(18.1)(b) of Schedule IV; and subsection 217(23) of Schedule IV. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE MOTOR VEHICLE ACT IS NOW CHAPTER M10 OF THE REVISED STATUTES OF CANADA, 1985. SOR/92-122 13 February, 1992 pursuant to section 7 of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act Subsections 217 (1) and (2) of Schedule IV; paragraph 217(10)(a) of the French version of Schedule IV preceding subparagraph (i); paragraph 217(10)(a)(ii) of Schedule IV; subsection 217(15) of Schedule IV; and subsections 217(17) to (18.1) of Schedule IV. SOR/94-374 26 May, 1994 pursuant section 4 and 7 of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act Subsection 217(2) of Schedule IV; subsection 217(18) Schedule IV to the French version; paragraph 217(18.2)(c) of the Schedule IV to the French version and subsection 217(18.3) of Schedule IV to the French version. SOR/94-692 7 November,1994 pursuant sections 4 and 7 of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act Subsection 217(3) of Schedule IV preceding paragraph (a); subsections 217(6) and (7) Schedule IV; and subsection 217(8) of Schedule IV preceding paragraph (b). SOR/98-524 22 October, 1998 pursuant to sections 5, 10 and 11 of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, into force on October 22, 1998. The expression « clé de contact », in paragraph 217(10)(a) of Schedule IV of the French version, is replaced with the expression « commutateur dallumage ». SOR/99-215 6 May, 1999 pursuant to sections 5 and 11 of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, into force on May 6, 1999. Subparagraph 217(10)a)(i) of the French version is replaced. |
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