Interpretation ID: aiam4127
P.E.
Engineering Services Department
Blue Bird Body Company
P.O. Box 937
Fort Valley
GA 31030;
Dear Mr. DuMond: Thank you for your November 13, 1985 letter to our office enclosing blueprint illustrating maximum seat spacing and knee clearance on Blue Bird's school buses with gross vehicle weight ratings greater than 10,000 pounds. We would like to take this opportunity to clarify our requirements for seat spacing, because it appears that the method used in the blue print to measure the distance between school bus seats is not entirely consistent with the specifications of S5.2.1.; Paragraph S5.2 of the standard requires either a seat back or restraining barrier within 24 inches of each designated seating position's seating reference point (SRP). Under S5.2.1, the 24-inch distance is measured from the SRP to the rear surface of the forward seat back or restraining barrier. Therefore, the distance from the SRP would not be measured to a point forward of that surface, as depicted in your blueprint.; Sincerely, Erika Z. Jones, Chief Counsel