Interpretation ID: nht78-2.28

DATE: 01/17/78

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; Joseph J. Levin, Jr.; NHTSA

TO: Hendrickson Mfg. Co.

TITLE: FMVSS INTERPRETATION

TEXT: This responds to your November 21, 1977, letter asking whether a school bus that is propelled by a propane-fueled engine is required to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 301-75, Fuel System Integrity (49 CFR 571.301-75).

Paragraph S3 of Safety Standard No. 301-75 specifies that the standard applies to school buses that have gross vehicle weight ratings greater than 10,000 pounds and use fuel with a boiling point above 32 degrees F. Since the boiling point of propane is below 32 degrees F, Safety Standard No. 301-75 would not be applicable to a school bus propelled by a propane engine.

Please contact us if you have any further questions.

SINCERELY,

November 21, 1978

Chief Counsel National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Ref: 571.301 Standard No. 301: Fuel system integrity

Dear Sir:

Hendrickson Manufacturing Company, as a manufacturer of custom school bus chassis over 10,000 GVWR pounds, requests a ruling that would determine if a school bus propelled by a propane fueled engine is required to comply with Standard 301, fuel system integrity.

HENDRICKSON MFG. CO.

Kenneth R. Brennan Engineer Mobile Equipment Division

CC: M. A. SIGNA; T. F. CRAMER; A. TABB