Interpretation ID: nht93-2.47

DATE: April 8, 1993

FROM: John Womack -- Acting Chief Counsel, U.S. Department of Transportation, NHTSA

TO: Jane L. Dawson -- Specifications Engineer, Thomas Built Buses, Inc.

TITLE: None

ATTACHMT: Attached to letter dated 3-5-93 from Jane L. Dawson to Walter Myers (OCC 8418)

TEXT: This responds to your letter of March 5, 1993 asking if an exterior handle is required for emergency exit windows under the recent final rule amending Standard No. 217, BUS WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE (November 2, 1992; 57 FR 49413). As explained below, the answer is no.

The final rule added a new section S5.3.3.2 to Standard No. 217 which reads:

each school bus emergency exit window shall allow manual release of the exit by a single person, FROM INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT (emphasis added).

Thus, unlike doors and roof exits, a release mechanism is not required on the outside of emergency exit windows.

I hope you find this information helpful. If you have any other questions, please contact Mary Versailles of my staff at this address or by phone at (202) 366-2992.