Section 575IAC1-9-48. Lamps and signals; overhead warning system

   (a) Buses must be equipped with an alternately flashing signaling system that alerts other highway users that the bus is stopped, or about to stop, to take on or let off students.

  (b) The signaling system on each bus ordered and initially placed in service on or after July 1, 1988, must meet the following specifications:

(1) Be equipped with a flashing signaling system that includes the following equipment:

(A) Two (2) red warning lights seven (7) inches in diameter (or if a shape other than round, a minimum of thirty-eight (38) square inches of illuminated area) located at the front and the rear of the bus and automatically energized.

(B) One (1) amber lamp mounted beside each of the four (4) red signal lamps. The amber lamps must be:

(i) closer than the red lamps to the longitudinal center line of the bus; and

(ii) manually energized and deenergized when the service door is opened.

(2) Allow the driver to visibly or audibly, or both, verify that the signaling system has been activated.

(3) Have warning and signal lamps installed as follows:

(A) Each signal lamp's axis must be mounted substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bus.

(B) The front and back signal lamps must be spaced at least sixty (60) inches apart.

(C) The front signal lamps must be mounted above the windshield and horizontally on the same center line.

(D) The back lamps must be horizontally mounted on the same center line so that the lower edges of the lenses are not lower than the top line of the side windows.

(E) An individual's view of the front and back signal lamps must not be obstructed by any part of the bus from five (5) degrees above to ten (10) degrees to the left of the center line of the bus.

(F) Visors or hoods may be used.

(G) Each lamp must be mounted with its aiming plane vertical and normal to the axis of the bus.

(H) All flasher units for alternately flashing red and amber signal lamps in the signaling system must be enclosed in an accessible location.

(4) Decals or lettering must identify the signaling system's master control switch. Activation of the system's switch and the door control switch must activate both the alternately flashing lamps and the stop arm signal in the following manner:

(A) Depressing the master switch must activate the amber indicator lights and the amber warning lights while the service door is closed.

(B) When the service door is opened and the master switch has been pressed, the:

(i) amber indicator lights and the amber warning lights must turn off;

(ii) red indicator lights and the red warning lights must flash; and

(iii) stop arm signal must be activated, with its lamps turning on.

(C) Opening the service door without activating the master switch must not cause the light to flash.

(D) When the service door is opened and the master switch is depressed, the red indicator lights, the red warning lamps, and the stop arm signal must be activated.

(E) Headlights may flash alternately from left to right only during simultaneous activation of red warning flashers and stop signal. Headlamps must return to normal operation after deactivation of red warning flashers and stop arm signal.

  (c) Light pairs must be of the same type bulb. (State School Bus Committee; 575 IAC 1-9-48; filed Aug 15, 2014, 10:20 a.m.: 20140910-IR-575130244FRA)