- (a) A braking system, including service brake and parking brake, shall be provided.
(b)
- (1) Buses using air in the operation of the brake system shall be equipped with warning signals, readily audible and visible to the driver, that will give a continuous warning when the air pressure available in the system for braking is sixty pounds per square inch (60 psi) or less.
- (2) An illuminated gauge shall be provided that will indicate to the driver the air pressure in pounds per square inch.
- (3) Any brake system dry reservoir shall be so safeguarded by a check valve or equivalent device that, in the event of failure or leakage in its connections to the source of compressed air, the stored dry air shall not be depleted by the leakage or failure.
(4)
- (A) All school buses with a maximum design capacity of sixty-five (65) passengers or more, or a GVWR above twenty-six thousand one pounds (26,001 lbs.) shall be equipped with air brakes.
- (B) A Bendix Air Dryer (AD9) or a prior approved equivalent with a heater shall be required on all air brakes.
- (C) Air compressor shall be twelve cubic feet per minute (12 CFM) or greater.
- (5) Brakes shall be designed to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) 105 or 121 as applicable.
(c) Buses using a hydraulic assist-brake system shall be equipped with warning signals, readily audible and visible to the driver, that will provide continuous warning in the event of a loss of:
- (1) Fluid flow from primary sources; or
- (2) Electric source powering the back-up system.
(d) The brake lines and the booster-assist lines shall be:
- (1) Protected from excessive heat and vibration; and
- (2) Installed in a manner which prevents chafing.
- (e) All brake systems shall be designed to permit visual inspection of brake lining wear without removal of any chassis components.
(f) Automatic slack adjusters:
- (1) Are required on all air brake units; and
- (2) Shall be of the same brand.
Codification Notes: “GVWR” means gross vehicle weight rating.