Te revised standard, FMVSS 571.222, introduces performance
standards for testing and certification of lap/shoulder belt– equipped bus seats and the anchor points for both mandatory and optional installation of seat-belt systems in school buses, as well as FMVSS performance standards that apply to using flexible seat restraint systems. Te FMVSS 222 Seat Belt Performance Standard (that at
one time could reduce passenger capacity by up to one-third) recently recognized new technology on the market and in use at school districts such as in Buffalo, N.Y., which relies on the flexibility of belting either three smaller children or two larger children per seat. Tese seats are designed to meet the new FMVSS performance requirements, including the school bus body seating capacity requirements for K–12 students. Tis next generation of seating that can be specified on new buses. However, as with any new technology that meets minimum
standards, a buyer should be aware of the capabilities of the numerous “flexible” seats now developed to meet the new standards and, most importantly, allow seating flexibility of the K–12 children secured with a three-point restraint, especially if your district or company is considering converting or retrofitting to flexible seating. Before you decide on one flexible seat supplier versus another
(all suppliers have certified their seat, belts and anchorage as meeting FMVSS), you should ask the supplier the following:
• Can my existing bus seats be converted? If so, what is the pro-
cess for conversion to meet the FMVSS performance standard? • Should my existing buses be retrofitted with flexible seats
and meet the FMVSS performance standard, what would the retrofit process require? • How is your seat different than your competitor’s in
conversion options? • Are the seats available in all seat widths and types such as flip
seats, davenport seats and rear row seats? • What are flexible-seat conversion options? • Does your seat technology exceed the level of protection
for belted and non-belted passengers, as outlined in the current FMVSS 222 flexible seat performance standard? If so, how? You must always be aware that
school bus designs and
components are certified in compliance with FMVSS’s at the time of production, so altering any component from its original design or use would transfer product liability to the modifier. Answers to the questions above may differentiate one reputable
supplier from another, but it also gives you the option to decide what is right for your particular application and school district. ■
Pudlewski is STN’s technical editor and is the retired vice president of fleet operations for both Laidlaw Education Services and First Student. He can be reached at
bpudlewski@roadrunner.com.
You're in the business of providing the safest possible bus transportation. SafeGuard XChange™ school bus seating by IMMI makes that responsibility easier by giving you the freedom to easily modify your seating how and when you need. Install XChange as standard seating today. Simply exchange seating modules, when needed, to add lap-shoulder belts or integrated child seats down the road. Head toward freedom today.
Freedom Down the Road
www.safeguardseat.com www.stnonline.com 39
©2011 IMMI. All rights reserved. 11/11 4120P
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