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busybus
New Member
2 Posts |
 Posted - 01/21/2011 : 07:34:15 AM
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A discussion with a senior driver about adding seat belts, needs some proffesional thoughts. I thought I read that seat belts installed on older busses must be bolted to the floor. He states that tying belts to the seat frame was a accepted and safe practise. I have lunch riding on this one. Is it in writing (where ?) that seat belts in older busses will be floor bolted or tied to seat frames ??
Thanks,
Keep up the good work.... |
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Thomas Ford 85-16
Top Member
USA
4177 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2011 : 08:20:59 AM
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Unfortunately, both of you are wrong. Who buys lunch now? The whole seat needs to be replaced with one that was designed to have seat belts from the start. If the bus floor is in good enough shape, you would remove all the old seats and install the new ones. You would have to be absolutely sure the condition of your floor could handle this, though.
Now, it is possible that you have "seat belt ready" seats, where the lap belts can indeed be bolted to the frame. You would need to check with the manufacturer of the bus...the body number could tell them what the bus was built with.
I am hoping someone else can find you something in writing...I looked quickly but did not turn anything up yet. It's out there though. |
Mike's Bus Yard - http://buses.zwebpages.com - Since 1999
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Trailboss
Senior Member
United States
196 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2011 : 08:36:10 AM
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I would not even think about retrofitting seat belts.The seat frames were designed for seat belts also the floor was not designed for seat belts just think about all of the holes you will be drilling into the floor you just lost the full strength of the floor.
You will also be liable if anyone gets injured from the belts.
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sambrutay
Advanced Member
United States
271 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2011 : 08:40:38 AM
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| lap belts are not the answer! |
Bruce |
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bwest
Administrator
United States
3820 Posts |
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BJ Henderson
Advanced Member
USA
280 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2011 : 10:22:25 AM
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| The seat belts should not be added to seats, unless the seats are designed for them. Seats designed to be used without seatbelts are made to collapse during a crash, absorbing the impact of a student hitting the back of them. According to the engineer I discussed this very issue with many years ago, and it makes sense to me. |
CMTT,CMAT,CMBT |
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bus724
Top Member
USA
1609 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2011 : 2:03:11 PM
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All school bus seat backs are designed to deform to absorb the crash forces when a student behind the seat slides forward. Adding seat belts to the seat frame will cause the seats to deform differently, as the weight of the student in that seat is transferred through the seat belt to the frame. Since it deforms differently, the protection isn't the same for an unbelted passenger in the seat behind it. Any "modification" to any seat on a school bus will void the FMVSS certification for that seat and the seat behind it. This is a recent decision, I remember a few years ago using seat belts which were tied to the seat frame to attach a carseat for a preschooler. Now, you can't use belts that way, and if there's any aftermarket carseat on a school bus, no one is allowed to sit in the seat behind it except for another carseat (adding a carseat is a "modification" and also voids FMVSS for the affected seats).
All manufacturers offer reinforced seat frames with specific bolt-through attachment points for seat belts. These seats are available to use the same mounting points on the floor and wall, but should be retrofitted only by a certified dealer to avoid liability. If belt-ready seats are already installed, adding lap belts is easy (but you should still ask the dealer for instructions in proper attachment).
Having said that, I'll add my voice to the anti-lap belt posts above. If you're going with belts, 3-points are the way to go. However, these require a completely different seat frame and extra reinforcement for the floor and wall attachment points. This is generally cost-prohibitive, and most districts only consider 3-points as a factory option on new bus purchases. |
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Seat Belts
