Emergency Exit
Emergency Exit
Illinois tests exit identification, operation, and the requirement to keep exits usable. A bus has service doors, emergency doors, emergency windows, and often roof hatches. Each must be marked, operable, and clear.
Core rules
- Know every exit on your bus and how it opens from inside and outside. Check them during the pre-trip.
- Keep the path to each exit clear. Baggage, folding seats, and riders must not block a door, window, or hatch.
- Do not disable, tape, or wire an exit alarm. If an exit warning sounds, stop safely and investigate; do not ignore it.
- Use emergency exits only for emergencies or drills, not for normal loading.
- Brief passengers when needed, especially on school or charter trips, on how to open the exit nearest them.
- If an exit will not open or will not latch, tag the bus out of service until repaired.
Worked example
The rear emergency-door buzzer sounds as the bus pulls out. The driver should not silence it and continue. The driver stops in a safe place, checks that the door is closed and latched, and confirms no rider opened it. If the latch or alarm is defective, the bus is not ready for passengers.
Traps
- Thinking an emergency exit means only the rear door.
- Blocking a roof hatch with a luggage rack.
- Treating the alarm as a nuisance and pulling the fuse.
- Forgetting to check outside release handles.