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Choosing the Correct School Bus For Transporting Pre-School Age Children	�

Emergency Exits

CSRSs should never be placed in rows with emergency exit doors or windows because they may block the path of escape for other passengers. It is important to take this into account when you are determining how many CSRSs can be used in a school bus.

Entry

Young children sometimes have a hard time entering and exiting a school bus. The number and spacing of entry steps can help make it easier for them. Ask the manufacturer to position the lowest step at the lowest height practical for the roads on which the bus will be operated. Reducing the height of each step also may help young passengers. On large school buses, most manufacturers offer the option of three steps in the stairwell rather than the usual two, thus reducing the height of each step. Small buses are naturally low to the ground and usually are only manufactured with a two-step stairwell.

Another feature that assists children entering and exiting the school bus is the handrail. Young children often find it easier to climb the stairs if there is a handrail on both sides of the stairwell. This is an available option for all school buses. Because pre-school age children have small hands, you may want to order handrails with the smallest diameter available. To further assist young children entering the school bus, order the handrail to be placed in the lowest possible position. It is important to verify with the school bus distributor that the type of door you are ordering will accommodate handrails starting at the lowest step.