WASHINGTON - The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has announced an overhaul of that section of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations that covers key safety equipment on buses -- brakes, lights, windows, fuel systems and a host of other components.

The agency issued a final rule that amends Part 393 - Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operations - of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.

The rule should be of particular interest to coach industry maintenance personnel, as well as coach builders.

In announcing the rule, the FMCSA said that, in general, the rule isn't intended to establish new or more stringent requirements but to clarify existing requirements, and make many sections more concise, easier to understand and more performance oriented.

Readers of the 54-page rule will have to decide for themselves whether the revisions are easier to understand or if there is any sort of "performance orientation" associated with them.

Here's a sampling of the changes:
· A requirement that rear side marker lamps be visible in the rearview mirror is removed. The revision reflects a simple reality: The requirement was impractical.

· The requirement for emergency exits is modified, including changes to the identification and marking of emergency exists.

· Requirements for push-out windows are revised to say that no more than two mechanisms are allowed in order to release an exit window, and that one person must be capable of operating the releases. Also, the force required to release the exit mechanism should not exceed 20 pounds and the force needed to open a window exit should not be more than 60 pounds.

· Speedometers are required to operate with "reasonable accuracy."

· A requirement that fire extinguishers be mounted so the extinguisher doesn't slide, roll or move around.

· Makes clear that when the overall width of a bus is measured, such things are signal lamps, mirrors, marker lamps, flexible fender extensions, and mud flaps are not included in the measurement.

· A requirement that service brake chambers and spring brake chambers on each end of the axle must be the same size.

· A requirement that the effective length of slack adjusters on each end of the axle be the same length.

The rule goes into effect Sept. 14. The complete rule can be found at http://frwebgate3.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate.cgi?WAISdocID=51827810911+6+0+0&WAISaction=retrieve.