Vehicle interior
7-4 PSV aisles (light PSVs)
Note An unmodified vehicle is not required to comply with section 7-4 provided that it complies with either:
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Reasons for rejection
Mandatory requirements
1. An aisle step:
a) is not permanently fixed, or
b) encroaches on required foot room or seating space in section 7-2, or
c) are arranged so that passengers leaving the vehicle step upward (unless the steps are over the engine cover and provide access from a central door to seating positions), or
d) from one step to the next is 250mm or more, or
e) from a sunken aisle to the seating area is 250mm or more, or
f) is less than 200mm deep from the front edge to the rise of the next step, or
g) width is less than the minimum aisle width in Table 7-4-2.
2. Where steps are fitted over an engine cover to provide access from a central door to seating positions:
a) there are more than two steps, or
b) the combined step height is 400mm or more, or
c) the steps provide access to more than five seating positions.
3. An aisle has a gradient steeper than:
a) 1 in 8 where standing passengers are not permitted, or
b) 1 in 12.5 where standing passengers are permitted.
4. The aisle height is below the minimum specified in Table 7-4-1.
5. The aisle width is less than the minimum specified in Table 7-4-2.
6. On a PSV intended to carry wheelchairs, any wheelchair or wheelchair-occupant restraint anchor points are positioned within the aisle width requirements of Table 7-4-2.
7. A handhold on an aisle step or an internal ramp has a cross section dimension:
a) smaller than 20mm, or
b) greater than 45mm.
8. A vehicle does not comply with the requirements relating to mandatory equipment set out in the VIRM: In-service certification, section 7-4.
Condition and performance
9. A vehicle does not comply with a requirement relating to condition or performance set out in the VIRM: In-service certification, section 7-4.
Note 1 Definition
An aisle is the area that provides unobstructed access throughout the passenger service vehicle from each doorway used for passenger entry and exit to the footroom of each passenger seating position and includes aisle steps and internal ramps.
Table 7-4-1. Minimum aisle height
Minimum aisle height (mm)* | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Standing passengers | 1830 1800 - if CoL allows only primary- and intermediate-school pupils to stand. | ||
Stretch limousines | Not less than the height of the doorway(s) servicing the aisle. | ||
Single-decked vehicle (excluding stretch limousines), no standing passengers | |||
Aisle length (mm) | Up to 12 seats (including driver’s) | 13 to 17 seats (including driver’s) | 18 or more seats (including driver’s) |
1900 or less | 1200 | 1350 | 1500 |
1901–2000 | 1390 | ||
2001–2100 | 1430 | ||
2101–2200 | 1470 | ||
2201–2300 | 1510 | ||
2301–2400 | 1550 | ||
2401–2500 | 1590 | ||
2501–2600 | 1620 | ||
2601–2700 | 1660 | ||
2701–2800 | 1700 | ||
2801–2900 | 1740 | ||
2901 and greater | 1780 | ||
Double-decked vehicles | Lower deck 1740, upper deck 1720 | ||
* The minimum aisle height dimension in Table 7-4-1 (other than for standing passengers) must be applied to the entire aisle throughout the passenger compartment.
Table 7-4-2. Minimum aisle width
Passenger type | Minimum aisle width (mm) |
|---|---|
No standing passengers | 300 |
Standing passengers (adult or secondary school pupils) | 380 |
Standing primary and intermediate school pupils only | 300 |
Figure 7-4-1. Aisle length measurement – one doorway opening into aisle
The aisle length is the longest aisle in a compartment measured as follows:
a) if only one doorway opens into that aisle, measured from:
i) the front edge of the doorway to the front edge of the front seat serviced by that aisle, or
ii) the rear edge of the doorway to the front edge of the rearmost seat serviced by that aisle,
b) if more than one door opens into the aisle, measured from:
i) the front edge of the front doorway to the front edge of the front seat serviced by that aisle, or
ii) the rear edge of the rearmost doorway to the front edge of the rearmost seat serviced by that aisle, or
iii) the point halfway between the front edge of the rearmost doorway to the rear edge of the front doorway.
Summary of legislation
Applicable legislation
Mandatory requirements
1. Aisle steps must comply with the following requirements:
a) the steps must be permanently fixed and must not encroach on any required foot room or seating space (section 7-2), and
b) except for steps over the engine cover to provide access from a central door to seating positions, the steps must be arranged so that any passenger, upon exiting the PSV, steps only downwards, and
c) the rise from one step to the next or, in the case of a sunken aisle, the rise up to the seating area, must be less than 250mm, and
d) the depth of the step from the front edge to the rise of the next step must be at least 200mm, and
e) the width of the step must not be less than the minimum aisle width for that vehicle.
2. If steps are fitted over an engine cover to provide access from a central door to seating positions:
a) there must be less than three steps, and
b) the combined step height must be less than 400mm, and
c) the steps must not provide access to more than five seating positions.
3. The gradient of an aisle must not be steeper than:
a) 1 in 8 where standing passengers are not permitted, or
b) 1 in 12.5 where standing passengers are permitted.
4. The aisle height must be above or at the minimum specified in Table 7-4-1.
5. The aisle width must be above or at the minimum specified in Table 7-4-2.
6. The cross section dimension of handholds on aisle steps or an internal ramp in a vehicle which entered service as a PSV in New Zealnd on or after 1 August 2000 must have no dimension smaller than 20mm or greater than 45mm.
7. A vehicle must comply with the requirements relating to mandatory equipment set out in the VIRM: In-service certification, section 7-4.
Performance
8. A vehicle must comply with the requirements relating to performance set out in the VIRM: In-service certification, section 7-4.
Page amended 1 October 2012 (see amendment details).