Vehicle interior

7-4 PSV aisles

Reasons for rejection

Mandatory equipment

1. A PSV does not have at least one of the following:

a) an aisle to provide unobstructed access throughout the PSV from each doorway used for passenger entry and exit

b) a door alongside every seat or every row of forward-facing or rearward-facing seats

c) a doorway that gives access to a compartment with fewer than nine seating positions in two rows of seats that face each other and opens into the space between the seats

d) in an outdoor-access vehicle with sideways-facing seats, at least a 300mm space between the front edges of seats which face each other, and at least 300mm foot room for any other seats.

Aisle steps and ramps

2. A flight of aisle steps, an internal ramp or a landing is not provided with handrails, handholds, or handgrips.

Aisles in a PSV used for standing passengers

3. A PSV with a certificate of loading that allows standing passengers is not fitted with handrails, handholds or handgrips whose number and location are appropriate for:

a) the number of passengers permitted to occupy the aisle, or

b) passengers of different heights.

Condition and performance

4. A light, push button, air vent or similar device:

a) projects more than 5mm into the required minimum aisle space, or

b) is not designed to minimise the risk of injury to passengers.

5. A handrail, handhold or handgrip is:

a) not suitable, or

b) not securely attached, or

c) in a condition such that it is likely to injure a person.

6. The aisle step-tread surfaces are:

a) not of a slip-resistant material, or

b) slippery or have deteriorated so that they are no longer safe to use.

Modification

7. An aisle arrangement was modified since the last CoF inspection and there is no written confirmation that items affected by the modification comply with the requirements for entry certification.

Summary of legislation

Applicable legislation
Mandatory equipment

1. An aisle is required in a PSV to provide unobstructed access throughout the PSV from each doorway used for passenger entry and exit, except where:

a) there is a door alongside every seat or every row of forward- or rearward-facing seats, or

b) a doorway:

i. gives access to a compartment with fewer than nine seating positions in two rows of seats which face each other, and

ii. opens into the space between the seats, or

c) the sideways-facing seats in an outdoor-access vehicle have at least a 300mm space between the front edges of seats which face each other, and there is at least 300mm foot room for any other seats.

Aisle steps and ramps

2. Aisle steps, internal ramps and landings must be provided with suitable handrails, handholds or handgrips.

Aisles in a PSV used for standing passengers

3. If the certificate of loading allows standing passengers to be carried on the PSV, handrails, handholds or handgrips must be fitted, whose number and location must be appropriate for the number of passengers permitted to occupy the aisle and for passengers of different heights.

Performance

4. An aisle, where required, must provide unobstructed access throughout the PSV from each doorway used for passenger entry and exit.

5. The aisle, where required, must be clear of any fixture, except that lights, push buttons, air vents, and similar devices may project up to 5mm into the required minimum aisle-height space, provided it is designed to minimise the risk of injury to passengers.

Aisle steps and ramps

6. The aisle step-tread surfaces must be of a slip-resistant material.

Modification

7. If an aisle in a PSV has been modified since it was last certified for operation in-service, the aisle must meet the requirements for entry certification.

Page amended 1 October 2012 (see amendment details).

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