TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NOTE
No. T-03-04
Bureau of School Business Services
School Transportation Management Section
Contact:
Julie Wammack
Department of Education
Charlie Crist, Commissioner
(850) 488-4405
SC 278-4405
DATE:July 26, 2002
TO: School District Transportation Directors
School District Fleet Managers
FROM: Ronnie H. McCallister, Director of Operations
School Transportation Management Section
SUBJECT: Lap Belts for Child Safety Restraint Systems (CSRSs)
All new buses arriving at district transportation compounds are equipped with lap belts, as required
by Section 316.6145, Florida Statutes. The lap belts that are installed by the manufacturers range
from 53 to 68 inches in overall length, with the non-adjustable end (buckle end) ranging from 14 to
19 inches. The lengths of the adjustable and non-adjustable segments were selected to accommodate
the physical size range of kindergarten through grade 12 students.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends that the best practice in
securing Child Safety Restraint Systems (CSRSs) for pre-school age children is with a non-
adjustable segment that extends out of the seat “bight” (junction of bottom cushion and seat back)
one to three inches. This is the most appropriate length to properly tighten and secure the CSRS
without the buckle interfering with the belt path of the CSRS.
In order to assist districts in equipping new buses to transport pre-school age children, we are
providing the part numbers for the appropriate lap belt systems to secure CSRSs. The table below
identifies the part numbers for the entire lap belt systems of the three bus manufacturers, including
both the “regular” length lap belt systems and the lap belt systems with the shorter, non-adjustable
belt segment.
The table also identifies the part numbers for each bus manufacturer for the “Bus Baby” belt system
from Beam’s Industries, Inc. This lap belt system is similar to the Lower Anchors and Tethers for
Children (LATCH) system that will be required by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS)
225 in all personal vehicles as of September 2002, including Type A school buses with a gross
vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less. There are two non-adjustable belt segments that are
secured to the seat frame and an independent belt portion that passes through the CSRS belt path,
with each end securing into a buckle. The manufacturer claims that this system tightly secures the
CSRS to the bus seat and is easy to use. We have attached a diagram of the “Bus Baby” lap belt
Lap Belts for CSRSs
Page Two
July 26, 2002
system for your information. This product can be obtained from the dealer for each bus
manufacturer.
Please note that the Department neither condones nor recommends against the use of specific
products or services. There may be other products that perform similar functions.
Part #
Regular Length
Lap Belt System
Part #
Shorter,
Non-adjustable
Segment
Lap Belt System
Part #
Beam’s
“Bus Baby”
Blue Bird
CSR-D1501-R90
Beige 4279717 0034631
Black 4279725 0034632
Maroon 4280566 0034633
Integrated Coach
Corporation
CSR-D1501-R30
Blue 421280001 451858001
Maroon 421280002 451858002
Brown 421280003 451858003
Thomas Built
CSR-D1501
Black 65010707 65010249
Burgundy
65010708 65010250
Tan 65010709 65010251
The following dealers represent the school bus manufacturers above:
Blue Bird: Mr. Chris Rustman, Florida Transportation Systems, Inc.
(813) 980-0174; Florida Toll Free (800) 282-8617
IC Corporation: Mr. Jim Searcy, Rivers Bus and RV Sales
(904) 783-0313
Thomas Built: Mr. Jim Bay, First Class Coach
(407) 656-1175
If you need additional information or assistance on this topic, please contact our office at (850) 488-
4405 and speak with Julie Wammack or me.
RHM/jw
Attachment