Hong Kong Regulations

ROAD TRAFFIC (CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF VEHICLES) REGULATIONS - REGULATION 69

Marking, positioning and operation of emergency exits

(Past version on 30/06/1997).

(1) In every bus and light bus-

   (a)  all emergency exits shall-

        (i)    be clearly marked as such inside and outside the vehicle in
               English and Chinese writing;

        (ii)   be fitted with doors which open outwards;

        (iii)  except in the case of an emergency exit provided in the roof of
               a half-decked bus, be readily accessible to passengers;

   (b)  the means of operation of doors fitted to emergency exits shall be
        clearly indicated;

   (c)  the doors of emergency exits shall not be fitted with any system of
        power operation; and

   (d)  the means of operation of the doors of emergency exits other than
        those provided in the upper deck of a double-decked bus or in the roof
        of a half-decked bus shall be readily accessible to persons of normal
        height standing at ground level outside the vehicle.

(2) All emergency exits in a single-decked bus or half-decked bus, or in the
lower deck of a double-decked bus, shall be so situated that passengers can
step directly from the passage referred to in regulation 71

(7) to the outside of the vehicle: Provided that this requirement shall not
apply in the case of an emergency  exit provided in the roof of the vehicle or
in the case of a secondary  emergency exit.

(3) Subject to paragraph (4) and except in the case of an emergency  exit
provided in the roof of a half-decked bus or, in a window, every bus and light
bus fitted with an emergency exit, shall be fitted with-

   (a)  a red warning light in the driver's compartment clearly visible to the
        driver which will remain illuminated; and

   (b)  a warning buzzer in the driver's compartment which will remain audibly
        activated, when any such door is not completely and securely closed.
        (L.N. 96 of 1997)

(4) Paragraph (3) shall not apply to-

   (a)  a private light bus that has a seating capacity of not more than 12
        passengers;

   (b)  a bus or light bus registered before 1 May 1997 and which is not used
        for the carriage to or from an educational institution of the students
        of the institution (whether or not for hire or reward);

   (c)  a bus or light bus registered before 1 May 1997 and which is used for
        the carriage to or from an educational institution of the students of
        the institution (whether or not for hire or reward) until-

        (i)    that bus is required to be produced at any time on or after 1
               November 1998 for examination pursuant to section 78 of the
               Ordinance; or

        (ii)   1 November 1999, whichever is the earlier. (L.N. 306 of 1998)