OOSC, Part II, Item 14. Emergency Exits and/or Electrical Cables and Systems in Engine Compartments (Buses), b.(2) - Loose or Corroded Connections at Battery Posts

During recent CVSA bus inspections in Ontario, two motor coaches were written up by MTO officers for corrosion on battery terminals. One of the coaches was put out-of-service for this defect alone. MTO officers told the drivers the terminals had to be ?cleaned and greased? before they could return to service. We acknowledge this defect is listed in the CVSA North American Standard Out of Service Criteria (OOSC) as follows:?Loose or corroded connections at battery posts or unsuitable insulated protection to electrical components?We appreciate this was put in the Standard as a bus fire prevention measure, as corrosion is indicative of escaping battery gases. However, there is no criteria in the standard to provide guidance to the inspectors as to the extent of corrosion that warrants an out-of-service order. For example, if an inspector finds just a light trace or dusting of corrosion, does this warrant taking a bus out of service?

Moderate level of importance.

We are asking CVSA to review this defect criteria for a possible amendment, or to provide interpretive guidance to inspectors as to what amount of corrosion is deemed acceptable.