MAINTENANCE
INFORMATION
DATE :

April 2020

SUBJECT :

MI20-09A
SECTION : 00 GENERAL

PREVOST VEHICLE DISINFECTION PROCEDURE

Revision A:

05-14-2020

APPLICATION
Model

VIN
ALL PREVOST VEHICLES

DESCRIPTION
This Maintenance Information is intended to provide recommendations regarding vehicle
disinfection during pandemic times. Following the recommendation listed in this document and
proceeding to the disinfection of listed area of the vehicle will help to reduce the risks related to
virus transmission to passengers and vehicle operators.

IMPORTANT NOTICE
Follow all CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) policies regarding COVID19 prevention while working on the vehicle.
-Practice social distancing while cleaning – 6 feet (2 meters) min.
-Also wear appropriate PPE (personal Protection Equipment) Including but not limited to:
Disposable gloves, gowns and face masks as well as eyes protection (shield or googles).
Follow CDC recommendations
Refer to CDC documentation: What Bus Transit Operators Need to Know About COVID-19.
Check regularly for updated information.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/transit-maintenanceworker.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/cleaningdisinfection.html#Cleaning
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/ppestrategy/index.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F201
9-ncov%2Fhcp%2Fhealthcare-supply-ppe-index.html

MI20-09A/ Page 2 / 6

RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS AND USE
PRODUCT TYPE

Soap/Detergent

USE

Recommended for all soft (porous) surfaces like carpeted areas,
seats and safety belts.

Isopropyl Alcohol
(70% mixture)

For small, hard (non-porous) surfaces like handrails, handles, belt
buckles steering wheel and most of the driver’s controls &
electronics. Can also be used on leather or vinyl seats.

Disinfectant*

For large area, hard (non-porous) surfaces like flooring, overhead
compartment doors and interior trims.

*Refer to page 18 of the APTA American Public Transportation Association - The COVID-19 Pandemic Public
Transportation Responds: Safeguarding Riders and Employees for an approved list of disinfectants.

-

A DISINFECTANT SOLUTION CAN BE PREPARED BY MIXING 5 TABLESPOONS (1/3rd
CUP) OF HOUSEHOLD BLEACH (SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE) WITH A GALLON OF
WARM WATER.
THIS SOLUTION WILL LOSE ITS EFFECTIVENESS IN ABOUT 24 HOURS. MAKE A NEW
BATCH EVERY DAY.

-

DO NOT USE HYDROGEN PEROXIDE BASED CLEANING SOLUTION.

CAUTION
-

Do not add more than the recommended bleach concentration (1/3rd cup per gallon).
Use of a higher concentration could damage some of the coach interior surfaces.

-

To be effective, a 60 seconds minimum (wet) contact time must be observed with the
surface (at the specified bleach concentration).

-

Make sure surface has dried completely before boarding passengers (to minimize risk
of passenger cloth discoloration and vapor exposure).

When using commercially available cleaning products, follow the manufacturer’s
recommendation for application, contact time, required personal protection equipment (PPE) and
ventilation.
Do not mix products containing bleach (sodium hypochlorite) with ones containing ammonia.
When diluting products, use the warmest possible water.
Alcohol solution used to disinfect non-porous surfaces must contain 70% isopropyl alcohol (as
opposed to 60% for hand cleaning).
Always use wet method to clean vehicles; avoid dry sweeping. It must be assumed that a virus
can survive up to 72 hours on solid (non-porous) surfaces and may become airborne if on dust.

MI20-09A/ Page 3 / 6

UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CLEANING AND DISINFECTING.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), CLEANING refers to the
removal of germs, dirt and impurities from surfaces. It does not kill germs, but by removing them
it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection.
Cleaning is an important process already performed by coach operators during their regular
activities (end of day or end of shift). Operators must continue and increase as much as possible
the frequency of their cleaning routine during pandemic times.

DISINFECTING refers to the use of chemicals to kill germs on surfaces. This process does not
necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after
cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection.
Disinfecting is an additional process (applied to specific high traffic - high contact areas of the
coach) that should be performed by coach operators after the regular cleaning process to further
reduce the risk of virus propagation during pandemic times.

PROCEDURE
DANGER
Park vehicle safely, apply parking brake, stop engine. Prior to working on the vehicle, set the
ignition switch to the OFF position and trip the main circuit breakers equipped with a trip
button. On Commuter type vehicles, set the battery master switch (master cut-out) to the OFF
position.
1. If possible, the vehicle central HVAC should be run at fresh air setting and at the highest
setting possible. Change filters regularly. Do not run the parcel rack HVAC since this unit
recirculates internal air not bringing outside fresh air.
2. If HVAC cannot be activated (vehicle not running), open side windows as much as possible
to increase ventilation.
3. Proceed to the regular cleaning of the vehicle.
4. Follow cleaning with disinfecting process. Use the checklist provided at the end of this
document to ensure that all areas of concern are disinfected. Checklist can be printed and
dispatched to maintenance crew.

MI20-09A/ Page 4 / 6

VEHICLE QUARANTINE PROCEDURE (APTA
RECOMMENDATION)
IF A VEHICLE WAS SUBJECTED TO A KNOWN VIRUS EXPOSURE, PROCEED AS
FOLLOWS:
•

Develop protocol for cleaning and disinfecting a vehicle after a person with COVID-19
was known to be in the space:

•

Designate special “quarantine” parking zones for any vehicles that have suspected or
known exposure to the virus.

•

If the operator is still in the vehicle immediately after known exposure, ask the
operator to perform the following steps, which allow for sufficient air changes to
remove potentially infectious particles:
o Park the vehicle in designated area.
o Leave the engine running and turn on HVAC to maximum fan speed.
o Open windows (if possible) and vehicle door.
o Use lockdown procedures to ensure nobody can enter/exit vehicle while
quarantined; this could include additional steps such as license plate removal
and placing caution/warning signs on the vehicle.

Based on guidance provided for cleaning/disinfecting the vehicles, as long as air changes are
occurring in vehicle via continuous running of HVAC and/or opened windows while vehicle is in
use, personnel can enter the vehicle for cleaning/disinfection after approximately 30
minutes.
Refer to page 6 of the APTA American Public Transportation Association - The COVID-19
Pandemic Public Transportation Responds: Safeguarding Riders and Employees for additional
information.
Also consult this CDC information :
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/disinfecting-transportvehicles.html

MI20-09A/ Page 5 / 6

VEHICLE DISINFECTION CHECKLIST – TO BE PERFORMED AFTER CLEANING
Please take note that vehicle may not be equipped with some of the equipment listed below. Operators must adapt
the procedure to each vehicle configuration.

PASSENGER AREA:
Aisle & steps flooring.
Entrance door handrails.
Seats.
• Headrest.
• Back rest (both sides).
• Arm rests and reclining buttons.
• Around USB and AC power outlets.
Side windows, window frames, lower
grill and emergency exit handles.
Overhead storage compartment doors
and lock button.
Overhead
storage
compartment
baggage retaining straps (if not
equipped with doors).

Overhead console (buttons, air registers
and lamps).
Seat belts (including both male and
female buckles).
WCL straps, belts and buckles (if so
equipped).
Microphones (all types).
Front modesty panels (both sides).
Remote
controls
(audio
video
equipment).
Display screens.
Remove and discard all magazines,
flyers, brochures or maps supplied by
the operator or left by passengers.

LAVATORY:
Lavatory door and, handles and lock
button (both sides).
Toilet seat, cover and flush handle.
Trash can opening.

Faucets and handles.
Hand sanitizer dispenser body.
Paper dispenser (toilet and hand paper).

DRIVER’S AREA (use alcohol based disinfectant):
Steering wheel (including horn & control
buttons)
Steering column levers.
Side window(s)
Seat and seat controls
Dashboard
buttons
and
controls
(including audio/video, radio and AC
controls).

Left console buttons and transmission
controls.
Destination sign controls
Handheld communication device and
screens
Back panel (modesty & clear screen)
Utility compartments (console drawers,
door & button)

EXTERIOR
Entrance door opening switch.
Baggage compartment door handles.
WCL door handle.
WCL remote controls.

Engine doors handles and/or latches
(rear, radiator & compressor).
Evaporator & condenser door latches &
handles.
Fuel & DEF traps and fill caps.

MI20-09A/ Page 6 / 6

PARTS / WASTE DISPOSAL
Discard according to applicable environmental regulations (Municipal/State[Prov.]/ Federal)
Follow current health agencies recommendation regarding waste disposal

CAUTION
All waste coming from the vehicle must be considered as potentially contaminated, including
dust and particles (vacuum cleaner content). Handle accordingly.

Access all our Service Bulletins on http://techpub.prevostcar.com/en/
Or scan the QR-Code with your smart phone.
E-mail us at technicalpublications_prev@volvo.com and type “ADD” in the subject to receive our warranty bulletins
by e-mail.