EP1plus California System Operation Guide (ETA)

This document was developed to provide operational instructions on Child Check-Mate System’s software program ETA. The ETA software program was developed to comply with California’s “Child Safety Alert Device” (SB-1072) requirements as set forth by the California Highway Patrol (CHP).

Key Software Features

• System auto-activates after 6 seconds with ignition ‘ON’.
• System deactivates with ignition ‘OFF’ only.
• All doors must be closed to deactivate the system or the horn will sound.
• The driver has 3 minutes to perform their Child Check.
• The driver has 4 minutes with the key in accessory position before cycling the key is required to extend loading or unloading time.
• Horn will sound for up to 30 minutes if Child Check is not done.  
• Dome lights illuminate during Child Check and will remain on for 1 minute after deactivation.

System Operation

This system was designed specifically to comply with the California Highway Patrol specification. In order to fully comply with the specification, it is important that your systems are installed according to Child Check-Mate System instructions, recommendations, and best practices. You can find the recommended installation schematic here. Best practices can be found on our support site.

Activation

The system auto-activates within 6 seconds of ignition is turned to the ‘ON’ position. You will hear; 

• a  tone at 2 seconds after ignition is ‘ON’ to confirm that the system is operating, and
• a single tone at 6 seconds to indicate that the system is active.

During Your Route

With the ignition ‘ON’ the bus will operate without any restrictions when the driver opens or closes any of the floor level doors (entrance door, emergency exit door, or rear door).

Accessory Feature 

The accessory feature was designed to accommodate loading and unloading when the engine is not permitted to be running. Whilst in accessory position the doors can be opened and closed to offload passengers. The accessory power source will provide the driver 3 minutes for unloading passengers. This can be extended by cycling the key from ‘OFF’ back to accessory when the driver hears the warning tones from the module. This process can be repeated as needed.

Road Crossing Feature

This feature allows a driver to turn the vehicle off and remove the key from the ignition (for no more than 10 minutes) to assist the loading or unloading of children or to perform escort duties.

For this feature to function correctly the 8-way overhead lights need to be activated prior to turning the ignition ‘OFF’, and must remain activated until the task is complete. Once the 8-way overhead lights are activated the ignition can then be turned ‘OFF’ and the key can be removed. The driver will have 10 minutes to complete their task or to return the key to the 'ON' position, whichever comes first. The driver will not have to perform a Child Check at this time. They are able to turn the ignition back 'ON' and continue their route.

Deactivation

1. Apply vehicle handbrake  
2. Close all floor level doors (emergency, front and rear doors)
3. Position the ignition Key to OFF 
4. Walk to the rear of the bus and conduct your child check 
5. Deactivate the system by depressing the deactivation button at the rear of the vehicle for 2-3 seconds
   1. A deactivation audible tone will be heard and dome lights will flash twice.

Dome (Interior) Lights

• Dome lights will activate when the door is opened and will remain on for 1 minute or until the ignition is turned on
• Dome lights will come on during child check (3 min)
• Dome lights will remain on for 1 minute after the system has been deactivated.
• Dome lights will activate with ignition ‘ON’ for 20 seconds.

Horn Activation and Silencing

• The horn will sound if the system is not deactivated within 3 minutes of ignition 'OFF'. 
• The horn will sound if the ignition is 'OFF' and any of the floor level doors are opened prior to deactivation. 
• The horn will sound if the ignition is 'OFF' and the parking brake is not applied. 
• The horn will sound if the accessory feature times out (4 minutes). 
• The horn will sound if the road crossing feature times out (10 minutes). 

To silence the horn, please perform the following 3 steps:

1. Close all doors.
2. Apply parking brake
3. Turn Ignition back to ‘ON'.