ESCALATOR

Introduction
Escalator
Came from the Latin word scala
which means steps.
An escalator is a conveyor transport
device for transporting people,
consisting of a staircase whose steps
move up or down on tracks that keep
the surfaces of the individual steps
horizontal.
The escalator started as an amusement
and not as a practical transport.
History/Evolution
History/Evolution
DATE INVENTO DESCRIPTION
R

The escalator had

mounted steps on
March Nathan a continuous belt
9, Ames or chain.
1859 Generally
acknowledged as
the worlds first
escalator.
History/Evolution
DATE INVENTO DESCRIPTION
R
Earliest working
type of escalator.
In 1896, it was
March Jesse introduced as a
15, Reno novelty ride in
1892 Coney Island, a
theme park in New
York.
This device was
little more than an
inclined belt with
cast-iron slats or
cleats on the
History/Evolution
DATE INVENTO DESCRIPTION
R
1899 Charles First commercial
Seeber escalator.
ger Won 1st prize at
teamed the Paris 1900
up with Exposition
the Universelle.
Otis
Elevato
r
Compa
ny
History/Evolution
DATE INVENTO DESCRIPTION
R
1920 Otis Improved Reno
s Engine and Seeberger
ers, led escalator designs.
by Cleated, level
David steps.
Lindqui Modern escalator
st in use today.
Components of an Escalator
BASIC COMPONENTS
1.Landing Platforms
2.Truss
3.Tracks
4.Steps
5.Handrail
6.Escalator Exterior (Balustrade)
7.Drive system
8.Auto-Lubrication System
9.Braking Systems
Safety Devices
10.
 1. Landing Platforms
1. Top Platform contains the motor
assembly and the main drive gear
2. Bottom Platform holds the step return
idler sprockets.
Sprocket - Drive wheels installed at
top and bottom to drive the Steps.
Top Sprocket - moving Steps
Bottom Sprocket - turns the Steps.
Access Covers- used
as an access to the pit
area for inspection,
maintenance, and
repairs.
Lower Landing -
provide access to the
reversing station and
step removal.
Upper - provides an
access to the driving
machine, bull gear,
and sometimes the
controller.
Platform contains:

1. Floor Plate -
provides a place
for the
passengers to
stand before they
step onto the
moving stairs.

2. Comb Plate - the

piece between
the stationary
floor plate and
 2. Truss

Escalator Truss
- the structural frame
of the escalator.
 3. Tracks

Track System - built into the truss to guide the

step chain, which continuously pulls the steps
from the bottom platform and back to the top in
an endless loop.
It is composed of two side sections
joined together with cross braces
across the bottom and just below the
top.
The relative positions of these tracks
cause the steps to form a staircase as
they move out from under the comb
plate.
At the top and bottom of the
escalator, the two tracks converge so
that the front and back wheels of the
steps are almost in a straight line.
This causes the stairs to lay in a flat
4. Steps

Steps - solid, one piece, die-cast

aluminum or steel.
- are linked by a continuous metal
chain that forms a closed loop.
Steps Major Components:
Step Plate (Tread)- the surface area of
the step people step on.
Step Riser- the vertical cleat cast into
the front of a step, designed to pass
between the cleats of adjacent step,
thus creating a combing action with
minimum clearance for safety.
Demarcations -are yellow strips or may
be in bold color around the step tread
but mostly located at the front and at
the rear ends of the tread.
Frame/Yoke- main support for riser, step
tread, and step wheels.
Step Wheels- used to guide the step
and support its load on the track and
prevent it from being out of plane.
Step Hook- used to activate the step up
thrust safety device when the steps are
not on their plane of travel at the top
and bottom inclines.
5. Handrail
Handrail - provides a convenient
handhold for passengers while they are
riding the escalator.
- it is pulled along its track by a
chain that is connected to the main drive
gear by a series of pulleys.
Handrail Assembly:
Newel - A post that supports a
handrail at the bottom or at the
landing of a staircase.
6. Escalator Exterior
(Balustrade)
Balustrade - it is the escalator exterior
components extending above the steps
and it supports the handrail.
Either designed as Interior Low-deck or
Interior High-deck.
Each interior balustrade panel section is
individually removable to allow easy
access to the escalator interior for
cleaning, maintenance, and component
replacement.
Escalator Exterior (Balustrade)
Components:
1. Interior Low-deck- has interior or
side panels that are usually glass
panels that support the handrail
base.
2. Interior High-deck- the side panel
and is usually aluminum or steel
alloy sheets, sometimes called solid
panels.
a) Skirt Panel/Guard (Skirt) -It is the
interior covering of the balustrade
located alongside the steps. It houses
the actuator for the skirt safety
switch.
Side Safety Brushes are installed
slightly above the step level on the
skirt panel to provide passenger
safety between the side of the steps
and the skirt.
b) Moving Handrail A handhold that
moves along the top of the Balustrade
in synchronization with the Steps.
c) Deck Board - A decorative capping
7. Drive System
Escalator Drive System Components:
1. Drive Machine and Main Drive Gear
2. The Step Drive System
3. The Handrail Drive System.
I. Drive Machine and Main Drive Gear
.Drive Machine The Drive machine
together with the gear reducer provides
the torque to drive the step band at a
constant speed.
- It is typically a three-phase AC
direct-on-line flange mounted unit.
II. Step Drive System

The step motion is

achieved by a direct
step assembly
connection to the step
chains.
III. Handrail Drive System
The handrail drive moves the handrail
along the handrail tracking system
through traction on the V-shaped
handrail underside.
8. Auto Lubrication System
It supplies oil to lubricate the main
drive chain, step chain, and the
handrail drive chains. It has a gage to
show oil reservoir level
Oil flow rate is adjustable by setting
the automatic timer control off and
on periods to supply more or less
lubrication.The Lubrication Timer can
be programmed for any time mode
but, is pre-set for a 20 hour cycle.
9. Braking Systems
Two different Braking Methods:
a) Drive Shaft Break System (Step
Chain Locking Device)
It is used for maintenance purposes
to lock the drive system.
In this case, the guide shoe is
removed to allow the pawl to drop
and engage the ratchet.
b) Main Drive Shaft Break
A guide shoe lever is welded onto the
opposite end of the main drive shaft. The
guide shoe is normally supported by the
drive chain and when the chain breaks,
the shoe drops and turns the shaft. The
drive shaft brake pawl moves into the
ratchet wheel and stops the escalator
when the guide shoe drops.
How Escalator works?
Each step in the escalator has two sets of
wheels, which roll along two separates
tracks. The upper set (the wheels near the
top of the step) are connected to the rotating
chains, and so are pulled by the drive gear at
the top of the escalator. The other set of
wheels simply glides along its track, following
behind the first set.
Types of Escalators
Parallel Escalator

This type of escalator

goes up and down
simultaneously.
Multi-parallel Escalator

Two or more escalators

together that travel in
one direction next to
one or two escalators.
In the same bank that
travel in one direction.
Crisscross Escalator

Minimizes
structural space
requirements by
stacking escalators
that go in one
direction.
Standard Models of an Escalator
Standard Duty unit intended for general
indoor use, which provides low to medium
rise.
Heavy Duty sturdier unit intended for all-
weather, heavy-traffic use such as at
transport terminals.
Benefits of an Escalator
Have the capacity to move large numbers
of people.
Can be placed in the same physical space
as one might install a staircase.
Have no waiting interval (except during
heavy traffic).
Can be used to guide people toward main
exits or special exhibits.
May be weatherproofed for outdoor use.
Can help in controlling the traffic flow of
people.
Safety Features and Devices
Safety Features
Protection of passengers during normal
operation is ensured by a number of safety
features associated with moving stairways:
1. Handrails and steps travel at exactly
the same speed (100fpm(0.5m/s)) to
ensure steadiness and balance to aid
passengers stepping on or off the comb
plates.
2. The steps are large and steady, and are
designed to prevent slipping.
3. Step design and step leveling with the comb
plates at each landing prevent passengers from
tripping upon entering or leaving the escalator. This
is accomplished with two or three (depending upon
the manufacturer) horizontal steps at either end of
the escalator.
4. The balustrade is designed to prevent catching of
passengers clothing or packages. Close clearances
provide safety near the comb plates and treads.
5. Adequate illumination is provided at all landing at
the comb plates, and completely down all
stairways. Some escalator designs provide built-in
lighting
An automatic service brake will bring
the stairway to smooth stop if:
1. The drive chain or the step chain is
broken or abnormally stretched.
2. A foreign object is jammed into the
handrail inlet, between the skirt guard
and step, or between steps, causing
them to separate
3. A power failure occurs
4. The emergency stop button is operated
(one is located at either end of the
escalator).
5. A tread sags, rises, or breaks
6. A drive motor malfunction occurs
 In case of over speed or under speed,
an automatic governor shuts down the
escalator, prevents reversal of direction
(up or down), and operates the service
brake.
if the escalator is stopped by operation
of a safety devices, passengers can then
walk the steps as they would on any
stationary stairway
Safety Devices
Escalator systems are provided with
many safety devices that will
automatically stop the escalator by
cutting electricalpowerto the motor
and applying the brake if a problem
occurs. When a safety device stops the
escalator, the problem must be
corrected and the fault cleared before
restarting the system.
a) Broken Step Chain Device (Tension Carriage)
- cutspowerto the motor and applies the
brake if the step chain breaks or if the step
chain is loose.
b) Skirt Obstruction Device - cutspowerto the
motor and applies the brake if an object is
wedged between the skirtpaneland a step. This
type of deflection will depress one of the plunger
limit switches that are located behind the
skirtpanelat the upper and lower transitions and
at intervals between.
c) Reversal Stop Device - A lever is
clamped to the middle handrail shaft
which rotates in the direction of travel. If
the shaft direction is reversed, the lever
will rotate and trip theswitch,
cuttingpower to the motor and brake.
e) Thermal Overload Relay- installed on the
controllerpanel to protect the electrical
drive motor from burning out due to
escalator overload or acurrentoverload. It
can be reset by pressing the Reset button
on the top of the Overload Relay.

f) Mechanical Safety Devices - There are

several mechanical safety devices that are
used to stop and prevent movement of the
escalator. These include locking bars,
emergency brakes, and skirt brushes.
d) Emergency Stop Button - This covered button
allows anyone to stop the escalator immediately
in the event of an emergency. Lifting the cover of
the emergency stop button will cause an alarm to
sound for five minutes or until the escalator is
restarted (by normal start up procedure).
Escalator Application
Escalator Application
Main floor should be chosen in the direct
flow to traffic to ensure maximum use.
Vertical arrangements should designed
to accomplish specific intents, such as
exposure of merchandise, maximum
passenger capacity, and maximum
passenger capacity, and maximum
accessibility to various areas.
Escalator Application
Reversibility of an electric stairway
should be considered in applications
where major traffic flow is unidirectional.
Light traffic in the reverse direction can
be handled by a normal fixed stair
adjacent to the escalator
Electric Power Requirement
Electric Power Requirements
I is recommended that no more than
four escalators be served by single
electric feeder.
Since one cannot be trapped on an
escalator, emergency power is rarely
required. Ventilation for the machinery
should supplied for approximately.
 Factors to be considered in
designing the structure of an
Escalator
Dimension of Escalator
Preliminary Design And Installation Drawings
Special- Design Escalator
Factors to be considered in designing
the structure of an Escalator

a) Physical requirements
b) Location
c) Traffic patterns
d) Safety considerations
e) Aesthetic preferences
a) Physical
Physical
requirements
factors like
the vertical
and horizontal
distance to be
spanned must
be
considered.
b) Location
Location is
important because
escalators should
be situated where
they can be easily
seen by the
general public.
c) Traffic patterns
The carrying capacity of
an escalator must
match the expected
peak traffic demand.
For example, a single
width escalator traveling
at about 1.5 feet (0.45
m) per second can
move an estimated 170
persons per five-minute
period.
d) Safety considerations
Safety is also major concern in escalator
design.
Fire protection of an escalator floor-opening
may be provided (adding automatic sprinklers
or fireproof shutters to the opening).
Adequate ventilation for the spaces that
contain the motors and gears
Staircase or elevator lift be located adjacent
to the escalator
Safety
e) Aesthetic preferences
Finally, consideration
should be given to
theaesthetics of the
escalator. The architects
and designers can
choose from a wide
range of styles and
colors for the handrails
and tinted side panels
Size, Capacity and Dimension
of Escalator Design
Basic Planning
Positioning escalators or
Moving Walks within a
building.
Basically, to achieve optimal
customer density, the
movement of customers
within the building has to be
facilitated. Distances of
excess of 50 meters should
be avoided on commercial
premises and in office
buildings. The charts below
show basic escalator
arrangements.
How many escalators or moving
walks?
To determine the transportation
requirements (persons per hour), one
should consider the following
parameters:
-Type of building (offices, shopping
center, movie theatre, subway station,
airport; one way traffic, two-way
traffic; single or multipurpose
building)
-Peak traffic times(office opening and
closing hours)
-population factor based on net usable
area
-customer turnover rate per floor in
department stores
-Level of travelling comfort required
on the unit (uncrowded, convenient,
crowded)
Computation
Escalator design and dimension
 Escalator Passenger Capacity
Passengers per Hour
Size in. Width Speed Maximu Nomina Observ
(m) in. (m) fpm m l ed
(m/s)
32 24 100 5200 4000 2300
(0.81) (0.61) (0.51)
Where:
48 40 100 9000 6750 linear
*Maximum 4500
(1.22) (1.02) between
Size = distance (0.51) speed permitted by
balustrades the safety code =
Width = Width of the 125 fpm (0.64 m/s)
step/tread *Standardized
Maximum = peak-load periods Speed = 100 fpm
Nominal = full/heavy load (0.51 m/s)
Approximate Maximum Escalator Size
Unit Size in. Model Maximum
(m) Rise ft. (m)
32 (0.81) 24 (7.3)
Standard
48 (1.22) 16 (4.9)
32 (0.81) 30 (9.1)
Standard
48 (1.22) 20 (6.1)
32 (0.81) 24 (7.3)
Heavy
48 (1.22) 18 (5.5)
32 (0.81) 40 (12.2)
Heavy
48 (1.22) 20 (6.1)

*Maximum rise of Standard Escalators = 60 ft. (18 m)

Basic Planning
Step Theoretical Effective
width transportati transport
on capacity ation
capacity
at a
rated
speed of
v=0.5 m/s v=0.5 v=0.5 v=0.5 v=0.65
m/s m/s m/s m/s
uncrowd convenie crowded crowded
ed nt
600m 4500 pers./h 1800 2700 3600 4400
pers./h pers./h pers./h pers./h

800m 6700 pers./h 2400 3600 4800 5900

pers./h pers./h pers./h pers./h

1000m 9000 pers./h 3000 4500 6000 7300

pers./h pers./h pers./h pers./h
Design and Layout
Consideration
 Typical escalator design

[Source: Building Services Handbook]

Handling Capacity
Capacity of standing side of an escalator

S= v/D
C=S*q
Where,
V=speed of escalator
D=depth of an escalator step (not
height)
Q=proportion of steps used while
standing
 Speed of escalator= v + u
Steps per minute (Sw) = (v + u)/D
Capacity per minute (Cw)= Sw * qw
Where,
U= speed at which passenger walk up
escalator
qw= proportion of steps while walking
D=depth of an escalator step (not height)
 Proper
Inclination
Escalators
30 degree Inclination
This inclination provides the highest
travelling comfort and maximum
safety for the user.
35 degree Inclination
The 35 degree escalator is the most
efficient solution as it requires less
space and can be implemented more
cost- effectively. However, this
inclination is perceived as too steep if
rises exceed 6 particularly in
downward travel.
Moving walks
Inclinations of 10 degrees, 11
degrees and 12 degrees are
the common international
standard for inclined moving
walks. Users find that a 10
degree inclination provides
the most comfortable ride. A
12 degree inclination is used
whenever the space available
is limited.
Horizontal moving walks can
generally be provided for
inclinations between 0 degree
and 6 degree.
 Moving walkway
[Source: Mitsubishi Elevator and Escalator, http://www.mitsubishi-elevator.com/]