AR 302

AIR CONDITIONING AND MECHANICAL SERVICES

GROUP 12 - ESCALATORS

CHARACTERI STICS
DIMENSIONS
ARRANGEMENTS
PLAN AND SECTION DET A I LS

101121028 - RENISHA MJ
101121038 - AISHWARYA R
101121048 - SHRINITHI PP
DEFINITION

An escalator also known as an moving staircase, is a

transportation device that conveys pedestrians using
a continuous belt system. Passengers stand on the
moving steps at the entrance of the escalator, and the
steps remain level throughout the journey. For safety
and support, escalators are equipped with handrails
on both sides that move in sync with the steps,
allowing passengers to hold onto them while riding.
COMPONE N TS
1. Handrail
2. Skirting
3. Steps/pallets
4. Decking
5. Balustrade
6. Horizontal steps
7. Drive station
8. Controller
9. Front plate
10. Handrail drive
11. Transition radii
12. Truss
13. Side cladding
14. Step chain
15. Tracks
COMPONENTS
1.BALUSTRADE
The side of an escalator extending above the Steps, which includes Skirt
Guard, Interior Panel, Deck Board and Moving Handrails.
1)Moving Handrail
A handhold that moves along the top of the Balustrade in
synchronization with the Steps.

2)Interior Panel
The major panel portion of the Balustrade located immediately below
the Moving Handrails, made of glass.

3)Deck Board
A decorative capping member of the balustrade of an escalator, which
continues in the traveling direction

4)Skirt Guard
The lowest panel within the Balustrade, located immediately below the
Inner Deck and adjacent to the Steps at a slight gap from the Steps.
COMPONENTS
2.TRUSS
Assembly of structural steel that supports the weight and load of an
escalator.
3.Upper Machine Room / Lower Machine Room
1)Control Panel
Controls stop/start operation and also supplies electric power to the
Drive Unit.

2)Drive Unit
A unit to drive the escalator, comprised of electric motor, decelerator,
electromagnetic brake, V belt, Sprocket, and other components.

3)Drive Chain
A chain that transmits the Drive Unit's power to the drive wheel

4)Upper Sprocket / Lower Sprocket

The Upper Sprocket drives the Steps, while the Lower Sprocket turns the
Steps.
COMPONENTS
4.STEP
The moving platform on which escalator passengers ride.

1)Step Tread and Riser

The part of the step where a passenger stands.The upright part of a Step.

2)Step Demarcation Line

A yellow line along both sides of a Step to demarcate the proper standing
area to prevent stumbling. Floor Plate
A removable steel plate finished with
3)Driving Roller/Trailing Roller anti-slip patterns, typically situated
Each Step is linked to the Step Chains via the Step shaft. The front wheel above the escalator trusswork at the
is called the Driving Roller and the rear wheel is called the Trailing Roller. boarding and landing areas.

4)Step Chain Comb Plate

A chain, located on both sides of an escalator, connecting the Steps and The section of the Floor Plate on which
driven by the Step Chain Sprocket. the comb teeth segments are
mounted.
ESCALATOR DIMENSIONS
Escalator dimensions can vary depending on the specific model and
manufacturer. However, here are some typical escalator dimensions
for a standard commercial or public-use escalator:

• Width: Escalators usually come in 3 common widths: 24 inches

(600mm), 32 inches (800mm) and 40 inches (1000mm)

• Length: The length can varybased on the available space. They can
range from around 20 feet (6 meters) to over 60 feet (18 meters) or
even longer. Maximum length cannot exceed 50m.

• Rise/Vertical Height: The rise, also known as the vertical height or

elevation, is the total distance between the upper and lower landings.
It can vary but is typically around 20 to 30 feet (6 to 9 meters), and a
maximum of 23 meters.
HOW DOE S A N E SC A LA T OR WOR K ?
An escalator is a mechanical device used to transport people between different
floors of a building. Let’s delve into the workings of an escalator:

Step Chain: The steps are linked together by a looped metal chain that forms an
unending belt. This chain is driven by an electric motor located at the top or
bottom of the escalator.

Motor and Drive System: The motor powers the escalator and is typically an
electric motor located in a machine room. It provides the necessary energy to
move the steps in a continuous motion. The motor’s rotational motion is
transmitted to the step chain through a series of gears and pulleys.

Handrail Drive System: In addition to the steps, escalators also feature handrails
on both sides. The handrails move at the same speed as the steps to provide
support and stability for passengers. The handrail drive system consists of a
separate motor and drive mechanism specifically designed to move the handrails.
HOW DOE S A N E SC A LA T OR WOR K ?
Tracks and Guides: The steps and handrails run on tracks and guides to ensure
smooth and precise movement. These tracks and guides are designed to keep the
steps and handrails in their proper positions as they travel along the escalator.

Balustrade: The balustrade is the structure that encloses the sides of the escalator.
It prevents them from falling off the sides.

Safety Features: Escalators are equipped with various safety features to ensure
passenger safety. These include comb plates at the entrance and exit points, which
help prevent tripping hazards, and skirt brushes that minimize the risk of
entrapment between the steps and the balustrade.

When the escalator is powered on, the steps and handrails move in a synchronized
manner. As one end of the chain moves over the top of the escalator, the steps are
lifted and positioned horizontally at the entrance. They then move in a diagonal
path, transporting passengers between different levels of a building. Finally, the
steps reach the bottom of the escalator, dip down, and loop back to the top to
repeat the cycle.
ESCALATOR CONFIGURATION
Escalators can be installed in parallel or diagonally depending on location
layout. In both cases, the ascent and descent units may be side by side or
separated at some distance from each other. In some cases, a third escalator
can be installed in a multi-level, parallel arrangement. The units have flexibility
of use in terms of heavy traffic.

The following factors are important for positioning the escalators at the
location:
a. Building structure
b. Traffic flow direction
c.Traffic volume
d. Field of application (commercial sector, public transport)
e. Special customer requests

Escalators typically have four configuration options:

1. Single Unit
2. Crisscross
3. Parallel
4. Multiple parallel
 ESCALATOR CONFIGURATION
SINGLE UNIT CONFIGURATION:
A single unit connects two floors. It is generally
used when traffic flows in one direction only. The
direction of the escalator can be adjusted
according to traffic flow, for example, in a
business and event center or cinemas. It can flow
upwards in the morning and downwards in the
evening. It is also often placed beside a staircase.
CRISS CROSS CONFIGURATION:
Minimizes structural space requirements by
"stacking" escalators that go in one direction,
frequently used in department stores or shopping
centers. It allows passengers to see floors and
products comfortably, and also shortens the
traffic flow time between escalators.
 ESCALATOR CONFIGURATION
PARALLEL CONFIGURATION:
The parallel layout has good traffic capability to allow
passengers to be transported in a minimum amount of time.
When the escalators are installed on top of each other, space is
saved and the floor space is utilized in the most effective way.
There is no need for architectural changes to the building. Up
and down escalators "side by side or separated by a distance,"
are often used in undergrounds and multilevel cinemas.
MULTIPLE PARALLEL CONFIGURATION:
The multiple parallel configuration is generally
used in workplaces with high traffic volume and in
places where public transportation is very dense.
The direction of traffic flow can be arranged in the
same and opposite direction according to the traffic
density for parallel units.
 ESCALATOR CONFIGURATION
STEP TYPE CONFIGURATION
Step type escalators are popular as they can also go up or
down, it can get at, then up and down again.The steps of the
escalator aremounted on the hinged circles,which tracks its
appearancebesides the steps which is keptvisible from all the
above steps.This escalator is designed to bequite safer as
compared to anyother type of escalator.
CURVED CONFIGURATION
A curved escalator is the onewhich is designed in a
specialmanner including curved orhelical shape
with curvedsteps. This escalator is curvedeither to
the le side or to theright side. These escalators
aremostly those which are used atplaces where the
steps need tobe connected with the help ofany
landing
 S A F E T Y F E A T U R ES

escalators also pose some potential risks, such as falls, entrapments,

or injuries caused by loose clothing or footwear. Therefore, it is
important to know what are the safety features of modern escalators
and how do they protect users from these hazards.*

Advanced Step Design

The humble escalator step is the foundation of passenger safety.
Modern escalators are equipped with improved step designs that
include yellow demarcation lines, enhancing visibility to ensure that
users can identify where to place their feet safely.

Emergency Stop Buttons

Strategically placed at both ends of the escalator, emergency stop buttons
allow for the immediate cessation of escalator movement in case of a
hazard, preventing further incidents and allowing for swift emergency
response.
 SAFETY FEATURES
Skirt Brushes
These are located along the skirt panels of the escalator, which are the vertical surfaces on either side of the steps.
They help prevent objects from being caught in the gap between the skirt and the step, which could cause
damage or injury. Skirt brushes also alert the users to keep their feet away from the edge of the step.

Handrail Speed Sensors

Escalators are now fitted with sensors that ensure the handrail moves at a synchronized speed with the steps. This
harmony prevents imbalance and reduces the risk of falls. If there is any discrepancy, the detector will stop the
escalator and activate an alarm, as this could indicate a problem with the handrail drive or alignment.

Comb Plate Impact Devices

At the point where the step meets the landing platform, comb plate impact devices are installed to detect objects
that may become lodged, automatically stopping the escalator to prevent damage or injury.

Step Level Monitors

These are sensors that measure the level and height of the steps and ensure that they are uniform and consistent.
If any step is too high or too low, the monitor will stop the escalator and activate an alarm, as this could affect the
balance and stability of the users.
 ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
1. They help in reducing overall travel time across a 1. Can be dangerous if not used properly
facility. 2. Can be accessed across only 3-4 floors.
2. Escalators and moving walkways, both being 3. Not handicap friendly. Although various technologies
moving belt systems, help pedestrians to traverse longer are being invented, they've been implemented in certain
distance by reducing the level of physical effort that must countries.
be expended. 4. The speed and direction of its movement cannot be
3. Presence of Escalators and moving walkways adjusted
improves the overall flow through an otherwise 5. Once installed, difficult to move or transport
constricted area, thereby reducing the area required in 6. Maintenance and repairs are not cost effective.
the facility to accommodate a given number of people.
4. Since all passengers are transported through these
at a constant rate, these systems also create a minimum
speed at which all passengers must travel.
5. Conveyance of the moving belt system serves to
increase throughput while at the same time decreases
the speed differential through the constriction, therefore
reducing conflicts.
6. Escalators occupy space no more than stairs.

DESIGN FACTORS
1. Traffic Analysis
Escalators’ planning is highly dependent on the
‘traffic analysis’ study. Traffic analysis is the study
of the population distribution and their predicted
pattern of flow within a day.
Efficiency of an escalator system is defined in
terms of the quality of service (passenger handling
capacity) and quality of service (passenger waiting
time).
Traffic Analysis helps to determine the speed of
the escalator system, and also the number of
system required to achiever good quality of
service.
2. Passenger handling capacity
Passenger handling capacity is the number of passengers that
the system can transport within a specified duration, with average
specified loading of the escalator (typically 80% of rated value).
Handling capacity of the escalator is calculated as
An Equation Representing the Calculation of Handling Capacity of
an Escalator
Where, N: No. of persons moved per hour
P: people per step
V: Escalator Speed (m/s)
L: Length of step (m)
q: Inclination angle (°)
3. Capacity
Capacity is the rated load for which escalator is designed. It
should be higher than the maximum load during peak traffic
conditions.
4. Speed of the escalator
Speed of the escalator should be sufficient to avoid long queues
of passengers, during peak traffic conditions.
 0.5 m/s for Continuous Customer Flow This is the
optimal speed for all escalators and moving walks in the
commercial sector. The combination of sufcient
transportation capacity, optimal safety, and minimum
space requirement makes this speed the worldwide
standard for this application.
OPTIMAL SPEED
0.6 or 0.65 m/s for Intermittent Transportation
Requirements This speed is recommended for
intermittent passenger arrivals, as at railway stations or
subway stations. It has also proven effective at trade fair
centers. Longer horizontal runs and larger transition curves
are required at these speeds to guarantee optimal safety
and loading factor of the escalator/ moving walk.

0.75 m/s for Extreme Transportation Capacity Although

speeds up to 0.75 m/s (escalators) and up to 0.9 m/s
(moving walks) are possible, they are not recommended as
the effective transportation capacity will not increase any
further and there is an increased danger of children or
elderly people tripping or falling in the landing areas.
DETAI LS
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