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ESCALATORS

Definition
 An escalator is a moving staircase –a conveyer
transport device for
carrying people between floors of a
building.
 The benefits of escalators are many.
They have the capacity to move large
numbers of people.

 Escalators are used around the world to move

pedestrian traffic in places where elevators woiuld
be impractical.

Brief History
Escalator = Elevator + Scala (Steps

Nathan Ames, Of Saugus, Massachusetts, in

the US,invented the First Escalator In 1859.

He called his invention as a Revolving Stairs

but in the patent he did not mentioned

the type of material he would be using

Jesse Reno patented the First Endless Conveyor

Or Elevator in 1892. He produced the First Working

 Operating Principles

From its most basic function, the escalator is a simple reformed conveyor belt. The two rotated chains drag a set
of steps in a constant cycle and carry a number of people at a stable speed to move short distances. In this
article, we will look at the internal structure of the escalator and know exactly how these components are
installed together. Although its principle is extremely simple, it is really amazing to keep all the steps in a
completely synchronized movement.

The core component of the escalator is two chains, which revolve around two pairs of gears. At the top of the escalator,
a motor drive gear is driven to rotate the chain ring. A typical escalator uses a 100 horsepower engine to turn the gear.
Both the engine and the chain system are installed in the frame, which refers to the metal structure that extends
between two floors. Unlike a conveyor belt moving one plane, the chain moves is a set of steps. The most interesting
part of the escalator is the way these steps move. When the chain moves, the steps are kept to the level. At the top and
bottom of the escalator, the steps fold each other to form a platform. This makes it easier to escalator up and down. 
 Types of Escalators

1.PARALLEL

Parallel up and down escalators "side by side or separated by a distance", seen often in metro stations and
multilevel motion picture theaters.

Parallel: These type of escalator go up and down simultaneously.

1 Speed: 0.5m/s
2 Inclination: 30, 35
3 Step width: 800 / 1000
4 Power: 50 Hz / 3p
5 Handrails: Rubber /Stainless steel
6 Step: stainless steel
7 Landing plate: anti skid stainless steel.
8 Operation: Emergency stop button/ Key switch / Inspection operation.
9 Illumination: lighting under upper and lower landing steps.
10 Indicator: Failure indicator on control cabinet.

2.CRISSCROSS ESCALATORS

Crisscross minimizes structural space requirements by "stacking" escalators that go in one direction, frequently
used in in department stores or shopping centers.
CRISS-CROSS:
They stacks the escalators that go in single direction and reduces structural
space requirement.
1 Step width: 600 / 800 / 1000
2 Power: 300V / 50 Hz / 3p
3 Handrails: Rubber /Stainless steel.
4 Step: stainless steel.
5 Landing plate: anti skid stainless steel.
6 Operation: Emergency stop button / Key switch / Inspection operation.
7 Illumination: lighting under upper and lower landing steps.
8 Indicator: Failure indicator on control cabinet.

3. MULTIPLE PARALLEL ESCALATORS

Multiple parallel two or more escalators together that travel in one directionnext to one or two escalators in the
same bank that travel in the other direction.

Escalators are required to have moving handrails that keep pace with themovement of the steps. The direction of
movement (up or down) can be permanently the same, or be controlled by personnel according to the time of
day, or automatically.

Multi parallel:
1 Speed: 0.5m/s
2 Inclinations: 30, 35
3 Step widths: 800 / 1000
4 Power: 50 Hz / 3p
5 Handrails: Rubber /Stainless steel
6 Step: stainless steel
7 Landing plate: anti skid stainless steel
8 Operation: Emergency stop button/ Key switch / Inspection operation.
9 Illumination: lighting under upper and lower landing steps.
10 Indicator: Failure indicator on control cabinet.

4. CURVED ESCALATORS
SPIRAL TYPE ESCALATORS:
These are used to enhance the architectural beauty and to save the space.
1 Inclined Angle : 30
2 Number of Persons : 6300 per hour
3 Rated Speed (mtrs./sec.) :25 m/ min.
4 Vertical Rise ( m ) : 3500 ~ 6600

5. HORIZONTAL MOVING WALK ESCALATORS

6.LEVYTATOR

Levytator is the newest type of escalator. This is a free type of escalator that can curve multiple times in either
upward or downward direction. In this system, there are two escalators which continuously share loops of steps
and can alo curve differently. The steps of this escalator are also uniquely built.
 Components/Parts of an Escalator

LANDING
PLATFORMS

HANDRAIL

TRUSS

STEP

LANDINGPLATFORM

(machine room)

1. LANDING PLATFORMS

These two platforms house the

curved sections of the tracks, as
well as the gears and motors that
drive the stairs.

The top platform contains the

motor assembly and the main drive
gear, while the bottom holds the
step return idler sprockets
2. TRUSS

The truss is a hollow metal

structure that bridges the
lower and upper landings

It is composed of two sidesections joined

together withcross braces across the
bottom and just below the top .The ends
of the truss are attached to the top and
bottom landing platforms via steel or
concrete supports.

3.TRACKS

The track system is 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.

There are actually two tracks: one for the

front wheels of the steps (called the
step-wheel track) and one for the back
wheels of the steps (called the
trailerwheel
track).

4.STEPS
 The steps are solid, one
piece, die-cast aluminum
or steel.
Yellow demarcation lines
may be added to clearly
indicate their edges.

5. BALUSTRADE

The balustrade is composed of handrails,

balustrade panels, and skirt panels.

6. HANDRAIL

The handrail provides a handhold for passengers

while they are riding the escalator. The handrail is
pulled along its own track by a chain that is
connected to the main drive gear by a series of
pulleys, keeping it at the same speed as the steps.
Four distinct sections make up the rail: at its center is
a "slider", also known as a "glider ply", which is a
layer of a cotton or synthetic textile that allows the
rail to move smoothly along its track.
 Design Considerations
Design factors include physical requirements, location, traffic patterns, safety considerations and aesthetics.
Physical factors such as the distance to be spanned determine the length and pitch of the escalator, while factors
such as the infrastructure's ability to provide support and power must be considered. How upward and
downward traffic is separated and load/unload areas are other important considerations.

Temporal traffic patterns must be anticipated. Some escalators need only to move people from one floor to
another, but others may have specific requirements, such as funneling visitors towards exits or exhibits. The
visibility and accessibility of the escalator to traffic is relevant. Designers need to account for the projected
traffic volumes. For example, a single-width escalator traveling at about 0.5 metres (1.5 ft) per second can move
about 2000 people per hour, assuming that passengers ride single file. The carrying capacity of an escalator
system is typically matched to the expected peak traffic demand. For example, escalators at transit stations must
be designed to cater for the peak traffic flow discharged from a train, without excessive bunching at the
escalator entrance.

In this regard, escalators help manage the flow of people. For example, at many airports an unpaired escalator
delivers passengers to an exit, with no means for anyone entering at the exit to access the concourse.

Escalators are often built next to or around staircases that allow alternative travel between the same two floors.
Elevators are necessary for disability access to floors serviced by escalators.

STANDARDS DIMENSION
 INCLINE AND TRANSPORTATION HEIGHT

Generally designed on an incline of

27.3, 30, 35 degrees.

35 degree escalator is most

effective since it requires least
amount of space. This incline is
applicable to a total transportation
height of 6m.

If the height is more than 6m than

incline of 27.3 should be given.

ESCALATOR CAPACITY

- Most escalators are designed with 1000mm wide steps which allow passengers to move comfortably
when carrying luggage and shopping bags.
- 600mm and 800mm wide steps are also available and generally used in low traffic areas.
- Standard transportation speed ranges between 0.5 to 0.65m/s.
- For a speed of 0.5m/s the theoretical capacity is:
600mm step width -4500 persons per hour
800mm step width -6750 persons per hour
1000mm step width -9000 persons/hour

ADVANTAGES OF ESCALATORS

It helps a large no. of people in moving from one place to another at the same time and they reduce the
need of elevator because people would not have to wait for elevator and escalator can carry a large no. of
people at the same time.
It is helpful for the people that have pain in their legs and joints i.e it provide comfort to the people
Escalators are effective when used as a mean of guidance and circulation.
Their speed can be adjusted which is helpful in managing the crowd.
When turned off they can be used a staircase.

DISADVANTAGES OF ESCALATORS

Waste of energy when not in use.

Possible injuries when stopped suddenly
Source of fear for small children

SOURCES:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escalator

https://www.thoughtco.com/history-of-escalator-4072151

https://www.fuji-hd.com/news/working-principle-of-escalator-12989255.html

https://www.slideshare.net/akashkumar102/escalators-73662641?from_action=save