MODULE 7

BUILDING UTILITIES 2
BS Architecture I | AR. Alfredo A. Mariano | SEM 1 2024

ESCALATOR
COMPONENTS OF AN
ESCALATOR​
ELECTRICITY - is a
form of energy
generated by friction, An escalator resembles
induction a powered ramp in
Escalator, or powered construction. The major
stairs, are used when it difference is that a
is necessary to move powered ramp has a
large numbers of people continuous treadway for
from floor to floor. They carrying passengers,
provide continuous whereas the treadway of
movement of persons an escalator consist of a
and can thus remedy series of moving steps.
traffic condition that are As for a powered ramp,
not readily addressed by the installation of
elevators. Escalator powered stairs should
should be viewed as conform with the
preferred transportation requirements of the
systems whenever heavy American National
traffic volumes are Standard Safety Code
expected between for Elevator,
relatively few floor. Dumbwaiters, Escalator
Escalator are used to and Moving Walks.​
connect airport terminals,
parking garages, sports An escalator consists or
facilities, shopping malls, articulated, grooved
and numerous mixed use treads and risers
facilities. attached to a continuous
chain moved by a driving
machine and supported
by a steel truss and landing. The plates
framework. are equipped with a
comb, or teeth, that
DETAILS OF A mesh with and are set
into the grooves in the
STRAIGHT
ESCALATOR​ treadway in the direction
of travel, so as to
provide firm footing and
to minimize the chance
that items become
trapped between
treadway and the
landing.
​ ​ Each step is formed
by a grooved tread
portion connected to a
curved and grooved riser.
The tread and riser
The installation also assembly is either a
includes a handrail on single die-cast piece or
each side of the steps is assembled to a frame.
that moves at the same Both are suspended on
speed as the steps; resilient rollers whose
balustrades, or guards, axles are connected to
that enclose the steps the step chain that
on each side and moves the steps. The
support the handrails; step rollers ride on a set
brakes; control devices; of tracks attached to the
and threshold plates is trussed framework. The
to facilitate smooth tracks are shaped to
passage of passengers, allow the step tread to
between the treadway remain horizontal

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throughout its exposed plus 6 in with not more
travel. than 3 in on either side
of the escalator.
DIMENSION FOR
ESCALATORS​ ​ SAFETY DEVICES FOR
ESCALATORS​ ​

ANSI A17.1 sets the

following limitations on To provide a firm footing,
escalator steps​ treads are grooved in
the direction of travel.
Minimum depth of tread The grooves mesh with
in direction of travel – 15 the combs or teeth of the
¾ in​ threshold plates at top
and bottom of the
Maximum rise between
escalator.​
treads – 8 ½ in​
The handrails, which
Minimum width of tread
move in synchronization
– 24 in​
with the steps, should be
Maximum width of tread between 30 and 34
– 40 in​ above the treads. The
handrails should extend
Maximum clearance at normal height at least
between tread and 12 in beyond the line of
adjacent skirt panel – points of the comb
3/8 in​ plates teeth. The
balustrades carrying the
Maximum distance handrails and acting as
between handrail a guard to prevent
centerlines – width passengers from falling
between balustrades off the sides of the

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moving steps should be released, mechanically
designed to resist applied brake, located
simultaneous application either on the driving
of horizontal load of 40 machine or on the main
lb/ft and a vertical load drive shaft. The brake is
of 50 lb/ft, both applied activated automatically
to the top of the when a power failure
balustrades.​ occurs, when the
treadway or a handrail
breaks, or when a safety
device is activated.​
Safety devices required
for escalators include
switches for starting,
emergency stopping,
and maintenance
stopping and an
electromechanical speed
governor that will
LIMITATIONS ON
prevent the step speed
DIMENSIONS OF
from exceeding the
STRAIGHT
maximum design speed.
ESCALATOR
An emergency stop
button, protected against
accidental activation, is
The driving machine required to be set in the
may be connected to the right hand.​
main drive shaft by
toothed gearing, a ESCALATOR SPEEDS
coupling, or a chain. AND CAPACITIES
Step movement is halted
by an electrically

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Escalator typically PLANNING FOR
operate at 90 or 120 ESCALATOR​
ft/min, as needed for
peak traffic, and are
reversible in direction. The location of moving
Slope of the stairs is stairs should be selected
standardized at 30 deg only after a careful study
and 35 deg are used in of potential traffic flow
other parts of the within the planned
world.​ project. They should be
installed where the most
Standard escalator width
attractive to traffic and
are 32 and 48 in.
where convenient for
Manufacturers rate their
passengers. The facility
90 ft/min units at
should be designed and
corresponding capacities
signed in a manner that
of 5000 and 8000
makes it apparent where
person per hour,
the visitor will find the
although observed
escalator. Since
capacities, even in
escalators are devices
heavy traffic, rarely
that will fail on occasion,
exceed 2000 and 4000
the designer must
persons per hour,
provide alternative
respectively. Although
transportation (usually
120 ft/min escalators will
adjacent stairs) for times
move about 30% more
when the escalator is
volume, they are rarely
unavailable for
specified because of the
passenger use. More
potential for adverse
importantly, where
litigation.​
escalators will be
operating at capacity as
a result of specific
programmatic

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considerations.​ should be given to the
potential for noise and
STRUCTURAL vibration in design of the
CONSIDERATIONS IN escalator structural
supports.​
ESCALATOR
INSTALLATION​
ESCALATOR
INSTALLATION​ ​

Floor to floor height

should be taken into
account in determining Design of escalators
loads on supporting permits a vertical
members. Generally for variation of ½ in in the
floor to floor heights of level of the supporting
less than 20 ft, the beams from the
escalator truss need be specified floor to floor
supported only at top height. The escalator is
and bottom. Increased shimmed to bring it level.
vertical rise can create If variations in elevation
the need for exceed ½ in, installation
intermediate support is difficult and as much
points. A structural time will be lost. To allow
frame should be for variations in overall
installed around the escalator length, truss
escalator well to carry extensions can be
the floor and well way provided.​
railing​
Escalator usually are
In as much as an installed in pairs one for
escalator is a carrying traffic up and
mechanical device, the other for moving
careful consideration traffic down. The units

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may be placed parallel
to each other in each
storey. Crisscrossed
stairs generally are
preferred because they
are more compact,
reducing walking
distance between stairs
at various floor to a
minimum.​
PARALLEL CRISSCROSSED
ARRANGEMENT​ ARRANGEMENT

FIRE PROTECTION
OF ESCALATOR

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 of the following:​
SPRINKLER VENT
FIRE PROTECTION
METHOD - a
OF ESCALATOR
combination of
automatic fire or smoke
Escalators may be detection system,
acceptable as required automatic air exhaust
means of egress if they system, and an
comply with the automatic water
applicable requirements curtain.​
for exit stairs. Such
SPRAY NOZZLE
escalators must be
METHOD - a
enclosed in the same
combination of an
manner as exit stairs.
automatic fire or smoke
Escalator capable of
detection system and a
reversing direction,
system of high velocity
however, may not qualify
water spray nozzles.​
as required means of
egress.​ ROLLING SHUTTER
METHOD - in which an
An escalator not serving
automatic, self closing,
as a required exit should
rolling shutter is used to
have its floor openings
enclose completely the
enclosed or protected as
top of each escalator.​
required for other
vertical openings. PARTIAL ENCLOSURE
Acceptable protection, METHOD - in which
as an alternative, is kiosks, with self closing
afforded in buildings fire doors, provide an
completely protected by effective barrier to
a standard supervised spread of smoke
sprinkler system by any between floors.​