Basic Principles in

Building Conveying
Systems

GROUP 4
ARBOLIDA, LESTHER G.
BERSABAL, JOSHUA D.
FERNANDEZ, ANGELO GABRIEL
GALISTE, BEVERLY A.
GARABILES MAUREEN F.
GUILLERMO, BG
RICO, DANIEL RHEY A.
REPOLLO, CHARLEEN

ENGINEERING UTILITIES 2
 Basic Principles in
Building Conveying
Systems
Building conveying systems mechanically
move occupants and goods. In most buildings,
these systems include passenger and freight
elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators, moving ramps
and walkways, and lifts for people and wheelchairs.
Business and industrial operations may require
specially designed material handling equipment (i.
e., conveyors, chutes, and pneumatic tube
systems),hoists, cranes, and scaffolding. Facilities
on large sites may have monorails and other types
of people movers.
 Basic Principles in Building
Conveying Systems
Manually operated elevators were first used
for lifting freight in warehouses and manufacturing
plants as early as the 1600s. They began as simple
rope or chain hoists that moved an open platform.
In 1852,Elisha Otis introduced the safety elevator,
which prevented the fall of the elevator cab if the
cable broke. Otis’ safety device consisted of a
knurled roller located below the elevator platform
and a governor device that monitored descending
speed. The safety device locked when the elevator
descended at a higher than normal speed. It was
this safety feature that made the elevator a safe
conveying system for building occupants, which
then made skyscrapers achievable.
 1. ELEVATORS
1A) Elevator Technologies
1B) Basic Components of an Elevator
System
1C) Classifications of Elevators
1D) Elevator Design Criteria
 Elevator Technologies
An elevator is a conveying device used to move
people or freight vertically, usually between floors

of a building.
Photo below shows an elevator car with
hoist way doors open.

First-floor entrances to two elevator cars (doors closed).Note the hall

lanterns between the doors (above sign).The hall station is below the
sign.
Type and design speeds for elevators
are compared in Table below.
The two basic types of
elevator technologies

I. hydraulic
II. traction
 I. Hydraulic
Elevators
Hydraulic elevators use a fluid-
driven hydraulic jack to lift the
elevator car.
 Basic components of a hydraulic elevator
system are shown in Figure below.

.
 I. Hydraulic Elevators
It consists of a hydraulic jack (cylinder and
plunger); a pump, powered by an electric motor,
that increases the pressure in the hydraulic fluid; a
control valve between the cylinder and reservoir
controls the pressure in the jack; and a fluid
reservoir (tank). It operates when the pump draws
oil from the reservoir, pressurizes it, pushing the oil
through the oil line to the jack, and driving the
elevator car upward. A release of fluid through the
control valve and back to the reservoir decreases oil
pressure, which allows the plunger and connected
elevator car to move downward.
 Photo below shows some of the
components of a hydraulic elevator.

.
Variations of basic types of elevators.

a) Conventional (Holed) Hydraulic

Elevator
b) Telescopic Elevator
c) Holeless Hydraulic Elevator
d) Roped Hydraulic Elevator
 I. Hydraulic Elevators
On a conventional
(holed) hydraulic elevator,
an inground hydraulic jack lifts
the elevator car. A long
plunger requires a deep hole
below the bottom landing. The
hole is usually drilled into the
ground and cased with a
plastic or metal casing before
the building is erected.
 I. Hydraulic Elevators
A telescopic hydraulic elevator has a
telescoping plunger consisting of concentric
tubes that slide within one another, allowing a
shallow hole below the lowest floor.
Conventional (holed) hydraulic elevators
are the most balanced type of hydraulic
elevator configuration because the lifting point
on the bottom of the elevator car is centered.
 I. Hydraulic
Elevators
Holeless hydraulic
elevators have one or two
jacks situated beside the
rails that lift the platform.
Because they do not require
holes to be dug for the
hydraulic jack(s), they are
referred to as “holeless.” The
dual or twin jack
configuration can have two
(front and rear) entrances,
while the single jack
configuration can only have
one (front) entrance.
 I. Hydraulic
Roped
Elevators
hydraulic
elevators use a
combination of both ropes
and hydraulic power to raise
and lower cars. They
typically consist of a
cantilevered car that is lifted
by ropes that pass over a
sheave (pulley) fastened to
the top of a hydraulic
plunger. As the plunger rises,
so does the elevator car.
Single rope configuration
cannot have rear entrances.
 II. Traction Elevators
Traction elevators have a drive
machine with an electric motor and
pulley-like (grooved) drive sheave that
holds cables that move the elevator
car up or down.
 II. Traction Elevators
.
 II. Traction Elevators
Steel cables, called hoisting ropes, support the
elevator and counterweight during normal operation.
There are typically three to eight cables for each
elevator. Most traction elevators generally use wire ropes
that are 1⁄4 to 11⁄4 inches (6 to 32 mm) in diameter and
are composed of multistrand soft steel wire wound
around a hemp or polymeric core. Traditionally, the 8 -19
wire rope (eight strands with 19 wires per strand) pattern
was used, but this is being replaced with modern
patterns.
Wire ropes must match the drive sheave perfectly
to ensure that they have a long life. The counterweight is
a set of steel or iron plates fastened to one end of the
hoisting rope that counterbalances the car. It is weighted
to be equal to the car’s dead weight plus 40 to 50% of
car load capacity. The weight of the car and
 Classifications of
Elevators
1) Passenger elevators are designed to
carry people and small packages.
2) Freight elevators are used to carry
material, goods, equipment, and vehicles, rather
than people.
3) A dumbwaiter is a small freight elevator
used to transport lightweight freight such as food,
laundry, books, records, and other small items.
4) A manlift is an elevator installed in a
variety of structures and locations to provide
vertical transportation of authorized personnel and
their tools and equipment only.
 Paternoster
A paternoster is a special type of elevator consisting of a
constantly moving chain of boxes. A similar concept moves only a
small platform, which the rider mounts while using a handhold and was
once seen in multistory industrial plants. Passengers can step on or off
at any floor they like. Today, the installation of new paternosters is no
longer allowed because of to their inherent danger.
•
2. ESCALATORS
Escalators are mechanical devices used for transporting
people vertically between different levels of buildings.
Typically, they take the form of a moving staircase,
consisting of a 'chain' of single-piece aluminum or
stainless steel steps guided by a system of tracks in a
continuous loop.
• They occupy the same physical space as a staircase,
generally have no waiting time (other than during
periods of congestion), allow a greater flow of people,
and can be more practical than lifts. It is also possible for
people to walk up or down escalators, if they are in a
hurry, or if they break down.
• The speed of escalators is constant and is generally
around 0.3-0.6 m (1-2 ft) per second. This translates to
around 27-55 m (90-180 ft) per minute. An escalator
moving an average of 44 m (145 ft) per minute can
transport over 10,000 people per hour, which is a
considerably higher capacity than a standard lift system.
Escalator components are shown in Figure below.
STEPS
The steps are solid, one piece, die-cast aluminum or steel.
Yellow demarcation lines may be added to clearly indicate their
edges.

The steps are linked by a continuous metal chain that forms

a closed loop. The front and back edges of the steps are each
connected to two wheels. The rear wheels are set further apart to fit
into the back track and the front wheels have shorter axles to fit into
the narrower front track. As described above, the position of the
tracks controls the orientation of the steps.
STEP CHAIN
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).
One for the back wheels of the steps (called the trailer-wheel
track).

The relative positions of these tracks cause the steps to

form a staircase as they move out from under the comb plate.
Along the straight section of the truss, the tracks are at their
maximum distance apart. This configuration forces the back of
one step to be at a 90-degree angle relative to the step behind
it. This right angle bends the steps into a shape resembling a
staircase.
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", the "tension
member“, the inner components, and the outer layer
BALUSTRADE
The balustrade is the portion of the escalator/moving
walk extending above the steps including skirt panels,
glass or stainless steel interior panels, inner and outer
deckings and handrail. The balustrade protects
passengers riding the moving stairway / walkway forming
a barrier through the entire travel of the unit. This is the
structure supporting the handrail of the escalator and can
be made of metal, sandwich panels or glass.
NEWEL
Extensions of the Balustrade at each end of the escalator
(moving walk) that assist passengers when boarding and
landing.
ESCALATOR BRUSHES
Escalator brushes are installed on the sides of
escalators and moving walkways to keep people
from standing too close to the edges. Loose, low-
hanging clothing, shoelaces, soft-soled shoes, and
other such items are at risk for becoming caught in
the moving track or moving stairs, so these brushes
are designed to provide a gentle reminder for people
to stand at a safe distance from the moving edges.
MOTOR
Escalators are driven by a motor and chain system
inside the truss. At its core are a pair of chains
looped around two pairs of gears. The gears at the
top of the escalator are turned by an electric motor,
which in turn rotates the chain loops. The electric
motor also powers the moving handrail which is
looped around a series of wheels and is configured
so that it moves at a similar speed to the steps.
GEARS AND CHAINS
TRUSS
The structure that bridges the lower and upper landings, and carries
the straight track sections. Steel or concrete supports connect the
ends of the truss to the top and bottom landing platforms. It is an
assembly of structural steel to support the weight and load of an
escalator (moving walkway). A controller, drive units for Steps (Pallets)
and Moving Handrails are housed inside the structure.
Ends of the truss are attached to top and bottom landing platforms.
The machinery of an escalator is hidden beneath its steps and within
the truss. At the top of the escalator, housed in the truss, is an electric
motor that runs the drive gears. There are two drive gears on either
side at the top and two return gears on either side at the bottom.
These gears have chains that loop around the gears and run down
each side of the escalator. Connected to each step, these chains help
the steps make their way up, or down, the escalator.
LANDING PLATFORMS
At both the top as the bottom connection of the escalator a
machine pit is necessary where the curved sections are located as
well as the gears that drive the stairs. In the bottom doesn’t
happen too much more
than this. The top, on the other hand, contains the motor
assembly and the main drive gear. The pits are usually made out
of concrete and are also used to anchor the ends of the escalator
truss.

The landing platforms consist out of two elements: a floor plate

and a comb plate.
EMERGENCY STOP BUTTON

It is provided at both the upper and lower landing of

the escalator. 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. Pressing the button
will stop the escalator immediately. The escalator can
be restarted after releasing the button by using the
normal start-up procedure.
PARALLEL
ESCALATOR
CRISSCROSS
ESCALATOR
SPIRAL ESCALATOR
 3. WALKWAYS AND
RAMPS
A moving walkway is a power-driven,
continuous, slow-moving conveyor belt that
transports people horizontally. They are also called
moving sidewalk, moving pavement, walkalator,
and travelator. An inclined moving walkway, also
called a moving rampor power ramp, is a moving
walkway that transports people on an incline, up to
a 12° angle of inclination. Moving walkways are
more accessible to those in wheelchairs, as they are
usually thought easier to use than getting in and
out of small elevators.
 Components of moving
walkways

1) An inclined moving walkway.

2) A (horizontal) moving walkway.
3) A pallet-type walkway
 An inclined moving walkway.
.
 A (horizontal) moving walkway.
.
A pallet-type walkway is a continuous series of flat
metal plates, called pallets, that are joined together
to form a walkway.
.
 Two Types of Walkway
Technologies
The pallet-type walkway is a continuous
series of flat metal plates, called pallets, that are
joined together to form a walkway. Usually there is a
metal or rubber surface (extra traction).
Moving belt walkway systems are
comprised of a mesh metal or rubber belt with a
rubber walking surface that move over metal
rollers.
 4. OTHER SYSTEMS

Lifts
1) wheelchair lift
2) Platform lifts
3) stair lift
4) car lift
 1) Wheelchair lift

A wheelchair lift is a powered device designed

to raise a wheelchair or scooter and its occupant to
overcome a step or similar vertical barrier, usually 6
ft (1.8 m) or less. They often are designed to
accommodate just one person in a wheelchair or
scooter at a time. Commercial lifts are designed to
raise a wheelchair or scooter and its occupant up to
one story (about 12 ft>4 m).
.
A wheelchair
lift in a
residential
garage.
 2) Platform lifts
Platform lifts supply access to decks,
porches, stages, and elevated surfaces.
 3) Stair lift
A stair lift will carry a
user safely up stairs. To use
a stair lift, the user sits on
the lift’s seat; the seat will
then transfer the user up or
downstairs via a staircase-
mounted track.
 4) Car lift
A car lift is installed in
small parking garages where
ramps are not feasible. The
platforms are raised and
lowered hydraulically and are
connected to steel chain
gears. In addition to the
vertical motion, the platforms
can rotate about its vertical
axis (up to 180°) to ease
driver access and/or
accommodate building plans.
In selecting lift equipment,
the building designer
typically relies on
specifications available from
equipment suppliers.
 People Movers
An automated people mover (APM) is a fully automated, grade-
separated mass transit system. An APM system typically serves
relatively small facilities such as airports, downtown districts, or theme
parks, but is sometimes applied to considerably more complex
automated systems. It may use technologies such as monorail, duorail,
automated guideway transit, or magnetically levitating (maglev)
method. Propulsion may involve conventional on-board electric motors,
linear motors, or cable traction. APMs are common at large airports in
the United States.
 Material-Handling
Equipment
Material-handling equipment is a mechanical device used to
move and store materials and goods. This equipment consists of
trolleys, conveyors, forklifts, automated storage/retrieval systems,
cargo and baggage handlers, carousels, rail-guided vehicles,
automated guided vehicles, intelligent flexible modular conveyors,
pick-and-place units, and overhead hoists and cranes. In selecting
material-handling equipment, the building designer typically relies on
specifications available from equipment suppliers.
 Conveyor Belt
A conveyor belt is the carrying medium of a belt
conveyor system (often shortened to belt conveyor). A
belt conveyor system is one of many types of conveyor
systems. A belt conveyor system consists of two or more
pulleys (sometimes referred to as drums), with a closed
loop of carrying medium—the conveyor belt—that rotates
about them.