Escalators are designed to transport large numbers of people vertically between floors. Key factors in escalator design include the physical distance that needs to be spanned, anticipated traffic patterns, and safety considerations. Escalators consist of landing platforms connected by a metal truss that supports the tracks guiding the moving steps. The steps are linked together and guided by the track system to continuously form a moving staircase. Proper design of escalator width, angle, and configuration is necessary to efficiently and safely transport passengers.

1. ESCALAT
ORS
Building Material and Construction- IV
By: Zeeshan Asim

2. INTRODUCTION
• An escalator is a power-driven, continuous moving stairway designed
to transport passengers up and down on vertical distances.
• Escalators are used around the world to move pedestrian traffic in
places where elevators would be impractical.

3. Escalator design
PHYSICAL FACTORS:
Physical factors like the vertical and horizontal distance to be spanned must be
considered.
These factors will determine the pitch of the escalator and its actual length.
LOCATION:
Escalators should be situated where they can be easily seen by the general public.
In department stores, customers should be able to view the merchandise easily.
Furthermore, up and down escalator traffic should be physically separated and should
not lead into confined spaces.

4. TRAFFIC PATTERNS
• Traffic patterns must also be anticipated in escalator design.
• In some buildings the objective is simply to move people from one floor to
another, but in others there may be a more specific requirement, such as
funneling visitors towards a main exit or exhibit.
• The number of passengers is important because escalators are designed to
carry a certain maximum number of people.
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.

5. SAFETY
• Safety is also major concern in escalator design.
• Fire protection of an escalator floor-opening may be provided by adding
automatic sprinklers or fireproof shutters to the opening, or by installing the
escalator in an enclosed fire-protected hall.
• To limit the danger of overheating, adequate ventilation for the spaces that
contain the motors and gears must be provided.
• It is preferred that a traditional staircase be located adjacent to the escalator
if the escalator is the primary means of transport between floors.

6. The manufacturing process/COMPONENTS

7. There are two types of companies that supply
escalators:
• Primary manufacturers who actually build the equipment
• Secondary suppliers that design and install the equipment.
• In most cases, the secondary suppliers obtain the necessary equipment from
the primary manufacturers and make necessary modifications for
installation.
• Therefore, most escalators are actually assembled at the primary
manufacturer. The tracks, step chains, stair assembly, and motorized gears
and pulleys are all bolted into place on the truss before shipping.

8. • The first stage of escalator construction is to establish the design
and accordingly the manufacturer constructs the appropriately
customized equipment.
• Prior to installation,
the landing areas
must be prepared
to connect to the
escalator.
For example,
concrete fittings must
be poured, and the
steel framework that
will hold the truss in
place must be attached.
• After the escalator is
delivered, the entire assembly is adjusted into position between the
top and bottom landing pockets.

9. components

10. Landing platforms
TOP PLATFORM BOTTOM PLATFORM
An escalator consists of top and bottom landing platforms
connected by a metal truss.

11. The top platform
contains the
motor assembly and the
main drive gear.
The bottom platform
holds the step
return gear.

12. COMB PLATE
FLOOR PLATE
The platforms contain a floor and comb plate.

13. FLOORPLATE
The floor plate provides
a place for the passengers
to stand before they step
onto the moving stairs.
This plate is flush with the finished floor and is either hinged
or removable to allow easy access to the machinery below.

14. COMB PLATE
• The comb plate is the
piece between the
stationary floor plate
and the moving step.
• It is so named because its edge
has a series of cleats that
resemble the teeth of a comb.
• These teeth mesh with matching cleats on the edges of the steps.
• This design is necessary to minimize the gap between the stair
and the landing, which helps prevent objects from getting
caught in the gap.

15. THE TRUSS
• The truss is a hollow metal structure that bridges the lower
and upper landings.
• It is composed of two side
sections joined together with
cross 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.

16. THE 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.

17. • 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 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.

18. THE STEPS
• The steps themselves are solid, one-piece, die-cast aluminum.
Rubber mats may be affixed to their surface to reduce slippage,
and yellow demarcation lines may be added to clearly indicate
their edges.

19. The steps are linked by a continuous metal chain so they form a
closed loop with each step able to bend in relation to its neighbors.
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.

20. DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

21. WORKING
An escalator is a continuously moving staircase. Each stair has a pair of wheels
on each side, one at the front of the step and one at the rear. The wheels run on
two rails. At the top and bottom of the escalator, the inner rail dips beneath the
outer rail, so that the bottom of the stair flattens, making it easier for riders to
get on and off.

22. TYPES
Escalator typical configurations:
PARALLEL CRISS CROSS LAYOUT

23. ESCALATORWIDTH
In accordance with a worldwide standard, the
width of the step to be used is 60 cm
(for one person), 80cm (for one-to-two people)
and 100cm (for two people width)

24. ESCALATOR ANGLE
Escalator angle can be between 30-35 degrees.
The 35 degree escalator is more economical, as it takes up less surface
area if viewed in plan, but for large ascents.
The 30 degree escalator is preferred both on psychological as well as
safety grounds.
The transportation capacity is same for both.

25. BENEFITS• Capacity to move large
numbers of people.
• Can be placed in
the same physical
space as stairs.
• Have no waiting
interval,
except during
very heavy traffic.
• Used to guide
people towards
main exits
or special exhibits.

26. IT’S DONE!