Chapter 33: MOVING STAIRWAYS AND WALKS
Summary
This chapter addresses moving stairways (escalators), moving walks, and moving ramps. Escalators are described as a means of carrying passengers quickly, comfortably, safely, and continuously. They can also be used to expose the rider to specific views. Escalators may be arranged in parallel (spiral or stacked) and crisscross (spiral or walkaround) layouts. Benefits, disadvantages, and design considerations related to these arrangements are discussed. Photos and sketches are provided to illustrate these installation options. Issues to consider when locating escalators are outlined. Escalator reversibility can provide system flexibility. Standard North American escalators are installed at a 30 degree angle, operate at 100 fpm, and are available in 32 inch and 48 inch sizes.
Escalator system components include a supporting truss, tracks, a sprocket assembly, the moving stairs themselves, handrail, balustrade, drive machine, and controls. The numerous safety features that are part of escalator operation are outlined. Four common means of providing fire protection at an escalator opening are described: the rolling shutter, smoke guard, spray-nozzle curtain, and sprinkler vent. Appropriate lighting is emphasized.
Application guidelines for escalator systems are given. Examples of installations and organizational arrangements are provided. The combined use of elevators and escalators as a people-moving strategy is discussed. Electric power requirements for escalators are reviewed. Non-standard escalator design options are introduced. Budget estimating is considered.
Moving walks and moving ramps are also presented. These somewhat similar systems are distinguished by their respective maximum slopes of 5 and 15 degrees. Typical applications for walks and ramps are reviewed. Size, capacity, and speed standards are presented.
Chapter Outline
MOVING ELECTRIC STAIRWAYS
33.1 General Information
33.2 Parallel and Crisscross Arrangements
(a) The crisscross arrangement
(b) Parallel escalators
33.3 Location
33.4 Size, Speed, Capacity, and Rise
33.5 Components
33.6 Safety Features
33.7 Fire Protection
33.8 Lighting
33.9 Application
33.10 Elevators and Escalators
33.11 Electric Power Requirements
33.12 Special-Design Escalators
33.13 Preliminary Design Data and Installation Drawings
33.14 Budget Estimating for Escalators
MOVING WALKS AND RAMPS
33.15 General Information
33.16 Application of Moving Walks
33.17 Application of Moving Ramps
33.18 Size, Capacity, and Speed
33.19 Components
Key Concepts
· escalator versus moving walk or ramp (as distinct systems for different situations)
· crisscross and parallel escalator arrangements (as an important design decision)
· design guidelines for escalator locations (as a design tool)
· standard escalator sizes (as basic design information)
· escalator system components (as necessary to an understanding of the system)
· operational and fire safety concerns (addressed by manufacturer and building designer)
· typical escalator applications (as a means of understanding system capabilities)
· elevator and escalator integration (as a design approach)
· standard escalator installation details (as a design tool)
· typical moving walk/ramp applications (as a means of understanding system capabilities)
· typical walk/ramp sizes (as a design tool)
Terminology and Metrics
Important Terminology
· moving stairway (escalator; electric stairway)
· parallel arrangement (of moving stairways)
parallel-spiral arrangement
stacked-parallel arrangement
· crisscross arrangement (of moving stairways)
spiral arrangement
walkaround arrangement
· reversibility
· width (of escalator)
· size (of escalator)
· components
truss
tracks
sprocket assemblies
handrail
working points
ballustrade (crystal ballustrade)
· fire protection
rolling shutters
smoke guard
spray-nozzle curtain
sprinkler vent
· moving walk (autowalk)
· moving ramp
Important Metrics
· width (of escalator, inches [mm])
· size (of escalator, inches [mm])
Links to Resources
Schindler Elevator Corporation (select “escalators”):
http://www.us.schindler.com/
Otis Elevator Co. (select “escalators and moving walkways”):
http://www.otis.com/otis/1,1352,CLI1_RES1,00.html
KONE Corporation (select “escalators and autowalks”):
http://www.kone.com/en_US/main/0,,,00.html
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