ESCALATORS, INCLINED AND HORIZONTAL MOVING WALKS: SAFETY DEVICES

Angle of inclination

EN 115:
The angle of inclination for escalators must not exceed 35º.
Exception: In rises higher than 6 m or speed over 0.5 m/s the maximum permitted angle of inclination is 30º.

The angle of inclination for moving walks is limited to a maximum of 12º.
Exception: For pallet widths greater than 1000 mm the maximum is 6º.

Nominal speed

EN 115:
The common nominal speed for escalators and moving walkways is 0.5 and 0.65 m/s. The maximum permitted nominal speed is 0.75 m/s.

Exception for moving walkways: For horizontal or inclined walkways – pallet width up to 1000 mm - with long horizontal run of pallets of at least 1600 mm the speed can be increased to 0.9 m/s.

Horizontal run

For rises up to 6 m two horizontal steps must be provided (800mm). Three horizontal steps (1200mm) must be planned for rises exceeding 6m.

Safety area in the upper and the lower ends of the escalator

Measured from the end of the balustrade, it must equal the escalator width and have at least a depth of 2500 mm.

Option: Measured from the end of the balustrade it must have twice the escalator width and at least 2000 mm depth.

Safety distances

EN 115:
The lateral distance between external handrail edge to fixed walls must be at least 80 mm and extend at least 2100 mm above the step or pallet band.

Where the minimum distance of 500 mm is not reached in the event of ceiling breakthroughs or crossover points additional deflectors are required to prevent people becoming trapped.

Additional side balustrades

EN 115:
Additional side balustrades or railings prevent people from climbing onto the exterior side of the balustrades.

Infill panels

EN 115:
Adjacient escalators or walkways with more than 120 mm distance between the balustrades require to fit the infill panels.

Clear height above steps/pallet band

EN 115:
The distance above the step/pallet must be at least 2.3 mt in every position.

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