- European Norm UNI EN 115 – “Safety rules for the construction and installation of escalators and mobile walkways”
- Machinery directive 98/37/CE: this applies to machines and establishes the essential requirements for safety and the protection of health
- Ministerial Decree 18th September 1975: technical safety regulations for the construction and running of escalators for public service.
Regulations for escalators and travelators
New escalator and travellator installations are regulated by specific legislations that aim to ensure the protection of people and property against the risk of accidents during the functioning of the structures used to manage transit flows.
The regulations are:
What does the UNI EN 115:2005 regulation include?
Angle of inclination
| ESCALATORS | TRAVELATORS |
|---|---|
| The angle of inclination of escalators may not exceed 35°.
Exceptions: in the case of gaps of more than 6 metres, or a nominal velocity of more than 0.5m/s, the maximum inclination may not exceed 30°. |
The angle of inclination of travelators may not exceed 12°.
Exceptions: in the case of a segment with a length of more than 1,000mm, the maximum inclination allowed is 6°. |
Nominal velocity
| ESCALATORS | TRAVELATORS |
|---|---|
| The most common nominal velocity is 0.5m/s. The regulation indicates a maximum velocity of 0.75m/s. | The most common nominal velocity is 0.5m/s. The regulation indicates a maximum velocity of 0.75m/s.
In the case of inclined travelators with a segment of up to 1,000mm, and in the case of horizontal walkways with a very long course and a segment of at least 1,600mm, the nominal velocity can be increased up to 0.9m/s |
Flat motion
| ESCALATORS | TRAVELATORS |
|---|---|
| 2 flat steps (800mm) are obligatory for differences in level of up to 6m.
For differences in level of more than 6 metres, 3 flat steps (1,200mm) are obligatory. |
No regulatory indication |
Safe areas for entry and exit
| ESCALATORS and TRAVELATORS | |
|---|---|
 |
A safe area for the disembarkation of passengers must be provided for, both at the entrance and exit The length of this area must be equal to the space between the banisters, and extend in length for 2,500mm from the end of the banister. |
 |
Alternative: Length of double the space between the banisters and length of 2,000mm from the end of the banister.
For moving walkways, a larger area of disembarkation is advisable if baggage or shopping trolleys are also to be transported. |
Safe distances from the building
| ESCALATORS and TRAVELATORS | |
|---|---|
 |
The lateral safe distance between the external edge of the banister and the continuous lateral wall must be at least 80mm and extend in height to at least 2,100mm. |
 |
If the minimum distance of 400mm stipulated by the regulation in the case of obstacles along the course of the installation (such as the intersection with the ceiling or with other laterally positioned installations) is not respected, then suitable measures for impeding entrapment (e.g. triangles or cylinders of a minimum height of 200mm) must be taken. |
Additional lateral protections
| ESCALATORS and TRAVELATORS | |
|---|---|
 |
An additional balustrade or a grille of a minimum height of 900mm must be provided if there is a possibility of climbing on the sides of the balustrades. |
Additional central protections
| ESCALATORS and TRAVELATORS | |
|---|---|
 |
In the case of a parallel installation, if the space at the centre is more than 120mm, then an additional balustrade of a minimum height of 900mm must be provided to prevent climbing. |
Free space above the steps / segments
| ESCALATORS and TRAVELATORS | |
|---|---|
 |
A free space of at least 2,300mm must be provided above the steps / segments for the whole course of the installation. |
Illumination
| ESCALATORS and TRAVELATORS |
|---|
| A minimum illumination of 50 Lux on the steps must be present along the whole course of the installation. |
Do you want to more about the escalator regulation EN 115:2005?
Contact us to find out everything about the regulation linked to the installation of escalators and travelators.