Escalators are a moving staircase – a conveyor transport device for carrying people between floors of a building. The device consists of a motor-driven chain of individual, linked steps that move up or down on tracks.
Escalators have moving handrails that keep pace with the movement of the steps. The direction of movement (up or down) can be permanently the same, or be controlled by personnel according to the time of day, or automatically.
Generally designed on an inclination of 27.3, 30, 35 degrees.
35 degree escalator is most effective since it requires least amount of space. This incline is applicable to a total transportation height of 6m. If the height is more than 6m than incline of 27.3 should be given.
Most escalators are designed with 1000mm wide steps which allow passengers to move comfortably when carrying luggage and shopping bags. 600mm and 800mm wide steps are also available and generally used in low traffic areas.
Standard transportation speed ranges between 0.5 to 0.65 m/s.
For a speed of 0.5m/s the theoretical capacity is :