Escalator Types
Escalator TypesEscalator Types
- Parallel Escalator.
- Spiral Parallel Escalator.
- Multiple Parallel Escalators.
- Crisscross Escalator.
- Curved Escalator.
- Step Type Escalator.
- Wheelchair-Accessible Escalators.
. Parallel Escalator
Parallel escalators are those types of escalators that face in the same direction. These escalators use more floor space than other escalator arrangements, which are found in impressive forms. On the others hand, it has been found that these are less efficient and more expensive than other escalators.
- Mall
- Metro station
- Public buildings
2. Spiral Parallel Escalator
Spiral parallel escalators are the arrangement that forces the users to move because they are installed in places where the walking area is very long. The roaming feature saves the user from being disturbed. Other types of parallel escalators are stacked parallel escalators, which are mostly used in places like malls, metro stations and are limited to only two stories.
At the same time, they are easily found in public buildings or any other heavy traffic areas, which all run in the same direction. Stacked parallel escalators provide an option to reverse a specified direction during rush hours when everyone is traveling in a particular direction.
3. Multiple Parallel Escalators
Multiples parallel two or more Escalators are those escalators that travel in the same direction simultaneously next to one or two escalators that travel in the other direction.
Escalators must have a moving handrail to keep pace with the speed of the stairs. The direction of motion remains the same, which a person can control as per the requirement or even automatically
4. Crisscross Escalator
The crisscross escalator is the most popular arrangement of escalators that place the entry and exit at opposite ends of the Escalator at its upper and lower ends. This arrangement is specifically known as a crisscross arrangement or a crisscross escalator.
These escalators are commonly knowns as they can be installed at a comparatively low cost and can take up a very small amount of floor space with minimal structural requirements. A spiral crisscross is one in which the stairs rest into each other and provide a fast and comfortable journey at very little cost and space.
These escalators can be easily used up to five floors without any inconvenience. In a walk-around crisscross escalator arrangement, proper construction of the floor around the Escalator is required, which provides an opportunity to view the goods. In these escalators, there is only one move up or down in one direction.
Travel gets worse when the space between floors is kept insufficient. This leads to overcrowding, jostling, and delays causing inconvenience to people, and the problem can get worse if passengers travel more than three floors and do not have access to escalators. The places where you can easily find a crisscross lift are as follows:
- Cinema Hall
- Airport
- Department Store
5. Curved Escalator
A curved escalator is one that is designed in a particular way, including curved or helical shapes with curved steps. These Escalators are curved either to the left or to the right. This Escalator is mostly those which are used in places where stairs need to be attached with the help of any landing. Curved escalators are installed either to enhance the architectural beauty or to save space.
The angle at which the Escalators are inclined is 30 degrees. The number of people that can be carried per hour is about 6500. The averages rated speed covered by it is about 25 meters per minute, and the vertical rise in meters varies from 3500-6600.
6. Step Type Escalator
These are the most common type of escalators, which are making quite a resurgence these days. The stairs that are being made nowadays are of metal whereas earlier these stairs were made of wood, which was not so successful. Step-type escalators are popular because they can go up or down, they can be flat, then up and down.
Escalator stairs are mounted on hinged circles, which track its appearance in addition to the steps that are visible from all of the above steps. This Escalator is designed to be much safer than any other type of Escalator.
7. Wheelchair-Accessible Escalators
Wheelchair-accessible escalators are escalators that have an attendant who will stop if someone in a wheelchair needs to use the Escalator. This type of Escalator is designed to give patients or a wheelchair user-facing convenience while traveling.
Once the wheelchair is mounted on the Escalator, it automatically switches to a special mode. The three resulting steps will be flat to form a platform. It will then be found that the step closest to the lower landing of the Escalator of the platform has some spikes made up of 3 steps that prevent the roll-off of the passenger’s wheelchair from the platform.
Once this is done, the Escalator will start moving slowly on its own. The attendant shall compulsorily travel with the passenger to maintain the safety of the passenger. Once the process is complete, the Escalator will return to its original speed, and as the wheelchair-bound passenger approaches the top, the Escalator will slow down.
After a wheelchair-bound passenger disembarks the Escalator, the Escalator returns to its normal operating speed. These escalators are mostly found and installed in Japan. It is still not known whether wheelchair-accessible escalators have been launched.