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Lifts and Escalators

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Important topics related to their functionality, design, application, safety, maintenance, and technological advancements.

1. Fundamental Concepts & Functionality

  • What they are: Definitions and basic principles of elevators.
  • Movement.
  • Key Features:
    • Elevators: Enclosed cabin, automatic doors, button/smart controls, accessibility.
    • Escalators: Continuous movement, open design with moving steps, high-volume traffic handling, no waiting time.

  • Types of Elevators:
    • Hydraulic Elevators: Operate using a piston and hydraulic fluid.
    • Traction Elevators: Utilize ropes/cables and counterweights driven by an electric motor.
    • Vacuum Elevators: Newer technology using atmospheric air pressure.

IMPORTANT TOPICS

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2. Design, Application & Selection

  • Purpose & Usage Environment
    • Elevators: Ideal for high-rise buildings and moving heavy goods. Essential for accessibility for disabilities and the elderly.
    • Escalators: Best for high foot traffic areas over shorter distances (e.g., 2-4 floors) like shopping malls, airports, and metro stations.
  • Capacity & Traffic Flow: Calculating the required number, speed, and capacity of elevators and escalators based on building height, purpose, and expected passenger volume.
  • Space Requirements: Elevators require less horizontal space, while escalators suit larger, open areas.
  • Customization: Modern elevators offer customizable designs and aesthetics to match building architecture.

3. Safety

  • Regulations and Standards: Adherence to strict safety codes and industry standards (e.g. NEII, local regulations).

IMPORTANT TOPICS

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  • Key Safety Features (Elevators)
    • Overspeed governors and emergency brakes.
    • Door safety systems (sensors, light curtains, automatic reversal).
    • Emergency communication systems (alarm buttons, telephones).
    • Overload sensors and alarms.
    • Emergency power backup and automatic rescue devices (ARD).
    • Hoistway door interlocks and safety switches.
  • Key Safety Features (Escalators)
    • Emergency stop buttons.
    • Skirt brushes (to prevent entrapment).
    • Handrail motion detectors (ensuring synchronized speed).
    • Comb plate impact devices (detecting lodged objects).
    • Step integrity and level monitors.
    • Safety signs and instructions for proper usage.
  • User Safety Practices
  • Emergency Protocols

IMPORTANT TOPICS

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Escalator = Scala (means stair in Latin) Elevator

Forms of mechanical transportation may be found within, around and in general association with modern buildings and developments

    • Lifts
    • Escalators
    • Travolators or moving pavements

DEFINITION

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When Elevators are (Almost Always) REQUIRED by Regulation:

    • Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities
    • Building Height / Number of Storeys
    • Fire Lifts / Fire Service Access Elevators
    • Emergency Evacuation (General)
    • Service/Freight Movement

When Escalators are OPTIONAL and Desirable (but rarely required as the sole vertical transport):

    • High Volume, Continuous Traffic Flow
    • Short Vertical Distances / Connecting Adjacent Floors
    • Encouraging Movement and Flow
    • Aesthetics and Design
    • Lower Maintenance for High Throughput

BASIC REGULATIONS OF CHOICE

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Core Transportation Capabilities

    • Vertical Movement
    • Speed - Ultra-High Speed (e.g., 8-20 m/s), High Speed (e.g., 4-8 m/s), Medium Speed (e.g., 1.5-4 m/s), Low Speed (e.g., 0.5-1.5 m/s).
    • Capacity and size (Weight & Passengers)
    • Passenger Elevators, Freight/Service Elevators, Hospital/Stretcher Elevators, Vehicle Elevators, Smooth and Comfortable Ride.

Advanced Traffic Management Capabilities

    • Group Control Systems
    • Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning
    • Fuzzy Logic Control and Peak Hour Management

Smart and Connected Capabilities

    • IoT Integration and Cloud Connectivity
    • Biometric and Access Control Integration
    • Touchless Controls and Interactive Displays

Customization and Aesthetic Capabilities:

    • Interior Design Flexibility
    • Panoramic/Glass Elevators
    • Branding and Digital Displays

ELEVATOR CAPABILITIES

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LIFTS(ELEVATOR)

ESCALATOR

MOVING WALKWAYS

MOVEMENT

GOES VERTICAL

MOVING STAIRS

HORIZONTAL OR INCLINED MOVING

FUNCTION

  • a vertical transportation 
  • efficiently moves people or goods between floors
  • a conveyor transport device for carrying people between floors
  • is a slow-moving conveyor
  • transports people across a horizontal or inclined plane for a short to medium distance

SPEED

  • speeds up to 20 m/s
  • a single-width escalator traveling at about 0.5 m/s
  • can move about 2000 people per hour.
  • speeds of 0.5m/s to 0.6 m/s

COMPARISON

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ANATOMY

Elevator has been used in buildings having more than 4 levels

Elevator operates on the principle of counterbalance to offset the weight and reduce the amount of force needed

The common components;

    • Motor
    • Sheave (Pulley)
    • Steel Cables/Ropes
    • Counterweight
    • Guide Rails
    • Hoistway (Shaft): Vertical passageway where the elevator car travels

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Lift car is the cab/cabin of an elevator. It's the part of the elevator system that passengers or goods enter to be transported between floors.

Lift pit - Also known as an elevator pit, is the bottommost part of an elevator shaft, located below the lowest landing floor.

Lift well/enclosure - Also commonly known as an elevator shaft/ hoistway, is the vertical structure that totally encloses the car, counterweights, and associated machinery within a building and separates the lift well from its surroundings

INTRODUCTION

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SAFETY AND SIGNAGE

Rated load (lift) - maximum load for which the lift car is designed and installed to carry at its rated speed safely.

Rated speed (lift) mean of the maximum speed attained by the lift car in the upward and downward direction with the rated load inside

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SAFETY FEATURES AND REGULATIONS

  • Overspeed Governor and Safety Brakes
  • Door Safety Systems: Sensors (light curtains, pressure plates) prevent doors from closing on passengers or objects. Door interlocks ensure the elevator cannot move if any door is not fully closed/locked.
  • Overload Sensors
  • Emergency Communication: an emergency button, intercom, or telephone to contact building personnel or emergency services.
  • Emergency Stop Button
  • Backup Power: Many elevators have backup power systems (e.g., batteries or generators) to ensure they can reach the nearest floor and open doors during a power outage.
  • Firefighter's Service: Allows firefighters to take control of the elevator during a fire.
  • Buffers: They cushion the car in case of an uncontrolled descent.

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Elevator in Malaysia is governed by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), under the Ministry of HR.

  1. Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (OSHA 1994): This is ensuring the safety, health, and welfare of their employees and others who may be affected during operation and maintenance.
  2. Factories and Machinery Act 1967 (FMA 1967) : It addresses the safety, health, and welfare of persons at work in factories and the registration and inspection of machinery. Elevators fall under "machinery" requiring a Certificate of Fitness (CF).

Factories and Machinery (Electric Passenger and Goods Lift) Regulations 1970: These regulations provide requirements for the design, construction, installation, and testing of electric lifts.

  • Malaysian Standards (MS): Malaysian Standards, which are aligned with EN 81 series (European Std for lift construction and installation).

LEGAL FRAMEWORK AND REGULATIONS

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  1. Design Approval: Before any elevator is installed, its design must be submitted to and approved by DOSH. This ensures the design complies with safety standards and regulations.
  2. Installation by Competent Firms: Elevators must be installed by companies and individuals registered as "competent persons" with DOSH.
  3. Certificate of Fitness (CF) / Permit to Operate (PMA):
    • The CF is typically issued after the elevator undergoes a load test and safety function test, witnessed by DOSH officers.
    • The CF needs to be renewed periodically, following a thorough inspection by a JKKP (DOSH) inspector.

KEY SAFETY REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES IN MALAYSIA

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4. Regular Maintenance:

    • Maintenance should be carried out at least once every month by a trained technician.
    • A quarterly inspection must be conducted by a Lift Competent Person (CP).

5. Owner/Building Management Responsibilities:

    • Appoint DOSH-registered competent firms for maintenance and inspection.
    • Ensure lifts are maintained according to periodic/scheduled maintenance and inspection by competent firms.
    • Prepare and implement an emergency action plan for any dangerous occurrences or accidents.
    • Ensure the 2-way communication system (intercom/alarm) is always functional and linked to a 24-hour rescue service.

 

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  1. Mandatory Provision
    • In Malaysia, according to the Uniform Building By-Laws 1984 (UBBL), Section 243, fire lifts are mandatory in buildings where the top occupied floor is over 18.5 meters (6 storeys) above the fire appliance access level.
  2. Dual Power Supply
  3. Firefighters Control (Phase I and Phase II Operations)
  4. Protected Shaft and Lobby
  5. Minimum Capacity and Size
  6. Materials: non-combustible
  7. Communication: Special fire telephone
  8. Lighting
  9. Speed: Not the fastest elevators in a building

 

FIRE ELEVATOR

A fire elevator, referred to as a fire service access elevator (FSAE), is a specialised elevator to be used by firefighters which remains operational for emergency responders.

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The systems are distinguished primarily by their hoisting mechanisms.

Hydraulic

Traction (electric)

TYPE OF ELEVATOR

Pneumatic/ vacuum elevator

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    • Lower speeds
    • Lower initial cost
    • higher power consumption
    • work by the action of a normally oil. Within a cylinder driving a piston
    • The hydraulic lift is used in applications where the maximum travel distance is about 20 m.
    • The maximum traveling speed of commercially available hydraulic lifts is limited to about 0.75 m/s.
    • This type of lift is suited to low intensity usage.

COMPARISON

  • Driven by Wire ropes passing over a driving wheel or sheave and connected to the lift car and a counterweight.
  • Speed of these lifts can range from 0.5 up to a maximum of 10 m/s.
  • When the motor turns on, the sheave raises/lowers the elevator.
  • In gearless elevators, the motor rotates the sheaves directly
  • In geared elevators, the motor turns a gear train that rotates the sheave.

TRACTION

HYDRAULIC

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HOLED HYDRAULIC

In-ground cylinder extends to a depth equal to the rise of the cab.

Current codes require double-bottom cylinders with leak detection and containment.

Holeless hydraulic elevators use a telescoping hydraulic piston as the driving machine

Eliminating the need for an in-ground cylinder.

Currently limited to a height of about 3 stories.

Telescoping hydraulic piston

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Drive shaft is connected to the sheave by gears in a gear box.

Geared traction systems are designed to operate in the range of 0.5 to 2.5 m/s, which restricts their use to mid rise buildings.

GEARED TRACTION ELEVATOR

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Gearless traction systems are designed to operate in the range of 1.8m/s to 6m/s

Typically installed in high rise buildings.

Greater speeds are also available.

GEARLESS TRACTION ELEVATOR

Machine room

(traction elevator

- above hoistway)

Cabs

Hoistway

and pits

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ELECTRIC MOTOR

The powerhouse of elevator system which is responsible for converting electrical energy into the mechanical force needed to move the car.  

In traction elevators (the most common type for multi-story buildings):

  1. Electrical to Mechanical Energy
  2. Rotation and rope Movement
  3. Sheave Connection
  4. Counterweight Assistance
  5. Braking

 

Types of Elevator Motors

  1. Geared Motors used in mid-to-low rise building
  2. Gearless Motors used high-rise, high-speed, and modern.

AC Induction Motors: These are widely used due to their robustness, reliability, simple design, and lower cost.

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GOVERNOR

The governor is a critical safety device in traction elevators. It prevents dangerous overspeed caused by control system failures, cable slippage, or even cable breakage. It serves as a monitoring and activation system for the elevator's emergency braking mechanism, commonly referred to as the safety gear. 

 

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Specialised Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) designed for elevator loads. They consist of a charger, batteries, and an inverter.

  • During regular operation, the ARD/UPS charges its batteries while simultaneously powering the elevator from the main supply.
  • When a power outage occurs, the ARD/UPS instantaneously switches to battery power.
  • It then supplies 3-phase AC power to the elevator motor and control systems.
  • The ARD's intelligence automatically detects the nearest floor, moves the car to that floor safely, reduces speed, and then opens the doors, allowing passengers to exit.

ELEVATOR BACKUP POWER SYSTEMS

Automatic Rescue Devices (ARDs)/ Emergency Rescue Devices (ERDs)

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COUNTERWEIGHTS

The counterweight in a tractor elevator works like a seesaw. If you have a heavy person on one side, it takes less effort for a lighter person on the other side to lift them because they are near the fulcrum.

  1. Energy Efficiency: The counterweight to be equivalent to 40% to 50% of its rated passenger capacity
  2. Reduced Motor Strain and Wear:
  3. Improved Ride Quality:
  4. Enhanced Safety:
    • Less Braking Force Needed:
    • Backup in Case of Power Loss:
    • Counterweight Safeties:

Location:

  • Behind the elevator car
  • On the side of the elevator car: Used when hoistway depth is a constraint, or in through-car designs.

 

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Guide rails act as the "tracks" that ensure the smooth, precise, and safe vertical movement of the elevator and counterweight within the hoistway.

  • Guidance and Alignment
  • Support and Stability
  • Safety Gear Engagement: It is designed to grip onto the rails, bringing the car to a safe and controlled stop.
  • Maintaining Clearances
  • Hoisting Machine Support (in some designs)

 

Materials Used:

  • High-Strength Steel: (most common)
  • Aluminium Alloys:
  • Stainless Steel:
  • Composite Materials:
  • Wood or Other Non-Metallic Materials (oldies)

 

ROLLER GUIDES

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BUFFER

 

  1. Absorb Kinetic Energy
  2. Prevent Damage and protect passengers:
  3. Last Line of Defence: safety device after governors, brakes, and terminal limit switches.

 

Types of Elevator Buffers:

  1. Energy Accumulation Buffers (Energy Storage Buffers): for low-speed elevators.
  2. Energy Dissipation Buffers (Energy Consumption Buffers): Hydraulic Buffers (Oil Buffers):

Buffer stroke (the maximum distance it can compress) is a critical design parameter, determined by the elevator's rated speed and mass, and must comply with standards.

 

Buffers are located at the bottom, directly beneath the car, and their counterweight acts as a cushion or shock absorber, preventing severe impact if it travels beyond its normal limits.

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OVERLOAD SENSOR

A load sensor is designed to detect when the weight exceeds its maximum rated capacity. It prevents accidents, equipment damage, and ensures passenger safety.

The core principle is converting the physical weight (force) into an electrical signal using a transducer.

Load Cells (most common): When weight is applied, the load cell deforms slightly, causing a change in its electrical resistance.

  • Strain gauge load cells are placed beneath the cabin
  • On the ropes: These sensors measure the tension in the hoisting ropes.
  • Under the motor bedframe: In some setups, sensors are placed beneath the motor bedframe to detect the load on the motor.

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CONTROLLER

 

  1. Motion Control
  2. Floor Request Handling (Traffic Management)
    • Receiving Calls, Call Allocation and Dispatching, Queueing and Prioritization
  3. Door Operation
  4. Safety Monitoring and Protection
  5. Energy and User Interface Management

 

Types of Elevator Control Systems (Call Logic):

  1. Single Automatic Operation:
  2. Collective Control Systems
  3. Group Automatic Operation
  4. Destination Dispatch Systems
  5. Constant Pressure

 

 

The controller is referred to as the "brain" of the elevator system.

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CAB CONTROLS AND INDICATOR

Cab control or Car Operating Panel (COP), is the primary interface between the passengers and the control system.

 

  1. Floor Selection Buttons
    • Primary Function
    • Illumination/Braille/Tactile Indicators
  2. Door Control Buttons:
    • Door Open/Close Button
  3. Emergency and Communication Buttons:
    • Alarm Button (often a bell icon) and light
    • Intercom/Emergency Phone Button (phone icon)
  4. Display Screens/Indicators
    • Current Floor Indicator
    • Directional Arrows
  5. Accessibility Features:
    • Lowered Panels
    • Voice Annunciation, visual and Audible Feedback
  6. Security and Special Functionality: RFID and Smart card

 

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1. Door Interlocks:

  • These are mechanical safety mechanisms that prevent the elevator from moving unless door and the hoistway door are closed.

2. Door Sensors (Obstruction Detection Systems):

  • These sensors detect objects or people in the path of the closing doors, preventing them from closing and potentially causing injury or damage. When an obstruction is detected, the doors reopen.

3. Door Lock Monitoring (DLM):

  • DLM constantly tracks the positioning of elevator doors and monitors their contact circuits. It ensures that the doors are completely closed and locked before allowing the elevator to move.

4. "Nudging" Operation:

  • In cases where a door sensor fails, after a certain time, the doors may enter a "nudging" operation. During this mode, the doors close at a reduced speed, often accompanied by an audible warning, to heightened caution.

 

DOOR INTERLOCKS

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>3’-6” for simultaneous loading/unloading

<3’-6” for singular loading

DOOR OPENINGS

Doors serve both as the primary point of entry and exit for passengers, as a vital safety barrier. Unlike regular building doors, elevator doors operate in a synchronized pair to ensure safety and efficiency.

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PRELIMINARY DESIGN OR DESIGN CONSIDERATION

Elevator design and considerations have a significant impact on a building's functionality, efficiency, safety, and overall user experience.

Preliminary Design Phase:

  1. Understand Building Type & Purpose
  2. Number of floors, floor-to-floor distance, population (flow rate
  3. Traffic Analysis (Most Critical Step)
  4. Determine Elevator Type & Drive System
  5. Preliminary Space Allocation
  6. Budgetary Estimates

 

Detailed Design Considerations

  1. Code Compliance & Safety Standards:
  2. Architectural Integration
  3. Structural Considerations
  4. Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP)
  5. System Performance and Efficiency
  6. Maintenance and Serviceability
  7. Future-Proofing

 

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  1. Traffic Performance (Quantity & Quality of Service):

How well an elevator system handles passenger demand, which is determined through traffic analysis and simulation, especially for new buildings.

 

  • Handling Capacity (HC):
  • Average Interval (AI) / Waiting Interval (WI):
  • Average Waiting Time (AWT):
    • Definition: The average time a passenger waits at a landing for an elevator to arrive after pressing the call button.
    • Importance: A primary indicator of passenger satisfaction. Long waiting times lead to frustration.
  • Round Trip Time (RTT):
  • Average Time to Destination (ATTD):
  • Average Car Load Factor (ACLF):

ELEVATOR PERFORMANCE

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Total number of individuals who typically occupy or are expected to occupy a specific building or space at a given time. Typical area per person based on net area and building type

BUILDING POPULATION

Estimating the "Working Population"

    • Population Density
    • Absentee Factor
    • Traffic Patterns
    • Load Factor

Design Implications

    • Number of Elevators
    • Elevator Size/Capacity
    • Speed
    • Zoning
    • Control Systems

Challenges with Population Estimation

    • Changing Occupancy
    • Mixed-Use Buildings
    • Stair Usage

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    • building type
    • car capacity
    • rise
    • speed

EQUIPMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

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EXAMPLE PROBLEM

Design an elevator system for a 10 storey, single purpose tenant, office building that provides an “good” level of service.

Construction level is “normal”

Floor height: 12’-0” floor to floor

Floor area: 15,000 net square feet (nsf) each

Handling Capacity (HC): HC=300p/I

Interval (I): I=RT/N

5-min. Handling Capacity (h): h=300p/RT

Number of cars (N): N=HC/h

I = Interval

p = passenger

RT= Round time

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DETERMINE BUILDING POPULATION

Office building

Single tenant

Normal construction

Range 🡪 90-110 sf/person

say 100 sf/person

Population= 9 floors x 15,000sf� 100sf/person

Population=1350 people

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DETERMINE PERCENT HANDLING CAPACITY (PHC)

Office building Investment

Range 🡪 11.5-13 % say 12%

PHC=0.12

HC=0.12 x 1350 people

= 162 people

Definition: The maximum number of passengers an elevator or a group of elevators can transport in a given time period (typically a 5-minute peak period).

Importance: Crucial for ensuring efficient movement of people during peak hours.

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DETERMINE INTERVAL (I)

Office building

“Good” service

I=25-29 sec

Definition: The average time between successive elevator cars departing from the main (ground) in lobby floor in a group. For a single elevator, it's the time between its departures.

Importance: Directly impacts passenger waiting times. In essence, if you have an interval of 25 seconds during a peak period, it means a lift should be departing approximately every 25s.

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DETERMINE RISE & SELECT CAR

9 floors (exclude lobby)

12’-0” floor-floor

Rise=9 x 12’-0’

Rise=108’

Select Car:

2500# car

@400 fpm (floor/minute)

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DETERMINE AVERAGE TRIP TIME (AVTRP)

12’-0” floor-floor

2500# car

400 fpm

9 floors

AVTRP= 64 sec

    • Definition: The total time from when a passenger arrives at the lobby until they reach their destination floor.
    • Importance: A holistic measure of the passenger experience, encompassing waiting and travel time.

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DETERMINE ROUND TRIP TIME (RT)

12’-0” floor-floor

2500# car

9 floors

400 fpm

RT= 112 sec

    • Definition: The average time it takes for an elevator car to complete a full cycle, starting from the main floor, picking up and dropping off passengers, and returning to the main floor to be ready for the next trip.

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SINGLE CAR CAPACITY (P)

2500# car

p= 13 people

DETERMINE 5-MINUTE HANDLING CAPACITY (H)

h=300p/RT= 300 x 13/112

h= 34.8 people

p = people RT = round time

DETERMINE NUMBER OF CARS (N)

N=HC/h= 162/34.8

N= 4.7 cars (say 5 cars)

    • Definition: The average percentage of the elevator car's capacity that is utilized during a trip.
    • Importance: Indicates how efficiently the car's space is being used.

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11. CONFIRM INTERVAL (I)

I=RT/N=112/5=22.4 sec

Required I 🡪 25-29 sec

Design exceeds performance requirements

12. REPEAT UNTIL PERFORMANCE COMPLIES

Try 4 cars (2500 lbs., 400 fpm)

13. (REPEAT)CONFIRM INTERVAL (I)

I=RT/N= 112/4= 28 sec

Required I 🡪 25-29 sec

Design meets performance requirements

Performance is in compliance

Use 4 cars (2500 lbs., 400 fpm)

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ANATOMY

Escalator : is 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, allowing the step treads to remain horizontal.

  1. Landing platform
  2. Truss
  3. Tracks
  4. Steps
  5. Handrail
  6. Escalator exterior (balustrade)
  7. Drive system
  8. Auto lubrication system
  9. Braking
  10. Safety device
  11. Electrical and control systems

Escalators in the department stores rise at an angle between 30°-35°. The higher angle of the escalator is more economical as it takes up less surface area.

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ESCALATOR COMPONENTS

Comb plates

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PURPOSE OF THE ESCALATOR

The escalator efficiently and continuously moves a large volume of people between different floors or levels within a building, especially over short to medium vertical distances.

Escalators excel in high-traffic environments where a constant flow of pedestrians is needed.

  1. High Volume Pedestrian Flow:

    • Continuous Movement: An escalator allows people to step on and off without interruption/waiting. This makes them incredibly efficient for moving large crowds.
    • Eliminates Bottlenecks: In places like shopping malls, airports, metro stations, and convention centers, escalators prevent congestion by providing a steady stream of people, reducing wait times and ensuring smooth circulation.

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  1. Space Efficiency (for specific applications):
    • This makes them space-efficient for managing high foot traffic over relatively short vertical rises.
    • They can be integrated into a building's design in various configurations (parallel, criss-cross).

  • Convenience and Reduced Exertion:
    • People can also choose to walk on escalators if they are in a hurry, providing flexibility.

  • Guiding Traffic Flow and Enhancing Building Design:
    • Directional Guidance: Escalators naturally direct people to specific areas, exits, or attractions within a building, influencing pedestrian pathways and improving wayfinding.

  • Reliability and Redundancy:
    • Functional when Static: A key advantage over elevators is that even if an escalator loses power or breaks down, it can still function as a normal staircase.

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ESCALATOR ARRANGEMENT

PARALLEL

MULTIPLE PARALLEL

CROSS-OVER &

CRISS-CROSS

WALKAROUND

Escalator arrangement manages passenger flow, optimises space, and enhances the overall user experience.

Single Escalator Arrangement - A single escalator unit connecting 2 levels.

Parallel Escalator Arrangement:

    • Two or more escalators placed side-by-side, generally moving in the same direction or with one going up and one going down.
    • Types: (1) Side-by-side, opposite directions, (2) Side-by-side, same direction (Multiple Parallel)

Criss-Cross (or Scissor) Arrangement:

    • They are arranged in a zigzag, with the ascent/descent positioned at opposite ends of the floor opening, creating a "scissor" shape through multiple floors. Passengers exit one escalator, walk across the floor, and then take the next escalator in the opposite direction.

Curved/Spiral Escalators:

    • Escalators that follow a curved or helical path.
    • Primarily for aesthetic appeal in high-end shopping malls and exhibition centres.
    • Significantly more expensive and complex to design, manufacture, and maintain than straight escalators. Lower capacity compared to straight escalators of similar size.

 

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  1. Theoretical Capacity:

The maximum number of persons an escalator could theoretically transport per hour, assuming every step is occupied to its maximum capacity.

  • Effective (Actual) Capacity:

The real-world capacity is always lower than the theoretical capacity. It accounts for factors like passenger hesitation, spacing, and the "walking factor".

  • Speed (V):

The rate at which the steps move, measured in m/s.

  • Inclination Angle (θ):

The angle of the escalator's incline relative to the horizontal - 30/35 degrees

  • Step Width:

The width of the individual escalator steps.

Standard Values: 600mm-Single person, 800mm-Single person with luggage or a child and 1000mm-Accommodates 2 people side-by-side

  • Vertical Rise (Rise Height - H)

ESCALATOR PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS

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The following formula can be used to ascertain capacity and compare efficiency and sustainability of escalators at building design stage;

Where

N = number of persons moved per hour

P = number of persons per step

V = escalator speed (m/s)

L = length of step (m)

θ = angle of incline

number of person per hour

ESCALATOR CAPACITY

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http://aimsweb.utm.my/eppp/

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The Quality & Strategy Office, SME is carrying out studies to measure students' satisfaction index and to obtain feedbacks on End of Course Surveys. Therefore, we would like to request your cooperation to disseminate the online questionnaire as per the links to your respective students:

�Link for the webpage:

https://mech.utm.my/survey/

�Link for the CSI:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSek75FJNNo1hXCh5A61-IZUdK5CVIxsEGOB2OHu7OKImMb6kQ/viewform?usp=sf_link 

Link for the End of Course Survey:

http://pmaya.fkm.utm.my/pelajarutm/

�For information, a student MUST present the receipt of the CSI survey to the personnel in charge at the academic office counter and has the record for End of Course Survey participation before obtaining an official Slip of Course Registration.

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