Article 42 -Escalator Machinery Spaces, Driving and Return Stations
Requirements of escalator machinery spaces driving and return stations
The machinery rooms/spaces of escalators or moving walks are provided to be used only for housing the essential escalator components and equipment. It is not permitted to use the machinery spaces for storing materials inside them. As for escalator equipment accommodated within the machinery spaces, inside the truss, based on escalator utilization, direct fire detecting or fire abatement equipment, sprinkler heads, emergency lighting, etc. can be pointed out.
Placing such equipment are on the condition that they are adequately protected from circumstantial damages and do not create hazardous situations during inspection and maintenance operations. Machinery spaces must be well-constructed and be resistant against weather conditions depending on the installation environment to decrease the possible hazards. Besides, given the enclosure requirements, considering ventilation apertures to prevent the temperature rise is necessary.
The metal plate at the bottom of the machinery spaces called Soffit Plate must resist the loads of escalator machinery parts and other equipment located inside them. The floor plate of the machinery spaces would better be checked for secure placing, tripping hazards, and their condition. Also, other floor plate requirements must comply with the standard. The duty holder of inspection and maintenance should be recommended to do so.
The access to machinery spaces must be safe, without any hazard of tripping, and blockage for the competent persons to optimize inspection and maintenance operations. Also, the access ways must be proportionally illuminated and handholds and stepping points must be considered.
Some escalator components that are of moving and rotating parts, and are reachable which could cause hazardous situations must be efficiently safeguarded. These parts are as below:
a) Keys and screws in shafts
b) Chains
c) Gears, gear wheels, sprockets
d) Protruding motor shafts
e) Speed governors not enclosed
f) Step and pallet reversal in driving stations and/or return stations if they are to be entered for maintenance purposes
g) Flywheel and brake drums
Escalator or moving walk machinery spaces, driving and return stations cleaning
Cleaning the machinery spaces, driving and return stations is of high importance and is an effective way to prevent escalator hazards such as fire and tripping. Any combustible material inside the machinery spaces increases the possibility of fire hazards. Additionally, the existence of oil or cleaning the machinery spaces with solutions that make the machinery floors slippery could cause hazardous situations for competent persons or even lead to injuries. As a result, keeping the machinery spaces free from such materials and cleaning them based on the instructions mentioned in the maintenance book is an essential factor to be considered.
Dimensions and Equipment of Machinery Spaces
An adequately large standing area within the machinery spaces, especially in driving and return stations in the escalator truss, must be remained vacant and free from installed parts of any type. The dimensions of the standing area must be at least 0,30 m2 and the smaller side must be a minimum length of at least 0,50 m. On the condition that the permanently installed parts are placed at the back of rounded corners with a maximum of 0,25 m radius, and with a minimum height of 0,12 m over the standing area, the occupation of the standing area by permanently installed components is authorized. In case the control panel is to be moved or hoisted for maintenance operations, the appropriate attachments for lifting such as eyebolts or handles must be provided to prevent any hazard due to neglecting ergonomic principles.
Lighting and Socket Outlets of Escalator/Moving Walk Machinery Spaces
The power supply of electric lighting and socket outlets must be separate from the machine that is either fed by a cable or a branch cable coming from before the main switch of the escalator or moving walk. Cutting the supply of all phases must be possible by using a separate switch. A main switch with the ability to stop the supply to the motor, to the brake releasing device, and to the control circuit in live conductors must be installed in the proximity of the machine or control devices, or in the return stations.
The supply to the socket outlets or the lighting circuits essential for inspection and maintenance operations must not be stopped by the above-mentioned switch. Therefore, for auxiliary equipment namely heating, balustrade lighting, and comb lighting separate supplies must be provided to switch them off independently. These switches must be marked clearly and be installed near the main switch.
Installation of electric lighting in driving and return stations and machinery spaces within the truss must be done with the help of a portable lamp permanently present in one of these places where there are one or more socket outlets provided in each. The light intensity in working areas must be at least 200 lx.
Note: To prevent electric hazards in machinery spaces the socket outlet types must comply with the standard.
