Article 16- Escalators and Moving Walks Types Based on the Installation Environment

Escalator and Moving Walk Types Installation Environment

There are different types of escalators and moving walks designed based on their installation environment. In this article, we intend to introduce their main categories and explain their differences in detail.

Escalators and moving walks are divided into three main categories based on their area of installation as below:

1. Indoor Escalator

Indoor escalators and moving walks are suitable for closed environments, where there is control over the ambient temperature. Therefore, these types of escalators and moving walks are not subject to elements such as rain and snow.

Indoor escalators and moving walks are normally equipped with common features and options according to the standard along with aesthetics such as skirt brush illumination and balustrade illumination.

Slim glass balustrades are mostly used for indoor escalators and moving walks which give them a more stylish look. The truss of this type of escalators and moving walks are coated with paint to prevent the truss from corrosion. Also, they do not need specific equipment to protect them against humidity since they are installed in controlled-temperature environments.

2. Semi-Outdoor Escalator

Semi-outdoor escalators and moving walks are installed outside the building; nonetheless, they have roofs above them to protect them against the direct downpour of rain and snow. Obviously, since these escalators and moving walks are outside the building, they are not in a temperature-controlled environment.

Unlike the indoor escalators, semi-outdoor escalators have a wider range of options, based on the geographic location of the installation environment. Examples of these options include a cooler, which cools down the device in high-temperature situations, or a heater, which heats the device in low-temperature conditions. Given the fact that semi-outdoor escalators and moving walks operate under different weather conditions, according to the standard they must have some high protection rates for their main electric parts e.g. main control box, inverter box, and safety switches.

Slim glass balustrades and solid balustrades can both be used for semi-outdoor escalators and moving walks based on project conditions. In addition, 3-layer protective painting is used for coating the truss of semi-outdoor escalators and moving walks to protect them from corrosion.

3. Fully-Outdoor Escalators

Fully-outdoor escalators and moving walks are installed outside the building without any roof or other overhead covers. As a result, they are completely subject to the elements, such as rain, snow, etc. These types of products have a wide range of options, e.g. cooler and heater based on the environment, and water and oil separator to evacuate internal space from the rain and snow accumulated. Given the fact that fully-outdoor escalators and moving walks are directly exposed to different weather conditions, according to the standard they must have some high protection rates for their main electric parts e.g. main control box, inverter box, and safety switches. Also, the motor and electromagnet insulation rate must be respectively of Level F and Level E.

Moreover, fully-outdoor escalators truss coating must be hot-dip galvanized that is strongly resistant against corrosion, and also all the stainless steel components must be of grade 304.

Like semi-outdoor escalators, slim glass balustrades and solid balustrades can both be used for fully-outdoor escalators and moving walks based on project conditions.

Even though this type of escalator is capable of functioning in all weather conditions, the standard recommends to cover them with a roof over them for safety concerns. For example, on escalators or moving walks that do not have a roof, passengers may have to step on the device with their umbrellas spread over their heads in rainy or snowy conditions which can lead them to lose balance or fall, or even disturb other passengers with their umbrellas as they take up more space.

Note: To enhance the performance of the escalators and moving walks, based on the geographical location and customer requirements, there are some extra options to choose from apart from the above-mentioned.