Escalators and moving walks are very common in public buildings. They can greatly facilitate circulation for all building users in large, extensive and complex modern building types.
However, the location of escalators and moving walks should always be considered in relation to the position of adjacent fire protected lift shafts and lobbies, staircases and their associated areas of rescue assistance.
During normal periods of maintenance and servicing, escalators and moving walks will not be operational.
In the event of a fire emergency, building users attempting to evacuate usually tend to re-trace their routes of entry, whatever the nature of the hazard and wherever it is located. It should be assumed that the electrical supply to escalators and moving walks is terminated or turned off during such emergencies.
For important reasons of safety, therefore, inclined moving walks should comply with the requirements for ramps in buildings with respect to slope and length.
For important reasons of safety, special warning notices and indicators shall be provided at the top and bottom of escalators where step rises reduce suddenly and dramatically when not operational.
Some individuals, in particular older people, might have more than one impairment. Some individuals are not able to use an escalator or moving walk independently and rely on assistance/support being provided by a companion.
Safety shall be the prime consideration when choosing or installing escalators and moving walks.
Lifts are the preferred method of vertical travel for most people with disabilities and in particular wheelchair users.
Persons with a wheelchair generally cannot use horizontal moving walks. An inclination of up to will exclude a majority of wheelchair users from using a horizontal walkway independently. Hence, alternative, like an accessible battery carts, may be provided to them in appropriate cases. Moving walks shall be free of projecting objects and obstacles up to a height of 2 100 mm. A minimum level of illumination of 100 lux shall be provided on moving walks.
A surface of the escalator that contrasts visually with the approach and the use of audible signals or prerecorded messages that indicate the start and finish of the escalator help blind and partially sighted people. Such signals or recording are not normally provided by the escalator manufacturer as standard.
Signs should be provided to indicate the location of other facilities, such as lifts, and these facilities should be in close proximity to the escalators and moving walks and be easy to find.
Reference shall also be made to other requirements given in 5.2 of Part 8 ‘Building Services, Section 5 Lifts, Escalators and Moving Walks: 5B ‘Escalators and Moving Walks’ of the Code.
B-6.6 Vertical and Inclined Lifting Platforms