Does an Escalator really need Cleaning?

Escalator cleaning that was practiced earlier has undergone much changes and developments. This is in accordance with the changes in the technology too. This does not only increased the effectiveness of the escalator but also provide work to unemployed people as there are so many escalator cleaning services are now sprouting. With the progress of science and technology, there are so many new machines are being devised and created. One of these new inventions is the escalator cleaning machine.  This makes the cleaning result easier, faster and cleaner.

Escalator cleaning equipments have undergone a huge change and have now become sophisticated and reduce the work of the people to a great extent. Thanks to such efficiency of the machines that they complete the work faster and also do it better than the previous cleaning machines. Moreover, the escalator cleaning machines have evolved with the changing needs of the people. The escalator cleaning machines are now more scientific and specific with regard to its usages. There are so many different machines for cleaning different parts of the escalator. And this helps save time and hasten the process of cleaning. The people who are usually in charge of the machines can employ more people to clean the escalators; the higher the demand to work, the lesser unemployed people in an area. The work does not take much time as well. Different machines clean the different parts of an escalator: steps, railings, rollers, combplates, etc. 

Nowadays, there are so many companies that hire the escalator cleaning services, namely:  airports, shopping malls, hotels, convention centers, motels, museums, aquariums, and casinos. These are the places where there is always a huge rush of people and they make use of the escalators in a great way, hence they are more in need of the escalator services than the other small companies.

One of the best advantages of hiring an escalator cleaning services is that it provides great saving of money. The services they will be getting are good and be assured that the cleaning cost will be a cheaper one too.  With the growing numbers of escalator cleaning companies, most of them provide 24x7 services to help you out of any problem whether day or night. What a relief to know about this, as company owners do not know as to when they would experience problems with their escalators. They surely won’t take any chances to have a malfunctioned escalator especially during rush hour days like Christmas and New Year seasons, where in so many people are coming in and out of the building, going up and down the escalators, rushing in and out.

Good thing to know as well, because cleaning an escalator does now not take much time as before. This only takes about a couple of hours, but it still depends on the issue. If the escalator acquired foreign objects like stones and other hard stuff, then it would take a longer time up to twelve hours. Good savings, right?

Knowing More about Escalator and Its Parts

When did we start using escalator? Accordingly, escalator combplates have been around for quite a long time already and it is a fact that escalator really play an important role most especially in business establishments and other big buildings. To put it simply, people now rely on escalators as a number one source of transportation from one floor to another inside a building. This means that we can easily move up or down when we need to. We should also take note that with escalators, even a large number of people can fit in so we can immediately say there’s comfort and ease.

If you are building up your own building and would like to install an escalator, there are some things you need to take into consideration first. Think about it well if you really need it or not. Number one is to plan where you will be situating it. Is it on the right place or not? Of course if you are not sure about it, asking the help of experts will be the best thing to do.

Number two, decide on whether you will want to install it with the help of your people or would you rather get the services of contracting companies. These can be two options, it is up to you to compute if you will be able to save some or not. You may want to do some check before deciding to make sure you have chosen the right thing.

The next thing is to look for the unit. This could be easy and could also be difficult as you will need to make sure that you are getting only the best product with the best quality. Otherwise, you will end up crying. You know very well that the amount is not that small, you will spend a lot for this just like how you anticipated spending for that whole building you are putting up. What you can probably do is to search for products then to compare each to really choose what your budget requires but without sacrificing the quality. You know very well that quality is important not just because of your business interest but because of your customer’s interest to. Remember that their safety should be your utmost priority.

After comparing the prices and finally deciding you can get a glimpse of the product’s quality by personally inspecting them, by checking the company’s background and also by reading on their company profile or reading on their customer’s feedback. You will most likely get this information through their website.

Don’t just focus on the whole product, from time to time some of the parts can deteriorate or can be destroyed because of carelessness or long use. That is why you have to make a schedule for its maintenance or check. In case some of the parts have problem, then you should contact your distributor right away, parts like escalator combplates, rollers or step chains are the most common parts that incur problems so take note of it.

Escalator Steps: Kids Safety

Child Safety Issue with Parents on the Escalators

Can you imagine yourself tumbling a few body lengths down an incline, covered with pointed jagged metal teeth and ridges? Then your head hits the ground, your skin is bruised, and your world is practically turned upside down. The worst thing is, when you finally stop, a huge weight many times heavier than your body lands on you. This is actually not some hiking or mountain climbing activity, but adults taking their baby strollers plus their babies down an escalator. Such things happen daily. Accidents in the escalator steps happen due to negligence.

Natural Reaction to an Escalator that has Abruptly Stopped

Have you ever been on a moving escalator steps that has stopped all of a sudden? Your knees must have bent to help you immediately stop yourself. You grab on the side rail, and lean back to prepare your body from the sudden forward momentum. Yes, it is not only terrifying, but it also needs you to respond with split second timing.

How to React to an Escalator that has Stopped if you have a Stroller?

If for example, your center of gravity is in front of your feet instead of focusing it  between your feet while you are standing up. Your knees will no longer be responsive as you are bending them back while balancing the stroller. Your hands, being busy  holding the stroller will not hold the side rail in the split second that it takes for you to realize you are falling. If the escalator suddenly stops, the heavy stroller will lurch forward and you will attempt to press down, leap forward and brace yourself (and the baby) from falling forward.

If you are not successful, you are going to keep clutching the stroller at the same time falling flat on your face. You are likely to bring the stroller backwards, slamming the child back into the escalator steps. If the baby is fortunate, the stroller will roll down the escalator steps in this way. But if  the child is unfortunate, the stroller will hit the steps backward and bounces forward, thus sending the child face first down the stairs.

This kind of accident is not uncommon. So, what can you do about i? Sadly, parents going down the escalators with strollers all over them, do happen. Going down backwards needs you to support the stroller upward yet enables you to push the front wheels into the crevice of the escalator step. It  would mean that the center of gravity is securely between the stroller and the fall. This is unlike the escalator diving adult who has the cog behind the stroller, quite possibly contributing to the sudden death of the baby.

Going down backwards also enables you to stand on two stairs, making your position wide and more steady in a linear direction. Even though it will take some balance and coordination to step backward on the escalator, this is actually the most effective way to increase the child safety while having a loaded stroller with you.

Escalator at Your Convenience

In every establishment, it is sometimes incorporated with an escalator that is useful for their convenience and daily usage. It is an excellent device that barely gives a costumer an easy way transporting from one place to another part of the building. It should be adequately maintained and well-balance in order to give a long term safety for every customer roaming around the establishment. But what is mainly an escalator is? How it should be cleaned and maintain? Here is a little bit information about an escalator.

The escalator is a movable staircase that is utilized to transport people between floors of a certain building. It is consists of an individual motor-driven chain that is linked to steps that move up and down on tracks which allow on horizontal threads. Escalators are usually seen shopping malls, transit system, department stores, hotels, airports, convention centers, arenas, public buildings and stadiums. It has further had the capacity to move forward large number of people with the same space placed on the staircase. This device actually has no interval that serves as a guide for all people toward the exits.

So with these, it is willing to maintain the device performance for long term use. Nevertheless, how are for us to going to clean this kind of tool? As we have seen something, it is quite difficult to clean and maintain but there is a proper way on how to maintain this tool in proper posture.

Ways and Benefits of Escalator Step Cleaning

Their different ways on how this device should be cleaned. There are also various benefits as this device utilized a unique tool on escalator step cleaning. It could help you make the system fair and perfect. Here are some way on how this machine should be clean. Escalator can be cleaned through scrubbing. Scrubbing has a nice benefit where it typically utilized by brush and water. Nevertheless, at this point machine intervene in order to make things easy and all the necessary dirt and debris can be picked out. Aside from that, it also used a solution to enable it better and new like before.

Another thing, escalator can be clean through the use of maintenance operations. This way the device where disassembly in order to clean the device depth through. It follows the simple step that surely gives a right manner of doing things in a seamless way of cleaning the tool. Although it is usually do for this device but you are certain that the machine can work perfectly.

Ultimate way of cleaning the escalator is by dry ice blasting. Dry ice blasting is a novel technique of non abrasive cleaning that is also enjoyable for long term use. It does not prescribe disassemble of all the parts of the escalator. It can be applied upon the escalator runs. This is more convenient and nicest way in cleaning escalator.

So if you need to clean your device you can have these options that cater a subtle benefit to your unit. You don’t just have to worry about it bestows the needs that you want for your device. So choose the way that fits your needs in order to make it safe and better for future use.

Riding the Escalator the Safest Way Possible

Escalators are one great invention that contributes largely to the convenience of people. No longer will the people have to endure climbing the steps especially when they have to reach a few floors. Also, disabled people, and all those that have lesser mobility, can have a chance to become more mobile without having to exert too much effort. Truly, the importance of escalators is recognized by everyone.

While this revolutionary machinery is appreciated for their convenience, it is inevitable for them to wear out. If this happens, they are more prone to cause accidents. This may cause severe trauma that can affect innocent people.

Riding an escalator is generally safe. There are safety features that ensure every rider to be comfortable and safe. However, when it is not maintained well, people can suffer from huge consequences. That is why it is important to keep the escalator well-functioning at all times and this is done by regular inspection and escalator cleaning.

What the Survey Says

In the recent survey, it was estimated that there are significant cases of accidents from an escalator ride. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there are more than 10,000 people who were already injured via escalator riding. These cases were estimated to happened annually to different people.

In fact, Dr, Alan Nager of Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles said that the escalators can pose a significant danger without people, and authorities, recognizing it. Among the accidents recorded, it was found out that 70 percent of the injuries were due to falls. This is particularly related to children who usually play around while riding the escalator. Children who love to play around has more likely to stumble and fall during an escalator ride.

He added, "The child who tries to ride it backwards or tries to go from the bottom up to the top while it's rolling down -- those are all the kinds of mischievous behaviors that can lead to falls, broken bones and significant head trauma. In fact, escalator injuries are on the rise."

The Safe Practices

One of the safest practices to ensure a safe ride is regular escalator cleaning. The dust and other dirt may accumulate inside its parts and may cause damage. Further, it may also require expensive repair especially when the damage becomes severe.

Regular inspection should be done so that a tint of problem can be fixed immediately. More often than not, a tiny problem can cause huge accident if not given attention.

It is also good to remind the public to take precaution in riding the escalator. The parents should always be reminded to attend to their children while riding the escalator. As was mentioned earlier, children are more prone to accidents than adults.

Escalators are truly one of the convenient inventions ever to rule the world. However, they are also prone to wearing out and damage so it is best to check on them once in awhile. Better yet, have the escalators checked by a professional for a more efficient inspection.

Basic Components of an Escalator

Escalator is a brilliant creation that is used in almost all commercial establishments. Its machineries are so intricate that only professionals and well-trained people are capable of installing, repairing and maintaining it. Escalators may look so complex but once the whole mechanism is understood, repairing and maintaining it becomes easier. However, it takes a lot of time before the whole mechanism is fully understood. For the purpose of layman understanding, here are the basic components of an escalator.

Basically, escalators have 5 components. These are the landing platforms, handrail, tracks, truss and steps. Each component is important to keep the elevator function more efficiently.

Truss – The truss is the hollow metal component that connects the upped and the lower landing. It is mainly made up in two parts, and are connected together by a brace. The end-part of the truss is joined from top to bottom using a steel support. However, there are models that use concrete to support the truss. Truss supports the straight track parts so that it can securely join the upper and the lower sections.

Landing platforms – Landing platform contains two subcomponents: the escalator complates and the floor plate. The floor plate is the one where the passengers step on before riding the steps, either when they go up or down. The floor plate is attached to the combplate. The escalator combplates is responsible to join the floor and the escalator floor plate together in a smooth transition. This will prevent any accidents in riding or leaving the elevator. This part is called escalator combplates because it resembles the teeth of a comb.

Tracks – The tracks pulls the steps so that they continually move to a certain direction. The tracks are attached to the truss to fulfill this purpose. Basically, there are two tracks contained in an escalator. The first is the place on the front wheels while the other one is placed at the back. These are placed on the opposite sides of the escalator so that it forms a staircase when the steps come out of the combplate.  

Steps – The steps are the steel solid piece people ride on to go to another floor. In order to provide better safety features, yellow demarcation lines can be painted at the side. The steps are joined together by a sturdy escalator chain. This chain is responsible to keep a smooth ride. The front and back corners of the steps are connected to two wheels for it to go smoothly in one direction.

Handrail – The handrail is another safety feature of the escalator. It is covered with rubber so that people will not slip when they hang out to it. The handrail is pulled by a chain, just like the steps. These goes the same direction with the movement of the escalator. The handrail is designed to withstand the dangers of degradation and harsh weather changes.

 These are the basic components of an escalator. It is good to know these parts especially when you are deciding to install escalator to your commercial property.

Things You Need to Know About Escalators

Escalators are often considered as one of the main machines in many buildings. When you go to most buildings such as shopping malls, airport and railway stations these are first thing that you would see. Its major job is to convey people up or down the building. This has ever since been very reliable and helpful in transporting people. Do you know how this is made? Well, this article tackles more about this amazing machine. Read through and find out more.

You are probably wondering how the escalator steps move up and down. Well, the secret is what has been hidden under the steps, ¬which is called the truss. This is a set of steel which acts as support. Inside this truss is an electric motor that basically controls the two gears found on either side at the top part of the escalator and two on the bottom part of the escalator. Connected to these gears are chain loops that when the motor has been switched on, the gears rotate. This causes the escalator steps to move up or down.

As you observe when you ride the escalator, the steps are flattened out on the top and bottom of the escalator. This is because every step contains four wheels which have been positioned on either side of the step. The two wheels that are moved closest to the topmost part of the step link the steps to the chains that have been looped around the gears of the escalator. The chains' horizontal point at the uppermost and base parts of the escalator is what causes the steps to even out. For stability purposes, the wheels that are moved closest to the base part of the step revolve along the rail inside the truss. Inside each step, grooves are installed. Its main purpose is to help with the alignment of the steps.

The electric motor's function is not only to move the chain loops of the escalators but this moves the escalator handrails as well. All escalators are installed with handrails which help in the safety and balance of the people riding onto it. These are mainly rubber loops that are linked to the two gears located at the top part of the escalator. The handrails are usually placed on the wall at the side of the steps so that the riders can comfortably hold on to it.

An escalator is not as fast as an elevator at moving people from one floor to another. However, this machine is better at carrying people up and down at a short distance. Moreover, an elevator only carries certain number of people but an escalator can carry more than an elevator can handle. While it is true that the elevator transports you faster but you still need to wait before you can get in. In addition, because an escalator has an adjustable speed, it has the ability to decrease and manage overcrowding. Aside from that, escalators can be turned off basically turning out to be a staircase thus saving energy.

Escalator Step Chain

When the use of an elevator would be impossible or impractical, the use of escalators is the best option. Escalators are widely used nowadays especially in main areas like department stores, shopping malls, transit systems, convention centres and large hotels.  The escalator is used as an alternative to the mundane staircase, elevators and the moving sidewalk seen mainly in airports.

In riding an escalator, you just got to take a step in and it will carry you to which direction you intend to go.  When an escalator does not function well, it simply becomes a normal staircase. This is the good thing about it because unlike other conveyances which become useless when they break down, escalator can still be used.

Escalators as a machine have essential parts and one of the most important parts is the escalator step chain.  The steps are where we land our feet while riding an escalator.  These are the steps which carries us to the next floor.  The escalator step chain continuously pulls the steps from the bottom platform and back to the top in an endless loop.

Instead of moving a flat surface, as in a conveyer belt, the chain loops move a series of steps. This is why passengers easily get on and off the escalator because it creates a flat platform.  The tracks are spaced apart in such a way that each step will always remain level. Each step has a series of grooves in it, so it will fit together with the steps behind it and in front of it during this flattening.

The escalator step chain is guided by the track system which is built into the truss.  There are two tracks: one is called the step-wheel track and the other is called the trailer-wheel track.  The first one is the track for the front wheels of the steps.  The later one is for the back wheels of the steps.

The relative positions of these tracks cause the steps to form a staircase as they move out from under the comb plate. Along the straight section of the truss the tracks are at their maximum distance apart. This configuration forces the back of one step to be at a 90-degree angle relative to the step behind it. This right angle bends the steps into a stair shape.

The two tracks converge in the top and bottom part so that the front and back wheels of the steps are almost in a straight line. This causes the stairs to lay in a flat sheet-like arrangement, one after another, so they can easily travel around the bend in the curved section of track. The tracks carry the steps down along the underside of the truss until they reach the bottom landing, where they pass through another curved section of track before exiting the bottom landing. At this point the tracks separate and the steps once again assume a stair case configuration. This cycle is repeated continually as the steps are pulled from bottom to top and back to the bottom again.

Escalator Cleaning

Escalators are one of the products of the developing technology of the world today.  It is very useful everywhere we go from main areas like department stores, shopping malls, airports, transit systems, convention centers and large hotels.  It is used in areas where elevators would be impossible or impractical.  These escalators use space as one might install a staircase.  No more waiting interval for those who wants to reach the next floor.  Less energy used coz you don’t need to lift a step up to elevate.  By remaining on one step, the escalator will carry you either up or down depending on the direction in which it is moving.

Yet, no matter how useful an escalator is, these would be all useless when the escalators used are not well cleaned.  Large numbers of people are moved through escalators day by day so it is a must to make sure that the escalators are well polished and cleaned to avoid negative impression from the customers.
Cleaning escalators requires specific cleaning products and machines for escalators are not flat surfaces like floors or countertops.  There are problems that might be encountered in cleaning escalators like the grooves in the tread area of the step are a magnet for impacted dirt and are hard to remove, facilities that have escalators of varying widths present unique problems for cleaning staff and also the timing of cleaning and downtime for an escalator.  The cost of cleaning depends on the strategy or the method used that is why it is important to develop a plan to avoid such problems.

Develop a cleaning schedule for your escalator.  Cleaning should be done during times when the building is closed to visitors or during slowest traffic time.  Before installing an escalator, make sure to develop a cleaning plan so that dirt won’t have time to build up and get impacted in stair treads, making it harder to remove later. The frequency for the escalator to be cleaned should be scheduled. The average cleaning cycle is more or twice a month.  But this depends on how high-traffic the escalator is.

Some escalator manufacturers recommend tearing the escalator down, bringing it outdoors and using a high-pressure washer to clean it which is costly and messy.  A better solution is using a specialized machine that has a “dry” cleaning method.  In this method, the machine is positioned on the escalator as it is running so that the movement of the escalator in combination with the cleaning machine helps create agitation to remove the ground-in dirt in the tread area that regular brushes and brooms alone can miss.

Consult the manufacturer in choosing the right cleaning solution.  The smallest amount of cleaning solution should be applied so that the escalator is not over-wetted and would dry.  Putting large amount of cleaning solution would also get into the “grease pit” area of the solution which is not advisable coz the lubrication can be lost and can cause potential damage to the system. Make sure that the cleaning solution is completely dry before using an escalator-cleaning machine.  A powerful vacuuming system that can pick up dust, dirt and grime easily should be used.

There are two types of brushes most commonly used in escalator cleaning — a nylon brush used for routine daily cleaning and a more aggressive tynex brush.  The tynex brush is made of nylon covered with carborundum, a material that can be more abrasive than sandpaper.  Tynex brushes are for occasional heavy-duty deep cleaning only, as overuse of these brushes can wear on the escalator over time.

You also need to evaluate how dirty the escalator is. If the escalator has never been cleaned or it has a lot of built-up dirt, expect the escalator cleaning time to be about four hours or more.  For monthly or weekly cleaning jobs, it should take only about an hour to an hour and a half to clean the entire escalator with the agitating-brush machines.

Always remember to consult your manufacturer before starting up the cleaning process to avoid damages.

Parts of an Escalator

Escalators are commonly seen in different establishments. Malls, business center and other commercial buildings have escalators to help people get from one floor to another. It is amazing how these automatic staircases work and it is interesting to find out how every part functions. If you always wonder how escalators work, here are the basic parts that you should know:

Escalators work like the human body. Each component is important to maintain a proper function. An escalator contains escalator handrails, handrail, step, drive, electric motor, guide chain, return wheel and the inner wheel. The terms may be too technical to hear but they actually work as simple as a couple of components pushing and pulling each other to move the stairs.

How It Works

The basic component of the escalator is the series of chains connected together to form gears. This is then being moved by a motor which works via an electrical source. This electric motor is the power house of the escalator so each of the component can work efficiently. The electric motor is just like the human heart that sends electrical impulses all over the body. The typical electric output of the electric motor is about 100 horsepower. That is 100 times greater than a regular air conditioning unit.

The escalator handrails works by moving people and items from one floor to the other. The angled movement is due to the chain loops that move series of steps to go upwards and downwards while keeping a steady level. At the end of the escalator, the steps collapse in order to achieve a flat platform. The flat platform is important so anyone can step and get out of it safely and easily.

Now, the every step is composed of two wheels. The upper wheels are connected to the chains and pulled at the top of the escalator. The other wheel glides in the track. This will allow a smooth movement while the elevator goes up or down. To better provide a safe ride, the escalator handrail is installed. This is where people hold on to as the elevator works. The hand rails are also moved by the electric motor so it can move in the same way with the steps. In order to provide a non-slip grip, the escalator handrails are made out of rubber.

It is good to know that the escalator cannot be used to transport heavy items. While it is good to carry multiple people and items, its capacity always have a weight limit. This is due to the escalator’s loading rate. In case you want to transport heavier items, it is best to check out the capacity of the escalator. There are cases where an elevator is more efficient in transporting heavy items.

These are the basic parts of an escalator. It is truly a great staircase where people can conveniently transfer from one floor to another.

Escalator Parts

Elevators are always expected to be present on buildings. In this era where high rise buildings are cropping up everywhere elevators are a must to be able to reach the top most floors. However, there are floors which is better to be accessed by stairs. This is to conserve energy as well as to practice walking which in return will help provide a healthy body. Since it’s the generation where less physical activity is being practiced climbing stairs is definitely good for everyone. Not many are aware that walking is the best exercise anybody could have without having to exert much effort. So, going up a flight of stairs or two would definitely be a welcome treat for our body. But to those who have a hard time climbing stairs for one reason or the other, there are always the ever present elevators or the multi functional escalators. Escalators can be used to access lower floors of a building.

Mostly, escalators are present on malls, train stations, subways and low rise buildings. However since it is built for convenience and is used by thousand of people every day it is not far from being over used which will result to its breakdown every now and then. So, a periodical maintenance is necessary to insure the escalator parts proper working condition. Since no one can predict where and when it would breakdown the maintenance company should always a have escalator parts on hand to be able to fix the problem that will arise as soon as possible.  Especially on places where escalators are use by thousands of people everyday and where no elevators are on hand to replace it when it breakdown. Hence, it is very much needed by those who have a hard time scaling the stairs, like person with disabilities, pregnant women, children and senior citizens.

For these people an access to escalators and elevators are very much needed. So it is the responsibility of the building maintenance to ensure that they are working properly by having the necessary experts and parts on hand to fix whatever problem might arise.  In some cases where the escalators and elevators have seen its better days, parts are very hard to find that causes extreme inconvenience to people who need to use them. It sometimes takes weeks and months to locate a part that is needed to repair the damage. Thought there are stairs to use, having access to escalators for a trip to the next floor is very much needed by people who need it the most.

An escalator could have a thousand different parts, how often a part needs to be replaced should not be a question on whether it should be part of the stock inventory or not. Parts that are often replaced should always be on hand while parts that are periodically maintained should have at least two or three stocks kept in case of emergency. Being ready is much better than being caught an aware and having to stress oneself on problems that can be avoided from the start.