Escalators, Moving Walks, and Accessibility Lifts
Equipment-specific checks
Escalators and moving walks are covered in A17.1 and inspected under A17.2. Key checks include steps or pallets, comb plates, skirt panels, handrails, handrail speed, drive machine, brake, emergency stop buttons, and safety switches. Step-to-skirt clearance and comb engagement are critical. Accessibility lifts under A18.1 include vertical platform lifts and stairway chairlifts; they require gates, interlocks, rated-load marking, and emergency lowering. A gate interlock must prevent movement unless the gate is closed and locked.
Worked example
A stairway chairlift gate interlock is defeated with a jumper so the chair will run with the gate open. Under A18.1, the interlock is a required safety device. The lift must not operate unless the gate is closed and locked. The correct action is to remove the jumper, repair the interlock, and retest. Leaving the jumper in place creates an entrapment and fall hazard.
Traps that cost marks
Do not confuse escalator emergency stop buttons with normal stop controls. Do not overlook handrail speed and braking performance. Do not treat a platform lift as a passenger elevator; A18.1 has its own requirements. Do not accept a disabled gate interlock as a temporary convenience.