An escalator on the right of the picture which fully modernized by Kone in September, 2014. Completed in April, 2015, from original CNIM escalator.
Escalator modernization is a process of replacing or refurbishing the critical parts of the escalators in order for it to be able to handle new technology, have better performance, improve safety, and even give the aesthetics an up-to-date appeal[1].
There are three types modernization: partial modernization, full modernization, or full replacement.
Introduction[]
The build-up of the escalators which more complicated than the elevators since the whole escalator truss, steps, controllers, motor, etc. are installed from the manufacturing plant by elevator and escalator companies and deliver to the site by hanging to the corresponding position[2][3]. For the age of using, equipment become increasingly difficult to find or replace, along with code changes and deteriorating ride performance. However, if the building owners wish to upgrade the whole escalator system in early 2000s or even earlier, that is mean they need to replace whole escalators within the whole escalator structures nearby (which means every escalators in same section of the building needs to be shutdown when the replacement begins)[4]. Other way which is refurbishing with some parts such as handrails and landing plates but the frequent breakdown still exist.
Until 2004, Kone introduce the world first escalator full modernization solution called "EcoMod" which just need to keep the exterior panel of balustrade and truss, then all the other parts of the single escalator are replaced[5][6][7], to minimize the nuisance during the escalator modernization, improve the ride quality and support the code changes. For this successful solutions, some other elevator companies also offer similar solution for escalator full modernization.
It must however be emphasised that, with properly maintained and periodically examination, the existing escalators are safe for use[8].
The process[]
- Please refer to major alterations.
For starters, an escalator modernization plan will have to be created. This is done usually with the help of an elevator service company which can also do modernization.
This process will make all parts of the escalator will have to be modernized, except the existing truss and exterior panel of balustrade in the current site (hence the lighting and fire sprinklers under the escalator will not removed), making sure that code compliance is met. Once this is done, preventive maintenance will have to be done until the escalator is removed from service.
During this time, the escalator will be out of service, so building owners will have to compensate for this. This includes proper diversion of building’s traffic (usually provide alternative route for access), creating contingency plans, and so on. This is needed because depending on the amount of modernization done, the number of escalators, and the size of the building, the whole process may take anywhere from a few months, to a whole year.
When the process complete, elevator service company must complete the escalator examination for newly installed escalator or escalator recently complete the major alterations before it back in service.
Companies which provide escalator full modernization[]
This is a list contains only companies offer the escalator full modernization solution (which only leave the truss in the current site).
| Company | Package name | Provided since | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kone | EcoMod (EcoMod 2) |
2004 (2010 for EcoMod 2) |
The world's first escalator full modernization package.
EcoMod 2 adds the possibility to modernize non-Kone branded[9] escalators. |
| Toshiba | ESFRESH | 2006[10] | Only applies for Toshiba escalators. |
| Mitsubishi | ESMOTION (エスモーション Esumōshon) [11] (among with Series Z escalator) |
2005 (Japan) 2020 (overseas markets) |
Only applies for Mitsubishi escalators. |
| Schindler | Escalator Upgrade | 2010 (2015 for outside America) |
"Escalator Upgrade" has been renamed to "InTruss" since 2016[12] |
| InTruss | |||
| Hitachi Building Systems | EsKindTruss (also known as MXS, エスカイントラス Esukaintorasu) (with VX Series) |
2010 | Only applies for Hitachi escalators. |
| TK Elevator (formerly thyssenkrupp) |
I.MOD | 2011 (2016 for outside America) |
"I.MOD" has been renamed to "ES-Power" for American market since 2015 |
| ES-Power | |||
| Fujitec | Unit-in-Truss[13] (ユニット in トラス) and Fit-in-Truss (フィット in トラス)[14][15] (among with GS8000-NX escalator) |
2014[16] | "Unit-in-Truss" is placing the new escalator into the original truss. "Fit-in-Truss" is the modernization solution that reuse the original truss. Only applies for Fujitec escalators. |
| Otis Elevator Company and Sigma Elevator Company | LINK (escalator modernization option) |
exact year unknown |
Images[]
Videos[]
Notes and references[]
- ↑ Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, Hong Kong - Circular No. 12/2016 Modernization of Existing Escalators
- ↑ How escalator is made (Made How)
- ↑ Lee Theatre Plaza - Escalator
- ↑ Pei Ho Market Escalator Replacement 北河街街市換梯
- ↑ Kone - Eco-innovation milestones
- ↑ "大家近期去灣仔電腦城時有否發覺大堂的自動梯變得時尚美觀之餘，乘搭舒適度大為提升? 這是因為該商場採用了通力EcoMod™自動梯優化改造方案進行全面升級。", Facebook page: KONE Hong Kong.
- ↑ 西環香港商業中心商場在剛過去的一年進行翻新，翻新前原設有一對由地下上一樓的富士達自動梯。最近，標榜Hello Kitty主題的一田百貨進駐，而該對自動梯亦以新面貌示人。外觀上看，該自動梯與新款富士達自動梯無異；而我們從業界中得知，這是類似三菱及通力的「保留主桁架」方案。可以見到，在下層出口的踏台板非常短小，而梯級水平部份只有一級，正正是「保留主桁架」方案的特色。此方案以「主要更改」提交機電署，而非「拆卸及安裝」，故可免卻對物業土建工程上的改動，同時提供與新梯無異的性能及外觀。 (Facebook page: hkelev.com)
- ↑ Guidelines for Modernising Existing Escalators (Chinese version) (Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, Hong Kong)
- ↑ Brands other than Orenstein & Koppel/O&K, O&K Kone or O&K EPL Kone.
- ↑ [https://www.toshiba-elevator.co.jp/elv/newsrelease/2006/post-39.html エスカレーターリニューアル「ＥＳＦＲＥＳＨ」の発売開始について ]
- ↑ 三菱エスカレーターリニューアル 「Esmotion」
- ↑ New! InTruss escalator upgrade video now available!, August 16, 2016, Schindler USA & Canada.
- ↑ Annual Report 2018, FUJITEC Co., Ltd.
- ↑ フィット in トラス工法, FUJITEC Co., Ltd.
- ↑ Modernization work for escalators at Hong Kong Plaza (News Release), Fujitec (HK) Co. Ltd.
- ↑ Corporate Overview 2014, Fujitec Argentina S.A.
See also[]
External links[]
Government official guidelines[]
- Guidelines for Modernising Existing Escalators (Chinese version) (Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, Hong Kong)
Vendors' escalator modernization solutions[]
- EcoMod Escalator Modernization - KONE U.S.
- Full Escalator Replacement - KONE (Hong Kong) (Including EcoMod 2's solutions, websites for other countries are available)
- KONE EcoMod 2 Complete Escalator Modernization brochure - KONE (Hong Kong)
- Escalator Modernization - Schindler (Hong Kong) (Websites for other countries are available)
- Escalator Modernization - I.MOD - ThyssenKrupp Elevator America
- Escalator modernization - Mitsubishi Electric (Website for worldwide)
- Escalator modernization - Hitachi Japan (Japanese) (translated version)
- Escalators (VX Series) - Hitachi (with the ESUKAINTORASU method solution)
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Concept: Escalator control system • Escalator machinery • Spiral escalator • Escalator maintenance • Escalator modernization • Major alterations Escalator equipments: Escalator truss and balustrade • Escalator steps and step chains • Escalator handrails • Escalator skirt brushes • Emergency stop button • Energy-saving mode See also: List of elevator and escalator companies • Escalator landing plate guide • Floor numbering (Unlucky floor numbers) • Escalator incidents and accidents |