VERTICAL TRANSPORTATION

STAIRS

• Medium of travel that connects two consecutive horizontal surfaces.

• Opening or space occupied by the stair- stairway

• Domestic buildings- centrally located, public buildings- near entrance

• Parts include - Steps, stringers, newel posts, hand rails, balusters etc.

• Easy and quick access to different floors with comfort and safety

Parts of Stair

Strings and stringers: sloping members which

support the steps in a stair. They run along the
slope of the stair.

Tread: upper horizontal portion of a step upon

which the foot is placed while ascending or
descending.

Riser: vertical portion of a step providing a support

to the tread.

Rise: vertical distance between two successive tread faces.

Run/Going: horizontal distance between two
successive riser faces.

Winders: steps used for changing the direction

of stairs. (Triangular in plan)

Newel Post: vertical member placed at the ends

of flights to connect the ends of strings and hand
rails.

Hand Rail: surrounded or moulded member of

wood or metal following generally the contour
of the nosing line and fixed on top of balusters.

Baluster: vertical member of wood or metal, supporting the hand rail

The term 'balustrade' refers to the combination of handrail, spindles (or 'balusters'), base rail
and newels, which together form the railing system that encloses one or both sides of a staircase.

Balusters are those vertical, vase-like posts or legs on railings that can be made of wood, iron,
stone, or other materials

Nosing is the rounded front edge of the tread, which projects past the face of the riser board. Its
purpose is to finish the tread edge and widen the tread to prevent the riser from being kicked or
scraped.

Headroom: vertical height between the tread of one flight and ceiling of overhead construction.

Flight: an unbroken series of steps between landings.

Landing: the level platform at the top or bottom of a flight between the floors (Facilitates
change of direction and opportunity to relax during use of stair).
TYPES OF STAIRS

Straight Stairs

• All steps lead in one direction.

• Simplest form of stair arrangement.

• It may consist of one or more flights.

• They are used when space available for staircase is long but narrow in width.

Turning Stairs

1. Quarter Turn Stairs

 A stair turning through one right angle is

known as Quarter turn stairs. (L-shaped
stair)
 Change in Stair Direction - 90⁰

2. Half-Turn Stairs

 Direction reversed at next floor - facilitated by landing

 Angle Change - 180o

Dog – Legged -Type The flights run in opposite directions & no

space between them in plan. It’s useful where total width of space
available for the staircase is equal to twice the width of steps.

Open Newel Type - In case of open newel stair, there is a well or

hole or opening between flights in plan. These staircases are useful
where available space for staircase has a width ggreater than twice
the width of steps.

3. Three Quarter Turn Stairs

 Turning through three right angles is known as a three

quarter stair.

 An open well is formed.

 Used when the length of the staircase is limited and

when the vertical distance between the two floors is quite
large.

Geometrical Stairs

• Continuous stairs that turn or wind about a central well hole

• Strings and rails arranged upon geometric principles

Helical Stair

• Handrail continues without interruption and without any angular turns

turns.

• Its
ts construction requires considerable skill

• weaker

Circular/Spiral Stair

 Only winders as steps

 Normally not the main staircase

 Used to access areas having limited entry

 Steel is them most common material

STAIRS OF DIFFERENT MATERIALS

Timber Stairs

• Light in weight
 • Easy to construct

• Very poor fire resistance

• Used in low rise residential buildings

• Fire resisting hard wood of proper thickness may be used

Stone Stairs

• Used where stone is readily available

• Quite strong and rigid, though heavy

• Should be hard, strong and resistant to wear

Brick Stairs

• Not very common except at entrance/ village houses

• Stairs consist of either solid wall or arched openings may be

left for obtaining storage space

Metal Stairs

• Mild steel or cast iron- used as emergency stairs

• Not common in residential and public buildings

• Strong and fire resistant

• Commonly used in factories, godowns, workshops etc.

R.C.C Stairs

• Widely used for residential, public and industrial buildings

• Strong, hard, wearing and fire resisting

• Usually cast-in-situ and wide variety of finishes can be

used on these

REQUIREMENTS OF A GOOD STAIR

• Location-sufficient light and ventilation, easy of access.

• Width of a stair (minimum 90 cm in residential use).

• Length of flight (maximum 12 steps ).

 • Pitch of stair (between 40 degree to 25 degree).

• Head room

• Materials- fire resisting. Optimum use of materials.

• Balustrade to ensure safety.

• Landing (should not be less than the width of stair).

• Avoid winders and extra materials.

• Step proportion.

RAMPS

• Sloping surface

• Continuous movement between levels

• Curved, zigzagged, u-shaped etc.

• Generally built with slopes up to 15% (15 cm in 100 cm)

• 10% is preferred.

• Should be constructed with a non-slip surface.

• An exterior location is preferred for ramps.

• Indoor ramps are not recommended because they take up a great deal of space. Are
constructed for specific uses like hospitals, godowns, malls etc.

• Ideally, the entrance to a ramp should be immediately adjacent to the stairs.

Refer CPWD, NBC and KMBR standards for various dimensions.

Ramp Landings

• For resting, maneuvering and avoiding excessive speed.

• Landings should be provided at every change of direction and at top and bottom of
every ramp.

• Handrail - protective handrail should be given

• Material - Surface - The ramp surface should be hard and non-slip.

 • Tactile marking - Colored textural indication at the top and bottom to alert sightless
people as to the location of the ramp. The marking strip width should not be less than
0.60 m.

PLANNING OF RAMP

Measure the Total Rise - The first and most important step is to measure the total rise, this is the
difference in elevation from where the ramp starts and ends. So if you take a tape measure and go
from the landing straight down to the ground you will know your rise.

Assess the Degree of Incline - You need to know the type of equipment the end user is going to be
using; this will determine what degree of incline you need. Here are some guidelines that are
typical: for walking and for walkers – 4.8 degrees; for manual wheelchairs – if they are being
assisted you can usually do 7.2 degrees as a guide depending on the persons ability, if you have a
heavy person in the wheelchair and an elderly aid well common sense would dictate that you keep
the slope to a minimum for safety. If the end user is not being assisted than 4.8 degrees is
recommended; for power equipment ALWAYS check the manual for the occupied degree of
incline, typically it is 8 degrees, but always double check the manual.

Select the Ramp Length & Configuration - Knowing your rise you will learn how many feet of
ramp you require to meet the incline degrees that you have chosen. Next choose a configuration
that makes sense, depending on the space availability and use.
ELEVATORS

An elevator (or lift in the Commonwealth excluding Canada) is a type of vertical transport
equipment that efficiently moves people
or goods between floors (levels, decks)
of a building, vessel or other structures.
Elevators are generally powered by
electric motors that either drive traction
cables or counterweight systems like a
hoist, or pump hydraulic fluid to raise a
cylindrical piston like a jack.

There are three types of convoying

methods in buildings, Elevators &
Escalators & Ramps, and they have
different dimensions and uses according
to building type & number of users in it.

Elevator Types

1. According to hoist mechanism.

2. According to building height.

3. According to building type.

4. According to elevator Location.

5. According to Special uses.

1- According to hoist mechanism:

Elevators will be classified according to hoist mechanism to 4 main types as follows:

1. Hydraulic Elevators

2. Traction Elevators

3. Climbing elevator

4. Pneumatic Elevators
1- Hydraulic Elevators (Push Elevators)

Hydraulic
elevators are supported by a piston at the bottom of the elevator that pushes the elevator up. They
are used for low-rise applications of 2-8 stories and travel at a maximum speed of 200 feet per
minute. The machine room for hydraulic elevators is located at the lowest level adjacent to the
elevator shaft. Hydraulic elevators have many two main types as
follows:

A- Holed (Conventional) Hydraulic Elevators

They have a sheave that extends below the floor of the elevator pit,
which accepts the retracting piston as the elevator descends. Some
configurations have a telescoping piston that collapses and requires a
shallower hole below the pit. Max travel distance is approximately 60
feet.

B- Hole-less Hydraulic Elevators

They have a piston on either side of the cab. It can be divided to 3

different types as follows:

a- Telescopic Hydraulic Elevators:

In this configuration, the telescoping pistons are fixed at the base of the
pit and do not require a sheave or hole below the pit and has 2 or 3
pieces of telescoping pistons. Telescoping pistons allow up to 50 feet of
travel distance. Holed (Conventional)
Hydraulic Elevators
b- Non-telescoping (single stage) Hydraulic Elevators:

it has one piston and only allows about 20 feet of travel distance.

c- Roped Hydraulic Elevators

They use a combination of ropes and a piston to move the elevator. Maximum travel distance is
about 60 feet.

2- Traction Elevators (Pull Elevators)

Traction elevators are lifted by ropes, which pass over a wheel

attached to an electric motor above the elevator shaft. They are used
for mid and high-rise applications and have much higher travel
speeds than hydraulic elevators. A counter weight makes the
elevators more efficient. Traction elevators have 3 main types as
follows:

A- Geared Traction Elevators: they have a gearbox that is

attached to the motor, which drives the wheel that moves the ropes.
Geared traction elevators are capable of travel speeds up to 500 feet
per minute.

B- Gear-less Traction Elevators: they have the wheel attached

directly to the motor. Gear-less traction elevators are capable of
speeds up to 2000 feet per minute.

C- Machine-Room-Less Elevators: they are typically traction

elevators that do not have a dedicated machine room above the
elevator shaft. The machine sits in the override space and the
controls sit above the ceiling adjacent to the elevator shaft.
Machine-room-less elevators are becoming more common;
however, many maintenance departments do not like them due to
the hassle of working on a ladder as opposed to within a room.
 Gear-less Traction Elevators
Geared Traction Elevators
3- Climbing elevator

Climbing elevator

They hold their own power device on them, mostly electric or combustion engine. Climbing
elevators are often used in work and construction areas.

4- Pneumatic Elevators

Pneumatic elevators are raised

and lowered by controlling air
pressure in a chamber in which
the elevator sits. By simple
principles of physics; the
difference in air pressure above
and beneath the vacuum elevator
cab literally transports cab by air.
It is the vacuum pumps or
turbines that pull cab up to the
next Floor and the slow release of
air pressure that floats cab down.
They are especially ideal for
existing homes due to their
compact design because
excavating a pit and hoist way are
not required.

2- According to building height

A- Low-Rise buildings (1- 3 stories) Buildings up to about (1 to 3) stories typically use

hydraulic elevators because of their lower initial cost

B- Mid-Rise buildings (4 -11 stories) Buildings up to about (4 to 11) stories typically

use Geared Traction Elevators

C- High-Rise buildings (12 + stories) Buildings up to about 12+ stories typically use Gear-
Less Traction Elevators

3- According to building type

Elevators will be classified according to building type to 6 main types as follows:

1. Hospital Elevators.

2. Residential /Domestic Elevators.

3. Agricultural Elevators.

4. Industrial Elevators.

5. Commercial Elevators.

6. Parking buildings Elevators.

1- Hospital Elevators

A- Hospital Bed Elevators

Hospital bed elevators generally transport patients

who are not well enough to sit up even in a
wheelchair. One of the features of bed elevators
should be its ability to transport the patient has
smoothly as possible with minimal amount of
bumping and jostling. Many contemporary bed
elevators are manufactured to consume extremely
low amounts of power and to be durable with a Hospital Elevators
number of safety features built-in. Hospital bed
elevators generally draw very little power so that
should there be a power outage they are still operational off the hospital's backup power supply.
Most often there will be a rear and a front entry to the elevator cabin.

B- Hospital Stretcher Lift

They usually are smaller than bed elevators. This particular type of elevator is usually hydraulic
or traction based depending on the location of the machine room. They are specifically
manufactured to be low-noise bed elevators that smoothly transport patients, doctors, nurses and
hospital staff between floors, allowing them the utmost in comfort. Because hospital bed
elevators are only used for transporting patients and hospital staff they arrived at their location
quite quickly, eliminating lengthy waits. Many of these bed elevators are key operated so as to
prohibit use by the general public.

2- Residential /Domestic Elevators

They are usually just on a much smaller scale than industrial or commercial elevators.

A- Passenger Elevators

Domestic elevators which are intended to move passengers up and down stairs in a multilevel
residence are quite similar to those used in large public buildings. They can be built either inside
the home or outside the home and can be pneumatic vacuum, electric, hydraulic or cable
elevators. Most often domestic elevators designed for carrying passengers in a residential setting
only carry perhaps two to four people safely and comfortably.
B- Stairway Elevators

Stairway Elevators

Stairway elevators are generally installed in homes where someone in the family has problems
with mobility. This type of domestic elevators simply runs on a rail up and down and existing
staircase. They can run either in a straight line or around a curved stairway. Stairway elevators
can be constructed both inside and outside the home.

b.1 - Vertical Wheelchair Elevators

Interior vertical wheelchair elevators can easily be installed

when space is limited. They can be constructed in such a way
as to allow both front and rear entry and the platform is
generally 4.5 feet by 5 feet, unless a custom size is called for.
Vertical elevators are called for when the staircase winds
around several levels.

b.2 - Wheelchair Elevators on an Incline

 Wheelchair Elevators on an Incline

Wheelchair elevators on an incline are generally installed when the staircase simply goes up one
level or perhaps two. If there are several winds in the staircase, wheelchair elevators on an
incline would not be well suited. Most often this type of elevator is called for when there is not
adequate space to facilitate a more spacious vertical wheelchair elevator.

C- Dumbwaiters Elevators

They are small freight elevators intended to carry objects rather than people
, Whenever groceries or laundry need to be sent up and down the stairs
without making unnecessary trips that can quickly tire people , people can
simply place what needs to be transported in the dumbwaiter and press the
button to send it up or down stairs. Dumbwaiters are most often built into
or adjacent to a wall.

A simple dumbwaiter is a movable frame in a shaft, dropped by a rope on a

pulley, guided by rails; most dumbwaiters have a shaft, car, and capacity
smaller than those of passenger elevators, usually 100 to 1000 lbs
3- Agricultural applications:

A- Bucket Elevators

Bucket elevator used to move crops which have been newly harvested up and into silo. Bucket
elevators are manufactured in such a way that they can move heavy loads quite easily. They can
be belt driven or chain driven and they can move vertically, horizontally or at an incline.

A.1- Centrifugal discharge elevators

Bucket elevators are sometimes referred to as conveyor buckets, most often when the movement
is horizontal or on an incline. However, technically speaking, vertical movement is also
accomplished with a conveyor belt or chain. The centrifugal discharge bucket elevator is perhaps
the most common type. Of course, as the name implies the elevator is driven by centrifugal
force. This type of elevator has lower speeds and the buckets are often placed relatively closely
together.

A.2 Vertical bucket Elevators

Vertical bucket elevators usually have buckets that are well spaced with bottoms that are
rounded, and are often referred to as grain legs. Part of the reason for this is balance which keeps
the contents in the buckets as they move up the elevator so that spillage isn't a problem. Vertical
bucket elevators need to be used at a much slower pace both to avoid spilling contents and also
because much of the time they carry loads that are quite heavy.

4- Industrial Elevators

The most common types of industrial elevators are hoist elevators and incline elevators. These
types of elevators are built to carry huge amounts of weight effortlessly, therefore the term
industrial elevators. This type of elevators is used in construction, warehouses, and shipyards.

A-Hoist Elevators

Hoist elevators are operated by a pulley or series of pulleys and they can be a simple platform or
a cage in which humans or heavy materials are moved up and down during industrial
applications. Generally, a pulley operates a rope or chain that wraps around a drum causing the
elevator to rise or descend. It is said that hoist elevators are powered by either electricity or air,
but even that isn't quite true because electricity is needed to pump air. Hoist elevators carrying
materials and equipment to upper levels as needed while the building is being constructed. They
are also commonly used to load equipment and supplies on large seagoing vessels

Hoist Elevators

. B- Incline Elevators

The equipment and supplies are placed on a form of conveyor belt that continues turning
bringing the cargo up to its destination where it is quickly unloaded as the belt continues turning
around. This is a much quicker method of loading and unloading cargo than with a hoist elevator
because there is no stopping to unload. Everything happens in one fluid motion. Incline elevators
when used for industrial purposes are usually temporary and mobile. Many are on wheels and
can be easily moved from one dock or location to the next.
The standard elevators will include the following basic components:

1. Car.

2. Hoistway.

3. Machine/drive system.

4. Control system.

5. Safety system.

ELEVATOR CAR

Elevator Car is the vehicle that travels between the different elevator stops carrying passengers
and/or goods, it is usually A heavy steel frame surrounding a cage of metal and wood panels.

Elevator Car is composed of the following components:

 Car Sling, a metal framework connected to the means of suspension,

 The elevator cabin - Elevator cabinets shall be completely enclosed by walls, floors and
ceiling, the only permissible opening being are the car door, emergency trap door and
ventilation apertures.
 Mechanical accessories which are:
 Car door - Elevator doors are normally opened by a power unit that is located on top of
the elevator car. When an elevator car is level with a floor landing, the power unit moves
the car door open or closed. A pick-up arm (clutch, vane, bayonet, or cam) contacts
rollers on the hoistway door which releases the door latch on the hoistway door. The
power unit opens the car door which in turn opens the hoistway door. The door rollers
and pick-up arm may be different on various elevators but they all work on the same
principle.
 Door operator - A motor-driven device mounted on the elevator car that opens and closes
the car doors.
 Guide shoes. Guide shoes are Devices used mainly to guide the car and counterweight
along the path of the guide rails. They also assure that the lateral motion of the car and
counterweight is kept at a minimum as they travel along the guide rails.
 Door Protective Device - any type of device used with automatic power operated doors
that detect obstructions to the normal closing of the elevator doors (though contact may
occur) and either causes the doors to change the door motion by either stopping it, or
causing it to reverse (reopen) or go into some other mode of operation, such as nudging.
 A safe edge, a safety astragal, a photoelectric device (safe ray), and electrostatic field
device are examples of door protective device

HOISTWAY
Hoistway is the space enclosed by fireproof walls and elevator doors for the travel of one or
more elevators, dumbwaiters or material lifts. It includes the pit and terminates at the underside
of the overhead machinery space floor or grating or at the underside of the roof where the
hoistway does not penetrate the roof. (Hoistway is sometimes called "hatchway" or "hatch".)

Hoistway

A simple definition for the hoistway is the shaft that encompasses the elevator car.
Note: Generally the Hoistway serving all floors of the building but in high-rise buildings
hoistways may be banked with specific hoistways serving only the lower floors and others
serving only middle or upper floors while traveling in a blind hoistway until reaching the floors
that it serves. A blind hoistway has no doors on the floors that it does not serve.
Hoistway components:

Hoistway is equipped with the following components:

1. Guide rails for both the car and counterweight.

2. Counterweight.
3. Suspension (Hoisting) Ropes (Cables).
4. Landing (Hoistway) doors.
5. Buffers in the pit.
 1- Guide Rails

Guide Rails

Guide Rails are Steel Tracks in the form of a “T” that run the length of the hoistway, round,
or formed sections with guiding surfaces to guide and direct the course of travel of an
elevator car and elevator counterweights and usually mounted to the sides of the hoistway.

Car Guide rails are fixed to the hoistway by means of steel brackets ,
While counterweight guide rails are fixed to the hoistway by means of side steel brackets
2- Counterweight

Counterweight

Counterweight is A tracked weight that is suspended from cables and moves within its own
set of guide rails along the hoistway walls.

Counterweight is used for the following:

 Balancing the mass of the complete car and a portion of rated load, and it will be
equal to the dead weight of the car plus about 40% of the rated load.
 Reducing the necessary consumed power for moving the elevator.

Counterweight components:

The counterweight composed of a steel frames that can be filled with cast iron fillers above
one another to get the required and it is usually composed of the following parts:

A- Top Part Assembly:

Top part consists of main bent sheet metal 4 mm and hitch plate 8 mm thickness for ropes
attachment drilled with holes pattern to ropes size and quantity
 Counterweight components
.

B- Bottom Part Assembly:

Bottom part consists of two halves made of steel 4 mm, the two halves are screw connected
using vertical profile with buffer plate welded to one of the two halves, the buffer plate made
of sheet metal 8 mm thickness to buffer the buffer loads.

C- Vertical Profile:
The vertical profile consists of U-shaped, bent sheet metal components. The vertical profiles
are screw-connected to the upper and bottom parts

Standard vertical profiles are available for 60 filler weights above one another, variable
vertical profile lengths are possible for special versions.

The fillers can be inserted through the side cut in the vertical profile.

D- Filler Weights:

Filler weights are made of cast iron, there are standard lengths for fillers depend on the
counterweight size and gauge. Ends of filler weights prepared to be guided in the vertical
profile.

E-Guide Shoes:

The counterweight has a separate guide rails (as indicated above in the guide rails
paragraphs) , which will keep counterweight running without twisting and avoid colliding
with car or other lift components.

Sliding Guide Shoes

The counterweight equipped with sliding guides to ensure smooth running along the travel
height Variable gauges between counterweight rails are possible.
3- Suspension (Hoisting) Ropes (Cables)

Suspension Ropes

Suspension Ropes are Suspension means for car and counterweight, which are represented
by steel wire ropes.
They are Used on traction type elevators, usually attached to the crosshead and extending up
into the machine room looping over the sheave on the motor and then down to the counter
weights.
Hoisting cable are generally 3 to 6 in number. These ropes are usually 1/2”or 5/8” in
diameter.

The term Roping system can be defined as the arrangement of cables supporting the
elevator and which has many types or arrangements.
 Single wrap: rope passes over sheave once and connected to counterweight.
 Double wrap: rope wound over sheave twice in high speed elevators for additional
traction.
 1:1 roping: when rope connected to counterweight where cable travels as far as car in
opposite direction.
 2:1 roping: rope wraps sheave on counterweight and connects to top of the shaft,
rope moves twice as far as cab.

Note: A variety of roping systems can be employed dependant on the particular conditions of
each and which are summarized in the below image.

4- Landing (Hoistway) Doors

The door that is seen from each floor of a building is referred to as the outer or hoistway
door. This hoistway door is a part of the building (each landing). It is important to realize
that the car door does all the work; the hoistway door is a dependent. These doors can be
opened or closed by electric motors, or manually for emergency incidents.

Safety devices are located at each landing to prevent inadvertent hoistway door openings and
to prevent an elevator car from moving unless a door is in a locked position.

The difference between the car doors and the hoistway doors is that the elevator car door
travels through the hoistway with the car but the hoistway doors are fixed doors in each
landing floor.

Hoistway Door Types:

There are four basic types of hoistway doors used on elevators as follows:
 Automatic Door: Center opening doors consist of two power operated panels that
part simultaneously with a brisk, noiseless motion.
 Swing Door: Swing hall doors consists of a hoistway door that is manually opened
and a single slide car door that is power operated.
 Telescopic Door: It consists of two power operated panels that are geared together.
One door moves twice as fast as the other door so that both doors will meet concurrently in
the open position.
 Collapsible Gate: Constructed from double channel rolled pickets 16mm wide x
2.5mm thick interconnected by 6mm thick galvanized steel solid lattice bars.
Hoistway Door Types
Hoistway Door Interlock

Hoistway Door Interlock

The hoistway door locking mechanism provides a means to mechanically lock each hoistway
door. They are also interconnected electrically to prevent operation of the elevator if any of
the elevator’s hoistway doors are open.
Hoistway Emergency Door Keys

Hoistway Emergency Door Keys

Hoistway Emergency Door Keys permit the unlocking of the hoistway door interlock.
Escutcheon Tube

Escutcheon Tube

The keyhole on the upper portion of a hoistway door that accepts a hoistway emergency door
key and permits unlocking of the hoistway door locking mechanism.

These keyholes are usually located at the bottom and top floors, but may also be on other
selected floors or all floors.

You may find a lock covering these keyholes on some new elevator installations. Locate
these keys during pre-fires.
5- Buffers in the pit

A Buffer is a device designed to stop a descending car or counterweight beyond its normal
limit and to soften the force with which the elevator runs into the pit during an emergency.
They may be of polyurethane or oil type in respect of the rated speed.

There are two principal types of buffers in existence:

 Energy accumulation: accumulate the kinetic energy of the car or counterweight.
 Energy dissipation: dissipate the kinetic energy of the car or counterweight.

Polyurethane buffers which are energy accumulation type with non-linear characteristics are
used for our lifts that have rated speed not more than 1 m/sec.

Polyurethane buffers have three shapes as shown in the below image.

The main types of elevator buffers are:

types of elevator buffers

 A Spring Buffer is one type of buffer most commonly found on hydraulic elevators
or used for elevators with speeds less than 200 feet per minute. These devices are used to
cushion the elevator and are most always located in the elevator pit.
 An Oil Buffer is another type of buffer more commonly found on traction elevators
with speeds higher than 200 feet per minute. This type of buffer uses a combination of oil
and springs to cushion a descending car or counterweight and are most commonly located in
the elevator pit, because of their location in the pit buffers have a tendency to be exposed to
water and flooding. They require routine cleaning and painting to assure they maintain their
proper performance specifications. Oil buffers also need there oil checked and changed if
exposed to flooding.

Main Electro-mechanical requirements in Hoistway:

Hoistway Pit

 No light is required at the top of the hoistway as the car top is equipped with a
standard caged light fixture for use by the mechanic during his maintenance visits.
 GFI duplex receptacle is required in the pit for use by the mechanic during his
maintenance visit.
 Ladder shall be provided and extend 48" above the pit access floor or as instructed by
the consultant.
 Light must have an external guard and be located at a point where illumination on the
pit ladder base is no less than 10 foot candles.
 Light switch must be accessible from access floor and ladder.
 Pit must be clean and dry. A drain or sump pump is required. Sump pump recess must
have a metal cover.
 Smoke detectors are required in hoistways if sprinkled.
 Only machinery, equipment, electrical wiring, raceways, cables, coaxial wiring, and
antennas used directly in connection with the elevator, including wiring for signals, for
communication with the car, for lighting, heating, air conditioning, and ventilating the car,
for fire detecting systems, for pit sump pumps, and for heating and lighting the hoistway
and/or the machinery space machine room, control space, or control room shall be permitted
to be installed inside the hoistway, machinery space, machine room, control space, or control
room.

Reference for elevator system and classifications

1. http://www.electrical-knowhow.com/2012/04/basic-elevator-components-part-
one.html
2. http://www.electrical-knowhow.com/2012/04/basic-elevator-components-part-
two.html
3. http://www.electrical-knowhow.com/2012/04/elevator-machine-and-drive-
system.html
4. http://www.electrical-knowhow.com/2012/04/elevator-safety-system.html
5. http://www.electrical-knowhow.com/2012/04/elevator-control-system.html
BASIC FACTORS / PARAMETERS TO IDENTIFY THE NUMBER OF
LIFT REQUIRED, ITS CAPACITY SPEED ETC...
The Handling Capacity Of Elevator System:

it is the total number of passengers that the system can transport within a certain period of time,
(usually 5 minutes i.e. 300 seconds) during the peak traffic conditions (usually the morning up-
peak) with a specified average car loading (usually 80% of the rated capacity of the elevator).

If the handling capacity of a lift system is too small, there will be lot of people queuing for the
lifts during up peak. Also, the lift cars will have to go more round trips in order to clear off the
queue. Thus system with too small handling capacity will degrade the quality of service.

The Round Trip Cycle of an Elevator

A single lift car circulates around a building during the uppeak traffic condition in the following
cycle:

1. The car opens its doors at the main terminal floor

2. Passengers board the car;

3. The doors close.

4. The car then runs to the first stopping floor going through periods of acceleration,
travelling at rated speed, deceleration and levelling. (Travel at rated speed may not occur
if the inter-floor distance is too small.)

5. At the first stopping floor, the doors open and one or more passengers alight;

6. The doors close. This sequence continues until the highest stopping floor is reached.

7. In the highest stopping floor, after the doors have closed, the car is considered to make an
express run to the main terminal, thus completing the round trip.

Based on this cycle, we can define The Round Trip Time (RTT) as follows:

It is the time in seconds for a single car trip around a building from the time the car doors open at
the main terminal, until the doors reopen, when the car has returned to the main terminal floor,
after its trip around the building.

Interval (INT) is the average time between successive lift car arrivals at the main terminal floor
with cars loaded to any level.
Uppeak interval (UPPINT) is the average time between successive lift car arrivals at the main
terminal floor with cars loaded to 80% of rated car capacity during uppeak traffic conditions.

The group control is the "brain" of the elevator system, deciding where the cars should go and
stop. There can be one or several group controls in an elevator group. One of the group controls
is the master that delivers the hall calls to the elevators, and the other group controls are backups.

Further reading on the topic refer the link below

http://www.electrical-knowhow.com/search?q=group+control

ESCALATORS
An escalator is a moving staircase – a conveyor transport device for carrying people between
floors of a building.

Escalators are powered by constant-speed alternating current motors and move at approximately
1–2 feet (0.30–0.61 m) per second. The maximum angle of inclination of an escalator to the
horizontal floor level is 30 degrees with a standard rise up to about 60 feet (18 m). Modern
escalators have single piece aluminum or steel steps that move on a system of tracks in a
continuous loop.

Direction of movement (up or down) can be permanently the same, or be controlled by personnel
according to the time of day, or automatically be controlled by whoever arrives first, whether at
the bottom or at the top (the system is programmed so that the direction is not reversed while a
passenger is on the escalator).

The benefits of escalators are many:

 They have the capacity to move large numbers of people.

 They can be placed in the same physical space as one might install a staircase.

 They have no waiting interval (except during very heavy traffic).

 They can be used to guide people toward main exits or special exhibits‫ز‬

 They may be weatherproofed for outdoor use.

 They can help in controlling the traffic flow of people For example, an escalator to an
exit effectively discourages most people from using it as an entrance, and may reduce
security concerns.
Escalators Configurations:

Escalators have four typical configuration options:

Parallel Escalators

1- Parallel

Up and down escalators "side by “Up” Escalator next to

side or separated by a distance," Crisscross Escalators
Staircase
seen often in metro stations and
multilevel motion picture theaters)

2- Crisscross

(Minimizes structural space requirements by "stacking"

escalators that go in one direction, frequently used in
department stores or shopping centers)

3- Multiple parallel

(two or more escalators together that travel in one Multiple parallel Escalators
direction next to one or two escalators in the same bank
that travel in the other direction).

4- “Up” Escalator next to Staircase

It is preferred that staircases be located adjacent to the escalator if the escalator is the primary
means of transport between floors.
Escalators Basic Components

Escalators Basic Components

The Escalator consists of the following components:

1. Landing Platforms.

2. Truss.

3. Tracks.

4. Steps.

5. Handrail.

6. Escalator Exterior (Balustrade).

7. Drive system.

8. Auto-Lubrication System.

9. Braking system.

10. Safety devices.

11. Electrical & Control Systems.

First: Landing Platforms

These two platforms house the

curved sections of the tracks, as well
as the gears and motors that drive
the stairs. The top platform contains
the motor assembly and the main
drive gear, while the bottom holds
the step return idler sprockets. These
sections also anchor the ends of the
escalator truss.
In addition, the platforms contain a
floor plate and a combplate. The
floor plate provides a place for the
passengers to stand before they step
onto the moving stairs.

This plate is flush with the finished

floor and is either hinged or
removable to allow easy access to
the machinery below. The combplate
is the piece between the stationary
floor plate and the moving step. It is Landing Platforms
so named because its edge has a
series of cleats that resemble the teeth of a comb. These teeth mesh with matching cleats on the
edges of the steps. This design is necessary to minimize the gap between the stair and the
landing, which helps prevent objects from getting caught in the gap.

Major components of Landing Platforms are:

 Combplates also known as walk-on plates are an entrance and exit for the passengers to
the steps. It provides mounting for the comb segments and combplate (comb impact)
switch actuator.

 Comb Segments are replaceable sections, usually between 6” to 8” in width or maybe

narrower, with teeth that mesh (comb) into the step treads. Comb segment may also be
called a combplate by non-standard noun name. A left hand, a right hand, or a middle
section comb segment can be identified by the pattern of the combs on their sides and by
the width or number of combs.

 Access Covers used as an access to the pit area for inspection, maintenance, and repairs.
The lower landing access cover plates provide access to the reversing station and step
 removal. The upper access cover plates may provide an access to the driving machine,
bull gear, and sometimes the controller.

 Comb Lights are an optional safety device used to illuminate the area where steps and
comb segments meet, mounted at the upper and lower landing above the comb segments.
They are from a different power source that stays on always even if the unit is not
running.

Second: Truss

The escalator truss is the structural frame of the

escalator and consists of three major areas:

 The lower section,

 Incline section,

 Upper section.

It is a hollow metal structure that bridges the lower

and upper landings. It is composed of two side
sections joined together with cross braces across the
bottom and just below the top.

The ends of the truss are attached to the top and

bottom landing platforms via steel or concrete The escalator truss
supports. The truss carries all the straight track
sections connecting the upper and lower sections. The structural steel truss members are
designed to carry the entire load of the escalator equipment and the steel covering without
shifting more than specified by the contract requirements. The entire structure is rigid enough to
maintain close operating tolerances but will allow for building shift and vibration because of a
built-in system of shift- plates and Teflon pads.

Third: Tracks

The track system is built into the truss to guide the step chain, which continuously pulls the steps
from the bottom platform and back to the top in an endless loop. There are actually two tracks:

 One for the front wheels of the steps (called the step wheel track).

 One for the back wheels of the steps (called the trailer-wheel track).

The relative positions of these tracks cause the steps to form a staircase as they move out from
under the combplate. 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 shape resembling a staircase.

Tracks system

At the top and bottom of the escalator, the two tracks converge 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 staircase
configuration. This cycle is repeated continually as the steps are pulled from bottom to top and
back to the bottom again.

Three major assemblies of the tracks are:

 Upper.

 Incline.

 Lower.

The track assembly is bolted but not welded on the truss for easy removal. Sometimes they are
mounted on boilerplate (support plate mounted against the truss) or curve plates at the upper and
lower landing sections. The tracks are used to guide steps wheels and step chains in their travel
around the escalator truss. They are curved at the upper and the lower end of the incline to allow
smooth transition of steps from the form of stairs to a horizontal movement, or vice versa. The
lower and top end tracks are formed semi-circles to contain the chains and the step rollers going
around them.
Forth: Steps

The steps are solid, one piece, die-cast aluminum or steel. Yellow demarcation lines may be
added to clearly indicate their edges.

The steps are linked by a continuous metal chain that forms a closed loop. The front and back
edges of the steps are each connected to two wheels. The rear wheels are set further apart to fit
into the back track and the front wheels have shorter axles to fit into the narrower front track. As
described above, the position of the tracks controls the orientation of the steps.

Steps Major Components

Steps Major Components

 The Step Plate (Tread) is the surface area of the step people step on. The step plate is
usually made of an aluminum plate with longitudinal cleats or grooves that run through
the combs and provide secure footing.

 The Step Riser is the vertical cleat cast into the front of a step, designed to pass between
the cleats of adjacent step, thus creating a combing action with minimum clearance for
safety.

 The Demarcations are yellow strips or may be in bold color around the step tread but
mostly located at the front and at the rear ends of the tread. They are used to visually
locate the step separation and visual contrast between the steps and the combs.

 Frame/Yoke - main support for riser, step tread, and step wheels
  Trail Wheels are used to guide the step and support its load on the track and prevent it
from being out of plane.

 Step Hook normally attached to the end of the yoke by the step wheel used to activate
the step up thrust safety device when the steps are not on their plane of travel at the top
and bottom inclines.

Note: The length of the step is measured from both ends of the step tread (front and rear) and the
width is from both sides of the step.

Fifth: Handrail

The Handrail provides a

convenient handhold for
passengers while they are
riding the escalator. In an
escalator, the handrail is pulled
along its track by a chain that is
connected to the main drive
gear by a series of pulleys.
Handrail Assembly
The Handrail is constructed
of four distinct sections:

 At the center of the handrail is a "slider “also

known as a "glider ply," which is a layer of a
cotton or synthetic textile. The purpose of the
slider layer is to allow the handrail to move
smoothly along its track.

 The next layer, known as the “tension

member” consists of either steel cable or flat steel
tape and provides the handrail with tensile strength
and flexibility.

 On top of the tension member are the inner

construction components which are made of Handrail Components
chemically treated rubber designed to prevent the
layers from separating.

 Finally, the outer layer, the only part that passengers actually see is the cover which is a
blend of synthetic polymers and rubber, this cover is designed to resist degradation from
environmental conditions, mechanical wear and tear, and human vandalism.
Sixth: Escalator Exterior (Balustrade)

Escalator Exterior (Balustrade)

The Balustrade consists of the handrail and the exterior supporting structure of the escalator. It
is the escalator exterior components extending above the steps and it supports the handrail. It is
either designed as Interior Low-deck or Interior High-deck.

The balustrade may also refer to the individual interior panels, skirt panels, and deck covers of
the escalator. Each interior balustrade panel section is individually removable to allow easy
access to the escalator interior for cleaning, maintenance, and component replacement.

Escalator Exterior (Balustrade) Components:

1. Interior Low-deck has interior or side panels that are usually glass panels that support the
handrail base.

2. Interior High-deck is the side panel and is usually aluminum or steel alloy sheets, sometimes
called solid panels.
Seventh: Drive Systems

Drive Systems

An escalator drive system includes the following components:

1. Drive Machine and Gear Reducer.

2. The Step Drive System.

3. The Handrail Drive System.

The variation on how these two systems are combined is dependent upon the type of escalator.
The Drive Machine used to drive the pinion gear or the main drive chain may directly or
indirectly drive the Handrail Drive System.

Eighth: Auto-Lubrication System

The escalators have an Automatic Lubrication System that supplies oil to lubricate the main
drive chain, step chain, and the handrail drive chains. Oil flow rate is adjustable by setting the
automatic timer control “off” and “on” periods to supply more or less lubrication.

The Automatic Lubricator has a gage to show oil reservoir level. The Lubrication Timer can be
programmed for any time mode but, is pre-set for a 20 hour cycle. The system dispenses pre-
determined amounts of oil to the distribution network which delivers this oil to the bearing
points.
 Auto-Lubrication System

Note: The Auto Lubrication System does not supply grease to the drive system bearings. Drive
bearing lubrication must be done manually. Bearings that need to be manually lubricated are the
Main Drive Bearings, the Tension Carriage Bearings, the Motor Bearing, and the Handrail Drive
bearings.
Additionally, the bearing surface of the Main Drive Shaft Brake, the Step Axle sleeve, the Step
Wheel guide-shoe, and the Gear Box are manually lubricated.

Ninth: Braking Systems

The braking systems on an escalator utilize three

different braking methods as follows:

1. The Machine Brake.

2. The drive shaft brake system.

3. The Main Drive Shaft Brake.

Braking Systems
Tenth: Safety devices

Escalator systems are provided with many safety devices that will automatically stop the
escalator by cutting electrical power to the motor and applying the brake if a problem occurs.
When a safety device stops the escalator, the problem must be corrected and the fault cleared
before restarting the system.
Safety devices

If a safety device is tripped out, a corresponding safety relay (PLC Input/output) will drop out.
This applies voltage to the latching circuit of that device. If any safety circuit control is tripped,
the escalator will not operate and the tripped devices will do one of the following actions:

 It will automatically reset when the fault is corrected.

 It will require resetting only the main safety reset button inside the controller.

 It will require that the individual controller circuit for that device must also be reset.
BASIC ESCALATOR COMPONENTS

The essential components of an escalator include:

The structural truss. A truss is the main supporting structure of the escalator that bridges the
lower and upper landings, composed of two side sections joined together with cross braces
across the bottom and top of the structure. The ends of the truss are attached to the top and
bottom landing platforms via steel or concrete supports. The truss carries all the straight track
sections connecting the upper and lower modules.

Upper module step and handrail drive system, the main electrical and mechanical drive, is
generally housed beneath thetop landing platform at the upper end of the unit.

The lower modulehouses the step return idler sprockets or lower reversing station. This lower
reversing station component is now manufactured in cast steel, allowing for a quieter and
smoother transition of the steps and chain around the lower end of the escalator.

Top and bottom landing platforms.In addition to housing the upper and lower modules, the top
and bottom platforms anchor the ends of the escalator truss and contain a floor plate, a comb
plate and comb segments. The floor plate provides a place for the passengers to stand before they
step onto the moving stairs. This plate is flush with the finished floor and is either hinged or
removable to allow easy access to the machinery below. The comb plate is the piece between the
stationary floor plate and the moving step. The comb segments are mounted to the comb plate
and are so named because their edge resembles the teeth of a comb. These teeth mesh with
matching treads on the top of the steps. This design is necessary to minimize the gap between the
escalator steps and the comb plate, which helps eliminate entrapments.
Step chain. Each escalator contains two step chains on either side of the unit. These are basically
similar in shape to a bicycle chain, but much larger, and attach the steps to the mechanical drive
system which continuously pulls the steps.

Historically these chains required constant lubrication, consuming up to 600 liters of oil in a 10-
year period. Further, they made for an oily mess throughout the interior of the escalator that
required regular clean downs that used strong solvents and detergents. Most manufacturers now
offer a patented lubricationfree chain as a standard or as an option. These dramatically reduce oil
consumption, eliminate problematic oiling devices, prevent environmental contamination and
significantly cut downtime associated with housekeeping and maintenance.

The tracks.The track system is built into the truss to guide the steps. There are actually two
tracks: one for the front wheels of the steps and one 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. On the inclined portion of the escalators, the step track is positioned to create a
staircase configuration at the steps. Then, as the steps transition at the top and bottom of the
escalator, the two tracks separate to allow the steps to "flatten out" at the floor plate.

Escalator steps. Most manufacturers offer steps in three widths: 24-in, 32-in and 40-in wide.
The depth of any step tread in the direction of travel shall not be less than 400mm (15.75in) and
the rise between treads shall not be more than 220mm (8.5in). Most steps today are fabricated
from cast aluminum, which is stronger and lighter than older escalator step construction.

The handrail. As its name declares, the handrail provides a convenient handhold for passengers.
Manufacturers offer a range of colors to provide an aesthetic fit.

Interfacing with the building. The distance between the FOS at the upper end and the FOS at
the lower end formulates the actual structural opening of the escalator well-way. Then, an 8"
pocket is typically provided at each landing to allow for the alignment of plate finishes with the
walk-on plate.

Since manufacturers configure escalator components differently, the distance between the floor
level work point (WP) and the point at which the escalator intersects with the building structure,
known as the Face of Support (FOS) varies. As a result, all manufacturers' space requirements
between the WP and FOS have different dimensions.

The depth and length of the pit, number of level steps and whether or not intermediate support is
required at the back of the escalator pit will all vary from manufacturer to manufacturer,
depending upon the rise of the escalator and width of the steps.

The width of the escalator pit is typically calculated as the physical width of the escalator plus
two inches to allow for construction tolerance. Side by side escalators are typically handled the
same way, but the two inches is added only once, not per escalator.

Code stipulates the width and the length of the landing zone at each end of the escalator, both of
which are driven by the distance between the centerline of the handrails (CLHR.) This varies
with step width and among manufacturers.
ESCALATOR PLANNING

 The essential feature of escalator planning is to understand that there is no one-solution-fits-

all. Each project needs to be analyzed according to its particular requirements.

Size Step Single-step Applications Energy

Width capacity consumption
in Horsepower
Small 24 in One passenger Two passengers 5 HP
- one
may walk past
another
Medium 32 in One passenger Two passengers 10 HP
+ one package - one
or one piece of may walk past
luggage another
Large 40 in Two passengers Mainstay of metro 15 HP
- one systems, larger
may walk past airports, train
another stations, some
retail usage
Standard escalator features. Most escalator manufacturers offer the following basic standard
features:

 Balustrades in "solid" usually #4 or #8 stainless steel and bronze or glass with thickness
either 3/8" or 1/2".
 Speed. 100 ft per minute, which is the maximum speed.
 Step widths in 24-in, 32-in and 40-in.
 Microprocessor based controller.
 Maximum travel distance varies with manufacturer.
  Painted steps in silver and black
 High-impact step inserts in yellow and black
 Floor Plate in aluminum and stainless steel
 Safety features

The first place to start is analyzing the market segment. Retail, office, airport, stadium, hospital
or public transit, each require different features and design aesthetics. Some site-driven features
include:

 Type of balustrade. In addition to standard manufacturer offerings stainless steel, bronze

and glass, detailing in brass and ambient glass are available.

 Step width is specified according to space available and the requirements of passengers.

 Number of flat steps. Code requires a minimum of two flat steps. Most commercial
projects are designed for two flat steps. Three flat steps is a common feature found in
public transportation projects.

 Weather related features. Water resistant options include galvanized trusses, water tight
control cabinets and electrical switches, sealed bearings, chain covers, and protective
canopies. These are common in outdoor applications.

 Type of chain. Lubricated chain or lubrication free chain are options. Depending on the
rise, width, and step loading requirements, chain will be sized accordingly.

 Type of metal finish. 304 type steel is standard. 316 is an available option for corrosion
resistance.

 Type of drive and other components. Planetary gear drives are standard. Energy saving
soft start devices are optional.

Since many of these features can add considerable cost to the escalator budget, it is important to
take time to match the operating environment with the required features prior to finalizing the
project budget and specification.

SAFETY FEATURES

Safety is major concern in escalator design from both the passenger's perspective and the
operational integrity of the escalator system and its setting. It is important for designers and
specifiers to be aware of escalator installation requirements and available safety features from
manufacturers.

Fire protection of an escalator floor opening may be provided by adding automatic sprinklers or
fireproof shutters to the opening, or by installing the escalator in an enclosed fire-protected hall.
To limit the danger of overheating, adequate ventilation for the spaces that contain the motors
and gears must be provided.

Manufacturers offer some or all of the following as either standard or optional features:

Operational safety enhancements:

1. Control & Annunciator. A microprocessor controller is designed to work in conjunction with

other safety devices to provide correct information processing and proper escalator control.
Escalator faults are identified by the controller and illuminated in a display on the control
cabinet.

2. Escalator brake. A permanent magnet ceramic brake is designed to gradually stop the
escalator and hold it stationary under full load. The closed-loop brake circuit is designed to meet
current ASME Code deceleration rate requirements and operate in conjunction with a velocity
feedback

6. Pit stop switch. All escalator machine spaces and areas where interior access to the escalator is
allowed, are furnished with a stop switch.

7. Reversal stop device. Protection against accidental or inadvertent reversing of an escalator

operating in the UP direction is monitored by a directional feedback encoder. This device, when
activated, turns off the motor and activates the brake, bringing the escalator to a smooth stop.
This device is designed to turn off the motor and activate the brake to stop the escalator when an
object is detected entering the handrail inlet area.

8. Step up thrust device is designed to detect obstructions in the lower curve area, which could
cause a step to be elevated, thus impacting the comb plate. When this device detects a raised
step, it will shut off the motor and activate the brake to stop the escalator.

9. Handrail speed monitoring device is designed to measure the variation in speed between the
step band and handrail. If speed variation exceeds the standard, the controller will sound an
alarm buzzer, turn off power to the motor and activate the brake to stop the escalator.

10. Missing step device is designed to detect a missing step. When a missing step is detected,
power to the motor is turned off and the brake is activated to stop the escalator.

11. Step level device is designed to detect a step that is about to enter the comb area at a "lower
elevation" than the comb plate. If a "low step" is detected, the escalator is turned off and the
brake is applied to stop the escalator.

12. Handrail entry device is designed to turn off the motor and activate the brake to stop the
escalator when an object is detected entering the handrail inlet area.
13. Comb impact device is designed to shut off the motor and activate the brake in the event that
comb plate movement is detected horizontally or vertically.

14. Skirt obstruction switch is designed to detect obstructions between the skirt and step at the
point where the step approaches the upper and/or lower comb plate area. This device will shut
down the escalator in the case of an entrapment.

15.Broken step chain device. Installed on the lower end carriage, this device is designed to detect
step-chain breakage or excessive step-chain sag

16. Energy saving control is designed to save up to 40% in energy costs, extend motor life and
provide a smooth, safe start.

Passenger safety features:

17. Skirt gap and stiffener. Installation of skirt stiffening channels is designed to provide uniform
clearance between the step edge and skirt, reducing the possibility of entrapment between the
step and skirt.

18. Demarcation inserts. Installation of plastic demarcation inserts along the side and rear of step
warn passengers of possible foot entrapment points and will not wear off after time like paint.

19. Emergency stop buttons and alarm. The emergency stop button installed at a 45 degree angle
increases accessibility in the event of an emergency.

20. Step demarcation lights. Green fluorescent light fixtures beneath the steps at the landings are
designed to signal the passenger that the end of the escalator is near.

21. Safety signs. These signs are designed to caution and provide safety information to the
passengers.

22. Skirt brushes. These escalator skirt deflector brushes are designed to encourage safe escalator
use by providing a subtle indicator to passengers riding near the step's edge.

23. Deck guards. These plastic barriers are designed to prevent an object and people from getting
wedged between the escalator handrail and a wall or another escalator.

24. Yellow comb segments. Yellow comb segments define the end of a moving escalator step and
the stationary aluminum comb plate while warning passengers to pick up their feet.