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Post by woody on Aug 21, 2006 13:23:52 GMT
I heard a very strong rumour that some escalator treads have a safe weight limit of 25kg. Is it true? Heathrow was mentioned specifically which, when you consider that a lot of passengers there must carry suitcases that approach that weight, is almost unbelievable. I need to know whether to start taking the stairs, stand on four treads at a time or lose weight  |
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Post by Tubeboy on Aug 21, 2006 14:09:15 GMT
First I have heard of it. In practice at night, contractors use the escalators to transport machinery/materials to the lower concourse/platforms. Some of this stuff must be over 25kg. Naturally its at the discretion of the supervisor. Structures on some stations [usually spiral staircases, ticket hall floors] have weight restrictions placed on them [usually 500kg]
I have seen supervisors refuse to allow contractors use the escalator to transport certain items. Not a pretty sight! ;D
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Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2006 15:05:53 GMT
Well I hope it's more than 25kg because someone with an average healthy weight should have a mass of about 60-75kg! (or something like that anyway). I can't believe the safe weight is a mere 25kg, 250kg sounds more like it?
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Post by Chris M on Aug 21, 2006 18:39:55 GMT
Indeed, to put it into imperial weights 25kg is just under 4 stones.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2006 20:11:49 GMT
Woody - good to find someone who's interested in escalator safety. BTW do you work for LU? Or do you have a professional interest in Escalators? Feel free to PM me as there may be some news that must remian strictly OFF-forum Back to what has already been said. Contractors are only able to carry light hand tools and similar on the escalators. Any more and they need a movements licence. Which basically means that the contractor accepts responsibility for the escalator and much allocate a trained member of staff to make sure the escalator is not damaged. In relaity, most S/S's allow contractors to use the escalator without such a licence. From personal experience it depends on the Site Person In Charge (SPIC) when they book on. If they're pleasent I use a common sense approach. If they are an I'm breaking the rules with a naughty word then they must have a movements licence. Funny enough I had such a group of contractors the last time I did nights and it's funny to see their faces drop when they don't have the licence ;D The treds SHOULD hold about half a metric ton per step. Woody, you should be OK on the Picc Line, unless of course you've eaten too many pies. |
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Post by Tubeboy on Aug 21, 2006 20:47:22 GMT
Methinks one is taking the Michael! |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2006 20:53:05 GMT
Methinks one is taking the Michael! Me  There's been a bit of an issue regaring escalators since you've left the line. But no-one appears concerned. I've raised the issue with the safety council & with our much loved performance manager  but alas I've been slapped down from both. So what else can I do? Tea or coffee |
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Post by Tubeboy on Aug 21, 2006 20:58:15 GMT
There are a few dodgy escalators on the Northern, the worst one being at Kentish Town, Stockwell is out at present. Kentish's went down again last week, thank god I dont work there anymore, the escalators gave me loads of grief.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2006 21:03:18 GMT
Since you've left it's all gone down the drain ANyway you'll be pleased to know that according to our beloved trades unions and our beloved performance manager, there is nothing to see. Move along here.... |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2006 22:30:25 GMT
I'm not an expert, but escalators must be pretty tough beasts. In peak periods, it's routine for them to have two people on each step. Say 200 kg or so per step, gives a big load to haul up at Angel. Or to limit to a safe speed going down.
Personally, I think the biggest safetly problem on escalators is the little old ladies who get to the top of an up escalator (or the bottom of a down one) and immediately stop to look around...
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Post by compsci on Aug 22, 2006 13:24:14 GMT
Escalators in New York are comparatively rare, so in order to avoid being sued by someone who doesn't know how to be sensible on one come complete with a patronising voice and multicoloured LED signs.
"Please be careful on the escalator ... Hold the moving handrail ... Hold small children ... No materials on the escalator ... Do not run ... Have a nice day! etc."
Its enough to make you want to use the stairs instead, which are almost always available as an alternative.
Interestingly I've also encountered some escalators which appear to fall far below the standards that you would expect for a metro system. For example there are some at Herald Square which have very narrow treads which are only sufficient to allow one person to stand on each tread. Anyone in a hurry needs to use a maze of stairs and ramps instead.
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Post by woody on Aug 22, 2006 14:27:11 GMT
In peak periods, it's routine for them to have two people on each step. Say 200 kg or so per step, Exactly - that could be the load that one tread has to carry - perhaps not that much on every step though! The rumour about 25 kg is very strong and the difference between that and what they could typically be carrying is massive (8 times the safe load can't leave much safety factor) so you can see why I asked the question. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 22, 2006 14:29:27 GMT
If it is 25kg safe load, I'm surprised I havent fallen into various EMR's.... Because I tip the scales by around 3 times the SWL
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Post by Deleted on Aug 22, 2006 19:43:16 GMT
Strange as there isn't officially a problem |
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Post by stanmorek on Aug 22, 2006 21:47:00 GMT
Whilst I'm not as privileged as others to hear of such rumors I've seen information supplied by manufacturers Otis to LU structural engineers in assessing the escalator trusses. The figures show 120kg per step for one at Liverpool Street and this figure is factored up by quite a margin for the truss itself.
The lifts & escalator bods carry out a test once in a while involving a large group of men walking up and down the escaltor carrying heavy weights to test it at full capacity.
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Post by Chris M on Aug 22, 2006 23:05:42 GMT
They must get very fit doing that!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 23, 2006 11:08:43 GMT
There was one escalator I used at, gawd, where was it... Kings X, the short one from Northern to Pic intercnahge area, stepped on it and there was this repetive knocking noise, like the step was rubbing against an out of alignment truss....
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but alas I've been slapped down from both.
