An escalator moves a steady stream of people between floors without anyone waiting for a car to arrive. In malls, multiplexes, large showrooms, hospitals and transit buildings, escalators handle crowds far better than lifts alone. Eldeal Engineers supplies, installs, maintains and repairs escalators for commercial buildings across Bihar, Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Delhi NCR, with the same focus on clear pricing and reliable service that we bring to our lifts.
Why install an escalator
- High people flow: an escalator keeps moving, so large numbers of visitors can travel between floors every hour.
- Draws shoppers upstairs: in malls and showrooms, upper floors get more footfall when they are easy to reach.
- Reduces lift crowding: lifts stay free for the elderly, wheelchair users, parents with prams and goods.
- Makes a space feel modern: a well-lit escalator in an atrium becomes the centre of the building.
Escalator or lift: which does your building need?
Most commercial buildings need both. Escalators work best for short vertical distances with heavy, continuous traffic, such as ground to second floor in a mall. Lifts are essential for accessibility, for taller buildings and for goods. A good plan uses escalators for the main public flow and passenger elevators for step-free access. In hotels and malls, a capsule elevator beside the escalator gives both options a premium look.
Typical escalator configurations
The table shows typical industry ranges and is indicative only. The exact model depends on floor height, available space and expected traffic.
| Typical setting | Step width | Inclination | Typical speed | Rise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Showroom or small commercial | 600–800 mm | 30° or 35° | 0.5 m/s | Up to about 6 m |
| Mall or multiplex | 800–1000 mm | 30° or 35° | 0.5 m/s | About 4–7 m per floor |
| Transit hub or very busy building | 1000 mm | 30° | 0.5–0.65 m/s | Project specific |
A 1000 mm step lets two people stand side by side, while 600 mm suits one person. A 30° angle is gentler and common in busy public spaces; 35° saves floor space in tighter buildings.
Safety features on modern escalators
Escalator safety is about protecting riders at every point where moving and fixed parts meet.
- Emergency stop buttons at top and bottom landings.
- Comb plate safety switches that stop the unit if something is caught where the steps enter the landing.
- Skirt brushes or deflectors to keep shoes and clothing away from the gap beside the steps.
- Handrail speed monitoring so the handrail moves in step with the stairs.
- Missing step and broken chain detection to stop the escalator if a mechanical fault occurs.
- Yellow step demarcation lines and good lighting so riders see the step edges clearly.
The Uttar Pradesh Lifts and Escalators Act, 2024 and the Bihar Lift and Escalator Bill, 2024 bring escalators under registration and regular maintenance requirements. Building-side requirements are covered in the National Building Code 2016, Part 8 Section 5. Please confirm current notifications with your architect or local authority.
Energy-saving options
An escalator that runs at full speed all day, even when empty, wastes power. Variable-frequency drives can slow the escalator when no one is on it and bring it back to normal speed when a rider approaches. This cuts electricity use and reduces wear, which matters for malls that run long hours.
Planning an escalator installation
- Floor-to-floor height: decides the length of the truss and the model.
- Floor opening and pit: must be planned into the structure early.
- Traffic direction: single, paired up-and-down, or criss-cross layouts.
- Access for delivery: escalator trusses are long and heavy, so the route in must be planned.
- Power and controls: suitable supply and a plan for maintenance access.
Escalators in hospitals and public buildings
Large hospitals and public offices with heavy visitor traffic sometimes add escalators between the ground floor and the first floor, where OPD counters, pharmacies and waiting areas are busiest. This eases pressure on the lifts, which can then be kept for patients, wheelchairs and stretchers.
Maintenance and repair
Escalators have many moving parts, including steps, chains, handrails and combs, and they work in dusty, high-traffic places. Regular cleaning, lubrication and safety checks are essential. Our maintenance and repair teams look after escalators as well as lifts, with 24/7 support.
Planning a mall, showroom or commercial building? Talk to Eldeal Engineers about escalators and lifts together. Call or WhatsApp +91 84489 44342 or book a free site survey.