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IS 17900 Part 1 : 2022Safety Rules for the Construction and Installation of Escalators and Moving Walkways — Part 1: Construction and Installation

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EN 115-1 · ASME A17.1 · AS 1735.5
CurrentSpecializedSafety CodeBIMMEP · Lifts, Escalators and Mechanical Handling
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OverviewValues6InternationalEngineer's NotesTablesFAQ4Related

IS 17900:2022 Part 1 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for safety rules for the construction and installation of escalators and moving walkways — part 1: construction and installation. This standard provides safety rules for improving the safety of existing escalators and moving walkways, aiming to elevate them to a level comparable with modern safety standards. It details a process for identifying hazards through risk assessment and lists specific technical solutions and upgrades. This code is intended for owners, maintenance entities, and inspection bodies to progressively enhance the safety of older installations.

Specifies safety rules for the construction and installation of new escalators and moving walkways.

Overview

Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
MEP — Lifts, Escalators and Mechanical Handling
Type
Safety Code
International equivalents
EN 115-1:2017+A1:2020 · CEN (European Committee for Standardization), EuropeASME A17.1-2019 / CSA B44-19 · ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) / CSA (Canadian Standards Association), USA/CanadaAS 1735.5:2022 · Standards Australia, AustraliaGB 16899.1-2016 · Standardization Administration of China (SAC), China
Typically used with
IS 3043
Also on InfraLens for IS 17900
6Key values1Tables4FAQs

BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.

Practical Notes
! This standard is not for new installations, which are covered by IS 17900 (Part 1). Its purpose is retrofitting safety features on older units.
! A thorough risk assessment of the specific unit is the first and most critical step before applying the recommended measures from Table 1.
! Prioritization of upgrades is key. High-risk items like skirt deflectors, additional emergency stops, and comb-plate impact devices should be addressed first.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 4Risk Assessment and reduction measuresCl. 5List of significant hazards and safety measures for their improvementCl. 5.5.3Entrapment at the skirtCl. 5.8.1Missing step or pallet deviceCl. 5.2.3LightingAnnex A - Negotiation procedure
Pulled from IS 17900:2022. Browse the full clause & table index below in Tables & Referenced Sections.
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Engineer's Notes

In Practice — Editorial Commentary
When IS 17900 Part 1 is your governing code

IS 17900 Part 1 (2022) provides Safety Rules for the Construction and Installation of Escalators and Moving Walkways — Part 1: Construction and Installation. The Indian standard for escalator + moving-walkway design, installation + safety in commercial + transit infrastructure.

Use when: specifying escalators in malls, metro stations, airports, hospitals, hotels; moving walkways in airports + large complexes.

Escalator + walkway design

Escalator types: - Inclined escalator (most common): 30-35° angle; typical residential / commercial use - Curved escalator (rare in India): customised; premium / aesthetic - Moving walkway: flat or slight incline (< 12°); for long horizontal distances

Key dimensions: - Step width: 600, 800, 1000 mm (3 standard widths) - Speed: 0.5 m/s (standard); 0.65 m/s (faster) - Capacity: 4,500-9,000 persons per hour per direction - Rise: 4-8 m typical (residential / commercial); up to 20+ m (transit)

Safety features (mandatory per IS 17900): - Emergency stop buttons (visible + accessible) - Handrail synchronization (matches step speed) - Anti-slip step + landing - Brushes at step-and-skirt interface - Comb plate at landings - Trip-stop sensors (clothing + foreign object) - Speed-monitoring + over-speed protection - Fire-protection systems

Construction installation: - Truss / framework anchored to building structure - Mechanical room for motor + control - Electrical supply per local codes - Smoke / fire compartmentation - Maintenance access provisions

Quality acceptance: - Manufacturer certification per IS 17900 - Installation test by qualified inspector - Periodic inspection + maintenance contract

Reference values

Step + handrail geometry: - Step depth: 400 mm typical - Step rise: 200 mm typical - Handrail height: 900-1000 mm above step - Handrail material: rubber / polyurethane

Speed + capacity: - 0.5 m/s × 4,500 person/hr (standard) - 0.65 m/s × 6,750 person/hr (faster) - Higher speeds for transit applications (per code)

Maintenance: - Daily visual inspection - Weekly mechanical check - Monthly safety system test - Annual comprehensive inspection - 5-year major maintenance / refurbishment - 15-25 year service life expected

Safety thresholds: - Maximum loading: per design (typically 7,500 N step) - Step gap: < 4 mm at side / corner - Handrail synchronization: ± 2 % of step speed - Emergency stop: < 4 m stopping distance

Companion codes
  • IS 17900 Part 2 + Part 3 — Other parts of escalator code.
  • IS 14665:1999 — Electric Lifts (related).
  • IS 1860 — Electric Traction Lifts.
  • IS 875 (Part 5) — Special Loads.
  • IS 1893 (Part 1) — Earthquake Resistant Design.
  • IS 7689 — Lift + Escalator Design Documentation.
  • IS 14543 — Electrical Equipment Standards.
  • EN 115 — Safety Rules for Escalators (European).
  • ASME A17 — Safety Code for Elevators + Escalators (US).
  • ISO 9001:2015 — Quality Management Systems.
  • National Building Code (NBC) Part 8 + 9.
  • Local Lift + Escalator Acts (state-specific).
Common pitfalls

1. No regular maintenance → safety issues + breakdown. 2. Emergency stops not visible → incidents. 3. Step / skirt interface gap → entrapment. 4. Speed inconsistency → vibration + wear. 5. Fire / smoke protection inadequate → safety risk. 6. No earthquake design → tremor damage. 7. Power backup absent → stuck users. 8. Quality / certification compromised → safety + reliability.

Lifecycle

1. Specification + design coordination. 2. Manufacturer + installer qualified. 3. Installation per IS 17900 + project requirements. 4. Commissioning + safety testing. 5. Operation + daily / weekly / monthly maintenance. 6. Annual + 5-year major inspection. 7. Service life 15-25 years; major refurbishment then.

IS 17900 Part 1 is fundamental for modern Indian transit + commercial infrastructure.

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards
EN 115-1:2017+A1:2020CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
HighCurrent
Safety of escalators and moving walks - Part 1: Construction and installation
IS 17900:2022 is a modified adoption of this European standard, forming its primary basis.
ASME A17.1-2019 / CSA B44-19ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) / CSA (Canadian Standards Association), USA/Canada
MediumCurrent
Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators
Covers the same subject but is structured differently with some distinct technical requirements.
AS 1735.5:2022Standards Australia, Australia
HighCurrent
Lifts, escalators and moving walks, Part 5: Escalators and moving walks
Australian standard for escalators and moving walks, largely harmonized with EN 115.
GB 16899.1-2016Standardization Administration of China (SAC), China
HighCurrent
Safety rules for the construction and installation of escalators and moving walks - Part 1: Construction and installation
The primary Chinese national standard, which is also based on EN 115.
Key Differences
≠IS 17900:2022 makes specific references to Indian Standards for electrical installations (IS 732), wiring, and earthing (IS 3043), whereas EN 115-1 refers to the IEC 60364 series and CENELEC standards.
≠The Indian standard mandates the installation of skirt deflector devices (often called 'Saree Guards') to prevent trapping of loose clothing, a specific requirement catering to local attire. EN 115-1 lists them as one possible means to mitigate entrapment risk, but not as a universal mandate.
≠Fire resistance requirements for materials used in the escalator and its vicinity are specified in accordance with the National Building Code of India (NBC) 2016, which may differ from the European 'Euroclass' system (EN 13501-1) referenced in EN 115-1.
≠IS 17900:2022 includes specific considerations for seismic zones as per Indian Standards (e.g., IS 1893), making seismic design an integral part of the code for relevant regions. In EN 115-1, seismic requirements are treated as an additional consideration to be agreed upon between the customer and installer.
Key Similarities
≈Core dimensional and geometrical constraints are identical, including the maximum angle of inclination for escalators (30°, or 35° under specific conditions) and the required balustrade height (0.9 m to 1.1 m).
≈The list and function of essential electrical safety devices are harmonized. This includes emergency stop buttons, handrail entry safety switches, broken step chain devices, and overspeed governors, ensuring a common baseline for operational safety.
≈Nominal speed limits for escalators (up to 0.75 m/s) and moving walks (up to 0.9 m/s under certain conditions) are the same, providing a consistent user experience and safety level.
≈The fundamental requirements for the mechanical strength and integrity of critical components like steps, pallets, drive chains, and the main truss are based on the same engineering principles and load calculation methods.
Parameter Comparison
ParameterIS ValueInternationalSource
Max. Angle of Inclination (Escalator)≤ 30°; or ≤ 35° if rise ≤ 6 m and speed ≤ 0.5 m/s≤ 30°; or ≤ 35° if rise ≤ 6 m and speed ≤ 0.5 m/sEN 115-1:2017
Balustrade Height (from step nose)0.90 m to 1.10 m0.90 m to 1.10 mEN 115-1:2017
Handrail Speed Tolerance0% to +2% relative to step speed0% to +2% relative to step speedEN 115-1:2017
Skirt Deflector DeviceMandatory at landingsA recommended means to reduce entrapment risk; not strictly mandatory if risk is otherwise mitigatedEN 115-1:2017
Total Clearance (Step-to-Skirt, both sides)Maximum 7 mmMaximum 7 mmEN 115-1:2017
Governing Electrical Installation CodeIS 732, IS 3043IEC 60364 seriesEN 115-1:2017
Braking Distance (unloaded, downward)Between 0.20 m and 1.00 m for escalatorsBetween 0.20 m and 1.00 m for escalatorsEN 115-1:2017
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values6

Quick Reference Values
Minimum illumination at comb lines50 lux
Maximum gap between skirt and step4 mm per side
Maximum gap between successive steps6 mm
Skirt panel stiffness test force300 N over an area of 25 cm²
Minimum upstand height of step25 mm
Handrail speed deviation from steps0% to +2%

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables
Table 1 - List of significant hazards and safety measures for their improvement
Key Clauses
Clause 4 - Risk Assessment and reduction measures
Clause 5 - List of significant hazards and safety measures for their improvement
Clause 5.5.3 - Entrapment at the skirt
Clause 5.8.1 - Missing step or pallet device
Clause 5.2.3 - Lighting
Annex A - Negotiation procedure

Related Resources on InfraLens

Cross-Referenced Codes
IS 3043:1987Code of practice for earthing
→

Frequently Asked Questions4

Is this standard mandatory for all old escalators?+
It serves as a guideline for safety improvement. Its mandatory application is determined by local statutory authorities, insurance requirements, or the building owner's safety policy.
What is the most critical safety upgrade mentioned?+
Preventing entrapment at the skirt by installing skirt deflectors/brushes is considered a high-priority measure (Clause 5.5.3).
Does this code require replacing the entire escalator?+
No, it focuses on retrofitting specific safety components and implementing measures to improve the safety of the *existing* installation, not complete replacement.
Can I pick and choose which safety measures to apply?+
Measures should be chosen based on a formal risk assessment of the specific escalator. Annex A provides a negotiation procedure to determine which measures are reasonably practicable to implement.

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