IS 17900 Part 2 : 2022Safety Rules for the Construction and Installation of Escalators and Moving Walkways — Part 2: Rules for the Improvement of Safety of Existing Escalators and Moving Walkways
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IS 17900:2022 Part 2 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for safety rules for the construction and installation of escalators and moving walkways — part 2: rules for the improvement of safety of existing escalators and moving walkways. 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.
Provides rules for improving the safety of existing escalators and moving walkways to achieve an acceptable level of safety.
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.
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
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
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/s
EN 115-1:2017
Balustrade Height (from step nose)
0.90 m to 1.10 m
0.90 m to 1.10 m
EN 115-1:2017
Handrail Speed Tolerance
0% to +2% relative to step speed
0% to +2% relative to step speed
EN 115-1:2017
Skirt Deflector Device
Mandatory at landings
A recommended means to reduce entrapment risk; not strictly mandatory if risk is otherwise mitigated
EN 115-1:2017
Total Clearance (Step-to-Skirt, both sides)
Maximum 7 mm
Maximum 7 mm
EN 115-1:2017
Governing Electrical Installation Code
IS 732, IS 3043
IEC 60364 series
EN 115-1:2017
Braking Distance (unloaded, downward)
Between 0.20 m and 1.00 m for escalators
Between 0.20 m and 1.00 m for escalators
EN 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
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.