California Code of Regulations
Title 8 - Industrial Relations
Division 1 - Department of Industrial Relations
Chapter 4 - Division of Industrial Safety
Subchapter 6 - Elevator Safety Orders
Group II - Elevator Installations for Which the Installation Contract Was Signed Before October 25, 1998
Article 13 - Escalators
Section 3090 - Escalator Machinery and Equipment

Universal Citation: 8 CA Code of Regs 3090

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024

(a) Driving Machine, Motor, and Brake.

(1) The driving machine shall be connected to the main drive shaft by toothed gearing, a coupling, or a chain.

(2) An electric motor shall not drive more than one escalator.

(3) Each escalator shall be provided with an electrically released and mechanically or magnetically applied brake. If the brake is magnetically applied, a ceramic permanent magnet shall be used.

(A) There shall be no intentional time delay designed into the application of the brake.

(B) The brake shall be applied automatically if the electrical power supply is interrupted.

(D) The escalator brake shall stop the down running escalator at a rate no greater than 3 ft/sec2 (0.91 m/s2).

(E) The escalator brake shall be provided with a nameplate which indicates the brake torque in ft-lb (Nm) required to stop and hold brake rated load.

(4) Where means other than a continuous shaft, coupling, or toothed gearing is used to connect the motor to a gear reducer, the escalator brake shall be located on the gear reducer or main drive shaft.

(5)

(A) If the escalator brake is separated from the main drive shaft by a chain used to connect the driving machine to the main drive shaft, a mechanically or magnetically applied brake capable of stopping a down running escalator with brake rated load shall be provided on the main drive shaft. If the brake is magnetically applied,a ceramic permanent magnet shall be used.

(B) The brake shall stop the down running escalator at a rate no greater than 3 ft/sec2 (0.91 m/s2), at brake rated load.

EXCEPTION to 3090 (a)(3), (4), (5):

(1) For existing installations installed prior to the effective date of this order, each escalator shall comply with the following:

Each escalator shall be provided with an electrically released mechanically applied brake capable of stopping the up or down traveling escalator with any load up to rated load, as defined in subsection 3089(j). This brake shall be located either on the driving machine or on the main drive shaft.

Where a chain is used to connect the driving machine to the main drive shaft, a brake shall be provided on the driven shaft. It is not required that this brake be of the electrically released type if an electrically released brake is provided on the driving machine.

(b) Operating and Safety Devices.

(1) Operating and safety devices shall be provided conforming to the requirements of this section.

(A) Starting switches shall be of the key-operated, spring return-type and shall be located within sight of the escalator steps.

(B) Emergency stop buttons or other type of manually operated switches having red buttons or handles shall be accessibly located at or near the top and bottom landings of each escalator, and shall be protected against accidental operation. An escalator stop button with an unlocked cover over it which can readily be lifted or pushed aside shall be considered accessible. The operation of either of these buttons or switches shall interrupt the power to the driving machine. It shall not be possible to start the driving machine by these buttons or switches.

(C) Escalators may be arranged to be started and stopped from remote locations only with prior approval from the division. Such approval will be based on, but not limited to the applicant demonstrating that;

1. There shall be provided an acceptable means of viewing the run and landing of the escalator at the remote location.

2. There shall be provided an acceptable means of communication between the escalator and the remote location.

(D) Escalators may be arranged for automatic starting and stopping only with prior approval from the division. Such approval will be based on, but not limited to, the applicant demonstrating that;

1. The escalator shall be provided with an acceptable means to prevent it from starting when a person is on the steps.

2. The escalator shall be provided with some means to determine the direction the person wishes to go, up or down.

3. The starting shall be such that the step are up to full speed before the person reaches them.

4. The escalator shall be provided with some acceptable means to prevent the escalator from stopping until all riders are off the steps.

5. The escalator landing areas shall be provided with illuminated signs that inform the potential rider of the information needed for safe use of the escalator.

(E) A speed governor shall be provided, the operation of which will cause the interruption of power to the driving machine should the speed of the steps exceed a predetermined value, which shall be not more than 40 percent above the rated speed.

EXCEPTION: The overspeed governor is not required where a low slip alternating current squirrel cage induction motor is used and the motor is directly connected to the driving machine.

(F) A broken step-chain device shall be provided that will cause the interruption of power to the driving machine if a step chain breaks, and, where no automatic chain tension device is provided, if excessive sag occurs in either step chain.

(G) An electrically released brake shall automatically stop the escalator when any of the safety devices function.

(H) Where the driving machine is connected to the main drive shaft by a chain, a device shall be provided which will cause the application of the brake on the main drive shaft if the drive chain parts.

(I) Each space containing moving parts, where a means of access is provided, shall be equipped with a stop switch located adjacent to the access door or panel. The stop switches shall:

1. Be of the manually opened and closed type.

2. Be conspicuously and permanently marked, "STOP."

3. Be positively opened mechanically and their opening shall not be solely dependent on springs.

4. When opened, cause electric power to be removed from the escalator driving machine motor and brake.

EXCEPTION: Machinery space in which main line disconnect switch is located.

(J) Means shall be provided to cause the opening of the power circuit to the escalator driving machine motor and brake should an object become wedged between the step and the skirt panel as the step approaches the lower combplate.

(K) Rolling shutters, if used, shall be provided with a device which shall be actuated as the shutters begin to close to cause electric power to be removed from the escalator driving machine motor and brake.

(L) Means shall be provided to cause the opening of the power circuit to the driving machine motor and brake in case of accidental reversal of travel while the escalator is operating in the ascending direction.

(c) Access to Machine Rooms or Machinery Spaces. Sufficient clearance shall be provided within the machine room for safe access, as required for inspection and maintenance, and safe access shall be provided to the machine room.

(1) Floor access panels, in excess of 70 lbf (311 N) shall be counterbalanced or provided with means to lift and move the panel away from the machinery space.

(2) The building owner or responsible party shall provide a competent person to assist the Division's representative where steps removal is required to gain access to drive units, brake and upthrust devices inside the escalator truss.

(d) Lighting and Electrical Work. Lighting and electrical work shall conform to the requirements of CCR, Title 24, Part 3, Article 620.

(e) Guarding in Machine Space. A guard shall be provided between the machine room and the steps to prevent accidental contact with the moving steps.

(Title 24, Part 7, Section 7-3090.)

1. Amendment of subsection (b)(1)(A) and new subsection (b)(1)(J) filed 6-23-77; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 77, No. 26)
2. Amendment of subsections (a) and (b) filed 8-29-86; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 86, No. 35).
3. Editorial correction of printing error in subsection (b)(1)(B) (Register 94, No. 18).
4. Amendment of subsection (d) filed 6-29-94; operative 7-29-94 (Register 94, No. 26).
5. Amendment of subsections (c)-(c)(1) and new subsection (c)(2) filed 12-6-94; operative 1-5-95 (Register 94, No. 49).

Note: Authority cited: Labor Code Section 142.3. Reference: Labor Code Section 142.3.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. California may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.