Pennsylvania Code
Title 34 - LABOR AND INDUSTRY
Part I - Department of Labor and Industry
Chapter 7 - ELEVATORS, LIFTS, ESCALATORS, DUMBWAITERS, HOISTS ANDTRAMWAYS
Subchapter J - ESCALATORS
Section 7.324 - Safety equipment

(a) Brakes. Each escalator drive shall be provided with an electrically-released, mechanically-applied brake which automatically stops the escalator if the circuit is opened.

(b) Emergency stops. There shall be a button or other type of switch located in a conspicuous position at the top and bottom landings of every escalator and accessible to the public. The operation of such buttons or switches shall cause interruption of the power supply, application of the brake, and stoppage of the escalator. Under no circumstances shall the arrangement be such that these buttons or switches may be used to start the escalator. Such buttons or switches shall be plainly marked "Escalator Stop Button," or "Escalator Stop Switch," as the case may be.

(c) Starting switches. When starting buttons or switches are located in such a position as to be of possible access to the public, they shall be either of the key operated type or be enclosed in a box provided with a lock and key.

(d) Protection against reversal of direction. Each new escalator operated in the ascending direction shall be equipped with a safety mechanism so that in case of accidental reversal of the motion of the escalator, the power is cut off, the brake applied and the escalator stopped. On a reversible escalator, the safety mechanism shall be so arranged as to be made inoperative when the escalator is descending and operative when the escalator is ascending.

(e) Protection against broken chains. New escalators shall be provided with a safety device which will open the power circuit, apply the machine brake, and bring the escalator to a gradual stop if the tread chain or chains break.

(f) Tension weights. When new escalators are equipped with tightening devices operating by means of tension weights, provision shall be made to retain such weights in the escalator truss in case the weights should fall.

(g) Machine room. There shall be a suitable and permanent lighting fixture in every machine room, the lighting of which may be accomplished without passing or reaching over any part of the machinery. The minimum intensity of illumination shall be 1 foot-candle. In installations constructed after January 1, l951, the machine room or platform shall also have a minimum clear cross sectional area of 6 square feet to enable inspection and repair of machine and control device without exposure to electric shock or to operating machinery. This minimum area may include a space made available by providing a removable control cabinet arranged with the trail cables for maintenance or inspection procedures outside the machinery space.

(h) Access to interior of escalators. Reasonable access to the interior of all escalators shall be provided for inspection and repair.