Research and investigation of accidents in escalators

Escalators are used to reach a platform from other platform in shopping centers, metro and airports. With this system, passengers can be transported continuously. This is a continuous system. That feature of escalators is very important in crowded places. This situation also increases the number of use of escalators. In the historical section of the escalators, how the system was presented, where and by whom it was revealed. The development of these systems is given in detail. Some features such as safety guardrail and lighting have been encountered. The first escalator manufacturers were informed about the first and important producers in our country. Nathan Ames was granted first escalator patent on 9 Agust 1859. Afet this, Three patents were granted; 1891 Jesse RENO, 1892 George H Wheeler and 1898 Charles D Seeberger. The escalators were first introduced to the public by the establishment of two Seeberger machines in London on Earls Court Station in 1911. New escalator designs emerged and in the 1930's the use of the M series machines began. Otis has taken "escalator" word as a trade mark. So, Otis is only one authorized in use of capiltal E. First escalator manufacturer were Otis, CNIM, Pantin / APV Baker and O&K Escalator. BAKBAK MACHINE is the first escalator manufacturer in Turkey. LOHER is the first company in manufacturing of CE sign escalator in Turkey. Other significant companies in Turkey are Yursan Escalator and Ake Escalator. Parts and working principle are discussed. Detailed information about this parts is given. For safety reasons, some design features have been understood as a result of their research. Escalator parts are composed of drive gear, drive chain, step chains, handrail, decking, skirts, combplates, steps and truss. Escalators have some safety equipments. These are lack of phase, fault phase protection, Motor over-load protection, Handrail entry protection, Comb plate safety device, Step sagging protection device, Broken drive-chain safety device, Broken step chain protection, Over-speed protection, Direction reversal protection, Skirt panel protection, Brake protection, Step illumination. The speed of the escalator should not exceed 1 m/s in terms of safety. Escalators are manufactured generally with 30 degrees. Safety devices in these vehicles with common use are also a consideration. The use of these systems by the elderly and children also makes the situation even more critical. Many accidents happen. That accidents go from mild injury to death. Accidents on the escalators have been investigated by conducting case studies. The accident statistics are given in this study. Most of the accidents have been found to be due to frequent eg weekly checks of escalators, lack of inspections or negligence of the users. Standards exist for safe use of escalators. 330 Incidents of falls over the side or from the side of escalators have been located over a period of 20 years between 1987 and 2007. Plotting the number of accidents per annum shows an upward trend in the number of incidents occurring. According to the statistics, 29% of the accidents were killed. When we look at gender difference, 71% of the accidents were exposed to men and 23% to women. When we looked at the distribution by age, 44% of the accidents were exposed to children under 10 years of age. 14 standard accident types of how these incidents occur have been identified. Some of these are; falling over the side owing to sitting on or sliding down the handrail, falling from the side owing to holding onto the handrail and being taken, falling after being taken by the handrail as a result of friction by clothing, falling over the side owing to being carried by an elder who has lost balance, suicide, child being carried on parents shoulders on an escalator and unknown causation.