Vertical transportation system

6.0 VERTICAL TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
6.1 Introduction & Functions

MECHANICAL TRANSPORTATION
Building Services (BLD 60903) March 2017 1
Vertical Transportation Systems refers to the service component within a building which enables
us to travel vertically between floors much quicker and effortlessly. Throughout the case study
conducted on the Summit Mall in USJ, it was concluded that the mall has 3 forms of mechanical
transportation system. The Escalators, Inclined Travelators and Elevators.
6.2 Elevators
An elevator is a transportation device used to move goods and people vertically between floors
(levels, decks) of a building, vessel, or other structure. Elevators usually provide access for the
elderly and disable through the floors of modern offices and public buildings.
In present day, there are 2 main types of elevators that are commonly used in public buildings,
that is the Electric elevators and the (i) hydraulic elevators. However, the electric elevators are
classified into 2 based on the variations, the (ii) Traction with Machine Room elevators, and
(ii) Machine room-less Traction Elevators.
Hydraulic Elevator Traction With Machine Room Machine Room-less Traction
6.2.1 Type of Elevator in Summit USJ
Summit USJ Subang uses KONE Ecospace machine room-less (MRL) elevators, which do not
require a machine room above the elevator shafts. Due to the size of KONE EcoDisc hoisting
Fluid Tank
(Controller)
Piston

Diagram 6.2 Components of an
Machine Room-less elevator device
motor, the elevators do not need a separate machine room. The reduction of the sheave size,
alongside a more compact redesigned machine allows the machine to be assembled within the
hoistway itself, saving valuable floor space and the need of a bulky machine room. There is no
need for a control room as the KONE EcoSpace control and logic components fit inside the wall
of the top elevator landing. Most machine room-less elevators are used for low to mid rise
buildings. Machine room-less elevators in mid-rise buildings usually serves up to 20 floors. They
are comparable to geared traction elevators in terms of initial and maintenance costs, but they
have relatively low energy consumption
compared to geared elevators.
Diagram 6.1 KONE Ecospace
Machine Room-less (MRL)
Elevator in Summit USJ

Diagram 6.6 The
interior of a Fire
Fighting Lift
6.2.1.1PassengerLifts & Firefighting Lift
In USJ Summit building, there are 7 firefighting lift and 24 passengers lift in total. The Passenger
lift are capable of transporting 25 persons at a time with the weight limit of 1705 kg. The
passenger lifts are equipped with the fireman switch. When the switch is turned on, elevators are
directed to the fire recall floor. Elevators traveling away are then reversed back to the designated
floor without stopping. Upon reaching, passengers are able to exit the elevator and building
safely. The elevators are then removed from normal service. Once removed from normal service,
the elevators will no longer accept car or hall calls. This mode of Fire Service allows firefighters
to continue to utilize the elevator to rescue people from other floors.
On the other hand, the firefighting lift is an elevator within the firefighting shaft with dual power
supply and is capable of being commandeered by the fire service department. The firefighting
lifts are capable of transporting an approximate amount of 27 people, with the weight limit of
1835 kg.
Diagram 6.3 The exterior
and interior view of the
Passenger Lifts
Diagram 6.4 The Fireman switch
installed on the side façade of the
elevator
Diagram 6.5 The
firefighting lifts in
Summit USJ are
labelled with red
sign stating ‘Lif
Bomba’

6.2.2 ElevatorComponents
6.2.2.1ElevatorCar
Elevator Car is the cabin that travels between different landing floors carrying passengers and
goods, it is usually a heavy steel frame surrounding a cage of metal panels, mounted on a
platform within an enclosed space. The Elevator Car type used in Summit USJ is the Normal
Cabin elevator, which has only one opening. The elevator cabin has weight limit of 1705 kg, a
maximum of 25 pax.
Diagram 6.7 The typesof elevator cabin used in
Summit USJ & the required dimensions for various
lift
Diagram 6.8 The components within an
elevator car
(i) Infrared DoorSensor

Infrared sensors are installed in Summit Mall’s elevator to detect passengers on the doorway,
preventing the doors from closing which may any accidents to happen. Elevator door will reopen
and hold for a specific period of time until the passenger leaves the doorway. Nudge mode of
elevator will be initiated if the lift door has been blocked more than the set period of time to
inform the passengers that the door is closing with a continuously beep. Door sensors in
elevators in Summit work with independent power supply to make sure it works.
Diagram 6.9 Infrared Door Sensor in Summit USJ
(ii) Buttons, Key Controls and System Controls
In Summit, all compulsory buttons in each lift car are provided on the control panels such as the
hall button, floor request buttons, open and close door buttons, emergency stop button,
emergency bell button and the registration panels. The key controls of the elevator are located

below the floor request buttons to allow various functions to be turned on and off by the
management staffs or firefighters who hold the key to carry out operations like maintenance, fire
department control, elevator on or off etc. On the other hand, system controls in Summit are
located in elevator control room to control its operation during daytime or night.
Diagram 6.10 Elevator at Summit (left) Illustration of the buttons and controls (right)

6.2.2.2KONE Ecodisc Hoisting Motor
Diagram 6.10 Ecodisc Motor installed within hoistway
KONE’s machine room-less (MRL) technology eliminates the need for a machine or control
room by attaching its KONE Ecodisc Hoisting Machine to the guard rail, while placing all
controls and logic components within the confined space of the hoist way. The hoisting motor is
capable of transporting people and goods to a maximum distance of 76m and a travelling speed
of 152m per minute.
6.2.2.3KONE EcospaceController
An Elevator Controller is a system to control the
elevators, either manual or automatic. The control
system used in USJ Summit Buildings are of KONE
Ecospace controller, which provides advantages in
space saving and simplified installation. There is no
need for a controller room as the KONE Ecospace
Controller and other logic components are fit inside
the wall of the top elevator landing. This speeds up
the installation process, since no scaffolding or crane
is needed.
Diagram 6.11 Controller installed within the wall of top
landing
6.2.2.4EscalatorDriving Sheave

Diagram 6.12 Sheave as a gear for traction elevator
An escalator sheave is a deeply grooved pulley attached to the elevator’s machine. Compared to
the conventional traction elevators, the driving sheave of KONEMachine Room-less elevator is
reduced in size. While the lift rates are slower than in a typical gearless elevator, the gear
reduction offers the advantage of requiring a less powerful motor to turn the sheave. Optimally
shaped magnets are attached directly to the sheave to produce a gearless motor with smooth,
noiseless operation.
6.2.2.5Polyurethane-CoatedSteelCable
Diagram 6.13 Polyurethane-Coated Steel Cables
The KONE machine room-less elevators do not use traditional steel cables. Instead,
Polyurethane-Coated Steel Cables have replaced them, providing unrivalled elevator eco-
efficiency, reliability and durability, while also improving elevator performance. It eliminates the
disadvantages of existing steel ropes – high energy consumption, rope stretch, large moving
masses, and downtime caused by building sway. These cables are only 3mm thick, therefore
allowing the KONE elevators to have smaller sheave.
6.2.2.6 Counter Weight
A counterweight carried by and elevator cable to balance the
weight of an elevator cab; the counterweight travels

downward when the cab travels upwards and vice versa. The
counterweight is usually steel plates stacked within a frame.
Having a counterweight eases the motor to raise and lower
the car, provided that there is sufficient counterweight top
clearance the car bottom run by is recommended to be
somewhere in between 150mm to 600mm.
Diagram 6.14 Counterweight balancing the elevator and its load
6.2.2.7Guide Rails
Guide Rails in an elevator are steel tracks in the form of a ‘T’
that run the length of the hoist way. The guard rails have
guiding surface to guide and direct the course of travel of an
elevator car and elevator counterweights. They are usually
mounted to the sides of the hoist way. The guide rails are
fixed to the hoist way by means of steel brackets.
Diagram 6.15 Brackets to fix the elevator cars onto the guard rails
6.2.3 Operation of Elevator System
6.2.3.1 Type of Elevators Control System
In Summit, the elevators are in the setting of two-car selective collective operation. This
operating system is the most common application in buildings for two cars under group control
as it remembers all car calls and proceed to the destination in one direction then reverse its

direction again. In each escalator landing, the up and down buttons are provided except in the
highest and lowest floor of the building. There are car buttons provided on car operating panel in
each elevator cars. The operation of elevator begins when lift users press hall call button to
register a hall call, it will initiate one of the two cars to be assigned to the lift lobby. After users
enter the lift car, it will respond to the next car call registered by other users at any lift lobby. If
all hall calls and car calls have been answered in which the direction of the car is traveling, the
car will then travel in an opposite direction to receive any halls calls and car calls assigned to it.
Users are required to press hall call and car call buttons by hand in order to operate the cars.

6.2.3.2SafetyMechanisms in Elevators
Diagram 6.16 Main break in Elevator
The safety mechanism found in elevators is the main break located directly on the shaft. The
elevators start to slow down by the dynamic braking of the motor. The main brake is then
operated to clamp down on the brake drum, this will hold the car still at the floor. There is a dual
safety device that is used to stop the car automatically in case the elevator over-speeds.
Diagram 6.17 Overspeed Governor in Elevator
The over speed governor will cut the power supply towards the motor and activates the brakes if
the speed limit of the escalator is exceeded. This will slow down the elevator car significantly.
The governor will trigger another two safety rail clams if the speed of the escalator remains. The
rail claims are located at the bottom of the elevator car with one at each side. Spring and rubber
buffers are placed in the pit to aid and act as a cushion for the falling car.
6.2.4 UBBL Requirements & Regulations for Elevator

Uniform Building By-Laws 1984 Analysis
Section 124:
Lift
For all non-residential buildings exceeding 4 storeys
above or below the main access level at least one lift
shall be provided.
Section 151:
Ventilation to Lift Shafts
Where openings to lift shafts are not connected to
protected lobbies, such lift shafts shall be provided
with vents of not less than 0.09 square metre per lift
located at the top of the shafts. Where the vent does
not discharge directly to the open air the lift shafts
shall be vented to the exterior through a duct of the
required FRP as for the lift shafts.
Section 153
Smoke Detectors for Lift Lobbies
Summit mall consisting of 5 floors
is installed with 24 Passenger Lifts
& 7 Fire Fighting Lifts.
Two fans are installed to each lift
device on the top part of the shaft.
Photoelectric smoke detectors are

1. All lift lobbies shall be provided with smoke
detectors.
2. Lift not opening into a smoke lobby shall not use
door reopening devices controlled by light beam
or photo-detectors unless incorporated with a force
close feature which after thirty seconds of any
interruption of the beam causes the door to close
within a preset time.
Section 154:
Emergency mode of operation in the event of
mains power failure
1. On failure of mains power all lifts shall return in
sequence directly to the designated floor,
commencing with the fire lifts, without answering
any car or landing calls and park with doors open.
installed at every lift lobbies at
Summit Mall.
During power failure, all lifts at
Summit Mall will automatically
stop at ground floor with doors
open.
6.3 Escalators
An escalator is a vertical transportation device in the form of a moving staircase – a conveyor
which carries people between levels of a building. It consists of a motor-driven chain of
individually linked steps which remain horizontal, allowing the user to stand still while
transporting user to the next floor. The escalator provides an immediate means of transportation,

being able to convey continuously to transport a large number of
people. An elevator can be reversible to suit the main flow of traffic
during peak hours. The escalators used in Summit Mall USJ are of the
brand KONE.
Location of Escalators
In Summit USJ, the escalators are positioned next to the
main entrance at ground floor and center part of the upper
floors to permit efficiency of transportation and circulation.
The escalators allow easy access through the main
circulation of the retail podium which lead people towards
promotional space or alongside display of merchandise at
Summit.
Diagram 6.18 Escalators in Summit USJ
Escalator Inclination and Speed
Inclination of the escalators in Summit USJ is 30°
which provides the maximum safety and
comfortability to the user. They are running a speed
of 0.5 meters per second at Summit which is an
optimum speed to retain shoppers at the mall for a
longer period of time.
Diagram 6.19 Side Elevation & Front elevation of escalator
6.3.1 Arrangement of Escalators
The elevators in Summit Mall USJ is positioned in a multi-level parallel
arrangement. The escalators are used to create a connection between ground floor
to the fourth floor of the retail podium. Multi-level parallel arrangement is used
due to economical as there is no inner layer of lateral claddings required which is

covered by another escalator beside. The mall utilizes this arrangement as one of
the sales strategies since passengers have to make a short detour in order to access
to next escalator to go up or down. Displays of merchandise are strategically
located along the way to increase sales in Summit. Sometimes, Summit will
reverse the travelling direction of escalator if the traffic flow is high during peak
season. However, the direction of users’ traffic will be reversed to make a big U-
turn in order to access to another escalator going up or down. Overall traveling
time of passengers between floors will be increased.
Diagram 6.20 Multi-Level Parallel Arrangement of escalators at Summit Mall
6.3.2 Components of Escalators

6.3.2.1 Upper and Lower Landing Platforms
These two platforms house the curved sections of the tracks, including the gears and motors that
drive the stairs. The top platform contains the motor assembly and the main drive gear, while the
bottom holds the step return idler sprockets. These sections also anchor the ends of the escalator
truss.
Diagram 6.21 Floor Plate and Comb Plate of escalator
Each of the platforms contain a floor plate and a comb plate. The floor plate provides a place for
the passengers to stand before they step onto the moving stairs. This plate is flush with the
finished floor and is removable to allow easy access to the machinery below. The comb plate is
the piece between the stationary floor plate and the moving step. It is so named because its edge
has a series of cleats that resemble the teeth of a comb. These teeth mesh with matching cleats on
the edges of the steps. This design is necessary to minimize the gap between the stair and the
landing, which helps prevent objects from getting caught in the gap.
6.3.2.2 Escalator Truss
Comb Plate
Floor Plate

An escalator truss is the structural frame of an escalator which consists of, the lower section,
incline section and the upper section. It is a hollow metal structure that connects the lower and
upper landings. Both ends of the elevator truss are attached to the top and bottom landing
platforms through steel or concrete supports. The structural steel truss members are designed to
carry the entire load of the escalator equipment and the steel covering. To maintain close
operating tolerances, the entire structure must rigid enough but at the same time tolerating
building shift and vibration because of a built-in system of shift- plates and Teflon pads.
Diagram 6.22 Elevatortruss connected to the platforms at both ends

6.3.2.3 Escalator Tracks
The track system is assembled into the truss of escalator to guide the step chain, which endlessly
pulls the steps from the bottom platform to the top platform in an endless loop. The track system
carries the steps down along the bottom of the truss until they reach the bottom landing, where
they pass through another curved section of track before departing from the bottom landing. At
this point, the tracks separate and the steps once again assume a staircase configuration. This
configuration forces the back of one step to be at a 90-degree angle relative to the step behind it.
This right angle bends the steps into a shape resembling a staircase. This cycle is repeated
continuously.
Diagram 6.23 Components of an EscalatorTrack

6.3.2.4 Escalator Steps
The escalators steps are an arrangement of solid, one piece, die-cast aluminum or steel steps. The
steps are linked by a continuous metal chain that forms a closed loop. The front and back edges
of the steps are connected to a pair of wheels each. The front wheels have shorter axles to fit into
the narrower front track whereas the rear wheels are set further apart to fit into the back track.
Normally, yellow demarcation lines may be added to clearly indicate the steps edges.
Diagram 6.24 Components within an escalator step
Step Plate (Thread)
Demarcation Lines
Axle Slot
Frame Yoke Step Wheel
(Trailing Wheel)
Step Riser
Step Hook
(T BAR)

6.3.2.5 Handrail
A Handrail on the escalators provides a convenient handhold for the users while they are get onto
the escalator. In an escalator, the handrail is drawn along its track by a chain that is connected to
the main drive gear by a series of pulley.
Diagram 6.25 Components within the handrails
6.3.2.6 Escalator Balustrade
A Balustrade consists of the handrail and the exterior supporting structure of the escalator. The
balustrade can also refer to the skirt panels, individual interior panels, and deck covers of the
escalator. Each interior balustrade panel section is removable to allow ease of access towards the
escalator interior for maintenance and component replacement.
Diagram 6.26 Front elevation of Escalatorbalustrade and its components
6.3.2.7Internal Drive Machine
Handrail
New el
Handrail
Guide

Diagram 6.27 View of an Internal Drive Machine used in escalator (Left) Components within an
Internal Drive Machine(Right)
A Drive Machine is used in escalator to drive the pinion gear or the main drive chain which may
directly or indirectly drive the Handrail Drive System. In summit USJ, elevators with Internal
Drive machine is installed. The machine is located at the upper landing, installed inside the truss
between the step bands or at the top pit, the machine will employ a motor to gearbox drive with a
direct drive axle connection. Normally in an Internal Drive Machine, a separated dual drive
machine within the step band is not uncommon with one machine used to directly drive the step
chains located a few feet below the upper incline and one above the lower incline.

6.3.2.8Braking Systems
Diagram 6.28 Components within the Brake systemof Escalator
The braking system uses a pawl connected to one end of the main drive shaft to engage a notch
wheel with brake linings on both faces. The brake lining wheel is slotted between the handrail
1st drive sprocket and the step chain sprocket. A guide shoe lever is connected onto the opposite
end of the main drive shaft. It is normally supported by the drive chain and when the chain
breaks, the shoe drops and turns the shaft. The drive shaft brake pawl moves into the ratchet
wheel and stops the escalator when the guide shoe drops.

6.3.2.9 Safety Devices
(i) Emergency Stop Button (E-STOP)
An emergency stop button is provided at both the upper and lower landing of the escalator. This
covered button enables anyone to stop the escalator immediately in the event of an emergency.
Lifting the cover of the emergency stop button will trigger an alarm for five minutes or until the
escalator is restarted. To restart an elevator, release the Emergency Stop Button by using the
normal start-up procedure.
(ii) Caution Sign Boards & LED indicator
Caution sign boards can be found at the glass panel of the top and bottom landing of every
escalator at Summit Mall which must be noticeable by the users. The signs are in standard format
with identical size, wording and colors. On the other hand, green and red LED lights are
provided at the escalators to inform the users whether the escalators are going up or down.
6.4 Inclined Travelator
An Inclined travelator is a slow-moving conveyor mechanism that transports people or goods

across an inclined plane over a short to medium distance. Inclined travelators are usually
provided in shopping malls where shopping carts or trolleys need to be transported to different
levels. By transporting people continuously non-stop, travelators ensure smooth flow of people
through the building and has the capacity to handle high traffic. Summit Mall in USJ uses KONE
Inclined Travelators. The Inclined travelators in Summit are located next to Giant Mart to
provide an easy access to basement floors after shopping. It allows the users to bring their
shopping trolleys to their cars at basement levels.
Diagram 6.29 Travelator located at the lowerground floorfortransportation of goods to the basement
Diagram 6.30 Dimensions of Travelator used in Summit USJ
6.4.1 Safety equipment
(i) Handrail and Headroom Clearance

In Summit Mall USJ, the measurement for headroom measured vertically from the step nose line
and landing plates is 2500 mm which fulfilled the minimum requirement. The distance between
handrail and adjacent surfaces such as columns in Summit is 400mm. It is to ensure passengers
are free from any potential risk such as knocking some harmful object hence causing any
injuries.
(ii) Protective Barriers
Suitable structural measures are installed at the both ends of the inclined travelators to prevent
people from taking rides in between the escalators. These protective barriers act as guards that
are provided on the balustrading of travelator wherever necessary.
Diagram 6.31 Anti-Slide device installed to avoid sliding of objects or people

(iii) Head Guards
These head guards, known as apex guard’s aids in the
safety requirement of travelators, preventing
passengers’ heads getting trapped in between the
balustrade and the building structure. This might cause
unwanted accident in the mall.
Diagram 6.32 Head guards with striking red stripes
(iv) Emergency Stop Device
The emergency stop device is provided at both the
upper and lower landing of the Travelator. This covered
button enables users to stop the travelator immediately
in the event of an emergency.
Diagram 6.33 Emergency Stop Device installed at the side
of handrails to ease user triggering the brakes

Vertical transportation system

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