Custom Escalator Brush Strip Solutions

Why Customization Matters for Escalator Brush Strips

All escalators have a very diverse specific design; thus, there can be significant differences among manufacturers such as Otis, KONE, Schindler, and Mitsubishi with regards to width, skirt panel angle, bristle density, and aluminum backing profile. While a generic escalator brush strip may be installed, the reality is that it will usually not be performing at its best.

Custom fabrication helps to eliminate three reoccurring pain points from a practical perspective:

• Mismatch in mounting channel and provides an unstable fitting.
• Stiff bristles which do not suit passenger traffic levels.
• Too short for brush height; therefore, there exists a gap.

A skirt brush engineered correctly can fill in gaps and build a firmly established safety barrier between the moving steps of the escalator and the stationary skirt panels.

Specifications to Configure

Buyers looking for customized brush strips should consider several parameters when acquiring a customized brush strip. The table below presents details on the most frequently requested configurations.

Bristle Selection Guidelines

Choice of filament usually determines how well the escalator will perform in use. For escalators in public transportation terminals, where the passenger volume of escalators is typically quite high, stiffer nylon 612 filament used in the bristles (brush strip) would provide the best anti-entrapment performance due to the increased force exerted during operation. For escalators inside shopping malls, where the volume of people using escalators is typically lower, standard nylon 6 filament would provide adequate performance. A double row of bristles in a reinforced Escalator Skirt Brush would provide even greater anti-entrapment performance for escalators that experience a high volume of traffic.

Custom brush strips are often ordered in response to the unique characteristics of each application, depending on the type of facility and the nature of the work being done. In terms of procurement, there are many common applications where custom brush strips can be found:

• High-traffic passenger areas, such as airports or metro stations, require durable, abrasion-resistant filaments.
• Aesthetic considerations, including the use of colour-matching brush strips for shopping centres.
• The need for compliance with EN 115 and ASME A17.1 safety codes in hospitals and municipal buildings, including ramps for people with disabilities.
• Use of corrosion-resistant stainless steel backings on cruise ships and marine structures.

The limitations of mass-produced (MX) brush products can be exposed when they are placed within the operational process of either an escalator or another application. A custom straight strip brush manufactured using the correct type of backing and filament density will last longer than a MX-produced product.

How Custom Brush Strips Improve Cost-Efficiency and Safety

When properly configured, brush strips can provide additional operational savings beyond simple fit. Choosing the correctly specified brush strip can reduce unplanned shutdowns and also reduce emergency replacement, warranty claims, and ultimately lead to lower maintenance costs. For detailed information on reducing escalator brush maintenance costs, refer to our guide on that subject.

Safety Performance

Protecting passengers is still the main goal for Brush Bristle Size. Proper-sized brush bristles make it difficult for passengers to stand too close to the skirt panel. Research has been conducted that shows that correct height and density for the brushes’ bristles, along with field data from previous training, have a significant impact on the number of entrapments of shoes and/or clothes. This analysis will go into more detail about skirt brush entrapment prevention (further discussed in the Analysis Section of this report).

Long-Term Value

Under regular use, custom-engineered strips can be expected to endure as long as 2–3 years, while poorly fitted alternatives have an average life expectancy of 12–18 months. The full operational benefits of escalator skirt brushes are also presented with a summary of return on investment (ROI) improvements for all buildings in the portfolio.

What You Should Provide To Get A Quote From A Supplier

Suppliers need to know exact specifications to provide the right product for you. Buyers should be able to provide suppliers with the following:

• Escalator Manufacturer and Model Number
• Sample of Current Brush or Images of Mounting Channel
• Total length (linear meters) to be supplied
• Environment of operation (indoors or outdoors) and long-term exposure to atmospheric conditions (humidity and temperature)
• Applicable code approvals (e.g. EN 115, ASME A17.1, GB 16899)

Providing this information upfront will decrease lead times and provide fewer costly design changes during production.

Manufacturing and Quality Control Considerations

A qualified supplier uses their own extrusion, molding, fabrication and finishing capabilities. Examples of key quality standards are:

• The Pull-out force of bristles should be greater than 4 kg per tuft.
• Filaments with UV stabilization for use in outdoor installations
• Burr-free aluminum extrusion to reduce damage to the bristles
• Bristles will be aligned to within an allowable tolerance of ±1mm

A credible manufacturer will provide third-party test results and a sample prior to beginning large scale production.

Conclusion

Custom made escalator brush strip answers are not an unnecessary expense, but they are an essential item to protect any operator’s interest in safety, compliance and lifecycle costs. When specifications and operating conditions match up, measurable increases in safety for passengers and reduced expenses for maintenance can be expected.

FAQs

Q1: What is an estimated lead time for custom-made escalator brushes?

Generally, custom orders will usually take the same amount of time as standard products – approximately 10-20 working days after every manufacture and testing certification has been completed.

Q2: Will custom brush strips work with older models of escalators?

Yes. By utilising the new sample or reference, experienced manufacturers will reproduce discontinued mounting profiles.

Q3: How many custom brush strips must be ordered for a manufacturer’s minimum quantity?

Minimum order quantities usually start around 500 meters, though some suppliers accommodate smaller pilot batches for new clients or trial installations.