Why Escalator Skirt Brush Systems Matter
Every day, millions of people ride on modern escalators. A simple piece of equipment can greatly affect the safety and comfort level during these rides: the Escalator Skirt Brush. It is located on each side of the escalator step band and has many positive impacts on safety, maintenance efficiency, and compliance.
Understanding the type of escalator brush you choose has a major impact on your operations risk, your cost of lost productivity, and your brand reputation. As you read through this document, you will see the top benefits to property owners, the OEMs they work with and the maintenance contractors who service them.
1. Enhanced Passenger Safety
The primary reason for placing an Escalator Skirt Brush to ensure safety. The bristles form a soft, but solid, barrier between the moving steps and stationary skirt panel of the escalator to protect things from slipping into that gap; for example, shoes, clothes, and small items.
The majority of incidents of escalator entrapment can be attributed to children’s foot gear and loose clothing, according to research conducted in the industry. When properly specified, skirt brushes greatly reduce the possibility of these types of accidents. To get a complete understanding of how skirt brushes work to prevent these types of accidents, see the how do skirt brushes prevent entrapment risks.
Significant contributions of skirt brushes to safety include:
- Keeping footwear out of the dangerous step-to-skirt gap
- Alerting passengers using tactile feedback to remain positioned centrally
- Complying with safety codes EN 115 and ASME A17.1
2. Reduced Maintenance Costs and Downtime
In addition to safety, there are also significant financial advantages of installing a high-quality escalator brush. Debris, grit, and fabric fibers that enter the skirt gap can significantly increase wear and tear on internal parts. The brush acts as a barrier to contaminants, preventing them from damaging parts of the escalator.
After upgrading their escalator brush strips, facility managers have consistently reported fewer emergency service calls. The long-term savings from upgrading escalator brushes can be found in detail in the Guide for Reducing Escalator Maintenance Costs.
Cost Impact Comparison
| Metric | No Skirt Brush | With Skirt Brush |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Unplanned Downtime | 12–18 hours | 3–5 hours |
| Step Chain Wear Rate | High | Low |
| Cleaning Frequency | Weekly | Bi-Weekly |
| Safety Inspection Pass Rate | Variable | High |
3. Compliance With International Safety Codes
As regulatory pressure continues to grow, worldwide regulatory guidance for escalators such as EN 115-1; ASME A17.1; and GB 16899 reference the use of protective devices known as Deflector Devices which are mounted on the skirt of the escalator.
Installing a certified Skirt Brush will help operators remain compliant and avoid severe penalties when undergoing safety compliance assessments such these were cited from. Maintaining uniformity in operations throughout multiple regions allows owners or managers of a building with a property in several regions to use the same approved product specification to be used in any of those regions.
4. Equipment Lifespan Extension
A properly designed strip brush performs as the initial defence mechanism for the mechanical interior of an escalator. A properly-designed strip brush prevents contaminants from entering the escalator thus protecting step rollers, roller chains and skirt panels and preserving the escalators mechanical integrity.
Operators in high-traffic locations such as airports, transportation hubs and malls have found these benefits:
- Greater intervals between major rebuilds of equipment
- Greater spans of time between the replacement of skirt panels on equipment
- Slower wear on step edges
- Cleaner internal mechanisms
5. Versatility Across Escalator Models
Today’s Escalator Skirt Brushes are compatible with nearly every escalator manufacturer such as Otis KONE, Schindler, Mitsubishi, and Hitachi. These products can be customized to meet specific installation requirements based upon differences in the height of the bristles, the type of material used for the base, and the angle of attachment.
Some of the Specifics (H3)
- Material of Base: Aluminum Alloys or PVC
- Material of Bristles: Polypropylene filament with steel wire cores
- Height of Bristles: 4 – 9 cm
- Angle of Attachment: Single row or double row configuration
This flexibility allows OEMs and maintenance teams to source one reliable supplier for diverse projects, simplifying procurement.
6. Easy Installation and Replacement
The skirt brushes for escalators install easily, with no difficult tools or long down time. Most installs are done within just a couple of hours, limiting the disruption for people that need to use the escalators.
Maintenance crews like being able to judge how much time is left before a brush needs to be replaced because they can see if there are any bent or missing bristles, making it easier to schedule when they will replace them (predictive maintenance).
7. Appearance will look good and professional
While appearance may not seem important to some, in premium retail/hospitality spaces it’s very important. Having a clean, uniform escalator brush strip on both sides of the escalator step gives it a finished and professional look. This creates an impression on the passenger regarding how important the operator places upon passenger safety.
When To Replace Your Escalator Skirt Brush
All skirt brushes will need eventually to be replaced. Common reasons you would need to replace include:
- Evidence of bristle deflection (becoming bent) or fraying
- Brisket height falls below 60%
- Loose or damaged base channel
- Annual scheduled maintenance cycle
Proactive replacement costs far less than reactive repairs following an incident.
Conclusion
Although the Escalator Skirt Brush is a small part of an escalator system, it has a demonstrable impact on safety, code compliance, cost savings, and equipment longevity. The B2B buyer, whether sourcing for new installations or retrofitting existing escalators, will find that high-quality skirt brushes provide measurable returns on their investment and protect the safety of the people using escalators every day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How long does an Escalator Skirt Brush typically last?
Most quality skirt brushes last 2–4 years depending on passenger traffic, environmental conditions, and cleaning frequency at the installation site.
Q2: Can one skirt brush model fit different escalator brands?
Yes, most strip brush products offer adjustable mounting bases compatible with Otis, KONE, Schindler, Mitsubishi, and other major escalator manufacturers worldwide.
Q3: Is professional installation required for escalator brush strip replacement?
While skilled technicians ensure best results, the process is straightforward and typically completes within hours, minimizing disruption to building operations and tenants.
