What affects the price of an escalator: the questions we ask before a quote

Below is a list of what affects the quote. There are no figures in it, but you can see what you are paying for.

The escalator itself

The main factor here is the rise. The higher the level, the longer the truss (the escalator's load-bearing structure), and so the more steel, steps, chain and handrail. A long truss may also need an intermediate support.

Next comes the step width: 600, 800 or 1000 mm. A wider escalator is heavier and more expensive, but it carries more people. At the standard speed of 0.5 m/s, a width of 1000 mm theoretically gives about 9000 persons per hour, but the real flow is lower: for planning, the EN 115 standard assumes 6000. If that many people do not gather in your hall, we will tell you so, because there is no point paying for empty steps.

The inclination is either 30 or 35 degrees. The steeper angle is possible for a rise of up to 6 m at a speed of up to 0.5 m/s: the truss is then shorter, and floor space in the hall is freed up. Above 6 m, only 30 degrees is possible.

The series depends on the operating duty, which is why we ask how many hours a day the escalator will run. A shopping centre closes in the evening, and the commercial series is enough for it. Metro systems and railway stations operate from morning till night every day, so they need the heavy-duty public transport series, which costs more.

The balustrade finish does not affect the load-bearing part. It does affect the cost estimate and the look of the hall: whether it is glass or stainless steel, and whether lighting is needed.

Building

An outdoor escalator stands in the rain and frost. Its components need protection, and water has to be drained away from the bottom of the truss. None of this is needed indoors.

With the floor opening, everything depends on the stage. If the building is still on paper, the opening is designed for the chosen model, and the issue goes away. If the floor slab has already been poured, it will have to be cut, and sometimes the beams strengthened as well. We will tell you straight away which of this is included in our quote and what remains with the general contractor.

Transport and installation

The truss is long and heavy, so we calculate delivery based on its length and check the route all the way to the installation point: turns, clearance heights, where to unload. If the truss cannot get through in one piece, it is delivered in sections and joined on site.

Installation varies too. On a construction site, the truss is usually lifted in by crane while there is still access from above. In a shopping centre that is already open, there is often nowhere to put a crane, so it has to be brought in with winches, often at night. The scope of work is completely different, and it shows in the cost estimate.

What we ask before a quote

• The height between floors or the levels on the drawing.
• What stage the building is at: design, structural frame or already in use.
• How many people you expect and how many hours a day the escalator will run.
• Where it will stand: indoors or outdoors.
• Whether you have any wishes for the balustrade, and when you need it up and running.

Don't know some of this yet? No problem: our site survey and quote are free, and an engineer will take the measurements on site. You can send the details via our contacts page or give them to us by phone on +38 050 585-39-28.

We supply and install Can - LIFTPORTAL (China) escalators. We have written separately about who is responsible for what and where these escalators are already running: how to buy an escalator. The types of installation are shown on the Escalators and moving walks page.