Overview
In recent years, TSASK has observed a dramatic increase in escalator component failures resulting in extensive repair costs and escalator downtime for individual escalator owners.
These failures and resulting damage are due to several factors, including less maintenance, reduced maintenance inspection frequencies, extended timeframes for specific safety component testing, and delayed scheduled routine maintenance checks.
In order to reduce the potential risk to the general public, TSASK is issuing this safety directive to all escalator owners requiring them to schedule, with their licensed elevator contractor, a more frequent external/internal escalator maintenance and inspection program, including the required annual Safety Code Category #1 periodic tests applicable to escalators.
The owner shall ensure that the following maintenance schedule is conducted upon each licensed escalator:
- All external escalator and operational maintenance checks are required to be performed on a minimum monthly basis.
- The internal escalator checks of all safety-related equipment and components are required to be completed a minimum of every two months.
- All current and future inspection test records are to be posted within the escalator controller area for TSASK inspection verification.
In order to ensure that all escalator safety checks and safety tests have been conducted recently, the attached Escalator Test Record is to be completed by your elevator maintenance contractor, and this record must be submitted to TSASK by July 1, 2023. Thereafter, this Escalator Test Record shall be submitted to TSASK annually by the licensed elevator contractor. The owner is responsible for ensuring these checks and tests are submitted to our office by the due date above.
We thank you for your cooperation in scheduling these safety inspections and tests and trust that this process will reduce the number of incidents that have been reported lately to our office.