Overview
ISO 9589:1994 - Escalators - Building dimensions defines the spatial requirements for installing conventional escalators. The standard applies to escalators with a maximum nominal speed of 0.5 m/s, inclination angles of 30° or 35°, and a rise between 2 m and 6 m. It treats the machine room as part of the truss and provides the dimensional information needed to plan shafts, pits and headroom for standard escalator installations. The standard was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 178 (Lifts, escalators, passenger conveyors).
Key topics and requirements
- Scope limits: excludes escalators under special operational conditions (e.g., some public-traffic systems) and special designs such as spiral escalators or escalator–conveyor combinations.
- Applicable parameters: nominal speed (0.5 m/s), inclination (30° or 35°), and rise (2–6 m). Note: 35° installations may be restricted by national regulations.
- Dimensional tables: provides tabulated values for overall space (L + U and P) and well cut-out dimensions based on nominal step width.
- Well cut-out examples (dimensions in millimetres, as given in the standard):
- Nominal step width 600 mm → well cut-out approx. 1270 / 1240 mm
- Nominal step width 800 mm → well cut-out approx. 1470 / 1440 mm
- Nominal step width 1000 mm → well cut-out approx. 1670 / 1640 mm
(Standard notes that cut-out may be increased to meet ceiling-guard requirements in national regulations.)
- Key dimensional items illustrated: horizontal projection (L), lower and upper landings (N, U), distance between supports (M1), well cut-out (M2), pit dimension (P), floor height/rise (H) and nominal step width (z).
- Site surroundings: installation surroundings should conform to applicable national requirements.
Applications and users
ISO 9589:1994 is intended for professionals involved in the planning, design and installation of escalators:
- Architects and building designers sizing shafts and public spaces
- Lift/escalator manufacturers and installers for pre-installation dimensional checks
- Building services and structural engineers integrating escalators into trusses and machine rooms
- Project managers and planners for shopping centres, transit hubs and commercial buildings
- Regulatory and safety authorities as a reference for minimum space expectations (subject to national variations)
Related standards
- Prepared by ISO/TC 178, consult other standards from this committee for complementary requirements on lifts, escalators and passenger conveyors and for safety or performance specifications.
Keywords: ISO 9589, escalators building dimensions, escalator installation, well cut-out, step width, machine room, escalator inclination, rise, escalator design.