Escalators to get their own maintenance regime, starting in November
Reuters file photo
SINGAPORE — From November, escalators here must be maintained monthly by contractors registered with the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), while their owners and contractors must report incidents involving death, injury or malfunctioning components to the authority from July 25.
The BCA on Friday (July 8) announced these regulations for escalators — which were previously unregulated — after more than a year of review to beef up safety standards, and benchmark lift and escalator regulations against international standards.
The new framework was not prompted by an increase in escalator mishaps here, said BCA’s chief executive officer Dr John Keung, noting that there were “not that many reported” cases in Singapore.
However, he added: “Overseas, there are some. That is why we are concerned. Before these happen (here), let’s make sure that we do all we can to make it as safe as possible.”
There are more than 6,000 escalators here, said the BCA.
Since December 2013, the BCA has been informed of four escalator incidents resulting in injuries. It has also issued six “Notices to Maintain” for escalators in the past five years
Under the new regulations, contractors must adhere to 10 specific outcomes during their maintenance regime, such as having sufficient lighting near escalator combs, operational emergency stop switches and sufficiently lubricated movable parts, joints and gear-boxes.
Seven of these escalator components are covered by the current code of practice for installing, maintaining and operating escalators, but their maintenance regime is not mandatory.
The new framework also requires contractors to ensure that the difference in speed between the escalator’s steps and handrails must not be more than 2 per cent, and that emergency stops will be activated when the escalator’s speed exceeds its rated speed by 20 per cent.
By November, escalator contractors must be registered with the BCA.
Escalator owners must also obtain a BCA permit, renewable yearly, to operate the escalators. Similar to lifts, each permit application must be submitted after an annual inspection and testing of the escalator by an authorised examiner, who is independent from the escalator contractor and owner.
The BCA may conduct an inspection or request additional documentation before issuing a permit.
From March 2018, these permits must be displayed prominently at or near the escalators.
Other regulations announced on Friday require escalator owners to write to the Commissioner of Buildings before any major alteration or replacement, and to keep maintenance records for at least five years. Escalator contractors are also required to install adequate barriers when escalators are not in operation.
