Handrails
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Handrail Troubleshooting
Appearance
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The handrail has a large crack in the lip area.
The lip area of a handrail is subjected to the highest stress loads when the handrail is bent forward and backward in the
escalator drive/guide system. Large cracks in the lip area can be caused by a number of factors:
1. Handrail tension is too high. This will force the handrail to run hotter and bend very
tightly around the guides and rollers within the escalator.
2. Handrail tension is too low. This can cause the handrail to bend in an uncontrolled
manner, causing the handrail to kink rather than bend smoothly as designed.
3. Improperly tracked handrails. This can cause the fabric to be worn away from the
lip, reducing the strength in this area and causing premature failure.
Any handrail that has a crack in the lip area should be replaced or repaired as soon as possible for passenger safety
reasons. The unit should be thoroughly inspected prior to handrail replacement to ensure that there are no running
conditions present that have caused the failure, otherwise the new handrail may be subjected to premature failure as well.
There are many small cracks appearing throughout the handrail cover.
This is known as “weather checking” and is generally associated with handrails that have been in service for a very
long time. It is an indication that the rubber cover material is beginning to break down and can no longer withstand the
frequent forward and backward bending that the escalator is applying during normal operation. Exposure to the elements
will accelerate this process. This process can be further accelerated if improper cleaning agents are used to clean the
handrails. Never use any cleaning product without first consulting EHC with regards to its suitability as a handrail cleaner.
Any handrail that is beginning to show weather checking cracks should be carefully monitored as these can worsen and
cause large cracks that become a safety hazard for passengers. Plan to replace these handrails in the near future.
There are bumps appearing on the surface of the handrail along the drive path.
The bumps on the handrail cover along the drive path are the result of the inner layers of the handrail separating. This is
known as delamination. The bumps appear when the material within the handrail, between the layers gets pushed along
by the drive system and accumulates in one concentrated area. The primary cause of delamination in handrails is incorrect
drive pressure settings.
There are rare instances when this could be a material/manufacturing issue, however the drive system should be
inspected/adjusted immediately to prevent further damage. Once delamination occurs, there is no way to repair the
handrail. If the lumps are large enough they may trip the escalator inlet switch. The best course of action is to replace
any handrail with delamination as soon as possible, after ensuring the drive system is set up according to manufacturer’s
specifications.
Cover
Guide
Fabric
Lip
