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Inspecting and servicing escalators

URN: SEMEM351
Business Sectors (Suites): Engineering Maintenance Suite 3
Developed by: Enginuity
Approved on: 2021

Overview

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This standard identifies the competences you need to carry out routine inspection and servicing of escalator installations, in accordance with approved procedures. You will be required to carry out routine inspection, adjustment and lubrication of escalator installations, including minor repair work, the routine replacement of components and servicing of escalator equipment. This servicing will be carried out to ensure that the escalator performs at optimal level and functions to specification, and that down time is minimised.

Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policy and procedures for the inspection and servicing activities undertaken, and to report any problems with the servicing activities, or the tools and equipment used that you cannot personally resolve, or that are outside your permitted authority, to the relevant people. You must ensure that all tools, equipment, and materials used in the servicing activities are removed from the work area on completion of the activities, and that all necessary job/task documentation is completed accurately and legibly. You will be expected to work with minimal supervision, taking personal responsibility for your own actions, and for the quality and accuracy of the work that you carry out.

Your underpinning knowledge will provide a good understanding of your work, and will provide an informed approach to applying planned servicing procedures on escalator equipment. You will understand the process of developing planned servicing, and its application, and will know about the servicing criteria, in adequate depth to provide a sound basis for carrying out the activities safely and effectively, and for ensuring that the system is maintained to the required specification and remains compliant with all standards and regulations. You will also be expected to report where the outcome of the servicing identifies the need for further investigation or maintenance work.

You will understand the safety precautions required when carrying out the inspection and servicing activities, especially those for isolating the equipment. You will be required to demonstrate safe working practices throughout, and will understand your responsibility for taking the necessary safeguards to protect yourself and others in the workplace.

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

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  1. work safely at all times, complying with health and safety legislation and other relevant regulations, directives and guidelines
  2. follow the relevant servicing schedules to carry out the required work
  3. carry out the inspection and servicing activities within the limits of your personal authority
  4. carry out the inspection and servicing activities in the specified sequence and in an agreed timescale
  5. report any instances where the inspection and servicing activities cannot be fully met or where there are identified defects outside the planned schedule
  6. complete and store all relevant servicing documentation in accordance with organisational requirements
  7. dispose of waste materials in accordance with safe working practices and approved procedures and leave the work area in a safe condition

Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

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  1. the health and safety requirements of the area in which the escalator inspection and servicing activity is to take place
  2. the isolation procedures or permit-to-work procedure that applies to the escalator equipment being serviced
  3. the specific health and safety precautions to be applied during the planned servicing procedure, and their effects on others
  4. the importance of wearing protective clothing and other appropriate safety equipment (PPE) during servicing process
  5. hazards associated with carrying out planned servicing activities on escalators (such as handling oils/greases, stored pressure/force, misuse of tools), and how to minimise them and reduce any risks
  6. what constitutes a hazardous voltage and how to recognise victims of electric shock
  7. how to reduce the risks of a phase to earth shock (such as insulated tools, rubber matting, isolating transformers)
  8. where to obtain, and how to interpret, drawings, specifications, manufacturers' manuals, servicing schedules and other documents needed for the servicing activities
  9. the various planned servicing schedules that are generally used (such as condition based servicing, scheduled servicing, calendar based servicing, total preventative maintenance (TPM))
  10. the procedure for obtaining the consumables to be used during planned servicing activity
  11. the appropriate testing procedures to be adopted during servicing
  12. the appropriate inspection techniques and procedures to be adopted during servicing
  13. how to identify excessive wear and damage of components
  14. how to make adjustments to components/assemblies to ensure they function to specification
  15. the principles and functions of all escalator components
  16. how to complete servicing records/logs/reports which comply with organisational policy and procedures
  17. the problems associated with carrying out planned servicing, and how to resolve them
  18. the correct and safe procedure to be adopted for the disposal of waste of all types of material
  19. the extent of your own responsibility and to whom you should report if you have problems that you cannot resolve

Scope/range

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  1. Carry out all of the following during the inspection and servicing activities:

    1. plan and communicate the inspection and servicing activities to cause minimal disruption to normal operation
    2. obtain and use the correct issue of organisational and/or manufacturers' drawings and servicing documentation
    3. adhere to procedures or systems in place for risk assessment, COSHH, personal protective equipment and other relevant safety regulations and procedures to realise a safe system of work
    4. ensure the safe isolation of equipment (such as mechanical, electricity)
    5. provide and maintain safe access and working arrangements for the inspection and servicing area
    6. follow the approved maintenance schedule for inspecting and servicing escalators
    7. carry out the inspection and servicing activities using appropriate techniques and procedures
    8. reinstate and return the escalator to service on completion of the inspection and servicing activities
    9. ensure that any potential defects are identified and reported for future action
    10. dispose of waste materials in accordance with safe working practices and approved procedures and leave the work area in a safe condition

  2. Carry out planned inspection and servicing activities on all of the following:

    1. gearbox     
    2. brake equipment  
    3. controller        
    4. balustrades and decking
    5. motor            
    6. step chains             
    7. guideways   
    8. comb plate and step mechanism
    9. step rollers     
    10. handrail drive       
    11. safety devices  
    12. newels and guides
    13. steps            
    14. skirtings

  3. Follow planned servicing activities, using one of the following types of servicing schedule:

    1. condition based servicing        
    2. calendar based servicing
    3. scheduled servicing                    
    4. total preventative maintenance (TPM)
    5. preventative planned maintenance

  4. Carry out all of the following planned servicing activities:

    1. checking operation of escalator            
    2. removing excessive dirt, grime and rubbish
    3. making routine adjustments                     
    4. monitoring component condition/deterioration
    5. visual examination and test equipment against servicing schedule
    6. making other sensory checks (such as sound, touch, smell)
    7. checking the condition of bearings, oil seals, guards, brushes, brakes, electrical equipment, drive chains, sprockets
    8. check clearances and alignment of running/sliding components
    9. replenish/replace consumables (such as grease, lubricants, lights, gaskets and seals)
    10. test and review escalator operation, including safety and alarm systems
    11. record the results of the servicing and report any defects found

  5. Carry out inspecting and servicing in compliance with all of the following:

    1. contractual drawing                                                
    2. customer standards
    3. British and/or European standards                          
    4. organisational procedures and schedules
    5. equipment manufacturer's operating range               
    6. legal requirements

  6. Ensure that the maintained equipment meets all of the following:

    1. all components and sub-assemblies are fit for purpose
    2. all connections are mechanically and electrically safe and sound
    3. equipment operates within acceptable limits for safe operation
    4. equipment remains compliant with all standards and regulations

  7. Complete and store all relevant maintenance documentation in accordance with organisational requirements, using one of the following:

    1. job cards
    2. servicing log or report
    3. permit to work/formal risk assessment and/or sign-on/off procedures
    4. organisational-specific documentation
    5. electronic records

Scope Performance

Scope Knowledge

Values

Behaviours

Skills

Glossary

Links To Other NOS

External Links

Version Number

3

Indicative Review Date

2024

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

Enginuity

Original URN

SEMEM351

Relevant Occupations

Maintenance Engineers

SOC Code

5223

Keywords

Engineering; manufacturing; maintenance; escalators; servicing; inspection; schedule service; adjustment; operation; safety system