Typical means of transport in buildings are:
Escalator (also moving staircase) is a special conveyor designed for transporting persons between different height levels. It works on the principle of chain-connected steps circulating along a fixed track, allowing the step threads to remain horizontal. The chain conveyor is usually accompanied with a pair of handrails, which forms an escalator. The device is commonly driven by an asynchronous motor.
Escalators are used in subway stations, large shopping centres and other buildings with the need for transport of masses of people. The speed of the escalators is usually between 0.27 and 0.55 m/s; EU standard specifies the maximum speed as 0.75 m/s. Compared to elevator, escalator has a higher transport capacity.
Escalators are equipped with emergency stop buttons, which anyone can use. At least two emergency stop buttons should be installed on both ends of an escalator. Operational start of an escalator can be done manually by its operator or based on detection of the onset of a person.
Travellator (moving walkway) is based on the same mechanical principle as escalator. I tis used for horizontal transport or inclined transport of people.
In comparison with escalator, travellator is used for smaller inclination transport and for horizontal transport. Surface of a travellator is simply a plane, and no elevated steps are formed.
Inclined plane design is commonly used in commercial centres. Horizontal design is often used to speed up passenger transport over longer distances (e.g. in airport corridors).
Elevator (lift) is a transportation mean for lifting persons or goods in vertical or diagonal direction along a fixed path. Elevator is basically a platform that is towed or pushed by a mechanical system, usually ropes, chains or hydraulic systems. Modern elevators consist of a cabin placed in the elevator shaft.
In the past, elevators were powered by water, steam or even human power; today, electric drives are used almost exclusively.
Elevator control is based on signals from control panels placed inside the cabin and at each stop of the elevator shaft. When passengers enter the cabin, the elevator is operated by pressing of a button or touch sensor. Older types of elevators respond to a request individually and accept another request only after the previous request has been finished. New types of elevators allow recording of multiple requests and on their way they can stop at several floors/levels.
Control panels also inform the passengers about the movement of the elevator both inside the cabin and at each stop. In order to start the operation, safety conditions have to be met.
In the case of failure, control panel allows the passengers to call for help. Control panels at each elevator stops are usually equipped with two buttons for direction of the desired movement, and they also show information about the current movement of the elevator. Based on the logic applied, the elevator, which is passing the stop, can take on more passengers who wish to travel in the same direction. In the case of managing a group of elevators, it is possible to call the nearest one.
If some of the elevator stops should have restricted accessibility, the control panel could require the use of mechanical key, chip card or password to allow the movement to the desired stop.