In most modern buildings, escalators or lifts have become common. These mechanised modes of indoor transportation provide efficient and quick movement of people inside the building. They are used continuously throughout the day by people of all ages and mostly do not need supervision. Both escalators and lifts are designed and planned according to the structure of the place. The design must follow strict standards to ensure user safety and prevent accidents from taking place. Needless to say, they must be tested before being installed.
Be it a residential or commercial property, escalators and lifts can be installed in different places. While each has its pros and cons, here are some factors to consider when deciding whether escalators or lifts are suitable for different places:
Expense
Installing either an escalator or lift is not a one-time investment. Besides maintenance, there are everyday utility costs to take care of. These incurring expenses, however, differ. Escalators must always remain powered to ensure efficiency, which means that the running cost will be higher than an elevator. A lift will consume utility as it functions and is usually called above or below with buttons.
Space
No matter which building they are being installed in, the space available matters. Most buildings can have lifts easily installed, even in narrow spaces. However, escalators require more room and area to function. A lift will be better suited for goods, luggage, or even people that need to be quickly transported within the building with many floors. Such facilities can include workshops, hotels, corporate offices, residential buildings, and supermarkets.
However, some of these places may have escalators too. Escalators can accommodate more people as compared to lifts. Places that commonly have escalators include malls, public buildings, airports, transit stations.
Pros and Cons
Lifts can be quicker than escalators and move up many floors at a time. They are more accessible and have fewer safety issues as compared to escalators. Lifts have a weight limit, but it is mostly higher than escalators, making it easier to carry goods through lifts. There are many types of lifts that suit different requirements. They are better for accessibility purposes as many people may find it challenging to get on escalators. Lifts can be installed at very tall buildings with numerous floors or even homes!
Unfortunately, lifts can only accommodate a certain number of people, and others usually wait till the lift arrives. It is better to install escalators at places with high footfall so people can move quickly within the floors of the space. Escalators are used for shorter distances between each floor; passengers get off one and climb another to continue their journey. Lifts are connected to multiple floors, and occupants do not have to get off each floor to get into another lift.
Though both mechanisms can be installed at many places, lifts offer more accessibility and speed than escalators. They are safer and have been around for a long time. On the other hand, escalators are more suitable for places with limited floors and high footfall.