What is the maximum allowable gap between an escalator step and the skirt panel?

The maximum allowable gap between an escalator step and the skirt panel is specified to be 3/16 inches. This measurement is critical for safety reasons, as an excessive gap could pose a risk of entrapment or injury to users, particularly for small children or individuals with mobility issues.

Using 3/16 inches as the standard allows sufficient clearance to ensure that no part of the escalator mechanism interferes with the safe exit of the user while also minimizing the risk of clothing or body parts getting caught in the gap. This dimension is established and enforced in elevator and escalator safety codes and regulations to maintain a high standard of safety for all users.

Other gaps larger than this, such as 1/4 or 1/2 inches, would not meet safety standards and could potentially lead to dangerous situations, making 3/16 inches the optimum measurement for this application.