CET Escalator & Moving Walk Systems 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the maximum allowable angle of inclination for a standard passenger escalator per ASME A17.1?
- 25 degrees
- 30 degrees
- 35 degrees (Correct answer)
- 45 degrees
Correct answer: 35 degrees
ASME A17.1 permits escalator inclination angles of 30 degrees or less, with 35 degrees allowed under specific conditions for short-rise units.
Question 2: On a moving walk, the pallet or belt speed must not exceed which value when the angle of inclination exceeds 3 degrees?
- 100 ft/min
- 125 ft/min (Correct answer)
- 140 ft/min
- 150 ft/min
Correct answer: 125 ft/min
ASME A17.1 limits inclined moving walk speed to 125 ft/min when the angle exceeds 3 degrees to ensure passenger safety.
Question 3: Which component on an escalator transmits drive force from the main drive shaft to the step chain?
- Newel sprocket
- Step roller
- Drive sprocket (Correct answer)
- Tension carriage
Correct answer: Drive sprocket
The drive sprocket is keyed to the main drive shaft and meshes with the step chain to propel the steps.
Question 4: What is the purpose of the escalator's broken step-chain device?
- Stops the escalator when a step rises above flush
- Stops the escalator if the step chain breaks or elongates excessively (Correct answer)
- Prevents reverse operation
- Detects handrail speed deviation
Correct answer: Stops the escalator if the step chain breaks or elongates excessively
A broken step-chain device monitors chain tension and triggers an emergency stop if the chain breaks or stretches beyond safe limits.
Question 5: The handrail speed on an escalator must be maintained within what tolerance of step speed?
- ±1%
- ±2%
- ±5% (Correct answer)
- ±10%
Correct answer: ±5%
ASME A17.1 requires handrail speed to be within ±2% of step speed to prevent passenger imbalance, though some codes cite 0–2% above step speed.
Question 6: Which ASME A17.1 safety device prevents an escalator from operating in reverse when designed for one direction only?
- Overspeed governor
- Reversal stop device (Correct answer)
- Broken step-chain device
- Phase failure relay
Correct answer: Reversal stop device
A reversal stop device detects unintended reverse motion and initiates an emergency stop to prevent accidents.
Question 7: What minimum illumination level is required at the escalator landing area per ASME A17.1?
- 5 foot-candles
- 10 foot-candles (Correct answer)
- 15 foot-candles
- 50 foot-candles
Correct answer: 10 foot-candles
ASME A17.1 requires a minimum of 10 foot-candles at the escalator landing and step tread areas to ensure visibility.
CET Escalator & Moving Walk Systems 2
What is the maximum allowable angle of inclination for a standard passenger escalator per ASME A17.1?