Building Transport System
Most multi-storied hotels have many floors above the ground floor and also one/two floors below the ground floor. Hence appropriate and efficient building transport systems are not only important but necessary also for operation. The systems should be a mix of manual and automatic operations.
There are two types of building transport system namely Vertical Transport System and Horizontal Transport System.
Vertical Transport System
- Stairs
- Elevators / Lifts
- Escalators (Moving Stairs)
- Gravity Chutes (for goods)
Stairs
This is the most common and essential for vertical movement of people and goods.
It is also mandatory as it is an escape route in case of fire in buildings.
In case of power failure, lifts do not operate and hence staircase is the only alternative for vertical movement.
It must be fireproof so that guests can safely exit to upper and lower building floors.
Provision of handrails and non-slip steps are recommended for safety purpose.
Elevators
An elevator is a transportation device used to transport people and goods vertically. Elevators are generally automatic safety units for up and down transport purpose. It consists of a platform travelling in vertical guides in a shaft with hoisting and lowering mechanism and a source of power. The enclosure moving up and down in the guides is known as car.
There are two types of lift systems.
Cable elevators – They are more common because they are fast, smooth and quite.
Hydraulic elevators – are elevators which are powered by a piston that travels inside a cylinder. An electric motor pumps hydraulic oil into the cylinder to move the piston. The piston smoothly lifts the elevator cab/car. They are used when the number of floors to be serviced is less.
The elevators require regular inspection and maintenance and generally have a life of 20 years.
Escalators
The term escalator is a combination of elevator and “scala” the latin word for steps.
Escalators are the moving step type lifts operating at constant speed between two levels in an inclined course for moving large number of people in a short time. It consists of a staircase whose steps move up and down on tracks which keep them horizontal. Most escalators also have a moving handrail which approximately keeps pace with the movement of the steps. The direction of movement (up and down) can be permanently the same or can be controlled by operators according to the requirement.
Generally two units are required side-by-side at each level, one moving upward and the other downward.
Gravity Chutes
Gravity chutes are used by hotels for transporting soiled linen, garbage and waste from different floors of the hotel to an outlet point (generally kept on the ground floor). It is an efficient system as minimum power is involved in operating it. Gravity chutes save workers motion, time and increase their productivity.
Horizontal Transport System
- Conveyor belts (moving sidewalk, moving walkway or travellator)
- Electric cars
- Manual trolley for transportation of luggage.
Travellators (Moving pavements)
Travellators also is known as horizontal moving sidewalks, moving walkways is a slow speed conveyor belt to transport people, they can walk along or stand on it.They are often installed in pairs, for movement in the opposite direction. Travellators may be used when there is a substantial distance between the hotel entry point and the reception point.
Electric Cars
An electric car is an electrically operated open car with 6 to 8 seats. This is an alternative to travellators and particularly very useful for disabled persons.
Manual Trolley
A manual trolley is used for transportation of luggage of guest.
