Most of us have probably noticed the rows of black brushes running along the sides of an escalator.
And let’s be honest… some people have probably used them to clean their shoes. 👟😂
But that’s not what they’re there for.
Those brushes are called escalator skirt brushes or skirt deflector brushes, and their main purpose is actually safety.
🛗 Why Are Those Brushes There?
There is a small gap between the moving escalator steps and the stationary side panel, known as the skirt panel.
That area can be dangerous if a person’s shoe, clothing, foot or another object gets too close.
The brushes act as a physical warning and deflector. They gently encourage passengers to move their feet away from the side of the escalator and toward the center of the step.
Schindler explains that its skirt brushes are mounted just above the moving steps to help keep passengers from placing their feet against the step-to-skirt interface and to reduce the risk of entrapment. schindler.com
👟 So They’re Not Shoe Cleaners?
Exactly! 😄
You can technically brush your shoes against them, but that’s not their intended purpose.
Otis describes its safety brushes as features that gently guide passengers away from the skirt panels, while the skirt panels themselves are designed to reduce friction and help prevent objects from being caught. OTIS
So the next time you’re standing on an escalator, those little brushes are basically saying:
“Please keep your feet away from the edge!” 🚫👟
⚠️ Why You Shouldn’t Drag Your Feet Along the Side
It might feel harmless, but it’s better not to deliberately press your shoes against the brushes or side panel.
Schindler specifically advises passengers not to drag their feet along the sides of an escalator, because a foot could become caught between the moving step and the side panel, potentially causing serious injury. schindler.com
The brushes are there to help prevent that behavior—not to encourage it.
🔧 They’re Part of a Larger Safety System
The brushes are only one of several safety features found on modern escalators.
Depending on the design, escalators can also have:
- 🟡 Yellow comb fingers at the entrance and exit
- 🚨 Emergency stop buttons
- 💡 Step-gap or under-step lighting
- ⚙️ Step monitoring systems
- 🛑 Comb-plate detectors
- 🔒 Skirt switches
- ✋ Handrail safety systems
These features work together to reduce the risk of accidents and entrapment. schindler.com
🤯 A Small Detail With an Important Job
So the next time you see those brushes, don’t think:
“Nice place to clean my shoes.” 😂
Think:
“That’s a safety feature keeping my feet away from a dangerous gap.”
A tiny row of bristles can have a much more important purpose than it first appears.
👇 DID YOU KNOW THIS?
Be honest…
Have you ever used the escalator brushes to clean your shoes? 👟😂
YES 😂 — I thought that’s what they were for!
NO — I knew they were for safety!
Tell us in the comments! 👇