{"id":401,"date":"2026-10-03T16:06:57","date_gmt":"2026-10-03T16:06:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/recipestips.el-maarifa.com\/?p=401"},"modified":"2026-10-03T16:06:58","modified_gmt":"2026-10-03T16:06:58","slug":"the-real-reason-escalators-have-brushes-on-the-side","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/recipestips.el-maarifa.com\/?p=401","title":{"rendered":"The Real Reason Escalators Have Brushes on the Side"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Most of us have probably noticed the rows of black brushes running along the sides of an escalator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And let’s be honest\u2026 some people have probably used them to clean their shoes<\/strong>. \ud83d\udc5f\ud83d\ude02<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that’s not what they’re there for<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those brushes are called escalator skirt brushes<\/strong> or skirt deflector brushes<\/strong>, and their main purpose is actually safety<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\uded7 Why Are Those Brushes There?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There is a small gap between the moving escalator steps and the stationary side panel, known as the skirt panel<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That area can be dangerous if a person’s shoe, clothing, foot or another object gets too close.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The brushes act as a physical warning and deflector<\/strong>. They gently encourage passengers to move their feet away from the side of the escalator and toward the center of the step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc5f So They’re Not Shoe Cleaners?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Exactly! \ud83d\ude04<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can<\/em> technically brush your shoes against them, but that’s not their intended purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Otis describes its safety brushes as features that gently guide passengers away from the skirt panels<\/strong>, while the skirt panels themselves are designed to reduce friction and help prevent objects from being caught. OTIS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So the next time you’re standing on an escalator, those little brushes are basically saying:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPlease keep your feet away from the edge!\u201d<\/strong> \ud83d\udeab\ud83d\udc5f<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u26a0\ufe0f Why You Shouldn’t Drag Your Feet Along the Side<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It might feel harmless, but it’s better not to deliberately press your shoes against the brushes or side panel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Schindler specifically advises passengers not to drag their feet along the sides of an escalator<\/strong>, because a foot could become caught between the moving step and the side panel, potentially causing serious injury. schindler.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The brushes are there to help prevent that behavior\u2014not to encourage it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udd27 They’re Part of a Larger Safety System<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The brushes are only one of several safety features found on modern escalators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Depending on the design, escalators can also have:<\/p>\n\n\n\n