Certified Escalator Maintenance
Technician Exam Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download
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1. What is the primary purpose of an escalator step chain?
A. To control handrail color
B. To support the truss
C. To connect and move the steps through the escalator loop
D. To operate the emergency lighting
Answer: C. To connect and move the steps through the escalator loop
Rationale: The step chain mechanically connects the escalator steps and transfers
motion from the drive system to move the steps around the upper and lower turns.
Proper chain lubrication, alignment, tension, and inspection are essential for
reliable operation.
2. Which component normally provides the traction necessary to move an
escalator handrail?
A. Handrail drive system
B. Comb plate
C. Step roller
D. Balustrade glass
Answer: A. Handrail drive system
Rationale: The handrail drive system transfers mechanical power to the handrail so
that it travels at the required relationship to the steps. Maintenance personnel
,inspect the drive components, rollers, belts, chains, and handrail surface for wear or
slippage.
3. What is the main function of the escalator comb plate?
A. To support the motor
B. To guide passengers onto and off the moving steps and bridge the transition to
the landing
C. To lubricate the step chain
D. To adjust the handrail speed
Answer: B. To guide passengers onto and off the moving steps and bridge the
transition to the landing
Rationale: The comb plate provides the transition between the moving steps and
the stationary landing. Its teeth engage with the step grooves and help reduce the
possibility of objects becoming trapped at the step-to-landing interface.
4. Which condition requires immediate attention during an escalator
inspection?
A. Normal handrail surface wear
B. Minor cosmetic discoloration
C. A missing or damaged comb tooth
D. Slight dust on a balustrade
Answer: C. A missing or damaged comb tooth
Rationale: A missing, broken, or significantly damaged comb tooth can create a
hazardous gap where footwear or other objects may become trapped. Such defects
require prompt evaluation and correction according to the applicable maintenance
requirements.
5. What is the primary purpose of an escalator emergency stop device?
A. To increase passenger capacity
B. To stop escalator movement during an emergency or hazardous condition
,C. To reset the controller automatically
D. To lubricate the drive chain
Answer: B. To stop escalator movement during an emergency or hazardous
condition
Rationale: Emergency stop devices provide a means of stopping the escalator when
an unsafe condition is observed. Technicians must verify that these devices operate
correctly and that the escalator does not restart unexpectedly.
6. Before beginning maintenance on an escalator, what is the most important
safety action?
A. Remove the handrail
B. Increase motor speed
C. Establish proper isolation and lockout/tagout of hazardous energy
D. Open all access panels simultaneously
Answer: C. Establish proper isolation and lockout/tagout of hazardous energy
Rationale: Escalators contain electrical, mechanical, and potentially stored energy.
Proper lockout/tagout prevents unexpected startup or movement while technicians
are working and is one of the fundamental requirements for safe maintenance.
7. Which component is designed to support and guide the steps as they travel
through the escalator?
A. Step tracks
B. Comb teeth
C. Handrail inlet
D. Skirt guard
Answer: A. Step tracks
Rationale: Step tracks guide the step rollers and maintain the intended path of the
steps through the upper transition, inclined section, lower transition, and return
path. Damaged or misaligned tracks can cause abnormal noise, vibration, or
derailment.
, 8. What is the principal function of an escalator skirt panel?
A. To contain the motor oil
B. To form the side surface adjacent to the moving steps
C. To operate the emergency stop
D. To drive the handrail
Answer: B. To form the side surface adjacent to the moving steps
Rationale: The skirt panel forms the stationary side surface next to the moving
steps. Its condition, clearance, alignment, and relationship to the steps are
important because excessive gaps or damaged surfaces can create entrapment
hazards.
9. What should a technician do if an escalator produces an unusual grinding
noise?
A. Ignore it if passengers can still ride
B. Increase the operating speed
C. Investigate the source and determine whether the escalator should be removed
from service
D. Apply lubricant to every component without inspection
Answer: C. Investigate the source and determine whether the escalator should be
removed from service
Rationale: Grinding may indicate damaged bearings, rollers, chains, gears, tracks,
or other components. Random lubrication may conceal rather than correct the
problem, so the technician should identify the cause before returning the unit to
normal operation.
10.What is the purpose of the escalator truss?
A. To provide the main structural framework supporting the escalator equipment
B. To control passenger direction
C. To polish the handrail
D. To measure motor current
Technician Exam Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download
1. What is the primary purpose of an escalator step chain?
A. To control handrail color
B. To support the truss
C. To connect and move the steps through the escalator loop
D. To operate the emergency lighting
Answer: C. To connect and move the steps through the escalator loop
Rationale: The step chain mechanically connects the escalator steps and transfers
motion from the drive system to move the steps around the upper and lower turns.
Proper chain lubrication, alignment, tension, and inspection are essential for
reliable operation.
2. Which component normally provides the traction necessary to move an
escalator handrail?
A. Handrail drive system
B. Comb plate
C. Step roller
D. Balustrade glass
Answer: A. Handrail drive system
Rationale: The handrail drive system transfers mechanical power to the handrail so
that it travels at the required relationship to the steps. Maintenance personnel
,inspect the drive components, rollers, belts, chains, and handrail surface for wear or
slippage.
3. What is the main function of the escalator comb plate?
A. To support the motor
B. To guide passengers onto and off the moving steps and bridge the transition to
the landing
C. To lubricate the step chain
D. To adjust the handrail speed
Answer: B. To guide passengers onto and off the moving steps and bridge the
transition to the landing
Rationale: The comb plate provides the transition between the moving steps and
the stationary landing. Its teeth engage with the step grooves and help reduce the
possibility of objects becoming trapped at the step-to-landing interface.
4. Which condition requires immediate attention during an escalator
inspection?
A. Normal handrail surface wear
B. Minor cosmetic discoloration
C. A missing or damaged comb tooth
D. Slight dust on a balustrade
Answer: C. A missing or damaged comb tooth
Rationale: A missing, broken, or significantly damaged comb tooth can create a
hazardous gap where footwear or other objects may become trapped. Such defects
require prompt evaluation and correction according to the applicable maintenance
requirements.
5. What is the primary purpose of an escalator emergency stop device?
A. To increase passenger capacity
B. To stop escalator movement during an emergency or hazardous condition
,C. To reset the controller automatically
D. To lubricate the drive chain
Answer: B. To stop escalator movement during an emergency or hazardous
condition
Rationale: Emergency stop devices provide a means of stopping the escalator when
an unsafe condition is observed. Technicians must verify that these devices operate
correctly and that the escalator does not restart unexpectedly.
6. Before beginning maintenance on an escalator, what is the most important
safety action?
A. Remove the handrail
B. Increase motor speed
C. Establish proper isolation and lockout/tagout of hazardous energy
D. Open all access panels simultaneously
Answer: C. Establish proper isolation and lockout/tagout of hazardous energy
Rationale: Escalators contain electrical, mechanical, and potentially stored energy.
Proper lockout/tagout prevents unexpected startup or movement while technicians
are working and is one of the fundamental requirements for safe maintenance.
7. Which component is designed to support and guide the steps as they travel
through the escalator?
A. Step tracks
B. Comb teeth
C. Handrail inlet
D. Skirt guard
Answer: A. Step tracks
Rationale: Step tracks guide the step rollers and maintain the intended path of the
steps through the upper transition, inclined section, lower transition, and return
path. Damaged or misaligned tracks can cause abnormal noise, vibration, or
derailment.
, 8. What is the principal function of an escalator skirt panel?
A. To contain the motor oil
B. To form the side surface adjacent to the moving steps
C. To operate the emergency stop
D. To drive the handrail
Answer: B. To form the side surface adjacent to the moving steps
Rationale: The skirt panel forms the stationary side surface next to the moving
steps. Its condition, clearance, alignment, and relationship to the steps are
important because excessive gaps or damaged surfaces can create entrapment
hazards.
9. What should a technician do if an escalator produces an unusual grinding
noise?
A. Ignore it if passengers can still ride
B. Increase the operating speed
C. Investigate the source and determine whether the escalator should be removed
from service
D. Apply lubricant to every component without inspection
Answer: C. Investigate the source and determine whether the escalator should be
removed from service
Rationale: Grinding may indicate damaged bearings, rollers, chains, gears, tracks,
or other components. Random lubrication may conceal rather than correct the
problem, so the technician should identify the cause before returning the unit to
normal operation.
10.What is the purpose of the escalator truss?
A. To provide the main structural framework supporting the escalator equipment
B. To control passenger direction
C. To polish the handrail
D. To measure motor current
