Sport Chek InTruss Escalator Replacement

Schindler Canada team finds success at flagship Vancouver store.

submitted by Schindler

When a flagship Sport Chek store on Vancouver, Canada’s highly coveted Robson Street needed two aging Montgomery Escalators replaced, Schindler’s InTruss escalator provided the solution.

A complete escalator replacement was not possible at the site due to cost, access and install complexities. Schindler’s InTruss escalator replacement removes all existing components of an escalator down to the bare truss. From there, a new Schindler 9300 escalator unit is built on the existing truss with brand-new factory components. This unique, welded solution provides customers all the benefits of a new 9300 escalator where a full replacement is not feasible.

The project took a total of five months from demolition to commissioning, running from July to November 2020.

InTruss Process Benefits

1. Minimizes building disruption: Retention of the existing truss allows the building to continue normal operations during the escalator replacement.
2. Reduces tenant inconvenience: Shortened lead and completion time returns escalator to normal service faster.
3. Enhances escalator safety and performance: New components and technology improve passenger comfort and safety, as well as equipment reliability.
4. Improves aesthetics: Contemporary design and stylish materials create a bold, fresh look.
5. Increases energy efficiency: Technology upgrades significantly lower energy consumption.
6. Welded solution: Schindler’s welded solution ensures a smooth, solid and quiet running escalator. This approach is superior to a bolted solution.
7. Brand-new unit: This unique Schindler process provides the customer with a brand-new escalator unit, regardless of the state of the current truss. Existing trusses, whether they are twisted or lack structural integrity, can be corrected and then used safely to build a new unit.
8. Ride quality: Schindler’s 9300 escalator provides unmatched ride quality.
9. Ideal solution where a new unit cannot be installed: There are many locations where bringing in a new escalator is simply too complicated or expensive. The Schindler InTruss solution eliminates these barriers by building a new escalator on-site.

This unique escalator replacement is the second successful one for Schindler Canada in Vancouver. It demonstrates the flexibility and effectiveness of the Schindler InTruss method to build a new 9300 escalator on an existing truss. The existing truss was bent and twisted; however, despite this, the InTruss method can accommodate for these issues and allows us to correct and properly build the escalator. The location of the two units being replaced posed a costly and invasive option for a full replacement; hence, the customer’s best choice was to opt for an InTruss.

By successfully implementing this method, Schindler was able to provide the customer two brand-new 9300 units where, previously, this was not feasible. Also important to note was that this project was done during the height of COVID-19. Despite this challenge, the Schindler project team managed to complete the work by the customers’ aggressive Black Friday deadline to have their new escalators running in time for the critical Christmas shopping season.

Schindler’s success with the InTruss escalator replacement product has led to Schindler Canada being awarded the escalator replacement program at CF Toronto Eaton Centre. According to Cadillac Fairview’s website, “CF Toronto Eaton Centre attracts millions of visitors from all over the world and ranks as one of North America’s best performing centres.”