Thailand Mandates Earthquake Safety Standards for Escalators and Walkways
BANGKOK – April 19, 2025 — In response to recent seismic activity, the Office of Industrial Product Standards (OIPS) has announced that escalators and moving walkways will soon be classified as controlled products, subject to strict earthquake-resistant standards.
The new regulation, set to take effect in October 2025, requires that all escalators and moving walkways in public facilities — including malls, airports, and train stations — comply with updated TIS 3778 Part 1-2567 certification standards. Non-compliance will lead to legal penalties.
These revised standards include:
- Earthquake detection systems integrated with electrical systems, enabling automatic shutdown during seismic events
- Vertical securing mechanisms to prevent dislodgement
- Emergency shutdown features for speed irregularities, brake failure, warped steps, or foreign objects
- Alignment of escalator movement range with building dynamics
A seminar held on April 3 by the OIPS introduced the new requirements to 92 stakeholders, including manufacturers, importers, and distributors.
The move comes amid growing concern over infrastructure safety following the collapse of the 30-storey State Audit Office building in Bangkok, triggered by the March 28 earthquake. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has pledged accountability and expedited action on safety oversight nationwide.
