Car Apron Toe Guard: 750mm+ Below Sill, Full Width, 60° Bevel, 300N Strength, EN 81-20 Trapping Hazard Prevention

The car apron (also called toe guard or car skirt) is a smooth, rigid, non-perforated panel fixed to the underside of the car sill and extending vertically downward into the hoistway. Its purpose is to reduce the trapping hazard between the moving car and the landing sill and to prevent feet or objects from going under the car as it descends to a floor. EN 81-20 specifies the minimum dimensions of the apron: (1) The apron must extend at least 750 mm below the car sill for rated speeds up to 1 m/s; for speeds above 1 m/s the required depth increases (the formula ensures the apron always covers the gap that exists when the car is at the landing with the lower floor pit depth in view); (2) The apron must extend across the full clear opening width; (3) The lower edge of the apron must be bevelled outward at ≥60° from horizontal to deflect objects and feet away from the car; (4) The apron must be capable of withstanding a 300 N force applied horizontally without permanent deformation. The apron is particularly important in multi-entrance elevators and at pit level landings where the gap between car and floor can be large before the car reaches level. In existing lift safety improvement programmes (EN 81-80), fitting or extending aprons to the required depth is frequently one of the specified remedial measures.

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