Canopy and Stairway Installation
We've Got you Covered!
Weather conditions impact more than customers' commutes; they can also wreak havoc on escalator parts, requiring replacement and repair sooner than normal. To protect the life, longevity and reliability of its escalators, Metro is installing canopies over the escalators at all station entrances. All new stations, including the Silver Line Extension and Potomac Yard Station, have also been designed to protect escalators from the elements. These canopies help extend the life of escalators, which means less disruption for customers and an overall more reliable experience.
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) code 17.1 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators requires the installation of canopies over exposed escalators to protect them from precipitation and ensure a safer and more reliable experience for customers. When installation of a canopy is not possible, exposed escalators will be replaced with stairs.
Each canopy is unique in design and built specifically for the station entrance it protects. Often, work will occur on several canopy installation projects at the same time, which helps build efficiencies into the project timeline. Occasionally, however, work will pause and there will be waiting periods between each step that can be expected or unexpected. Engineering, delivery logistics, and material availability can all factor into shortening or extending canopy installation timelines. Generally, the canopy installation process follows the same five steps. Review our canopy installation
process chart 
or read below to learn more!
- Preparation
- Survey the existing concrete walls that will support the canopy.
- Evaluate the condition of the existing concrete and upgrade where necessary.
- Prepare drawings showing field conditions.
- Install anchor rods on top of the walls to connect to the canopy.
- Build temporary overhead work platforms to protect customers and equipment during construction.
- Fabrication
- Fabricate the stainless-steel frame at an offsite steel fabrication plant. The frame is built in modules that will be connected onsite.
- Inspect the frame at every point during fabrication process.
- Steel Frame Installation
- Deliver the frame modules onsite.
- Erect the steel canopy, by placing the individual modular pieces using a crane.
- This phase of construction typically occurs at night when the station is closed.
- Skylight & Glass Installation
- Install the aluminum and glass skylight over the steel frame.
- Approximately 80 glass panes are needed for each canopy for this phase of the project.
- Lighting Installation
- Run electrical wiring inside the steel framing.
- Install the fiber optic lighting system and LED downlights to provide sufficient lighting.
- Aim, focus, and test the lighting.
- Safety Inspection
- Inspect the canopy to ensure it meets safety specifications.
- Remove the barricades and overhead work platforms.
- The canopy is ready to protect customers and escalators from the elements!
Several Metro stations have active canopy or stairway projects. Pay attention to posted signage. We will notify you ahead of impacts at your station.
Photo Gallery
Canopy and Stairway Installation
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Brand-new canopy at Dupont Station north entrance, completed August 2022 -
Canopy at Brookland Station, completed, completed March 2019 -
Canopy stairway and escalators at Judiciary Square Station, completed September 2021 -
Canopy at Navy Yard-Ballpark Station -
Rendering of future canopy at Metro Center Station