Abstract: The lowermost roll of a row of superimposed rolls in the stand of a calender is movable downwardly at a continuously increasing speed through a first distance which suffices to increase the width of clearances between neighboring rolls in the event of breakage of the running web so that the rolls cannot damage each other, and thereupon through a second distance which is at least 50 percent of the first distance. The lowermost roll is braked only during movement through the second distance so that the first distance can be covered, under the action of gravity alone or under the action of gravity plus the action of several double-acting hydraulic cylinders, within a fraction of the time which is required for adequate separation of rolls in a calendar wherein the lowermost roll must be braked during travel through the first distance.