Highrise evacuation

[kingair]

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http://www.highriseescapesystems.com/files...05_online01.mpg

[one4water]

That is awesome. Great idea.

I remember years ago someone came up with a rescue sock that was like one long tube sock that stretched down 15 floors and would slow your decent as you slid down inside it.

[Capt Rick Hiott]

Now that is too cool!!!

[one4water]

here is another one. Not so sure how many folks would be too keen on this one though. But, if the buidling in burning out from under me, I'll give it a try.

http://www.conceptsafety.com/

[Kamper]

Is that intended to replace or supplement stairways? I know I'd be nervous waiting for it to get deployed. Would there be more than one per building in case that's the side the fire is on?

[Bakerman]

You are going to need more hoists, firemen and landings. A typical highrise has a lot more people. Think how long it would take to evacuate 1,000 people with that. Also those tracks mounted to the outside of the building would cause some problems. It raises some questions from me.

1. Would this replace fire rated stairs..............Probably not in the US. You can get several floors down before the fire department arrives. Besides stairs don't need power and control compatability between the escape system and the fire department. They are also used for circulation.

2. how would this work with sun shades? ............ Energy codes are getting more stringent and many buildings require sunshades to make the energy claculations work.

3. Wind speed is greater the higher up you go. What is the wind rating on this thing?

4. What's to prevent john q public from opening that egress window when the escape pod is not there?

5. You want to trust your life to some cables stored on the roof and ignored? Even contractors on swing stages get a safety line.

6. Besides sun shades there are step back and step in building designs. You might have to make transfers on the step back buildings.

7. I'm assuming the fire department wouldn't lower you through a break out fire shooting out one of the lower egress windows. Fire rated plastic or not I'm not confortable with that.

[firemedic1560]

Fire sprinklers are the answer. There has never been a significant loss of life in a building with properly functioning fire sprinklers. If the building is sprinklered, the fire does not build up to a large fire, and in the case of a high rise, the entire building would not need to be evacuated.

There are two disclaimers to sprinkler systems. Terrorist events like the WTC don't count. You can't build a building to withstand an attack like that. The second is a properly functioning system. There have been instances where there were repairs or modifications being done, and there have also been instances where the system was intentionally vandalized or disabled. Still, fire sprinklers are the single biggest life saver in regards to fire protection.

[kingair]

Just add a big watertank with a plug

Edited November 17, 2009 by Kingair