EMERGENCY ESCAPE SLIDING CHUTE SYSTEM ( A Patented David Device )

EMERGENCY ESCAPE SYSTEM FOR HIGH RISE BUILDINGS WITH A MECHANISM TO REGULATE THE SPEED OF DESCENT

INTRODUCTION Is your building equipped with a quick and safe fire escape system? Smoke detectors and heat alarms may warn you; but you still need a safe and quick method to escape from a building under fire. In a high-rise building, in the event of an emergency, it is not a practical proposition to evacuate its inhabitants through the flight of stairs.

The proposed product relates to a permanent emergency escape system adapted to be installed in high rise residential and commercial buildings. It consists of a permanent spiral sliding chute evacuation system that facilitates a quick and safe escape route for the occupants of a high rise building in the event of an emergency.

CONCEPT Consist of a permanent spiral sliding chute evacuation system. Large enough to accommodate a person in a sitting position. Includes a mechanism for regulating the speed of descend of the person sliding in the chute. Features a water spraying system to eliminate the heat generated by friction.

CONVENTIONAL METHODS OF EVACUATIONS Evacuation by elevators and stairs. Combination of fire-rated elevator doors and rolling magnetic gasketing systems.

Parachutes: At least six companies are selling escape parachutes Parachutes: At least six companies are selling escape parachutes. But this extreme method of egress is only suitable for the athletic, and requires the jumper to be a suitable distance up for safe landing. Helicopter: A rooftop heliport located at a safe distance from antennas, mechanical installations and other hazards could provide a means of evacuation.

Slides: Similar to the chutes used in airplane evacuation, slides have been listed as an alternate means of egress in the building codes of several US cities. Such slides, however, may not be feasible above the height that is reachable by fire department’s ladders. Wires: These are stretched between buildings so that people can slide from one affected building to another. But again, this gives no consideration to those who are less mobile.

Tubes: A vertical tube of flexible material has been installed in some buildings in Asia and Europe. It can serve multiple floors. But unless it is located outside the building, it may be subject to the same hazards as stairways and elevators.

Collapsible elevators: This system has been developed in Israel and requires the installation of collapsible cubicles on the roof, which deploys along a rail on the outside of the building in the event of an emergency. New York City has denied a permit for the system because of the potential bottlenecks as people try to enter the cubicles.

WHY WE NEED A NEW EMERGENCY ESCAPE SYSTEM? It is well known that many high rise residential and commercial buildings have either poor or inadequate emergency escape equipments. Many high rise residential buildings are provided only with stairs (internal or external) for emergency evacuation. When a fire occurs, internal stairs will act as flues and becomes hot and smoke filled in no time, making it virtually impossible for people to make their way down through the steps.

And if somebody indeed manages to reach to the external stairs, the descent will be either too long or slow. The scenario is far more compounded in the case of commercial buildings.

EMERGENCY ESCAPE SYSTEM FOR HIGH RISE BUILDINGS WITH A MECHANISM TO REGULATE THE SPEED OF DESCENT

The emergency escape system comprises of a spiral chute of U shaped cross section that is large enough to accommodate a person in a sitting position. A mechanism for regulating the speed of descend of the person sliding in the chute. A water spraying system to eliminate the heat generated by friction (thereby smoothening one's slide downwards as well) as the escapee slides downwards through the chute. Said emergency escape slider chute system is so erected that it can be accessed independently from each floor of the building.

The spiral slider chute system, with alternate straight and curved portions is erected strongly on concrete or steel pole structures. One rotational flight of the slide consists of two straight portions and two curved portions. The slider chute has a slight curved base portion, with upstanding side guide walls that terminates at its upper ends in a rolled-over fashion, towards inside, in the form of a pipe so that the escapee can hold on to the pipe for stability while sliding down.

The system is fitted with a strong fire resistant conveyor belt, at the bottom sliding area. The inside bottom surface of the chute is made of a frictionless material, to aid the sliding movement of the escapee. The slope of entire chute system is adjusted in such a way that a person can easily slide on straight and curved portions smoothly, right from the top to bottom, without any hindrance or discomfort. Usually slope should be taken as H/L≤0.56 , wherein ‘H’ is the height and ‘L’ is the length of section.

ADVANTAGES Is more efficient than other conventional method of emergency escape systems (time taken for the rescue is minimum). In the case of an emergency, the system can be easily accessed. Water jets are provided throughout the length of descent so that any further injuries due to fire can be prevented. The proposed emergency escape system has a built-in mechanism to decelerate or regulate the rate of descent of the escapee.

The system is permanent and is made of fire-resistant material like concrete or fiber which requires less or little maintenance.