Calamity Escape Chutes
Chutes are amazing safety tools that ensure people can escape safely during emergencies like fires or other scary situations. We’ll introduce you to different types of chutes and how they work. Whether it’s a big building or a workplace, chutes help everyone get out of trouble quickly. Depending upon the application, there are fixed as well as portable chutes. Let’s delve into how chutes keep us safe and sound!
There are different types of fixed chutes, each designed for specific situations:
- Single Entry Chutes: Chutes with only one way to get in.
- Multiple Entry Chutes: These chutes are made up of several single entry chutes connected in a row.
- Indoor Chutes: Chutes located beneath a roof, providing a safe escape during emergencies.
- Outdoor Chutes: Chutes placed outside, ready to be used.
Each type of chute serves a unique purpose in keeping people safe when they need to get.
Single Entry Chute
The single-entry escape chute is made for tall buildings, like offices and apartments. It’s put in windows, balconies, or terraces.
These chutes are added to both new and old buildings. They go on outside windows, balconies, and roofs. They help people on specific floors during emergencies.
The chute is built with two layers. The outside one keeps away fire and heat, and the inside one controls how fast you go down while holding you up. This helps evacuees stay safe from fire, heat, and smoke as they use the chute. It can be really long, up to 200 meters!
You can find these chutes in homes, buildings, hotels, offices, factories, and even places like cranes, ships, dumpers, and wind turbines.
Also, these chutes work great in existing buildings that don’t have clear ways to escape. They can be easily added to safe floors, giving a way out during emergencies, especially for those who can’t move well due to injuries, disabilities, or being unconscious.
Multiple Entry Chute
Multi Entry Chutes are like speedy slides for medium to tall buildings. They help you escape quickly in emergencies.
People can enter these chutes from any floor and reach the ground safely and fast.
These chutes are placed in a protected space that moves up and down inside the building. There are two layers inside that protect from fire and help you slide down. The outside layer slows you down, while the inside one carries the weight. It’s a safe way to escape.
They’re set up on each floor inside this space, from the top floor to the ground, in a straight line. One chute works for many floors, and people can use it on each floor.
But you need a special space for these chutes to work. For up to 10 floors, the space should be 4 feet by 4 feet. Taller buildings need a space of 4 feet by 8 feet. So, when you design a building, you should plan for this space.
Special Thing: Many people can use it fast. You can use it alone. Even if you’re not very mobile, like if you’re older, pregnant, or have difficulties moving, this chute helps you escape easily.
In-door Chutes and out-door chutes
Indoor and outdoor chutes are similar in many ways, designed to help people evacuate quickly during emergencies.
However, there’s a key difference between them. Indoor chutes have a special shaft built into the building during construction. This shaft provides a safe way for people to come down in emergencies.
On the other hand, outdoor chutes are mounted on windows. They’re meant for fast exits during urgent situations, giving people a quick way to get out of the building.
In short, indoor chutes have a dedicated space for descending, while outdoor chutes are attached to windows for swift evacuations.
Portable Chute
Mobile and portable chutes are specially designed for Fire Rescue Departments run by either private organizations or the government. They are made to be used with Aerial Rescue Platforms, which are used to help people escape from burning buildings.
These platforms can only carry around 3-4 people at a time. So, when a lot of people need to be saved, the platform has to go up and down many times. This takes a lot of time and can be really dangerous, especially for those who need help quickly.
But with the Mobile Chute, things can happen much faster. The chute is attached to the side of the platform. This means that all the people can go down the chute in just one trip. They don’t need to wait for the platform to go up and down. Even injured, elderly, or unconscious people can use the chute to get down safely.
These chutes can be added to fire department aerial ladders and platforms. This makes it much faster to save people from tall buildings. Firefighters can use these movable chutes all around the world to rescue people from high places. With some extra equipment, the portable platform can also be set up on balconies and windows.
