GB2444920A

GB2444920A - Emergency escape slide for multi-storey buildings

Info

Publication number: GB2444920A
Application number: GB0625758A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Escape Slide Ltd; Graeme Duncan; Kevin Michael Hagyard; Paul Anthony Mccolgan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-12-22
Filing date: 2006-12-22
Publication date: 2008-06-25
Also published as: GB0625758D0

Abstract

An escape slide for evacuating persons from an upper floor of a multi-storey building has a flexible envelope which, when not deployed, is stored within a container mounted below a window of the building. The container houses all the components of the slide and its external appearance resembles a large window sill or window box. The front and bottom walls of the container are hingedly attached to each other and are made from high density rubber or similar material. They are chemically bonded to the flexible envelope and, when the slide is deployed, have sufficient mass to pull the envelope out of the container and form a flat base for the bottom of the slide. Simultaneously, self-expanding foam is injected into the side beams and the landing area at the base of the slide from two cylinders. The foam sets within the beams and landing area, providing rigidity to the slide. Deployment of the slide is either manual, by means of a button or switch, or automatic in response to the activation of a fire or smoke alarm.

Description

1 2444920

Description

Escape Slide -Emergency Exit System for Multi-storey Buildings The purpose of this device is to reduce the risk of injury or death to any persons evacuating a multi-storey building in an emergency situation.

Most multi-storey buildings in the UK do not have a means of emergency escape above ground floor level. The Escape Slide is a means to transport people to ground floor level reducing the risk of injury or death in the event of an emergency evacuation (a fire, for example) Drawing 1 Before deployment, the device is housed under an upper floor window. The external appearance of the Escape Slide will resemble a large window sill or window box.

Drawing 2 The unit is entirely self-contained causing no disruption to the building or its inhabitants. Service panels are provided at the internal side of the device for inspecting the gas cylinders.

Drawing 3 Figure 1 -Escape Slide in-situ.

The window could open or be removed completely creating an opening big enough to exit in single file.

Figure 2 -Escape Slide at activation.

The Escape Slide could be activated manually by means of a button/switch or be triggered automatically by fire/smoke alarm activation, for example. The cover (after deployment, referred to as the shoe') is made from high density rubber or a similar material, now forms the base of the slide. The shoe is chemically bonded to the envelope which will in turn form the slide.

Figure 3 -The shoe extracting the envelope due to gravity.

The action of the heavy shoe falling pulls the envelope from its housing. As the shoe falls from the container, a sprung hinge opens' the shoe providing a flat surface on landing.

Figure 4 -Foam is injected.

Self expanding foam is simultaneously injected into both beams of the envelope from two pressurised gas cylinders creating the walls of the slide. The foam sets in the beams and also in the base of the Escape Slide providing rigidity to the envelope and creating the slide.

Drawing 4 The flat, middle section of the slide is securely fastened to the Escape Slide housing container.

The fixing used must not cause any damage to the envelope both before and during the Escape Slide deployment.

Drawings 5 & 6 The Escape Slide is shown in a standard construction masonry cavity wall.

Drawing 7 External perspective drawing showing the Escape Slide after deployment.

Claims

Claans I. The purpose of the Escape Slide is to reduce the risk of

mjury or death to any persons evacuating a multi-storey building in an emergency situation.
2. The device is constructed under a window large enough to allow egress from a building in an emergency evacuation.
3. The Escape Slide is transformed from a flexible envelope into a more rigid slide in an emergency situation.
4. The transformation in claim 3 may be triggered manually or automatically.
5. The transformation in claim 3 is made by injecting self-expanding foam into the Escape Slide from gas cylinders.
6. The foam in claim 5 sets inside the beams at each side of the slide and also at the bottom of the device (the landing area).
7. The cover/shoe of the Escape Slide must be made of a material that has enough mass to pull the envelope from the container.
8. All internal components must be constructed so not to damage the flexible envelope before or during deployment.
9. Once the envelope has evolved into the slide, it is possible to exit the building using the slide.