How Do Fire Escape Ladder Works?

A fire escape ladder should be mandatory if you live in an apartment. Just think for a second what you will do when you are caught up in the fire? We can’t jump off the building and it takes time to get help from a fire station. If we have a fire escape ladder in the home, it will be very helpful. So, let’s see how the fire escape ladder works and how you can use it.

How Do A Fire Escape Ladder Works?

Fire escape ladders are more like boat ladders. It is mostly made of aluminium or hard plastics with rigid bars for rungs. They can be either permanent or portable. Each room should have fire escape ladders.

1. Permanent Fire Escape Ladders

These are fixed in the house, which is quite more expensive than a portable one.  They require installation which also costs us. These ladders are either fixed in the balcony or the bedroom windows.

2. Portable Ladders

These are less expensive than permanent ladders. They are made of nylon climbing rope, which has great strength without the added weight of any metals. As they are less in weight, we can take where ever we want. If you live in rental apartments portable ladders are the best.

It is foldable is it can be easy to store in cupboards. The upper position is attached to the windows and the lower part is dropped to the ground. We can easily climb and escape through the window.

Are Fire Escape Ladders Worth It?

Asking this question is like asking to do your life worth it!? It’s worth the price as it saves your life. Fire escape ladders help us to save our lives when we are caught up in fire. If you live in an apartment, then for sure it is worth it.

Nowadays most of the apartment contains a fire escape ladder. Either inside or outside. New technologies detect fires in apartments and alert people. There are numbers of ladders are available. Mostly don’t go for the cheapest one just for the prize. You can get the best fire escape ladder under your budget.

Know whether it is helpful and check its certificates. Don’t sacrifice your family’s safety to stay within budget. While buying know whether it fits your windows are balcony.

Can You Climb Back Up A Fire Escape Ladder?

Yes, I can climb up the fire escape ladders. In the permanent ladders, peoples climb back up a fire escape ladder. But then the securities will not allow them. It isn’t safe to climb back up to the ladder. That too in portable ladders. Kidde fire exit ladders aren’t reusable.

But most of the ladders are reusable. Climbing back up can risk lives. But in reusable ladders, we can practice in after we get one. Just to know how to use it in case of an emergency. Always practice from outside. You can also practice your kids under your surveillance. If you find it hard to use a fire escape ladder, you can use a portable telescopic ladder instead.

How Do You Use Fire Escape Ladders?

Every home has unique features. We need to get our ideal fire escape that suits our home. Every window differs in size. We need to get which suits our window. These emergency ladders should be stored near the windows so that we can reach out. Make sure everyone in your family knows how to use them. To remove and to set up.

Step 1: Open your window.

Step 2: Grab your fire escape ladder.

Step 3: Hook up the rungs in the window.

Step 4: Pull the Velcro and throw it outside the window.

Step 5: Climb down. Always face the stepladder.

Features Of Fire Escape Ladders

Before getting a ladder for your home keep these features in your mind.

a. Length and size: Choose according to the height of your home. 15 feet for more than one floor and 25 feet for more than 2 floors. Ladders are available as per the size of windowsills. However, adjustable sizes are also available in the market.

b. Strength: the maximum weight it could hold is 2000 lbs. Minimum it should hold at least 1000lbs.

c. Standoffs: it is used to create distance between the wall and the ladder. It also helps us to keep the ladder steady.

d. Anti-slip rungs: it increases safety. It prevents us from slipping away. It will be very useful for elders and children.

e. Storage: Make sure it doesn’t occupy too much space.

f. Heat resistance: some of the ladders can easily get melted. Make sure you get heat resistance even at a high temperature.

g. Reusability: Some of the one-time usable ladders are available in the market. But we should practice the ladder before use so opt for a reusable one.

h. Testing: check whether the ladder has gone under all the testing. check out the certificates.

i. Prize: don’t opt for cheaper prize ladders just for their prize. Check out all the features because it is an emergency kit.

How To Prepare Your Family To Use A Fire Escape Ladder?

This is the most important thing everyone should know in your family. If they don’t know how to do so. It all goes in vain even though you have a fire escape ladder in your home.

• Make sure everyone in your home knows every possible escape route of your home if it is multiple floors.
• Make sure everyone knows where the fire escape ladder is located.
• Make sure everyone knows how to access the fire escape window.
• Teach everyone how to open the window quickly.
• Teach them how to use the fire escape ladder if it is a portable one. If it is permanent, teach them how to access the escape ladder.
• Teach them how to climb down the ladder. You can also give practice to your kids under your surveillance.
• Conduct an activity for your family to escape so that you would know how much time it takes to clear the home.

Final Talk

Now you know how to use the fire escape ladder. And how to purchase a good ladder. It is never a waste of money to get these safety kits. Schools can also teach the students, that how to safeguard themselves from this kind of accident. Hereby I end with the quote “there is nothing more important than a good, safe, secure home” by Rosalynn carter.