On Mon, 21 Oct 2002 09:57:31 +0100, Wachowski, Rob
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>I'm a bit concerned about what sounds like a free sliding machanism and
>could  be a potential hazard and unlikely to pass a Health and Safety
audit.
>I would suggest a simple gearing system as used on fire escape ropes to
>control the descent rate which would make it accessible to more people.  A
>deluxe model could also have a system that stored the energy of the
>descending person, like a bungey cord, which is then used to return the
seat
>to the top at a controlled rate.  Please excuse me if I've misunderstood
the
>original concept.
>Rob Wachowski
==============================================

I hope there isn't this design creep that will turn a simple inexpensive
idea into a monster.

The main target user group will be the much larger number of regular people
who are elderly, overweight, short of breath, lack stamina, weak legs, and
so on.  For them to walk down even two or three flight of steps is an
extreme effort. They would never have made out the WTC where even able
bodied men took an hour to walk down the steps.

With the slide they can slow down their descent with one arm on the hand
rail and the other on the edge of the slide while using their legs to walk
the steps, a kind of like sidling down the slide. Kids do it all the time.
This way anyone can also help the disabled evacuate by letting the disabled
person sit on the upside and lean on the lower person.  If someone doesn't
feel comfortable using the slide there is always the option of walking down
the steps the usual way. Or wait for someone to carry them downstairs. A
slide beats having to jump out of a window or be trapped in a burning
stairwell.

Once you start adding gears, bungee cords, ropes, pulleys, there is
complexity and inflexibility. They can also malfunction. If the fire
reaches the slide with all these gizmos it is going to create a bigger
obstacle and fire hazard.  And once you start getting all the safety
regulations in place no one, except those mandated to do so, will install a
simple inexpensive life saver.

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