High-rise Evacuation Methods
There was an A&E documentary on the World Trade Center the other night, discussing–as well as criticizing–the early planning phases and construction of the WTC.
It also focused somewhat on the shortcomings of the WTC, such as stairwells hugging the core of the building providing what they thought was extra stability, that led to so many civilian casualties during the 2001 attacks.
There was obvious concern over the methods used for high-rise building evacuation. In most cases stairways are used, provided that they are in working condition. The planes that struck the WTC buildings destroyed a large portion of the stairs which in turn contributed to the lack of proper evacuation.
As I watching this, I was thinking about better ways for efficient and safe evacuation during high-rise building emergencies. One solution (not necessary failsafe) that occurred to me was an enclosed slide that essentially loops around the building. The slide itself would be oiled so that when groups of individuals are preparing to evacuate, they descend in such a manner where clogging of the slide would be prevented.
Again, not a failsafe method of course, but I believe one that doesn’t rely on the shortcomings that occur with stairways. If you’ve ever used the stairs in a high-rise building you know that this isn’t an efficient means of getting people out of the building in a timely fashion, especially during an emergency when people typically lose the ability to think sensibly.
Yet, when I was thinking about this I realized that using a slide could also lead to oversights in the process of evacuation. It’s possible that like the stairs in the WTC building, a portion of the slide could also be destroyed. That said, it’s difficult to try and come up with various ways to efficiently transport people out of a building and at the same time making sure the means of doing so are safe and expedient.
There are other methods such as zip lines (think James Bond or the military), extendable slides and chute systems that could work but again, which of these would actually work when the real thing occurs, as opposed to just testing them in labs.
I personally don’t think we’ve found a perfect system yet, despite how much technology has improved in the past 20 years, and I don’t feel like we ever will.
What should be stressed however is that we need to have alternate ways of evacuating people from structures to prevent massive casualties when an emergency occurs.
4 Comments, Comment or Ping
beto
Kinda leaves you thinking huh?
Good thing I work on a mere 3-story building. Break some windows, jump in, done (provided you land somewhere you don’t break your bones)
BTW, hi there Erik. It’s been a while… :D
Jan 25th, 2007
Michael Montgomery
Hey, Erik.
One thought about the “oiled slide” idea:
flames climb fastest, going up.
(Which is why escape stairs are usually not carpeted.)
Would be great to reach a better evacuation solution…
Jan 26th, 2007
kartooner
Beto: In your case, you’d just aim for some bushes and you’d be set, provided the bushes weren’t full of thorns.
Michael: Good point. That didn’t cross my mind at the time, but maybe a non-flammable oil-based solution? I’m not sure what that substance would be, however.
You’re right though, there has to be a better way to go about this.
Jan 26th, 2007
amie
i think if i were evacuating a burning, possibly exploding building, i would be terrified to jump in to a tunnel, likely dark, in the fear of becoming the function of a mass human clog. i think i’d take my chances elswhere. i believe all solutions have hinderences and the perfect method of evacuation is unlikey though the system undoubtedly needs much attention- i commend your attempts!!
Feb 18th, 2008
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