The History of the Fire Escape Ladder

When one hears about a fire escape ladder, one immediately thinks of either the ladder rising from the top of the fire engine to save the people in the burning high rise or about the fire escape outside the windows in apartment complexes and other multi-story buildings. But have you ever wondered about how the fire escape ladder was invented and what all its uses have been? Let us take a look at the history of fire escape ladders.

Invention

The fire escape ladder was invented by Joseph Winters in 1878. Back then he used a wagon to hoist the ladder, which was designed for the Pennsylvania city of Chambersburg. This led to the ladders being incremented into use for fire engines. As buildings started being built higher and higher, metal ladders were attached outside of windows for easy escape.

Family Fire Escape Ladders

This led to the realistic view that families should have them as well. With portable fire escape ladders, suddenly any window on any building, including multistory homes, could become an escape route in a fire. This has brought a sense of safety to parents and the lightweight ladders are easy to use in an emergency situation.

Features

There are important features to fire escape ladders depending on the portable and/or permanent ones used in your home. Standoffs are protrusions that help keep the ladder rungs away from the window and enable you to climb out easier and safely by keeping you steady as you work your way down. Permanent ones offer a more stable standoff and are used by pushing a lever. Either are highly recommended for the safety and peace of mind they offer.

Significance

It is important to actually practice a home fire drill so that your family can learn how to use fire escape ladders. This can make it easier to react in the event of a real fire. Children have on average two fire drills a year at school, yet most fires occur in the home. While this may feel a little silly to some, having a fire drill at home can mean the difference between life and death when it comes to the real thing.

Evolution

The fire escape ladder has changed a great deal since the first wooden one built by Joseph Winters. They come in all sizes and can be metal, wooden or rubber. The portable ones can work for a home up to four stories tall while the fire engine ladders can extend up to eight or nine stories tall safely.