Escape Chute Portable Escape Chute

PORTABLE ESCAPE: Risk Safety Systems (RSSUS) are North American distributors for Escape Chute Systems and worldwide for the Onshore/Offshore Oil & Gas Industry.

Suitable for Fire & Rescue & Emergency Services

Escape Chutes can be fitted to Fire Department Aerial Ladders and Snorkel Platforms, this will increase the rate at which evacuees can be evacuated from a high rise building, thus reducing the risk exposure of the fireman. The movable/portable chute has become standard rescue equipment used by fire bridges worldwide for high rise rescue operations. With additional equipment, the portable platform can also be mounted on the parapet of the balcony and window. The chute is constructed of 3 layers, the outer layer is fire resistant-protects the chute against flames, the middle layer provides a speed restraining effect, and the inner layer supports the whole weight of chute. Protection, the evacuees are protected once inside the chute from flames, heat, and smoke.

RSSUS ESCAPE CHUTE Technical Specifications for the Mobile/Portable Rescue Chute

Mobile/Portable Rescue Chutes have become standard rescue equipment for fire aerial ladder trucks such as Bronto Skylift, Simon Snorkel, Cella, Iveco Magirus, Metz and Rosenbauer and are used by fire brigades worldwide for high rise rescue operations.

Characteristic Features

The Mobile Unit provides a dual function in one unit portable chute and suitable for rescue of people trapped in tall buildings.

The universal standard foldable platform is portable and adaptable for use with mobile rescue units, such as the fire brigades’ aerial ladder trucks. The foldable platform can either be ready mounted on the bucket or in a cassette, which is ready for use as required. With additional equipment, this platform can also be used from the window or balcony of a structure.

The chute main body is made up of several segments of 3 layers chute. The start piece of the first segment, usually of 61m or 8 long with fire snap hooks on one end. The other segment of chute with fire snap hooks on both ends usually corresponds to the height of a regular floor. The starting piece and the other segments are easily connected with fire snap hooks for extending the chutes height to meet the desired chute length. Customers can specify the length for the start piece or each segment to meet their individual rescue needs.

During deployment, the fiberglass container with the start piece chute is placed firmly on the unfolded platform which is hooked on the rail of the bucket of the aerial ladder platform. Where height varies during rescue operations, the chute length can easily be extended from the start piece with additional segments, however the start piece cannot be shortened or lengthened, all other segments are usually 3m per piece and correspond to the height of a regular floor, and easily connected with fire snap hooks to meet the desired chute length.

The quick deployment of the mobile rescue unit provides people who are trapped in high rise buildings a safer means of rapid vertical escape from the bucket to ground and reduces the risk of exposure for the firefighters. This approach eliminates the time involved in lowering and raising the aerial-ladder platform, hence reduces the speed of rescuing victims from tall buildings by almost ten times in comparison to using the conventional method.

Should the surrounding of the building not be accessible by the fire aerial truck, the portability of the unit allows the rescue personnel to carry the unit to each desired floor. This additional equipment allows the rescue chute to be positioned at the parapet of the balcony or window. However, the rescuer must ensure that the wall of the balcony and window, ceiling and floor are structurally safe for the unit to be deployed. The maximum safety load is 200 kg or 50m in height.

Material Specifications

Universal foldable platform – 100% aluminum (frame and cast), foldable, portable, attachable to buckets in most of fire trucks. Aluminum cast Alsi nr 6. Steel ring.

Portable carrier bags for the storage of the prolong segment of chutes.

The chute main body material is white in color, constructed of three layers chute. This 3-way protection protects the evacuees once inside the chute from flame, heat, and smoke during rescue operation.

Outer Chute – The protection layer with a melting point of over 800 degree Celsius. Temperature limits for continuous use 550-600 degrees Celsius. This material provides a shield from flame, and provides protection to the two underlying chutes.

Middle Chute – The braking layer Modacryl and Elastomer (lycra) at sofetning point of 165 degree Celsius. This elastic material, covering inner chute that enables the user to control his/her speed of descent. The important properties of these materials are its modulus of elasticity (260%) and its withstanding temperatures of 165 degrees Celsius.

Inner Chute – The friction layer Interlayer Para Aramid, warp and vet Viyl Chloride fibres. Strength ISO 5081 (N) 3482 stripes 50mm and its tensile strength ISO (N) 10mm stripes support the chute. No softening point, decomposing temperature at about 500 degree Celsius. Evacuees slide down the chute through this inner layer, which bears the tensile stress, and has extremely low friction to minimize friction burns or chafing.

Each fire snap hook is constructed from galvanized steel, these can be adjusted to extend or shorten the chute length. Each end of lengthening joint contains one segment of chute consisting of 12 sets of fire snap hooks for easy connection to the next segment of chute.

Additional Equipment – 1 set (2 pcs) of 100% aluminum extendable vertical legs, horizontal arms and hydraulic jacks. The complete set make it possible to use with the aluminum platform from the parapet of balconies and windows.

Descent and Safety

The system works on the principle of gravity, using the stress and friction of the body as it slides through the chute. Usability for all people, regardless of body size, shape and weight, injured on a stretcher or unconscious people can use the chute. Once inside the chute the evacuee will arrive at ground level quickly and relatively safely.

For conscious evacuees, slide down the chute and push out your elbows or knees. For a more rapid descent, the users keep their body as straight as possible. No other method of evacuation allows for such flexibility in control of descent speed: average speed for evacuee with right behavior is about 2.5 m per second, which may vary from 0 – 5 m per second. It would take approximately 35 – 40 seconds to descend a chute of up to 50 meters and capable of conveying up to 30 persons per minute from any storey to safety.

For safety reasons, the SOP requires a helper at ground level to control a fast descend and guide the user out of the chute.

By twisting and slowly untwisting the chute you can control the speed of a descending person. This method enables the injured, unconscious, disabled and small children to be evacuated safely.

Storage of Chute:

The chutes are folded inside its protective container and portable bag(s), providing year round weather protection, these chutes are then ready for use at any time.

After use, the chute can be re-stored in its container and portable bag(s). Whilst not in use, the chute is protected from dampness, salt in the air and chemical agents, by a thin 25/100 PVC layer, this must be checked at least twice a year.

RSSUS can design an Escape Chute System to suite your particular needs, please call one of our fully trained representatives on:

Toll Free 1 866 447 8777 or email: sales@risksafetysystems.com