A silly idea that might not seem so silly if you had to use it

erik_kosberg · #1 09-26-2001, 05:25 PM

Break the glass, alarm goes off, grab the fire extinguisher systems are nothing new, but maybe tall buildings could use a Break the glass, alarm goes off, grab the parachute system. A crazy idea perhaps, but no crazier than having thousands of people die while trying to run down a hundred flights of stairs.

poseidon · #2 09-26-2001, 05:36 PM

Sounds rather costly and thus unlikely.

**mtomm**[$] · #3 09-26-2001, 05:44 PM

Maybe those sliding chute apparatus' that they use out of airplanes. But it would have to be REALLY long. Okay, the title had silly in it.

**drmomentum**[$] · #4 09-26-2001, 05:53 PM

Why not just carry your own parachute if you work in a tall building? SInce it's strictly a personal rescue device.

Can you see all the executives wearing them on top of their suits?

-JP

**hadassahchana**[$] · #5 09-26-2001, 05:55 PM

I listened to a local talk radio show with two firemen, and that idea was proposed.

Apparently, not only would the chutes need a bit more time to open, but they would conceivably become tangled in rescue equipment, causing even more problems.

I don't know if this is correct, only that two Detroit firemen were discussing it.

Cindy

**mjfrombuffalo**[$] · #6 09-26-2001, 05:57 PM

how about any building over 40 stories must have one of those extra-heavy-duty inflatable pads that the firemen use when they've got roof-jumpers? Or what stuntmen use? As soon as the fire alarm goes off, these pads unroll from the base of the building and inflate...

erik_kosberg · #7 09-26-2001, 06:23 PM

Maybe we’re thinking about escape in the wrong direction:

#8 09-26-2001, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by hadassahchana
I listened to a local talk radio show with two firemen, and that idea was proposed.

Apparently, not only would the chutes need a bit more time to open, but they would conceivably become tangled in rescue equipment, causing even more problems.

I don't know if this is correct, only that two Detroit firemen were discussing it.

Cindy

Don't B.A.S.E. jumpers jump from shorter distances?

Also, people will probably need training in using the things. Better to have strudier fire-free stairwell conduits.

poseidon · #9 09-26-2001, 06:26 PM

How about if you're that worried, work someplace else with less than 110 stories?

**mjfrombuffalo**[$] · #10 09-26-2001, 06:34 PM

Ah, Poseidon makes a good point - which gets ya thinking about the people who visit the building for meetings. They won't have parachute or other training, won't know how to fly one of those propeller-thingies... but my inflatable mat will still work!!!

#11 09-26-2001, 07:25 PM

Do inflatable mats work from 110 stories?

BTW, I found this article that explains the collapse of the towers in architectural terms. It also discusses what could be done to improve evactuations of such large buildings.

It's really quite a good article, though there are a number of statements that are quite disturbing. Take special note of the footnote at the end of the article.

**drmomentum**[$] · #12 09-26-2001, 07:31 PM

I bet it's an interesting article! Can we have the URL?

-JP

#13 09-26-2001, 07:34 PM

DOH!

An architect explains the WTC collapse

ThePirateKing · #14 09-27-2001, 03:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by drmomentum
Can you see all the executives wearing them on top of their suits?

Gives new meaning to "What Color Is Your Parachute," doesn't it?

#15 09-27-2001, 03:52 AM

Well... Hmmm... Another idea might be using pkp to fight fires in buildings like that. It is a chemical used on aircraft carriers to put out flames... Not exactly sure if it would work but... Ummm... I doubt there will be a repeat of the same act anyhow.

Ander

bupkiss · #16 09-27-2001, 05:23 AM

How about not building mega-skyscrapers?

roymeo · #17 09-27-2001, 01:06 PM

I've seen escape fabric tubes for buildings on some TV show.

It's just a tube of fabric that can stretch to wide enough to allow a larger person into it, but naturally wants to stay tight so it grabs even a child (think 5 story slide through an oversized pair of pantyhose).

The demo I saw required a person at the bottom to hold the end tight, too, though. And it was stricktly a one-at-a-time thing, which isn't too helpful.

but it's a different device for other types of buildings.

roymeo · #18 09-27-2001, 01:11 PM

And everyone will move out of earthquake zones, tornado zones, stop raising crops in flood/drought areas, all the black people will move away from the South, Facists will go start their own country somewhere else, reborn Christians can go start their own Christian country, women won't go anywhere where they're in danger of being raped (aka, anywhere there are men, known or unknown) and maybe should start wearing full body coverings, blah blah blah

I bet even suggesting anything like this 2 weeks ago would get you yelled at by red-faced people....sounds incredibly like blaming the victims.

Remember, terrorists look for vulnerabilities. tear down all the tall buildings and the terrorists will fly a blimp with nail-wrapped explosives over your next sporting event.

nicholmere · #19 09-27-2001, 01:29 PM

A problem with jumping with a parachute from a building is that it might be difficult to get far enough away from the sides of the building.

Side topic - I've always thought it would be a good idea for airplanes to carry parachutes as well as floatation devices.

quasar · #20 09-27-2001, 09:35 PM

I would like to point out that even with buildings that aren't 110 stories tall it can take an awfully long time to evacuate. I've lived in a building 24 stories tall and because of the density of occupants it has taken as long as 45 minutes to fully evacuate the buildings.

I also wonder how it will effect fire plans...in many buildings they build fire-safe corridors for the fire stairs. I don't remember all of the technical details of how or why they were supposedly fireproof, but I know that when I lived in such a building in the event of an alarm we were asked to move into the stairwells and stay on the landing on the floor we entered. No one was to use or block the stairs unless explicitly instructed to evacuate. The stairs were to be kept clear for emergency personnel. I can't imagine many people listening right now, especially when they don't know what the problem is.

Janice

mtbat · #21 09-27-2001, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bupkiss
How about not building mega-skyscrapers?

the article Gracef posted talks about that-

Quote:

Originally posted by Roymeo
[b]Remember, terrorists look for vulnerabilities. tear down all the tall buildings and the terrorists will fly a blimp with nail-wrapped explosives over your next sporting event.[b]

Good point. no matter what we come up with, those who terrorize us will find other ways to attack us and they will just keep getting more and more creative in doing so.

Fridai