Counterbalanced stairs.Usually located in the rear or side of a building.It provides a means of egress for residents in case of fire or other emergency.It also can provide a means for fire fighters to enter the building to conduct the tasks needed to control the incident.
A single member with a rake, can pull down on the stairs allowing fire fighters to ascend to whatever floor is needed.
Some words of caution are needed
- Never stand underneath the stairs.The act of pulling on them can cause the entire stairway to collapse.(in photo 1 the stairs are chained to the balcony rendering it useless as far as we're concerned)
- Before ascending, test the first step and see if it will support you.(in photo 2 you can see the first step is damaged possibly indicating the entire stairway is in disrepair). I once attempted to use a counterbalance stairway and as I stepped on it the first step completely came off. The stairway went back up, just missing my face, and I decided to find another way to get into the building.
- Remember some of these fire escapes have been there several decades with little or no maintenance performed.Don't wait for the fire to see if there operable, pre-fire the building and notify proper authorities if you find deficiencies.
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If they must be used...a bit of advice I have is to keep your feet on the right or left side of the step as you ascend/descend. Not from experience at a fire, but my foot fell through the middle of a stair tread when I used to have my hibachi on on my fire escape. :o) Bring on the sausages!
ReplyDeleteNo Turkey Burgers?
ReplyDeleteGood Point. I used to never really think about fire ecapes but now I'd prefer department ladders only. If there's no other way then fine but I'd do the fastest tip-toeing possible.
Too many Sausages for me!