Equip yourself with a fire escape ladder

Do you live in an apartment, on a higher or lower level of the ground? For your safety and that of the other occupants of your accommodation, it is strongly recommended that you equip yourself with a

. During a fire, it is indeed not uncommon for the main possible exit (the front door) to be blocked, either because the fire broke out near this front door, or because that the fumes which accumulate there prevent any attempt to pass. With a fire escape ladder, different from a simple telescopic ladder, you have another possible way out to be able to escape your home as quickly as possible.

Take advantage of our selection of 5 essential fire escape ladder models to provide your apartment with an emergency exit.

In the event of an alert emitted by the smoke detector - mandatory in homes since March 2015 - the fire escape ladder will allow you to quickly leave your home through an exit other than the front door.

Usefulness, criteria to be taken into account to choose the right one, tips for installation… Le Parisien Guide Shopping explains in detail everything you need to know about this fire protection equipment dedicated to saving lives.

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Why is it useful to install a fire escape ladder?

In France, a domestic fire breaks out every two minutes on average.

Each year, several hundred people die from fires, most often at night.

About ten thousand others recorded injuries of varying severity.

To avoid these dramatic situations, France has made the presence of a smoke detector in homes compulsory.

The objective: to alert the occupants of the accommodation in the event of a fire to allow them to evacuate as quickly as possible.

But this is not enough.

In some situations, escaping the accommodation through the front door may not be possible.

Whether it breaks out inside or outside the apartment, the fire can sometimes prevent any exit by the main emergency exit, and then force the occupants to find another way out: the window.

Depending on the height at which this window is located from the ground, venturing through this exit can nevertheless prove to be more or less perilous.

With a fire escape ladder, you have the opportunity to get out of your apartment safely, without having to wait for the firefighters to arrive and the deployment of their large ladder.

What type of escape ladder should I choose for my apartment?

The different types of ladders

In the fire protection equipment market today, there are several types of fire escape ladders or fire escape ladders.

Most often, the distinction is first made between:

• Fixed fire escape ladders: as their name easily suggests, these fire escape ladders are intended to remain in place throughout the year to provide an escape solution in the event of a fire, without having to to carry out the slightest manipulation.

• Portable fire escape ladders: Unlike fixed models, portable fire escape ladders can be stored in one place and used only when needed.

  For obvious reasons, it is recommended that you store these portable fire escape ladders upstairs, and away from the front door for single level apartments.

  It is also necessary to make it accessible to all and to ensure good storage conditions (avoid dust, insects, humidity, etc.).

The differences between the scales

The distinction between the different models of fire escape ladders is then also made between:

• rope fire escape ladders: this is a model of an emergency ladder to deploy, a bit like a climbing rope;

• fire escape ladders for windows: this is a model to be fixed on the windowsills;

• Retractable fire escape ladders: they work much the same way as a sliding telescopic ladder.

How do I install a fire escape ladder for my apartment?

It all depends on the type of fire escape ladder and / or the configuration of the premises. Most commercial mobile fire escape ladders can be installed by simply attaching them to window sills. This applies to most windows with conventional dimensions. When the architecture of the house does not allow the installation of a classic fire escape ladder, it is possible to opt for a model equipped with rope loops and carabiners. With a few simple steps (to repeat beforehand to avoid discovering how this type of emergency ladder works), it is possible to attach the fire escape ladder to a solid anchoring point. In addition to the scale,you can perfectly use a safe: it will be used to protect your belongings from the flames.

What are the criteria to take into account when choosing a fire escape ladder?

Several criteria must be taken into account when choosing an emergency ladder or a fire escape ladder:

• The dimensions of the ladder: fire escape ladders are available in different lengths to provide an evacuation solution depending on the number of floors to descend.

  The difference in height between the floor and the window of your apartment or two-story house should allow you to choose a suitable length of escape ladder.

• Load capacity: all fire escape ladders are designed to be able to withstand a minimum load.

  However, not all of them allow simultaneous use of the ladder by several people.

  Be sure to check the load capacity of the emergency ladder according to the number and / or the morphology of people likely to have to use it.

• Storage: not all fire escape ladders have the same storage facilities.

  For practical reasons, it may be advantageous to use an emergency ladder contained in an airtight storage box, which is easy to store.

What accessories to buy with a fire escape ladder?

Different accessories can complete the purchase of your fire escape ladder.

The storage box (for ladder models sold without), the fixing bar, the fixing kits with carabiner are among the essential accessories.

For parents of a young child, a child carrier for emergency evacuation, or a baby carrier, can also find its place in the apartment or house to facilitate the evacuation of this child via the ladder. rescue.

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