- Author
- Trepesch, D.
- Title
- Rescue and Escape Devices, Present State of Technique and Possibilities for Developments. (Rettungs- und Fluchtgerate: Stand der Technik und Entwicklungsmoglichkeiten.)
- Journal
- VFDB, Vol. 35, No. 2, 69-74, May 1986
- Keywords
- rescue operations
- Abstract
- Rescue technique is a field in which the human aim for safety always brings new ideas. Sometimes, however, it has been overlooked that many rescue and escape installations would be unnecessary if the construction was made reasonably and according to protection requirements, and if the constructive fire protection has not any operational deficiencies. God be praised that Germany has not suffered in the past years from fire hazards as they have happened in the USA and in the Far East. These facts are mainly due to the strong fire protection rules which, therefore, must be observed persistently and consequently in the future. The safest rescue and escape way is and remains the "wall-enclosed staircase"in connection with a safe passage system. Deliberations concerning the development of new rescue equipment should include these facts. It is especially important for fire operations in tall buildings that the fire fighters reach the place of operation quickly and this in fact will really prevent that a small fire will develop into a fire hazard. To achieve this, it is believed that a safe elevator is the most suitable. The fire protection of old buildings is often not adequate; wooden staircases, a missing second escape way, or a poor accessibility are only a few of such critical points. Fire hazards in hotels all over the world but also fire events in old living sections of German towns have clearly shown this condition by numerous victims. In all these cases, the prevailing fire safety protection can be improved considerably by rescue and escape devices of the modern type. The rescue equipment of the fire brigades has reached a high standard of technical quality, any technical revolutions, however, are not in sight.