I've often wondered how is fire safety exercised in super tall structures and skyscrapers. One obvious method is to install fire or smoke sensors connected to sprinklers. However, that'd just alert people! What about the mechanism to evacuate people in shortest possible time? In 2-5 storey building, it's possible to evacuate people through fire exits (usually stairs); but that's not an option in high-rise buildings. So, is elevator the only option?
I think this problem really needs a solution. Deccan Chronicle mentions that 338 Skyscrapers worldwide lack fire safety mechanisms. http://www.deccanchronicle.com/hyderabad/338-skyscrapers-lack-fire-safety-989 I have read that the collapse of the Twins Towers of the world trade center was not caused directly by the impact of the two hijacked airlines but by the fires which followed. There was a documentary by BBC Horizon about 'Fire Fighting in SkyScrapers' Take a look-
elevators are never the best option, there are different laws that define the evacuation procedures for example NFPA 101, OSHA guidelines and various Indian state rules that include measures such as refuge area, chutes, horizontal exits etc.
Lol just a stupid idea which is practically not viable for sure..! People can be provided with parachutes..!(But how much can be provided? what if they hurt themselves during landing...! I do not know..! )..........
the idea of human teleportation is undoubtedly the best idea, but i never said parachutes vinod, http://www.escape-chute-systems.com/ take a look at this link, chutes can be used in emergency, as per an NFPA report - "By most measures, the risks of fire and of associated losses are lower in high-rise buildings than in other buildings of the same property use. A major reason why risks are lower is probably the much greater use of fire protection systems and features in high-rise buildings as compared to shorter buildings".
@archlpe : Escape Chute System looks promising. But has it been a proven mechanism in supertall structures; the likes of Burj Khalifa ?
single entry escape chutes can be used up to 200 m high building. Longest installed 142 m at Intraco Building, Warsaw, Poland http://www.ilerisavunma.com/en/escape/chute/faq.htm
Parachutes was just my opinion..! (which i know is very stupid of me..(I hadn't come across these chutes by then..! )
