Emergency ladders and escape routes for high-rise buildings.

QTO - After more than 11 years of persistent research, Mr. Cao Minh Tuyet, currently residing in sub-district 4, Dong Le commune, and his colleagues have successfully developed a rescue and escape ladder system for high-rise buildings. According to Mr. Tuyet, using this ladder system is a more effective escape and rescue solution than existing solutions, and can be used for both residential houses in narrow alleys and high-rise buildings in the event of a fire.

Concerns arising from the fires.

After many years living and working in Hanoi , Mr. Cao Minh Tuyet witnessed numerous fires in apartment buildings, high-rises, and townhouses, resulting in many casualties. The images of people trapped amidst smoke and flames, with all escape routes blocked, deeply troubled him. Based on this reality, for over 11 years, he has conceived, researched, designed, and, together with his colleagues, developed a rescue and emergency elevator system for high-rise buildings that operates from the outside of the building.

Mr. Cao Minh Tuyet's house in Dong Le commune is equipped with a rescue and escape ladder for high-rise buildings - Photo: XV

Mr. Tuyet shared: “When the fire broke out, the elevator in the building lost power, smoke filled the air, and the doors were blocked, leaving those inside almost helpless. The stairwell was also filled with toxic smoke, making escape and rescue very difficult, especially for the elderly and children. Therefore, I thought we needed an additional rescue method from outside the building.”

The emergency escape and rescue elevator system for high-rise buildings is designed not simply as a mechanical elevator, but as a combination of many integrated solutions. According to Mr. Tuyet, the most challenging aspect is making the cabin move horizontally from inside the building to the outside while simultaneously transitioning onto a vertical rail system, ensuring stability and absolute safety for users.

At one point, he and his colleagues had to dismantle and rebuild the system dozens of times just because a few details didn't meet the requirements. Unlike traditional elevators installed and operated inside buildings, Mr. Tuyet's emergency and escape elevator system for high-rise buildings mainly operates outside the building.

During operation, the cabin moves horizontally from inside the building outwards, connecting to vertical guide rails to reach the floors requiring rescue, bringing people down to the ground safely. To minimize risks in emergency situations, the system incorporates multiple mechanisms, such as: electromagnetic brakes, a fall prevention system in case of cable breakage, remote control for the entire system, and controls inside the cabin or at the floor door like a conventional elevator… The cabin is also designed to be airtight and safe to reduce the risk of toxic fumes entering.

Mr. Cao Minh Tuyet is explaining the operating principles of rescue and escape ladders - Photo: XV

The rescue and escape ladder system for high-rise buildings, invented by Mr. Tuyet, has a test load capacity of 400kg, a vertical travel speed of 16m/minute, and a horizontal speed of approximately 3m/minute. In 2019, the project participated in the national fire prevention and firefighting innovation competition and won third prize. In 2022, the project was granted a "Patent".

In 2023, the People's Committee of Quang Binh province (formerly) approved the list of science and technology tasks of the province. Currently, Mr. Tuyet's project "Rescue and escape ladder for high-rise buildings" has undergone internal technical acceptance and on-site acceptance.

High applicability

After years of research, design, and manufacturing, a rescue and escape ladder system for high-rise buildings has been installed and tested at Mr. Tuyet's three-story house (house number 28, Ham Nghi Street, Dong Le Commune). Following the installation, the system has attracted many local residents to visit and experience it.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hoa, a resident of Dong Le commune, shared: “At first, I was scared when using the stairwell created by Mr. Tuyet and his research team. It's a new device, and it's located outside the house. But after using it, I found the cabin to run very smoothly, securely, and steadily up and down. In a fire situation, having an additional escape route like this would give those inside a much better chance of successfully escaping.”

Recently, Mr. Tuyet also organized a ceremony to announce the internal acceptance of the "Rescue and Escape Ladder for High-Rise Buildings" project in Dong Le commune. The ceremony was attended by local Party committees, government officials, scientists, and a large number of residents.

Emergency escape and rescue ladder systems for high-rise buildings primarily operate outside the building when a fire occurs - Photo: XV

Dr. Hoang Manh, currently working at the Institute of Construction Science and Technology (under the Ministry of Construction ), and a member of the acceptance council, commented: “The project “Rescue and Escape Ladder for High-Rise Buildings” is innovative and has wide applicability in rescue, emergency response, and escape operations for high-rise buildings in the event of a fire. However, the equipment must continue to undergo rigorous testing regarding technical aspects, load capacity, stability, and operational safety.”

Attending the internal acceptance ceremony for the project "Rescue and Escape Ladder for High-Rise Buildings" created by Mr. Tuyet and his colleagues, Ms. Ho Thi Hoai Thu, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Dong Le Commune, commented: "This is a new model, demonstrating the creative spirit and social responsibility of the research team in finding solutions to protect people's lives from the risk of fire and explosions. The locality acknowledges this effort and hopes that the product will continue to be improved and thoroughly evaluated scientifically and safely so that it can be effectively applied in practice."

Although many technical challenges remain to be addressed, Mr. Cao Minh Tuyet's emergency escape and rescue system for high-rise buildings is opening up a new approach to rescue and evacuation operations in the event of building accidents or fires.

Xuan Vuong

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/khoa-hoc-cong-nghe/202605/thang-cuu-ho-va-thoat-hiem-cho-nha-cao-tang-1425927/