wrote

As part of the re-furb we're starting to think about how to escape a
fire if the staircase is impassable. We plan to stay here until age and
decrepitude means we have to move, so the system needs to be
usable by a wide age range. There seem to be escape ladders or
rope descenders (is there anything else, apart from greasy poles?)

Yep, surplus ejector seats.

but I can't imagine using a rope ladder when old,

True.

and a rope descender either needs a return mechanism
or a descender and harness for each person.

What does the team think?

Surplus ejector seats.

Has anyone here been through the same
process and come up with a smart solution?

Yep. My place is single story, what you lot call a bungalow,
with every room except the dunnys and bathrooms with
at least one patio door to the outside.