On 05/07/2019 10:57, Robin wrote:
On 05/07/2019 09:06, 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?) but I
can't imagine using a rope ladder when old, and a rope descender
either needs a return mechanism or a descender and harness for each
person.

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

Is there any special reason you expect the stairs to become impassable
quickly - eg are they open plan to the kitchen and living areas?
No, it's a direction from SWMBO ;-)

If not, FWLIW my conclusion was that if I reach the point where
interlinked smoke alarms don't give me enough time to get down the
stairs and out then it's time to start sleeping downstairs.