Abstract:
Due to many factors including increase in population, coupled with limited land mass, architects have moved to design structures with minimal footprint, but maximum use. In turn, this has meant the structures have grown taller, transforming the skyline of cities, towns and villages as well as the industrial landscape. This trend has increased the risks associated with personnel rescue or evacuation from structures in an emergency. At first the solution was one of adding fixed structures either within or external to the main structure, such as fire escapes or stair wells. In the more recent past, over the last few decades, there has been a realization that alternative options need to be explored and developed to meet the challenges of modern living and structures. This has created a demand for equipment and systems that can either mass evacuate or single evacuate persons to safety, reducing the risk of injury or death. This additionally has resulted in a requirement and need to research methods and types of personal evacuation designs and a method to escape quickly and safely with minimal knowledge or training. The challenge for engineers is to develop equipment that is not reliant upon external power, is lightweight, easily transported and able to be retrofitted. Working in multi- discipline teams in order to gain the other perspectives on the problem such as the type of body device or harness to prevent injury due to suspension and being able to cope with physical disability. The starting point came from winch, machine braking and clutch systems linked with mountain climbing techniques.
