This project proposed alternative designs and improvements to the First Alert Two-Story Fire Escape Ladder (model EL52-2). Research was conducted on the various types of fire escape methods and their current limitations, as well as the laws and codes required to produce a safe product on the market. The project team highlighted numerous improvements that could be made to the ladder design, including the ladder’s latching mechanism, a novel design to significantly extend the applicability of the ladder for situations having first-floor windows directly below the escape window, additional quick-grab handles were proposed, and demonstrated to improve ease-of-use during exit and descent, and reduced overall weight of the product. The project team conducted both physical and CAD simulation testing of the designs and compared the proposed design changes to the current model in terms of weight, cost, and usability. The team concluded that the proposed ladder alterations will not increase the cost of the existing one. However, the applicability range and improved ease of use of the new ladder designs will significantly extend the market and enhance user ratings of the product.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Lanoue, Timothy
• Bressner, Grete
• Stone, Zachary
• Downing, Meaghan

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 54126
• E-project-032522-131203

Keyword

• Fire Safety
• Mechanical Engineering
• Design
• Ladder
• Fire
• Escape

Advisor

• Sullivan, John M.

Year

• 2022

Sponsor

• First Alert

Date created

• 2022-03-25

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Mechanical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright