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(More customer reviews)Step 1: Ensure that your house has the same specifications as the average house. Our second story window is 18' off the ground. Our third story window is 27' off the ground. This is typical for any home built before the 1930s, and it is precisely such homes with their wood framing and older electrical systems, where having a fire escape ladder is likely to be of the highest importance. So here, the three story ladder actually leaves us off a few feet from the ground. Not a problem for the younger folks, or where you'll be dropping onto a soft surface, but for older occupants or for a pavement-based landing, this is not preferable.
Step 2: The ladder-containing box is meant to be installed within the wall, not against the wall. That is, you'll be carving out a hole in your wall, then securing the box directly to the studs, which must be 16" center-to-center. The space necessary in the wall is 9.5"x16.5" for a two story ladder and 12" x 16.5" for this three story ladder. Again, if you have an older house with a plaster wall, installation may not be nearly as straightforward as it is in a new construction home where all you have to do is cut out some drywall and remove some insulation.
Step 3: Install the unit. There is a very nice instructional video available online. An excellent illustrated manual accompanies the ladder and clearly depicts each step of the installation process. The installation will likely be easy for someone with advanced home carpentry skills. If you're comfortable building a bookcase from scratch, you'll be able to handle this. If not, calling in a carpenter for assistance would be a good idea. Don't forget that in an older home, you might find water or termite damage as you go. That will have to be repaired first.
The unit itself is a heavy and clearly strong metal box that contains a ladder with aluminum rungs held in place by vertical straps. The box is beige. I mention that because the packing box shows it and declares that the unit "blends with decor." I suppose that's true if your decor is beige. With our purple walls, the box stands out like a sore thumb. But, obviously, you can paint the front of the box. Just ensure that you don't paint it closed.
In an emergency, you grab the front of the box and remove it. That is easy as it just lifts off. Open the window and toss out the foot of the ladder. There is a assistance strap and you pull your way out the window while holding onto the strap and stepping up onto the inside of the box to let yourself easily go out the window. Frankly, I didn't pull myself all the way out the window in this manner but instead tested the unit by climbing it from the outside. There is clearly a point as you get out the window where you'd have to turn around and regain your grasp of the ladder. The ladder swings because of the strap sides so the process of getting out, particularly in a tight window space, may have its own difficulties. Add the possibility of night, a lack of emergency lighting, and the emotional stress of your house burning to the ground, and naturally it's important to have gained familiarity with this escape system in advance.
There's no question that having an escape route like this is far better than the alternative. The ladder and installation unit are both well constructed and of high quality. Nothing bent during the installation or drill process. Your life will depend on the ladder, particularly in the three story variety, so get professional help with the installation should you have any doubts about your skills there. Finally, recognize that the process of climbing out a window onto a moving ladder may not be easy for all the occupants of your home so keep that in mind before purchase.
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During a fire, every second counts. That's why the Werner ESC-220 Two-Story Fire Escape Ladder is made to help you and your family evacuate your home quickly. Designed for placement on your home's second story, this durable ladder installs in the wall below a window, so it's always ready to go and can never be misplaced.
When Every Second CountsAccording to the U.S. Fire Administration, a small flame can grow out of control in 30 seconds, turning into a major fire that threatens serious injury or death. Moreover, most residential fires occur at night while we sleep, and they spread too quickly for the fire department to respond. For the best chance of survival, families need to be able to escape from an upstairs window within 30 seconds. The ESC-220 makes that possible.
Permanently Installs for Peace of MindIn the event of an emergency, you need to secure your family, not your fire ladder. That's why the ESC-220 permanently installs into the wall below a second-story window. This clever design means you'll never spend wasted time trying to locate your emergency ladder. An added bonus, the ESC-220 blends with any décor, as it can be painted or wallpapered to complement your room.
User-Friendly Design is Strong and Heat ResistantBecause you have only seconds to exit a burning home, the ESC-220 is easy to deploy--it fully extends to 17 feet, 2 inches when the release tab is pulled.
This escape ladder is also incredibly strong and sturdy, with heat-resistant nylon webbing and anti-slip flat rungs and stand-offs. To help keep you steady, a helpful first-step assistance strap provides safety and stability.
What's more, the ESC-220 holds up to 1,200 pounds, which allows multiple family members and rescue professionals to use the ladder at the same time. And unlike one-time-use fire ladders, the ESC-220 can be repacked and used for practice drills.
About Werner: The Pros' ChoiceWerner is a manufacturer and distributor of professional fiberglass, aluminum, and wood climbing equipment. With its beginnings as a floor covering and molding business, Werner has evolved over the past 60 years into a climbing equipment leader. Today, Werner ladders are found on more trucks and jobsites than all other ladder brands combined.
What's in the BoxESC-220 Fire Escape Ladder; hardware assortment; installation template; and insulation sheet.
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