Buy Werner ESC220 Fire Escape Ladder, Two StoryWerner ESC220 Fire Escape Ladder, Two Story Product Description:
- 2-story model
- 1200-Pound load capacity, 400-Pound load capacity per rung, can be used by multiple people simultaneously
- Flat rungs, with anti-slip grooves and standoffs, assistance strap for easy exit
- One to two hour installation time
- Can be used over any size window sill, multi-level roof lines, primed white to blend with any decor
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
40 of 40 people found the following review helpful.
By Dr. Stuart Gitlow
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.
25 of 25 people found the following review helpful.
By CKE
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2EVKQQY4Q9D7L Every multi-story home needs a fire escape. Really without exception every home that is more than one story needs a safe method of escaping in case of a fire. The Werner Fire Escape is a very smart option since it is fixed into your wall it eliminates the need of having to search for a fire escape ladder and then properly securing to the window in the case of a fire. The Werner Fire Escape Ladder is always ready.A Few notesInstallation -- A stud finder is recommended, unfortunately I have always had mixed luck with stud finders. My Recommendation is that you use small nails or other means to verify stud placement. This will save you MAJOR headaches if your studs happen not not be placed at 16" intervals. Also, don't just assume that the ladder will be placed in the center of your window - see the video review - because mine was NOT.- Other tools needed - A dry wall saw, metric ratchet set, a level tape measure, drill with 1/8" and 1/4" drill bits, and a few thumb tacks- Expect that installation will take 60-90 minutes- This is definitely a case of measure twice and cut once, otherwise you may find yourself patching drywall- Once the ladder is installed - try climbing UP (at least the first two or three rungs) the ladder instead of climbing DOWN the ladder from the window.- The enclosure can be caulked and painted - so you are not stuck with whiteOther Notes-- I would recommend placing the ladder in a spot that has a STRAIGHT drop to the ground. No out-croppings, lips or other external features of your home should be in the way. It may work with these features, but it may make escaping a little more tricky.- The ladder installs into the wall very securely, so I have no fears of it breaking loose.- The seat-belt like straps that rungs fasten to seem to stretch a bit. This would be an explanation on why the runs seem to be non-perpindicular.- The ladder is a bit flimsy when deployed - it has all of the rigidity of a rope ladder. This means that you must exercise care when going up or down the ladder. I would definitely recommend that your families practice going partially up and down the ladder for practice.- It takes a few minutes to properly fold-up and store. Certainly not an issue if it is needed in the case of a fire, but it does make practice drills a bit more of a pain.Final Verdict - A little flimsy but otherwise a smart choice for two story homes.4 1/2 Stars
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful.
By Two kids mom
The idea behind this ladder is excellent, you will always have the ladder available in an emergency and will not have to worry about hooking it over the windowsill correctly. It sits almost flush to the wall. My eleven year old has no trouble operating it, it is more difficult for her to get the window open and the screen out than to deal with the ladder.Things to consider:You need a window without a window below it if you are going to practice. In an emergency you would not care about breaking the window below, but if you want your kids to practice you need to have one that hangs straight down.Your studs need to be 16 inches on center to make installation easy (check them with a stud finder). Even if they are, you may have to do some fiddling. The place we chose one of the studs was a bit warped, necessitating the use of a chisel to flatten it out. It took almost two hours to install and we are pretty handy. It is a snug fit between those studs. Insulation to replace the stuff you remove is included.The ages of your family members should be considered in placing the ladder. We installed it in our 11 year olds room, old enough to escape on her own and to be responsible. You don't want a really young kid messing with this, on the other hand since getting out of the window should be considered, in fact it is much easier for a kid to attempt this than us adults. Since kids are more agile and smaller it is actually easier for them. If you are "chunky" it is not a simple matter to maneuver yourself into the position to exit a window. The elderly, infirm or handicapped would simply not be able to execute this, especially in an emergency.The ladder can hold 1200 pounds, which is critical if you will need to be carrying or helping someone else down. This is a definite plus, as the ladder we had before that would hang on the sill specifically said one person at a time and I always wondered how we would manage this. Another benefit is that someone outside could confidently use this ladder to get back inside if needed, not worrying about it's stability. I did not feel comfortable teaching my kids to use that ladder on their own, and worried about them being trapped if we could not get to them. Now I feel that they can exit the house on their own if needed. Be sure to set up a meeting place for everyone in the family during a fire so that no one is going back into the house to save someone who is already out.Well worth the money for piece of mind, even if you never need it.
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OK...barely