Helix Fire Escape Structure for High-Rise Evacuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fire escape systems in high-rise buildings are inadequate in removing smoke and providing efficient egress for fire victims and firefighters, especially for the disabled, elderly, and injured, as they rely on stairs and elevators which are often compromised during fires.
Innovation Solution
A helical conveying system integrated into the building, utilizing a vacuum smoke removal system with metal ducts and fan blades to extract smoke, and providing a two-way transportation mechanism with escape trays and fireman's carts for safe and quick evacuation and upward transportation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional fire escape systems use stairs and elevators for egress, then the structure remains simple, but smoke removal efficiency and evacuation speed deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The fire escape system is divided into separate functional components: a helical conveying system for personnel evacuation, a vacuum system with metal ducts for smoke removal, and a center cylinder shaft for smoke extraction. This segmentation allows each subsystem to optimize its specific function while working together to solve the overall fire safety problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary systems between the fire source and occupants: the helical conveyor acts as an intermediary transportation mechanism that bypasses traditional stairs, while the vacuum system with metal ducts serves as an intermediary smoke removal pathway. These intermediaries enable faster, safer evacuation and smoke extraction without compromising structural simplicity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional systems rely on natural ventilation, then energy consumption is low, but smoke removal effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces passive natural ventilation with an active mechanical vacuum system. A vacuum system with metal ducts and a center cylinder shaft creates controlled air flow to extract smoke from the fire scene and transport it through the helical structure. This mechanical substitution significantly improves smoke removal effectiveness by actively pulling smoke through designated pathways rather than relying on natural convection and diffusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs pneumatic principles by using a vacuum system to create negative pressure for smoke extraction. The vacuum system draws smoke through metal ducts and into the center cylinder shaft, utilizing air pressure differentials to move harmful gases. This pneumatic approach enables controlled, efficient smoke removal that overcomes the limitations of natural ventilation methods.
3Loss of time
If fire escape systems are designed for one-way traffic, then the path is simple, but response time for firefighters deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The helical conveying system is designed to accommodate dynamic, bidirectional traffic flow. The same helical structure that evacuates occupants downward can transport firefighters upward, and the system can adjust its operation based on real-time fire conditions. This dynamic capability allows the structure to serve multiple functions simultaneously, reducing response time for firefighter deployment while managing the complexity through flexible operational protocols.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively removes smoke from the building, ensures safe and quick egress for all individuals, including the disabled and elderly, and enables firefighters to arrive at any floor level quickly and safely for firefighting, reducing fatigue and improving response efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
This vacuum system is created by a fan and large blades mounted at the top of the inner cylinder. The vacuum will pull the smoke up to the roof top
Data Source
AI summary
Improvements in a fire escape having a structure of a Helix/Spiral Cylinder shape. It's a building within a building. It provides a quick and safe evacuation for all fire victims, including the A.D.A., the injured and the elderly. Its spiral design can accommodate a large number of floor levels. It eliminates the hazards acquainted with stairs and elevators. It has the capability of removing some of the smoke from the high-rise fire by way of a metal Ducting System. It draws the smoke into the center smoke shaft. The spiral is a two-way traffic pathway, which offers Fire Department personnel and their equipment a method of upward transportation to any floor-level they need for fighting this fire incident. My design can be retrofitted to any existing building.