Safe Escape Saf-Escape Personal Fire Ladder
Feb. 5, 2010 — Occasionally we run a "Weekly New Product" that's not so much new as it is a new idea, at least to most co-op and condo boards. This particular new idea only applies to smaller, low-rise co-ops and condos, but the nice part is that it doesn't have to cost your building anything yet STILL might help lower your building's insurance rate.
How so? Let's say, heaven forbid, your boiler explodes or some mechanical or staff error results in a fire. If your shareholders or unit-owners are able to escape via one of these low-cost personal fire ladders that they can unroll, hook onto a window sill and climb down on, thus saving a life that might have been lost, then you've just dodged a whole heap of expensive liability issues. Many insurance companies already offer discounts for, as one puts its, "smoke alarms, deadbolts, fire extinguishers, fire alarms, burglar alarms or sprinklers," and emergency fire ladders seem like they'd fit right in. (Feel free to add your comments to the "Comments" section at the end of this column. We're curious as to what you think of this notion.)
The Saf-Escape line of personal fire ladders from the Westchester County, N.Y., company Safe Escape ranges from two to five stories long (13 to 45 feet) and are made of zinc-plated 18 gauge steel that's been chain-tension tested to hold up to 1,000 pounds. They're designed to be stored underneath a bed or window, and come in models suitable for walls up to 18 inches thick. Each comes with a limited lifetime warranty. Prices range from $64.95 for a two-story, 14-foot ladder for 10-inch walls to $204.95 for a four- to five-story, 35-foot ladder for 14- to 18-inch walls.
That fairly modest price range means co-op shareholders and condo unit-owners can buy these personal fire ladders themselves — or even via the board taking orders, buying them in bulk and distributing them to the residents with a reasonable fee on top that can go into your building's coffers. (If you get a good bulk rate, the total cost to a resident could still be less than their buying it retail.) If enough residents get them, then you can approach your insurance carrier — or a new one — to see if they'll shave a few points off your bill, being as how your co-op/condo is so safety-conscious.
And even if your insurer won't, you might be helping save a life someday. Seriously.
Safe Escape, Inc. • 200 Weskora Road, Yorktown Heights, N.Y. 10598 • toll-free (888) 735-7522 • Sales@SafeEscape.com