fire escape

Home > ... > Literature and the Arts > Art and Architecture > Architecture > ...

fire escape

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition | 2008 | The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright 2008 Columbia University Press. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

fire escape in architecture, device, either fixed or movable, to facilitate escape from a burning building. In the United States the term usually is applied to the common iron balconies and stairways or ladders that give exterior egress from each floor to the ground. In England the term refers to a portable extension ladder that may be wheeled up to a burning building to enable occupants to escape when ordinary exits are cut off.

Hide all research tools
Print this article Print all entries for this topic Cite this article Link to this article
Link to this article

CloseClose

Create a link to this page

Copy and paste this link tag into your Web page or blog:

<a href="http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/.aspx#1E1-fireesca" title="Facts and information about fire escape">fire escape</a>

Add this article to Del.icio.usBookmark this article on DiigoShare this article on FacebookSubmit this article to RedditGive this article a thumbs-up on StumbleUpon
Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

"fire escape." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Nov. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"fire escape." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (November 12, 2009). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-fireesca.html

"fire escape." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Retrieved November 12, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-fireesca.html

Learn more about citation styles

fire escape

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English | 2009 | © The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English 2009, originally published by Oxford University Press 2009. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

fire es·cape • n. a staircase or other apparatus used for escaping from a building on fire.

Hide all research tools
Print this article Print all entries for this topic Cite this article Link to this article
Link to this article

CloseClose

Create a link to this page

Copy and paste this link tag into your Web page or blog:

<a href="http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/.aspx#1O999-fireescape" title="Facts and information about fire escape">fire escape</a>

Add this article to Del.icio.usBookmark this article on DiigoShare this article on FacebookSubmit this article to RedditGive this article a thumbs-up on StumbleUpon
Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

"fire escape." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Nov. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"fire escape." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (November 12, 2009). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-fireescape.html

"fire escape." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved November 12, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-fireescape.html

Learn more about citation styles

Free newspaper and magazine articles

Free Article Roof fire - escape drama.
Newspaper article from: Scarborough Evening News (Scarborough, England); 8/3/2006
Free Article Netting to be put over fire escape.
Newspaper article from: Spalding Guardian & Lincs Free Press (Spalding, England); 11/26/2007
Free Article Family in fire escape drama.
Newspaper article from: Lancashire Evening Post (Preston, England); 7/23/2007

Facts and information from other sites

Related articles from newspapers, magazines, and more

CHECKS ON FIRE ESCAPES LACKING.(CAPITAL REGION)
Newspaper article from: Albany Times Union (Albany, NY); 1/12/1998; 700+ words ; ...of panic: They are fire escapes that go unused...the safety of outdoor escapes as his cause. ``That...tampering with the fire escape that sent Kapp falling...never try to use the escape; they'd more likely...steps. - In Albany, an escape attached to a Columbia...responsible ...
Fire escapes plea in safety drive
Newspaper article from: Evening Mail; 9/15/2000; ; 412 words ; ...Worcestershire are being urged to plan escape routes to ensure they can flee if fire breaks out in their home. The...launched by Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigade as part of the National Fire Safety Week which officially...injured in a total of 1,315 fires in homes across the counties...
Fire escapes plea in safety drive.(SPO)
Newspaper article from: Birmingham Evening Mail (England); 9/15/2000; 418 words ; ...Worcestershire are being urged to plan escape routes to ensure they can flee if fire breaks out in their home. The...launched by Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigade as part of the National Fire Safety Week which officially...injured in a total of 1,315 fires in homes across the counties...
Replace older fire escapes to prevent tragedies.(Main)(Letter to the editor)
Newspaper article from: Albany Times Union (Albany, NY); 10/7/2006; 494 words ; ...more than a year since the fire on Madison Place. I am writing...as Albany has had numerous fires. My recommendation is to...real issue of combustible fire escapes on buildings in Albany. The law states that all fire escapes erected after 1953...
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR MULTI-FAMILY HOMEOWNERS CONCERNING EXTERIOR STAIRWAYS, FIRE ESCAPES
News Wire article from: US Fed News Service, Including US State News; 8/24/2007; 436 words ; ...Maintenance: All exterior stairways and fire escapes shall be kept free of snow and ice. Exterior stairways and fire escapes constructed of materials requiring...necessary to maintain the stairways and fire escapes in safe condition where corrodible...
PALACE PREPARES TO FIX FIRE ESCAPES.(Local)
Newspaper article from: Albany Times Union (Albany, NY); 11/1/1989; 463 words ; ...cleaning and restoration of its fire escapes. The city Fire Department ordered...prompted by concern that a fire escape might not be able to support people...occurring now." Two exterior fire escapes and exterior metal stairs to the...
Wooden fire escapes need to be replaced.(Main)(Letter to the editor)
Newspaper article from: Albany Times Union (Albany, NY); 10/17/2006; 426 words ; Pat Green's Oct. 7 letter cites the dangers of older, wooden fire escapes and their potential to fail under fire conditions. Safe means of egress from buildings on fire is the fundamental difference between life and death. I am perplexed...
Fire escapes locked to control access.(News)
Newspaper article from: Cape Times (South Africa); 5/20/2009; 531 words ; ...problems at Senator Park included fire extinguishers which had apparently...For example, they will lock the fire escapes and introduce turnstiles. If there...the City of Cape Town's chief fire officer, said trained fire inspectors...
Exits, fire escapes need to be free of snow, ice
Newspaper article from: Bangor Daily News Bangor, ME; 1/7/2003; 259 words ; BANGOR - The Bangor Fire Department is reminding all homeowners, apartment owners and businesses to clear all exits and fire escapes of snow and ice after this past weekend's snowstorm. Fire codes in Maine dictate that all exits and fire...
Clout watches the windows; Connected firm gets $35,000 pact to steer employees past closed fire escapes
Newspaper article from: Chicago Sun-Times; 7/12/2007; ; 589 words ; ...Cook County employees not to use the fire escape windows at the County Building because...employees to the nearest alternative fire escape "in the event of an emergency...as Mark 1 Restoration repairs the fire escape stairs. Mark 1 hired Digby...

Pictures from Google Image Search

Click to see an enlarged picture
Click to see an enlarged picture
Click to see an enlarged picture

For students and teachers!

Encyclopedia.com provides students and teachers facts, information, and biographies from verified, citable sources, including:

Encyclopedia.com provides students and teachers facts, information, and biographies from verified, citable sources, including:

Current fire escape News: