From ancient history until now, man has constructed high-rise buildings of various kinds. They include monuments, castles, churches, office buildings, hotels, hospitals and residences. No matter how sophisticated construction techniques and technology have become, there is no
system to transport people and equipment to or from selected locations between the
ground level and roof of a high-rise; quickly, economically, consistently and safely outside the structure. Reed's High-Rise
Emergency Rescue Egress
System is such a
system. This
system solves the myriad problems which have existed for centuries relating to a need for external, vertical high-rise
emergency evacuation and does so with substantial cost-efficiencies. Reed's High-Rise
Emergency Rescue Egress
System is comprised of varied electronic and
mechanical components operating in
unison. The three major pieces to the high-rise system are; a vehicle, a gondola and a roof-
mount cantilever: The vehicle is a self-powered ground vehicle containing a gondola, stabilizing steel cables, drums, television screens, video cameras, communications, and
remote control equipment. Once linked to a
cantilever it provides power for lifting the gondola, equipment and personnel to monitor all activities below, beside or above the fire area. The self-powered
cantilever is, remotely or manually, positioned on the roof of a high-rise building to a desired area of operation. The cantilever extends its connection arm over the edge of a high-rise building and lower cables to the ground
rescue vehicle to make necessary connections with the gondola for traveling up and down the walls of a high-rise building. The cantilever roof-
mount system is portable and contains steel cables, electric / hydraulic wenches, radio receivers, transmitters and video communication. The gondola, an enclosed cabin, is positioned on the rear, body portion, of the high-rise
rescue vehicle. Once the gondola is linked to the vehicle and cantilever arm it becomes an exterior enclosed
transporter in a matter of minutes. Reed's High-Rise
Emergency Rescue Egress gondola will carry up to eight fully equipped firemen and can scale the wall of a burning building in minutes. The gondola carries firefighters and equipment below, beside or above the fire, while at the same time providing trapped building occupants a safe means of escape. A modified version of the gondola is used for high-rise
building construction and maintenance.