Hanoi households, businesses rush to install escape ladders outside buildings
Thursday, September 28, 2023, 15:50 GMT+7
Many households and businesses in Hanoi have raced to equip escape ladders outside their high-rise buildings following a fatal apartment block inferno that killed 56 people in the capital earlier this month.
These escape ladders come in all types and sizes, but most of them are made from metal.
The owners of buildings with enough spaces have equipped them with spiral ladders, while vertical ladders have been installed outside some others.
Some ladders have even encroached on sidewallk areas.
|
|
| The owner of an eight-floor apartment block on Thanh Binh Street in Ha Dong District, Hanoi has equipped the building with an escape ladder system costing over VND100 million (US$4,100). Photo: Hong Quang / Tuoi Tre |
Le Ha Khanh, residing on Minh Khai Street in Hai Ba Trung District, was in a divided mind while choosing an escape ladder for her six-floor apartment block.
Vertical ladders are dangerous as people may fall while climbing down, Khanh said.
Meanwhile, she does not know how much weight a ladder can hold and what material the ladders should be made of to prevent the heat conduction, Khanh added.
|
|
| He installs a spiral ladder outside the building thanks to a large yard. Photo: Hong Quang / Tuoi Tre |
|
|
The installation of escape ladders outside buildings is just a temporary solution. It is necessary to assess the safety and suitability of the facilities to buildings, according to Vu Ngoc Anh, head of the Science - Technology and Environment Department under the Ministry of Construction.
Residents should consult specialized individuals and agencies so that escape ladders will meet standards and prove effective in case of incidents.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Each floor has two escape routes leading to the escape ladder, which is wide enough for a person to climb. Photo: Hong Quang / Tuoi Tre |
A fire engulfed a densely-inhabited mini apartment block down a narrow alley on Khuong Ha Street in Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi around midnight on September 12.
Police confirmed 56 deaths in the conflagration, which also left scores injured.
The property consisted of nine floors and a mezzanine and was home to around 150 people before the tragedy.
The building had only one exit and no escape route.
|
|
| The building owner writes fire prevention and fighting regulations and instructions on how to use the escape ladder on a board on the ground floor. Photo: Hong Quang / Tuoi Tre |
|
|
|
|
| Some residents find it hard to install escape ladders outside their buildings due to the small space. Photo: Hong Quang / Tuoi Tre |
|
|
| Part of an escape ladder of a house on Le Trong Tan Street in Ha Dong District, Hanoi juts out to the sidewalk. Photo: Hong Quang / Tuoi Tre |
|
|
| Two adjacent buildings are equipped with escape ladders, creating a metal layer on their façades. Photo: Hong Quang / Tuoi Tre |
|
|
| The owner of this building hangs air conditioners’ condenser units on an escape ladder. Photo: Hong Quang / Tuoi Tre |
|
|
| An apartment block with 60 rooms for rent in Cau Giay District, Hanoi is equipped with a vertical ladder. Photo: Hong Quang / Tuoi Tre |
|
|
| The metal ladder is as long as the height of the building. Photo: Hong Quang / Tuoi Tre |
Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
