I love the videos from This Old House, but I love the comment section even more. Thanks for the laughs to all the code enforcers or product critics. Too dam funny.
@mresmith4302 I agree.....many of the comments are amusing. Like saying fire escape ladders are a great idea "especially for a second floor." I don't know that I would install a fire escape from the first floor!
The first one should have a secondary tether secured to something permanently to prevent dropping the entire unit out the window during a fire where the occupants will be rushed and in a confused state
My neighbor has one of these fire escape ladders. One day, she was testing it out and threw the ladder outside. One of the rungs of the ladder swung back toward the house and shattered a window. True story.
That means that the ladder would always have to be unraveled from the inside, which would be an invitation to intruders, and easily detectable by parents.
"Okay Barbra, dare ar two choices. One, a fairly easy set up ore....two, a extremely complicated job dat wil take me three hours to complete." "Oh I don't know I think I'll choose..." "Now rememba Barbra, you may neva need this." "Right...I'll choose option 2." "Of course you will. Let me get ma tools."
Since they are going to need to paint the wall after damaging the painted area around the cut out they could have cut out a larger section of the wall and avoided that silly puzzle type framing.
I used to work at McDonald’s in Indiana and working there stressed me out when I was a teen but on the weekends me and my dad would watch this show and it was quite an escape from all the world
That may be so, but when a fire has blocked your main escape and is spreading fast, the seconds you save with having this ladder installed can save your life.
tihi yeah but imagine keeping your wits about you in middle of a raging inferno of mass destruction. You’d have to remember its location then be able to crawl out of the window and onto the first rung which looked sketchy AF.
I personally would have reconsidered on positioning that fire escape ladder further away from the fireplace. Considering the kitchens and then fireplaces are the 1st and 2nd most places that catch fire. I am no expert just filled with common sense.
This is great but had one major issue. Getting on that ladder with the house on fire. It would be hard enough to climb through that window on to the ladder in a normal calm situation. Now have the house on fire and imagine the mess with that.
Pretty neat how it sits recessed into the wall. Probably not a bad idea to open that wall up and make sure the studs aren't paper thin from termites or rot. I'd rather just jump from the second story knowing I was going to break something than think I was safe climbing a ladder that ripped out from a rotten wall. As far as the ladder itself goes it looks wiggly and narrow. I'd gladly pay a lot more for something wider and with bar-type rungs for a better hand grip and for faster decent movement. The wide flat rungs seem like I would catch my toes on them moving quickly and my hands wouldn't grip as well as they would on a round rung.
Probably wouldn't make much of a difference if you used the first option, but it wouldn't make much of an interesting episode if they did that would it.
TheCliptree It’s actually does with the first one you could think it’s on the sill and it’s not so when you go out the window you fall this ensures no error
I would have just cut the sheetrock right to the floor instead of messing around with little chunks of 2x4. You have to patch and paint that slot he cut. I could see if he made no damage to the wall and the homeowner had no matching paint, but they are going to be spackling and painting anyway.
Been looking into fire escape options zinc emoving into our upstairs apartment. These are great ideas but that looks like a young child's room. How are you gonna keep them from playing with it? Also how do you climb down it if you have a 1 yr old who cant use a ladder? I have a 5, 3 and 1 year old. How can I get everyone out safely if our main exist is not an option?
KMike68Camaro - I'm sure the sides probably have insulation (or the homeowners would notice), they just didn't stick any under the rough sills between the window studs.
I'll lend you so brain cells: liability is on PBS/TOH if something goes wrong, and this might scratch the siding as well. Better to live than to spare the house a few scratches, but again, who pays for the repairs if the producers push for a full demonstration.
Any product sold for use in the USA must meet NFPA fire codes and they are standardized. If a company were producing this inside the US and they did not meet code requirements, they would be very vulnerable to prosecution and lawsuits. If they were producing outside the US and they did not meet code requirements, their products would be seized at customs and most likely destroyed. Happens every day.
This one looks similar, it is listed as being rated for 1200 lbs which is an unofficial claim. Without knowing anything more about it I couldn't say; but any product like this will have a registered listing that determines it's use and you can usually contact them to verify. Companies that test these products, like UL for instance, stake their reputation on the integrity of their mark and they defend and protect that aggressively. www.homedepot.com/p/Werner-2-Story-Built-In-Fire-Escape-Ladder-ESC220/202507943 EDIT: I used to work for UL and I know how to go about contacting people in these types of companies (it can be tedious if you're not proactive). If you had one in mind I would have no problem helping you contact the right people for verification.
don't lose sleep over trolls Christopher. The internet has no deficit of tools like this. You are not at fault for you concerns and too many make the mistake of NOT asking things like this. Smart people ask questions and your children are better for it. I suggest you mute this post or block this particular @$$hat. I will be doing exactly that.
@@jonstamps3158 Hard to say but I do see one built in option for about 130 by a company called ISOP and of course there's some for much more and plenty that are not built it that are available.
Does it make sense to go past the down stairs window. If there was a fire on the main floor it could blow out the window. And I can see some little kid just pulling the cord to see what happens.
2022: Can anyone refer me to a source for that type of built in ladder? Or name brands to search for? Can only find one model for a third floor ladder from Werner…need second story ladders for new construction. Thanks in advance!
could use a strong long enouch beam of wood or metal across window opening , or just have rope or wire or chain always tied to bed that will then be pulled to window when you climb out and veight pulls on it. but then you have a chain or rope always on floor in corner or can hang it up a bit on wall . mabye put it in a tube pipe for looks . or drill a fastener into call on inside of window. mabye safest to go into a harness first and have a short rope wire chain to be hanging just below window or is that too close to heat flames comeing out , then what halfway to next floor below or but the longer the rope the more risk if fall down big shock when reach end of rope. j
b8e71fcbe2e195c67d8d16734013d20f Not really with the first one there is plenty of space for user error the ladder may not hook on to the sill right and when you put weight on it will fall this ensures no user error you just have to pull the pin
Given the fact there is drywall in this house I'm surprised that there isn't any insulation. Also, the paint job is horrible. But Tom work was excellent!
What a waste you need to be working in a circus to negotiate this ladder is not suitable for just anybody. Some tips for fire safety in the home. Fit a smoke detectors at each level connected to each other. Make sure that no combustible material is stored in your stairwell (or your means of escape). Make sure before you go to bed at night that all doors on to the stairwell are closed as they are your best defence against the spread of fire. If you dead lock your exit door out of your home at night for security, fit the key to a piece of string that is fixed to something hidden and secure that will reach the lock, so if you let it fall it can be retrieved easily. Keep Safe (Fire Officer}
I love the videos from This Old House, but I love the comment section even more. Thanks for the laughs to all the code enforcers or product critics. Too dam funny.
@mresmith4302 I agree.....many of the comments are amusing. Like saying fire escape ladders are a great idea "especially for a second floor." I don't know that I would install a fire escape from the first floor!
Only one staircase leading to the 2nd floor. Were you expecting 2? One is the norm for almost all houses....
mixwell1983 my house has two staircases
@@thepinknudle9820 dayummmm ballin on 'em
@@thepinknudle9820 Going to the same floor, or a basement?
My house has 3 staircases
@@deanslegos1990 LMFAO
The first one should have a secondary tether secured to something permanently to prevent dropping the entire unit out the window during a fire where the occupants will be rushed and in a confused state
My neighbor has one of these fire escape ladders. One day, she was testing it out and threw the ladder outside. One of the rungs of the ladder swung back toward the house and shattered a window. True story.
well when youre using it to escape it wont matter because the house is burning down anyways lol
''all right i'm going to check the connections'' [unbolts the ladder]
Bruh moment
hahaha. lol
Just climb a little bit higher first
Goofy: yahoohoohoohoooey
Wow you have radiant barrier that good! ohhh no insulation...
I thought the ladder was going to smash the window below
Xxx986 Xxx same
Xxx986 Xxx that would’ve been funny
Edit: it probably did and the started over and fixed it.
Here it comes...Crash!
Omg same I was thinking about that
Bruh, me too lol
Instant tree house for the kid. You know hes going to be using that ladder daily as a second entrance to the house.
Mainly as an exit)
That means that the ladder would always have to be unraveled from the inside, which would be an invitation to intruders, and easily detectable by parents.
It’s good to have fire escape latter in every upstairs bedroom just in case the door knob gets hot during a fiery emergency.
When I grow up, I want to be just like Tom!!
Fire escape or for teenagers to sneak out of the house
Fateh Singh that’s what me and my friend use to do haha
Sil did u use this ladder ???
Fateh Singh Buying it for that reason
Y else do u think I’m here lol
Or the kids bf/gf
Imagine if he broke the lower window with the ladder 😂😂
He's just like "next I'll be showing you how to replace a broken window."
This guy is great with a saws all man , I’m all over the place
Right? lol I can’t keep one straight
all your friends would be like, oh cool you have your own entrance and exit. lol
"Okay Barbra, dare ar two choices. One, a fairly easy set up ore....two, a extremely complicated job dat wil take me three hours to complete." "Oh I don't know I think I'll choose..." "Now rememba Barbra, you may neva need this." "Right...I'll choose option 2." "Of course you will. Let me get ma tools."
Since they are going to need to paint the wall after damaging the painted area around the cut out they could have cut out a larger section of the wall and avoided that silly puzzle type framing.
That's exactly what I thought it's a lot easier to cut a piece of drywall then construct a Jenga puzzle blind inside of a wall
I used to work at McDonald’s in Indiana and working there stressed me out when I was a teen but on the weekends me and my dad would watch this show and it was quite an escape from all the world
I’m actually going to buy this so I can go out at night and not wake my parents lol
Holy cow. I’d much rather use the first ladder. No installation, and can be used with any window.
That may be so, but when a fire has blocked your main escape and is spreading fast, the seconds you save with having this ladder installed can save your life.
But what if he shot you in the face??
And when you actually need it, good luck finding it.
It will be in a closet somewhere, or buried under something.
tihi yeah but imagine keeping your wits about you in middle of a raging inferno of mass destruction. You’d have to remember its location then be able to crawl out of the window and onto the first rung which looked sketchy AF.
That was a risk we were willing to take.
Gotta love seeing them go above and beyond
Still on the ladder ??...priceless tommy !!!
That is a really good idea especially for two story houses!
A safe idea, just in case.
I put eight of these things in. SEVEN had wires in the stud spacing!
Tommy is the master!
Excellent idea! Thanks for the helpful video
I personally would have reconsidered on positioning that fire escape ladder further away from the fireplace. Considering the kitchens and then fireplaces are the 1st and 2nd most places that catch fire. I am no expert just filled with common sense.
This is great but had one major issue. Getting on that ladder with the house on fire. It would be hard enough to climb through that window on to the ladder in a normal calm situation. Now have the house on fire and imagine the mess with that.
The right side of the house is lower to the ground, could hang on the lower edge of the window sill and jump.
Pretty neat how it sits recessed into the wall. Probably not a bad idea to open that wall up and make sure the studs aren't paper thin from termites or rot. I'd rather just jump from the second story knowing I was going to break something than think I was safe climbing a ladder that ripped out from a rotten wall. As far as the ladder itself goes it looks wiggly and narrow. I'd gladly pay a lot more for something wider and with bar-type rungs for a better hand grip and for faster decent movement. The wide flat rungs seem like I would catch my toes on them moving quickly and my hands wouldn't grip as well as they would on a round rung.
Very good item.
Probably wouldn't make much of a difference if you used the first option, but it wouldn't make much of an interesting episode if they did that would it.
TheCliptree
It’s actually does with the first one you could think it’s on the sill and it’s not so when you go out the window you fall this ensures no error
A. Erney This doesn’t ensure no error. It decreases the chance
Why not just lower the opening instead of trimming the 2x4?
Guess that looks more awesome than just lower the opening and patch up the gap
I would have just cut the sheetrock right to the floor instead of messing around with little chunks of 2x4. You have to patch and paint that slot he cut. I could see if he made no damage to the wall and the homeowner had no matching paint, but they are going to be spackling and painting anyway.
Awesome video
Fire escape ladder? Nawh, install a zip line -- that would be fun... :)
Home alone style
I could may be to that sending a line from the house to my out of date giant satellite dish.
Dang that wall took a beating during the install
If this would have been Tim Allen's "Tool Time" the windows below would have been gone. Lol
And the ladder would have came crashing down when she got on it
Been looking into fire escape options zinc emoving into our upstairs apartment. These are great ideas but that looks like a young child's room. How are you gonna keep them from playing with it? Also how do you climb down it if you have a 1 yr old who cant use a ladder? I have a 5, 3 and 1 year old. How can I get everyone out safely if our main exist is not an option?
Send Dad out first and have Mom toss the kids out.
1:17 he nearly smashed the window 😂
Nothing worse than only having 1 staircase
True professional
Tommy: The Clint Eastwood of home improvement players...............
Brilliant.
I am going to install one and an anchor to attach a vest to put the dog in to lower safely out the window.
Why didn't the builders put insulation??? Let's see if This Old House answers this
KMike68Camaro - I'm sure the sides probably have insulation (or the homeowners would notice), they just didn't stick any under the rough sills between the window studs.
YEAH LET'S KEEP THOSE 80 YEAR OLD BUILDERS ACCOUNTABLE, GET EM GUYS!!!
yeah,who the hell builds a house and doesn`t install insulation
My house did not have any insulation... it was built in the 60's (Georgia). When I found out... I fixed that quick... so much nicer in winter.
because it’s cheaper. is that even a question..?
Wouldn't it have been easier to have a slightly off centre ladder?
better if it showed somebody actually climbing OUT the window - as it's supposed to be used!
I'll lend you so brain cells: liability is on PBS/TOH if something goes wrong, and this might scratch the siding as well. Better to live than to spare the house a few scratches, but again, who pays for the repairs if the producers push for a full demonstration.
Amazing why they built the house without insulation?cheaper? Thank God he opened the wall to tell them.
how come there was no mention of a weight limit on a ladder like this?
Any product sold for use in the USA must meet NFPA fire codes and they are standardized. If a company were producing this inside the US and they did not meet code requirements, they would be very vulnerable to prosecution and lawsuits. If they were producing outside the US and they did not meet code requirements, their products would be seized at customs and most likely destroyed. Happens every day.
AOZMONSTER that still doesnt say what the maximum weight of a person can safely use something like this without it breaking
This one looks similar, it is listed as being rated for 1200 lbs which is an unofficial claim. Without knowing anything more about it I couldn't say; but any product like this will have a registered listing that determines it's use and you can usually contact them to verify. Companies that test these products, like UL for instance, stake their reputation on the integrity of their mark and they defend and protect that aggressively.
www.homedepot.com/p/Werner-2-Story-Built-In-Fire-Escape-Ladder-ESC220/202507943
EDIT: I used to work for UL and I know how to go about contacting people in these types of companies (it can be tedious if you're not proactive). If you had one in mind I would have no problem helping you contact the right people for verification.
***** whoa,where the hell did THAT come from,i asked for some kids
don't lose sleep over trolls Christopher. The internet has no deficit of tools like this. You are not at fault for you concerns and too many make the mistake of NOT asking things like this. Smart people ask questions and your children are better for it. I suggest you mute this post or block this particular @$$hat. I will be doing exactly that.
How would you have handled it if you’d have found electrical wiring behind the wall when you opened it up?
Anyone know if there is a particular reason there is no insulation in this wall?
I'm guessing the people who built it were lazy and probably like "no one's ever gonna know we didn't install it."
Nice information
Werner ESC220 Fire Escape Ladder.....Runs about a hundred bucks, very reasonable.
Can't find these anymore. I wonder why?
@@jonstamps3158 Hard to say but I do see one built in option for about 130 by a company called ISOP and of course there's some for much more and plenty that are not built it that are available.
3:14 why there is no thermal isolation?`
Greetings from germany
Hack builders...common in America
It should come with a harness just in case or to add more security for the person not to panic
Does it make sense to go past the down stairs window. If there was a fire on the main floor it could blow out the window.
And I can see some little kid just pulling the cord to see what happens.
Drops the ladder, smashes the basement window 🤦🏼♂️
What if you live in condo on first floor how do you get out if emergencies
Just the thing!
Modifying structure for fire ladder, sure Tom.
Yes give him a way to sneak out during school nights lol
so this type is reusable because it is a fixture to the house?
2022: Can anyone refer me to a source for that type of built in ladder? Or name brands to search for? Can only find one model for a third floor ladder from Werner…need second story ladders for new construction. Thanks in advance!
who else thought he would test it out after installing 😁
So when is the insulation put in?
The house doesn't look that old, why the heck is there no insulation?
I live in Boston and I have a old porch that needs work can you help?
Yea
7:48 shouldnt have tom checked the connections before she got on lol
*Tommy* is the only *stud* in the wrong *location.*
Il end up falling down on that ladder lol
You know when someone’s going down that ladder they gonna bust out that window right under that room😄 that ladder is gonna wobble!
If that was me at 7:37 the ladder would smash through the downstairs window and I’d be right out of pocket for a simple job.
I think I like the installed ladder better
I bet alot of people would have a hard time getting themselves out the window and their feet on that later.
How hard is it to climb out you didn’t test that.
could use a strong long enouch beam of wood or metal across window opening , or just have rope or wire or chain always tied to bed that will then be pulled to window when you climb out and veight pulls on it. but then you have a chain or rope always on floor in corner or can hang it up a bit on wall . mabye put it in a tube pipe for looks . or drill a fastener into call on inside of window. mabye safest to go into a harness first and have a short rope wire chain to be hanging just below window or is that too close to heat flames comeing out , then what halfway to next floor below or but the longer the rope the more risk if fall down big shock when reach end of rope. j
That permanent solution is a bit over the top i think. Wasteful of the wall. Just put that first ladder in a closet.
Richard van Pukkem Yea. what if that window is blocked and you need to use anothet window?
You drastically underestimate a paranoid parent...
What if the closet is on fire?
And when you actually need it, good luck finding it.
It will be in a closet somewhere, or buried under something.
b8e71fcbe2e195c67d8d16734013d20f
Not really with the first one there is plenty of space for user error the ladder may not hook on to the sill right and when you put weight on it will fall this ensures no user error you just have to pull the pin
Given the fact there is drywall in this house I'm surprised that there isn't any insulation. Also, the paint job is horrible. But Tom work was excellent!
I like the chute versions of a fire escape better, my fear of heights would kill me before the fire.
I think it would be hard for a 6' person to squeeze out of that window and onto those little rungs.
It should be code on 2 story houses to have a secondary method to escape a fire. It next to nothing to add that to a bedroom for the builder.
I see you
I need to get an incognito UA-cam account now, or we are just subscribed to the same channels
what brand was it?
Why doesn’t that house have any installation on a exterior wall ?
If the fire is coming from that window underneath. They are screwed. I would had prefer the other one
"we are not gonna install permanent fire ladder outside the house" but permanently to the inside then? 😁😁😁
Out of principle i would have demanded that the person who installed the ladder would be the first one using it.
I didnt notice Tommy trying out the ladder.
Little Timmy is going to be sneaking out to go roll some doobies down by the river!
Perfect escape route for a thief, kidnapper or killer or for your new mistress when the wife arrives home early.
where do i get one loll ?
The only time it’ll be used is when the kid has a girlfriend at high school, and she sneaks into the house
High school it's a commonly used ladder
What a waste you need to be working in a circus to negotiate this ladder is not suitable for just anybody. Some tips for fire safety in the home.
Fit a smoke detectors at each level connected to each other. Make sure that no combustible material is stored in your stairwell (or your means of escape). Make sure before you go to bed at night that all doors on to the stairwell are closed as they are your best defence against the spread of fire. If you dead lock your exit door out of your home at night for security, fit the key to a piece of string that is fixed to something hidden and secure that will reach the lock, so if you let it fall it can be retrieved easily. Keep Safe (Fire Officer}
Patrick Hobbs
half way through this project she was wishing she took option 1. Who would have thought hanging something in a wall would be so much work?
repost?
I'm 900lbs, will it hold me?
Probably only a leg or an arm at best
Yes, it's rated to 1200 lbs, but you have to get through the window first
Dr. Nowzaradan:
Why you eat so much?
Most ladys of the house would freak the F out if you were making all that dust without covering the belongs in the room. Wheres the professionalism?!
I thought she was very mature and professional about the dust situation in all honesty.
She didn't whine, or bitch in the slightest.
Josh Basdeo It went out the window this time.
I'd be pissed if someone tossed that ladder out the window to bounce around on my siding.
Ah, a radiant barrier and thats good,
Ah but you dont have any insulation, so thats bawd
No isolation??
Meanwhile my room is on the third floor 😭😂