Wicks LifeLine Air System

Smoke and Evacuation
For most of us, when we find ourselves in a fire emergency, our first thought is to find an exit and escape. But what about people whose mobility is impaired; who are on life support or traction in a hospital; who are in wheelchairs? Their first thoughts are about how they will move, or if they will be moved.

It is no secret that no one has invented a 100% effective method protecting the mobility-impaired in fire situations. Sprinklers are fine when they are actuated by the heat of the fire. But more people die from smoke inhalation in fires than from burns. The Wicks LifeLine Air System can help solve this problem. 

In discussing the best methods for evacuating patients from hospitals and nursing homes when there is a fire, the oft-mentioned suggestion is "Don't have a fire." Despite all of the planning, staff training and fire drills that take place in care facilities, usually the best thing that personnel can do when the fire alarm sounds is to make sure that all of the doors to patients' rooms are closed.

Why? Smoke travels. It goes up elevator shafts, and through corridors when doors are left open. It travels up stairwells when fire doors are opened by escaping occupants or firefighters doing their jobs. It seeps through holes in the walls from piping, electrical conduits and other construction areas not protected by firestop materials.

Compounding the problem, the toxic fumes emitted in combustion from synthetic materials used in current interior furnishings and decorations are worse than many products used in the past.

There is discussion in fire protection circles about when a building's occupants should be evacuated in case of fire. Of course, if the building's occupants are in the room of fire origin, they should escape, and close the door behind them. But what of the others? On the one hand, there are authoritative recommendations that all occupants should be evacuated, except in hospitals, nursing homes, and similar care facilities. On the other hand, there is a long standing custom in the fire service that "the floor of the fire, two floors above and one floor below" should be evacuated.

The burden of decision-making often falls on the shoulders of the Incident Commander of the fire department that responds to the alarm. But what of the people who panic? What of the people who don't know what to do? What of the people who are immobile? These are questions waiting for answers, and some of the answers are provided by the Wicks LifeLine Air System.

The Solution: The Wicks LifeLine Air System
The Wicks LifeLine Air System is the most practical and economical system available for saving the lives of people threatened by killer smoke.The System makes it easier to decide whether to leave or stay when there's a fire. In a building fitted with the System there are areas of refuge that are near the occupants, most often bathrooms in the rooms being occupied. 

The simple, remarkable essence of the System is that it transforms the building's existing plumbing system into a supply system for lifesaving air. By keeping doors closed, the spread of fire is minimized. In addition, when the System is activated, the added air pressure in the areas of refuge prevents smoke from entering the room.