Kerala scientist creates fire emergency escape system

M.C. David, an amateur scientist in Kerala, has developed an innovative escape system for high-rise buildings in case of fire or other emergencies, and a team from Mumbai's Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) will come to inspect his invention.

"The letter came today (on Wednesday) and it says they will be visiting me to conduct a physical verification of my invention and I have kept ready a demonstration piece," the 60-year-old David, who hails from Kayamkulam, told IANS.

David said his product was a simple spiral sliding chute that facilitates a quick and safe escape for people trapped in high-rise buildings.

He said it can be made of fibre glass or concrete, which is fire resistant, and can be built by the side of existing staircases of buildings.

In case of fire in a high-rise building, the residents just need to sit in the sliding chute and water is sprayed and people can come down to the ground floor four times faster than stairs.

He said setting up a glass fibre chute would cost around Rs.50,000 for every floor. The concrete version would cost a little more.