Customer Reviews

First Alert Escape Ladder-Variation

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Consumers need to purchase the right ladder for their windowsill. I had to return the two-story ladder for a 3-story ladder because my windowsill depth was wider than the 2-story could accommodate. The EL52 First Alert Fire Escape Ladder user's manual says, "The window should be at least 20 inches (51 cm) wide and 32 inches (81 cm) high to give you enough clearance to exit safely. The windowsill width should be between a minimum of 6 inches (15 cm) and a maximum of 10 inches (25 cm). Measure windowsill from outside to inside." Be sure to get the right ladder for your windowsill depth.

We tried this ladder and it works well. It is not pleasant crawling out a 2nd story window but this ladder performs well after you do. It's easy to deploy with a strap holding the rungs together until mounted. You open the big velcro strap to let them fall. The rubber feet seem less likely to damage the wall or cut through siding than the sharp metal standoffs on some other ladders. There was no warning about one-time use on this ladder so we practiced. This is critical to both test the function and become familiar with it before any emergency use. With some strap refolding I got it back into the strap and original box cleanly.

Very cheap protection against being trapped by a fire.

Once the owners manual was read it became clear this would not work on our colonial style home. The manual indicates the need for a flat surface with no windows or other obstructions under the window in which you would place the ladder. In our case, the 2nd story overhangs a foot or two from the 1st story, problem #1. There are also windows directly below the windows on the 2nd story, problem #2, which are an issue even if the house was flush/flat all the way down. The idea is the ladder needs a flat surface to rest against when climbing down. If it hits a window, it could break the glass and cause injuries. In a fire, I'd risk that, but with our overhang, we have the added issue of no flat surface to rest against meaning the ladder would dangle once you get out of the 2nd story window. The only other possible windows each have a "bay" window below which again won't allow a flush/flat surface to have the ladder rest upon. As far as the quality, it appears great. In my opinion, better than the other leading brand.

Length:: 1:10 Mins

My thoughts on the First Alert ladder.

I have taken this product out once and let my son practice with it. That went reasonably well, though without practice, it would be very hard to do this right in an emergency. Repacking the ladder was a huge hassle. The directions were very clear, but didn't seem to apply to the same ladder that I was handling. I finally got it repacked and placed it in my son's room, but the difficulty in packing makes me hesitate to practice again, even though I know that would be a good idea.

The description on the Amazon website says it will fit walls 6 inches to 13 inches thick. This is not true for the 2-story ladder. The widest the ladder can open is 10 inches, as correctly reported in one of the prior reviews. The instructions included with the ladder also say the maximum thickness is 10 inches. If the wall is 10 inches thick, the ladder will likely not work, either, since it probably won't hang right. In order to hang as shown in the picture, the wall can only be 9 inches thick. Measure the thickest part of your wall including interior and exterior sills. If you have a brick house, the ladder likely will not work. My wall was 12 inches, and the ladder cannot reach around it. Otherwise, it looked well-made.

This is not a good escape ladder for kids. We have a 6 year old daughter who was not strong enough to lift this heavy ladder up to the window, unfold the cumbersome hooks, and then throw the ladder part out the window. It is hard and awkward even for an adult to do this let alone a child.

Once the ladder is hooked on the window sill, you have to lean waaayyy out the window to pull the release tab, risking falling out the window to do this, especially if you are a vertically challenged.

Once you pull the tab, the ladder is supposed to neatly fall to the ground without getting caught up on itself. Wrong. The ladder gets so tangled that it would require you to go 4 or 5 steps down, untangle, go 4 more steps, untagle, etc.

I do not recommend this ladder.

Excellent Product. Manufacturers should stay away from using nylon though as nylon melts if close to fire. I think anything for emergency use should not use nylon to hold the steps.

This escape ladder is great! It folds up nicely, and can be stored in its own box. My children, twins age 14, were able to practice fire drills, and easily fold it back up in the box. It is invaluable knowing my kids can get out safely from a second floor room. More over, the price made it very affordable.

I ordered this with some trpidation - afraid of the thick walls of the building - not knowing how the hooks might work - was delighted to find that they hooked handily and sturdily to the radiator.
If you can climb out a window - you can use this ladder.