emergency escape window

[wilderness john]

Wondering how I would actually use the "emergency escape" if needed. Ours is a window in the bed area of our 23rb Jayco. Can't imagine how I would get out and fall to the ground without getting stuck or seriously injured. Really wonder if one of these "escapes" has ever been used successfully. They are probably just an attempt to meet some legal requirement.
Anyone had any actual experience with and "escape"

 

[Lonetraveler]

I have wondered and thought about that same thing with my emergency escape window. Mine is located at the rear over the sofa and around 5-6ft from the ground depending on how level your site would be. The window is wide enough, but wish it were a little taller. I can get through it in an emergency, but any female partner I might have along might have some trouble being they are going to be a bit more top heavy than me. lol All kidding aside, it’s not going to be an easy and comfortable exit. The best thought I have is getting out that window is going to better than burning up alive. Engineers…..they should use their products that they’ve designed. Bet things would be a lot simpler and easy.

 

[wordsmyth]

I have wondered the same thing. Ours is located behind the recliners in the slide. It's at least a 5' drop to the ground - maybe more if set up on a sloped site.

Assuming one only breaks an arm or leg instead of their neck, the goal becomes to crawl away quickly?

 

[Route 66 Traveler]

I actually did a practice exit once in our previous trailer...it's not easy. For me the easiest way was to go out feet first. The drop wasn't too bad but I still hurt an ankle doing it. Trying to get my wife, a dog and a cat out would be a time consuming challenge for sure.

In my current trailer, after I owned it for almost a year, I was going to open the window for a test. It moved about 1 inch and would no go out any further, no matter how hard I pushed. Turns out 2 screws were installed incorrectly and that prevented the window from opening. So it's a good idea to check the operation of all emergency exit windows!

I've often wondered how those that have Class A's or 5th wheels with the emergency windows 8-10 feet above the ground plan to jump out without serious injury? Any thoughts?

 

[Tunce the traveler]

If it were mine I would put an emergency door in my shower wall as it would be just above the base and provide head room for exit. You wouldn’t loose valuable space in the main living area because there never seems to be enough room.

 

[Kevin Cooper]

You are correct about meeting some legal requirement. Since you sleep in an RV, then smoke detection is required, carbon monoxide is required because of propane, and the structure is required to have two means of egress. These rules also apply to a dwelling unit. Home, condo, apartment, etc.
Personally, I’m thinking an injury trying to get out would be better than the alternative. Egress doesn’t have to be easy, just possible.

 

[craigav]

Just a thought to share, over the years there have been reports of those who tested the emergency exit window and some are designed to fall out and the test resulted in a broken window, and others have latches that were not able to be re-latched.

Point being, I would not recommend to test the emergency exit immediately prior to your travel plans as if you damage it, then you may find it very time consuming to repair it which will cause a delay in your plans. However I am not against testing it and think that doing so certainly could be of value. If you do test it be sure to have someone help, perhaps on a ladder outside in order to catch the window if it falls completely out so you don't find yourself in the need to purchase a new window. ~CA

 

[Route 66 Traveler]

If you do test it be sure to have someone help, perhaps on a ladder outside in order to catch the window if it falls completely out so you don't find yourself in the need to purchase a new window. ~CA

Excellent advice. When I did mine I had my wife on a ladder outside when I opened it. The window didn't fall out, it is hinged at the top. My old Coachman the window would fall out, but I was holding it when it unhinged from the frame.

 

[wordsmyth]

Excellent advice. When I did mine I had my wife on a ladder outside when I opened it. The window didn't fall out, it is hinged at the top. My old Coachman the window would fall out, but I was holding it when it unhinged from the frame.

Hmm. It falls out and shatters when it hits the ground so in addition to the potential fall-risk injuries, the person fleeing the fire has to land in broken glass?

The engineer who thought up that one needs to be drawn and quartered.

This topic has made me realize I've not really thought through the matter. Do any of you know if there a type of roll-out ladder available in the aftermarket?

 

[JudyK-JAY22rb]

You are correct about meeting some legal requirement. Since you sleep in an RV, then smoke detection is required, carbon monoxide is required because of propane, and the structure is required to have two means of egress. These rules also apply to a dwelling unit. Home, condo, apartment, etc.
Personally, I’m thinking an injury trying to get out would be better than the alternative. Egress doesn’t have to be easy, just possible.

Exactly my thoughts. A fire in my camper and I need to get out? I'm THROWING my teenage kid out that window and me? Jump out, no matter what damage I might suffer...beats burning up.

I'm partial to two door floorpans. Sleeping in that front bedroom w/o a door would make me uneasy.

 

[Taftcoach]

Ours is over the sofa and we're regularly open the window to check it is operating easily.

 

[Midnightmoon]

Wondering how I would actually use the "emergency escape" if needed. Ours is a window in the bed area of our 23rb Jayco. Can't imagine how I would get out and fall to the ground without getting stuck or seriously injured. Really wonder if one of these "escapes" has ever been used successfully. They are probably just an attempt to meet some legal requirement.
Anyone had any actual experience with and "escape"

You may want to take a look at a thread that I started last October. This happened at a campground where we were staying. Thankfully, the family was able to escape using the emergency windows.

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f18/rv-fire-safety-reminder-104587.html

 

[Smeel]

We were told to just use the door. Then again our trailer is a 174BH. If an emergency is THAT bad the we have to resort to going out the window. We were probably killed a few mins ago. Our body just hasn't caught up yet. We have one escape window that's in a bad spot(in the lower bunk). The other is across from the door.

Having said that an injury would beat dying anytime. You can recover from injury.

 

[DonLegg]

You could store one of those "rope ladders" that are used for home escape from an upstairs window. I had one for the kids. Amazon and Home Depot have them.

 

[rbilicke]

My thoughts exactly!

 

[Hollander Mutthaulers]

Our emergency exit is a big picture window next to the dinette table. I have attached an interior screen with velcro tabs over the opening and we open the window often for ventilation. We made a telescoping rod to hold it open as far as we'd like. Wouldn't be too hard to exit. Our tent ends also have full-length zippers that open the entire end of the tent. Would be kind of rough landing on the stuff on the tongue A-frame, but very likely better than roasting.

 

[Sugarbear-JAY]

Pick your poison

In a situation that requires you to use the emergency escape I would choose injury over something that could cause death.

 

[wjadma]

Escape

They do make window ladders but in an emergency I'm not sure if you would have time to get it out and deploy it

 

[Ausves]

I remember when airlines were trying to analyze the process of deboarding a plane in the event of a fire onboard. Their participants were very courteous, and restrained when they ran the simulations ("after you", "no - after you"). In the end, they simply offered big money for the first people off the plane, and suddenly they had a real-life simulation. My point is, if and when the time comes, you'll work out how to get through any opening...

 

[craigav]

Sad as it is, I have often read in house fires that the victims are often found near the windows. They are most commonly the very young or older people which are likely more hesitate to jump out of the window (even in a single story house but more so for a higher window) and then the smoke gets them before they realize it. I would highly suggest for those who think they may have such a fear to actually take a practice run of exiting the emergency escape window.

I have suggested to others in the past that keeping a larger than standard extinguisher near the bed can provide two options, first if the fire is small enough and containable then you may be able to safely put it out, but if there are any doubts then you need to exit and if you have issues with the window you can use the extinguisher to break the glass and rake the sidewalls as time is of the essence. I believe that most RV windows, and in particular exit windows are safety glass so you don't really have to be concerned with large pieces of glass cutting you. Check the glass, it will often have a logo but not always. ~CA