Summary of the initial period 1967 - 1977 of design development of the Zephinie Vertical Evacuation Technology  1967 Creative draft design of a dozen of projects. International research of interiorities in four languages about all systems focusing fire emergency evacuation and historical archives related to vertical transportation devises Compared critical analyze of the patented devises covering the field since 1890, d. Including: Zigzag , Diaphragm, Cable system, Net, Cushion, Flexible ladder, toboggan, Slop based devise, etc   The initial creative draft designs included many re-invention of old techniques and were eliminated after considering that eventual improvement will not fit with finality function optimization, that include the good Mr. Backer’s net chute.  Original Zephinie escape chute designs researches include: Pneumatic, electrostatic chute, air pressure effects and other option yet not published. A Pneumatic escape chute system and vertical moving object was patent and never commercially developed.     1968. The first version of the ZEC single entry  (ZEC-SE)  was patented . One year later the two layer concentric sleeve chute was analyzed has superior and kept secret and patented in 1973. That will oblige to prove that the design was new and superior in international patent examination. At the same time my honorable Japanese colleague Morimoto patented a different but also vertical escape chute the Uyeda ACE. The Zephinie vertical escape chute single entry or ZEC-SE first break off from the 19th century toboggan of slop slide chute. An evacuation system must operate without ground assistance to fit  logic critical analyzes design optimization.      1973-1976   System critical analyze and experience show that a single entry chute could not be used for tall building evacuation. The solution should fit with NFPA 101 life safety code the best practical fire engineering handbook   The Zephinie High-rise building Evacuation technology (ZEC-ME)   The ZEC-ME is scientifically different of the “Escape chute devises class” The ZEC-ME is a different patent. Legally a different invention General ignorance about tall buildings alternative evacuation method is the root of the confusion.    The ZEC-ME is not a technical improvement of the ZEC-SE escape chute but the improvement of the fire code enclosed exit stairwell concept using a ZEC sleeve instate of classic stair treads.  Design methodology divided the ZEC-ME installations in several sub-classes:  a.-  Fire code enclosed stairway mixed evacuation method of classic Stairway and ZEC-ME to be planned at the building design stage.  b.-  Retrofitting ZEC-ME on existing building integrated as fixed evacuation modules structure  inside of outside the building structure.  c.- Antiterrorist installation of ZEC-ME planning Note: The Zephinie antiterrorist  installation designs optimization were based on critical design review of high-rise building possible method of attack   It resulted the basic definition of high-rise building standard aiming alternative evacuation in case of terrorist attack.  summary of topics involved in the antiterrorist evacuation application researches.   Rescue planning considering up 75% neutralization evacuation capacity Toxic aerosol attack trough tall building air conditioning system. Repairing a ZEC-EM  modules during emergency. TV close circuit and redundant communication channels using multiplex power line technology and FM frequencies (sorry we was in 1974) to centralized evacuation command center. Optimized evacuation period: 20 minutes extreme limits 60 minutes. Attack chance pointing at  50 <75%  building high, neutralizing main stairways, to compute alternative evacuation traffic load. Paramedic training about assistance inside the ZEC sleeve during evacuation. Method of forcing the ZEC evacuation up to 4000 peoples per hour per ZEC evacuation unit and evaluation of minor injuries that could result. Possibility to repair element of ZEC sleeve during emergency.   Side researches: Ground zero evacuation out of potential collapsing zone in consideration of wide distribution of the ZEC-ME. Pre-Planning of Strategic positioning of rescue vehicles.  The definition fit with the WTC 2001 catastrophe back in 1975, because based on logic problem solving methods. Any high-rise building method of evacuation has to fit as minimum the Zephinie’s 1975 definition.      d.- ZEC-ME hospital patient’s evacuation method and planning. e.- The Zephinie twisting  sleeve method to control Single Entry patient evacuation   The ZEC Mobil Rescue technology (ZEC-MR)   The was the first improvement to ladder evacuation capacity. Officially certified in 1975 to improve up 100 time fire ladder evacuation.  The ZEC- MR  inventions includes ZEC dynamic chock absorber, gravity stabilized service basket and adaptive fixation. The basic ZEC-MR  use the ZEC-ME sleeves disposition Alternative model the ZEC-SE modified.  The ZEC Single Entry (ZEC-SE)  The 1973 ZEC-SE was the first high performance vertical evacuation device as defined “ escape chute” by the NFPA classification.  1974. Admiral Vasilieff and Zephinie test water protection in flame contact and with Fire colonel Jean Husson  basic  definition of wet cloth  escape chute  protection. (Wet cloth protection is a particular phenomenon) Strong winds and turbulence effect on single entry escape chute and tests under freezing temperature.     Helicopter born ZEC-SE rescue on building terraces tests with the French Navy Design researches on single home portable units and tests 1976. Zephinie decide to enforce the 100 ft safe standard limit for public use of the ZEC single entry escape chute 14 tons breaking limits as result of 3 years experience and re-analyze. Note: multiple safety factors reason oblige the limitation. The consideration can apply to escape chute classification in general. Devise that fit in the escape chute class, including the ZEC-SE are incompetent devises to secure high-rise building evacuation. R & D on particular evacuation problems: Ammunition plants, Rocket launching pad.      R & D of improvement are kept unpublished for years    After 30 years of international services the ZEC-SE keep the privilege to challenge in public demonstration any other escape chute devises.

 

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