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Topic: 04-05 Inspire Fire Escape Windows (Read 959 times) previous topic - next topic
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04-05 Inspire Fire Escape Windows

Yahoo Message Number: 80039



I've seen this question twice now so decided to post this.
Inspire escape windows (with the red handles) do NOT swing out. If you try real hard something will break. These windows are designed the same as the non-escape windows and simply have a red handle as they are the designated escape points required by fire safety/RV standards. They are used in the same manner as normal use, open them as wide as possible and bail out/exit. We have a chain/step ladder in our closet. These are sold in Home Depot, etc for use in two story homes. They hang on the window sill and easily reach the ground in an RV.
If the window is size challenged versus the coach occupant(s) (as ours are) I suggest buying the little orange escape hammers sold for cars. They have a sharp metal point and recessed knife blade to cut seat belts. They will break tempered glass into thousands of tiny pieces with one strike, even underwater as shown on multiple TV shows including Mythbusters. Break both sides of an Inspire window and push out/bend the frame and you have as big an opening as is possible. Our hammer is inside the box with the ladder.
Don't break your window trying to make it do what it isn't designed to. I am sure if you tried hard enough it could be pushed out - at the expense of the frame and finding a replacement window. If there is a fire that isn't an issue. If you are practicing it could get expensive doing that.
This information applies to at least the '04-'05 Inspires. I don't know about later Inspire models but CC upgraded some things as the model aged and may have installed swing out escape windows. But not in any '04-'05 models I have seen or heard of..

Bob (rthandren@...)
'05 Inspire 51178

 

Re: '04-'05 Inspire (and Allure) Fire Escape Windows

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 80047
All the discussion on this forum about fires and escape windows also prompted us to check ours. We have a 2004 Allure. Our escape window in the bedroom slide at the head of the bed does NOT open out. It slides open like all our other windows. The good news is that it easily opens and we will fit thru the opening! I ordered an escape ladder from Walmart ($33) Sure hope we never have to test it! Our fire alarm is new.
Thanks to all on this forum for all your great ideas and assistance.

Lonny & Diane
'04 Allure #31065

Re: '04-'05 Inspire (and Allure) Fire Escape Windows

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 80049
Sorry about being confused...but....if that red handle does not release the whole window to be pushed out exactly what does it do? I realize that one of the windows does slide, does the red handle allow the stationary window to slide also?

Dave

07 Country Coach Allure 430 #31495 12 Jeep GC Toad Mountains of So Cal
Dave & Jodi
2007 CC Allure 40’ Tag #31495
2012 Jeep GC
Big Bear Lake, Ca & Henderson, Nev

Re: '04-'05 Inspire Fire Escape Windows

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 80050
The red handle only shows it's a fire exit. It serves no other purpose that we could figure out. The window operates exactly like our other windows. It is large enough to get out the one side (left side facing the window from inside).

Lonny & Diane Livingston
'04 Allure #31065

Re: '04-'05 Inspire Fire Escape Windows

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 80051
If you are talking about all red handled windows that statement is not quite correct.

Folks need to know which kind of fire escape window they have.
Some windows and handles do open and allow the window to pivot out and up. Would you like to see a picture demonstration?

Lee (leozbrowski@...) 2007 Country Coach Intrigue 12153
CAT C-13

Re: '04-'05 Inspire Fire Escape Windows

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 80057
Well said, our 08 Inspire is the same as yours.
The red latch and EXIT decal are only to cover the poorly written regulations.
All the windows are alike and are not designed to facilitate a reasonable emergency exit for all people of different sizes and capabilities.

Charlie

08 Inspire 52093

From:Robert Handren Sent: Sunday, June 10, 2012 5:22 PM To:Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com Subject: [Country-Coach-Owners] '04-'05 Inspire Fire Escape Windows

I've seen this question twice now so decided to post this.
Inspire escape windows (with the red handles) do NOT swing out. If you try real hard something will break. These windows are designed the same as the non-escape windows and simply have a red handle as they are the designated escape points required by fire safety/RV standards. They are used in the same manner as normal use, open them as wide as possible and bail out/exit. We have a chain/step ladder in our closet. These are sold in Home Depot, etc for use in two story homes. They hang on the window sill and easily reach the ground in an RV.
If the window is size challenged versus the coach occupant(s) (as ours are) I suggest buying the little orange escape hammers sold for cars. They have a sharp metal point and recessed knife blade to cut seat belts. They will break tempered glass into thousands of tiny pieces with one strike, even underwater as shown on multiple TV shows including Mythbusters. Break both sides of an Inspire window and push out/bend the frame and you have as big an opening as is possible. Our hammer is inside the box with the ladder.
Don't break your window trying to make it do what it isn't designed to. I am sure if you tried hard enough it could be pushed out - at the expense of the frame and finding a replacement window. If there is a fire that isn't an issue. If you are practicing it could get expensive doing that.
This information applies to at least the '04-'05 Inspires. I don't know about later Inspire models but CC upgraded some things as the model aged and may have installed swing out escape windows. But not in any '04-'05 models I have seen or heard of..

Bob (rthandren@...)
'05 Inspire 51178

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Re: '04-'05 Inspire Fire Escape Windows

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 80065
Lee and all,

Retired window mfg. guy here. Read this only if you are serious about this stuff! Lee, you are correct. The confusion in the comments posted stems from the fact that obviously, Country Coach used both types of escape windows in different models, floor plans and coach lengths. Here is a description of the windows that qualify as escape windows:

1. Any slider that has an opening large enough to comply with the Federal Safety regulations including a red latch/lock and Exit decal. (See my previous post).
2. A specially designed window that has two frames. One frame is for mounting the assembly to the coach. It has another frame which holds the glass and is inserted into the mounting frame and attached at the top with a hinge.
This window may have a stationary glass panel or sliding glass. (Some RV OEMs used awning or "torque" windows. However, Country Coach never used these). After release of the red cam lock, the top hinge allows the window to be operated like an awning exposing the entire opening for egress. (egress is the word that is used in regulations to describe human exit). Note: The gaskets between the two frames often seize from age and non-use. They should be exercised and lubricated as Lee has mentioned in previous posts. The other problem is that in the case of an accident these hinged windows are much more apt to tweak and bind than the sliders.
Depending on the dimensions of the rough opening, the top hinged escape window may offer a larger escape openings than sliders. But, IMHO the top hinged escape window is much more problematic over time. Some complain that the heavy window interferes with the victims ability to exit and that it has a tendency to jam. Many have mentioned that some sort of prop should be used to hold the widow open. Hopefully this prop is at hand when needed and easily used be a disoriented individual in panic mode. Also, hopefully the prop remains in place until the victims are safely out of the opening without allowing the window to swing down and cause injury.
These top hinged windows should have built-in props. But when I suggested this idea to the OEMs it was rejected due to additional expense, unsightly appearance and anticipation that it would be an engineering/manufacturing nightmare. Needless to say, my proposal was scrapped before it even got to the drawing table stage.
Both types of windows of course comply to to safety requirements. However, most RV manufacturers will resort to using the top hinged escape windows only when their design requirements dictate that a smaller window is required in that location. The resulting smaller window size may not allow for the sliding opening dimensions that would comply with the egress regulations. Otherwise, most manufacturers avoid their use as they are much more expensive than sliders and (as has been stated) they are troublesome.

Daron Hairabedian, 98 Allure, 30226
PS, another type of escape hatch was developed for cab-over campers and class "C" motor homes circa 1970-1980. It is an oversized 20" x 20" roof vent with a pop out screen. Many sportsmen loved it as they could stand on the cab-over bed and shoot any game that was in range. However, it fell out of favor over a few years.