What's the tallest exterior fire escape?

Mr Downtown · #1 Posted **Apr 28, 2012, 4:29 AM**

A friend and I were recently pondering what building has the tallest exterior metal fire escape, of the type shown below. He nominated Book Tower in Detroit, 38 stories.

Wikimedia Commons

Steely Dan · #2 Posted **Apr 30, 2012, 2:20 PM**

book tower in detroit was the first building that immediately came to my mind too, but i don't know if it is in fact the tallest exposed fire escape in the world.

if it ain't THE tallest, it at least has to be up near the top. there are only a handful of cities we could even consider because there aren't many 500+ foot pre-war buildings in the world (book tower is 475'). and i can't think of the 500+ footers in pittsburgh, cincy, cleveland, columbus, baltimore or chicago having a taller exposed fire escpae than book tower, so that would mean only NYC might have a potentially taller one.

book tower

source: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showth...=248304&page=3

uaarkson · #3 Posted **Apr 30, 2012, 2:27 PM**

Oh god, Book Tower destroys. Easily one of the most beautiful structures in the western hemisphere.

Chapelo · #4 Posted **May 1, 2012, 12:04 AM**

This probably doesn't count, but the Lloyd's Building in London completed in 1986 and designed by Richard Rogers, has all of its staircases and lifts on the exterior of the building.

Lloyds by aurélien., on Flickr

whiteford · #5 Posted **May 1, 2012, 4:05 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by uaarkson

Oh god, Book Tower destroys. Easily one of the most beautiful structures in the western hemisphere.

^^^ what he said. haha

Steely Dan · #6 Posted **May 1, 2012, 2:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chapelo

This probably doesn't count, but the Lloyd's Building in London completed in 1986 and designed by Richard Rogers, has all of its staircases and lifts on the exterior of the building.

Lloyds by aurélien., on Flickr

the lloyd's building is stupid cool, but its expressed exterior staircases are not the same thing as the exposed metal fire escpae staircases seen on pre-war buildings that the OP was talking about. modern building codes no longer allow the use of exposed fire escape staircases in tall buildings.

Private Dick · #7 Posted **May 1, 2012, 6:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steely Dan

book tower

source: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showth...=248304&page=3

Can't wait to see this one renovated.

Going down those steps fleeing a fire would be a harrowing experience.

Boisebro · #8 Posted **May 1, 2012, 7:05 PM**

i love book tower.

it's a shame the other, 81-floor book tower was never built as planned.

makes one wonder if that tower would've also had an exterior fire escape.

The North One · #9 Posted **May 4, 2012, 11:05 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boisebro

i love book tower.

it's a shame the other, 81-floor book tower was never built as planned.

makes one wonder if that tower would've also had an exterior fire escape.

This would have looked nothing short of absolutely gorgeous! It would have been iconic. I will forever be disappointed that this was never realized.

Curse you great depression!!!!!!!!!!!!!!