Historic Fire Escape Slide Structural Investigation

South Bend, Indiana

JPR conducted a structural investigation of a historic spiral fire escape slide attached to a three-story historic building in South Bend, Indiana. This unique fire escape slide, encased in a 5-foot diameter steel cylinder, serves as a secondary means of egress for the building’s commercial redevelopment. The slide’s central steel spiral configuration provides the majority of its structural stability, with entrance points at the 2nd and 3rd floors and a bolted rod securing the top exterior.

The City of South Bend’s Building Commissioner required a structural investigation report to determine the safety and integrity of the fire escape slide before approving the building for redevelopment. As a historic structural treasure, the slide represents a rare and functional piece of South Bend’s architectural and fire safety history. Ensuring its continued use not only supports modern safety standards but also preserves a fascinating and publicly visible landmark for future generations.

Conducting a detailed interior inspection presented a challenge due to the slide’s enclosed design. To overcome this, the JPR structural engineer braced his feet on the central post, allowing for a controlled descent while closely examining the slide’s welds, fasteners, and overall integrity. To verify the structure’s stability, JPR examined the slide’s foundation, welds, and attachment points, ensuring that it remained safe for continued use. The ground-level exit doors, which open abruptly when a user slides into a kick plate, were also inspected for proper function. In addition to technical evaluations, the engineer personally tested the slide, demonstrating that a 6-foot-tall, 200-pound person could safely and easily descend at full speed.

Historical research also played a key role in this investigation. A metal tag on the exit door revealed the name and location of the original manufacturer, leading to the discovery of a 1942 newspaper advertisement promoting the fire escape slide’s life-saving capabilities. The ad illustrated a slide nearly identical to the one in South Bend and described how more than 7,000 of these slides had been installed nationwide, successfully saving hundreds of lives.

Following the structural investigation and JPR’s report, the Building Commissioner approved the slide as a legitimate secondary means of egress, allowing the client to proceed with redevelopment. The project ensured compliance with modern safety regulations while preserving a rare and exciting piece of fire safety history for the South Bend community.

JPR’s commitment to structural integrity, historical preservation, and creative problem-solving played a crucial role in this unique and rewarding project.

Contact JPR for more information regarding this project.
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