Abstract:
An externally concealable modular high-rise emergency evacuation apparatus that enables people, including the injured, the elder or drabled persons to escape entrapment from or to bypass the levels of a high-rise building that is impassable due to flame, smoke or heavy damage, with very little effort or assistance, comprising a slanted cylindrical booth with a trap door bottom, elongated poles with trusses, expandable reinforced descent tubes with fire-proof skin, stabilizer webbings, an inflatable slide, and active components comprised of sensors, switches, latches and relays that coordinates, prequalifies and controls access then egress through the apparatus, with emphasis on checking the integrity of a complete escape path and approximating free space for each evacuee within said descent tubes, thereby enhancing supported evacuee volume and safety.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of Invention 
     This invention relates to an apparatus for the emergency evacuation of people from high-rise buildings during fires, earthquakes, terrorist attacks and other disasters. The horrific events of Sep. 11, 2001 at the World Trade Center (WTC) surpassed all previous high-rise tragedies in terms of destruction and loss of life. The excessive amount of time and effort required to go down accessible emergency stairwells of the WTC carried severe consequences. Moreover, the global media coverage that televised trapped individuals jumping from the WTC towers tortuously renewed a long felt, long existing and still unsolved need. That need is for a quick, efficient, relatively inexpensive, practical, reliable and safe means of enabling even elderly, injured or disabled persons to either escape entrapment from or to bypass the levels of a high-rise building that is impassable due to flame, smoke or heavy damage with very little effort or assistance. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     There are known numerous devices used on aircraft, sea vessels and buildings for emergency evacuations to prevent or minimize injury or death resulting from fire, earthquakes, crashes, terrorism or other tragic events. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,973,644 discloses a chute and lowering device that is excessively complicated and lacking in versatility to easily support the swift evacuation of a great number of people. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,348,630, 4,099,595 and 4,099,596 disclose chutes as emergency evacuation devices. Disclosed are chute systems where the rate of deceleration of vertical drop is achieved by applying local braking elements that lessen the rate of descent by a person using the same. The rate of descent is fast and sudden between braking elements. Under very stressful circumstances a person, even with prior training on the device, cannot be reasonably expected to consistently employ these local braking elements correctly without sustaining injury. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,778,031 discloses a device that has an outer heat shield and an inner chute for controlled descent. However, individuals of various sizes are not easily supported, as the expansion is limited to an expansion joint. The overall design detracts from a building&#39;s aesthetics. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,320,195 discloses an emergency chute that uses bands of Spandex to provide a controlled rate of descent via elastic properties of the material. Generally however, it has similar disadvantages as those in U.S. Pat. No. 4,778,031. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,871,066 discloses a frame for an escape chute that does not take into account the panic that may be expected during emergency situations. Individuals may inadvertently push others beyond the frame into free fall. The frame&#39;s ledgebased design does not allow easy initial access for injured, disabled, elderly or unconscious individuals. Moreover, if used in multistory structures, the frame&#39;s placement fails to consider fear of heights and overestimates the capacity of ordinary individuals to undertake the physical act of going over a safe ledge from an extreme altitude. Finally, the frame is in very close proximity to the building. Thus, evacuees are still dangerously close to fire and smoke. If the frame is attached onto a ledge that is of flammable material, the frame may break free and plummet to the ground, and possibly hit people below. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,098,747 discloses a single chute which is knit-weaved, that combines thermal material such as Treveria FR (™) or a polyamide such as Kevlar (™) and an elastic material such as Spandex (™). It erroneously assumes that the combination of the thermal and elastic qualities of these two materials into a single knitwoven fabric can transfer each material&#39;s characteristics to the other. The dangerous consequences of this incorrect assumption have significantly influenced the design of the present invention. The following detailed elaborations are deemed essential: 
     The vertical Kevlar (™) component of the knit woven material is not likely to acquire the elasticity of the horizontal Spandex (™) component. Since the application of the rescue chute calls for the knit woven fabric to be wrapped, clamped and fastened around a frame and that the weight of several individuals must be supported by the same knit woven fabric, a risk factor must be pointed out, that is, the Kevlar (™) component of the rescue chute can suddenly snap or break. 
     The assertion as to the fragility of Kevlar when specifically applied in U.S. Pat. No. 6,098,747 rescue chute, is supported by knowledgeable individuals who have reported their findings through several websites. A hang gliding website&#39;s preflight inspection webpage clearly states: http://www.bigairparagliding.com/Tipsdetall.cfm?Title=Glider% 20Inspections “If your glider has Keviar lines, you can expect to replace them periodically. The reason for this is that Kevlar has “memory”, or is “knot sensitive”. This means that weak points develop where the line has been looped, tied, bent, or knotted for any reason.” 
     Again, a webpage discussing Kevlar&#39;s lack of elasticity and resulting weakness is cited in a motorcyclist&#39;s apparel website. It is mentioned that: 
     http://www.aerostich.com/isroot/riderwearhouse/DirectPages/straightstory.htmls “. . . believe it or not, pure Kevlar® fabric actually is much less abrasion-resistant than Cordura nylon. Kevlar® fibers have far less elasticity than Cordura® nylon fibers, a crucial handicap in a crash. Even the smoothest pavements have a rough aggregate surface that causes abrasive pulling. Nylon&#39;s stretchy fibers will elongate, ride over the surface irregularities, then snap back into the weave (like a tree bending in a strong wind), but Keviar® fibers quickly reach their tensile limit and snap.” 
     Another webpage clearly mentioning Kevlar&#39;s tendency to break suddenly may be found at the following archery enthusiast&#39;s website. It is mentioned that: 
     http://www.alansarchery.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Equipment/Strings/Strings.htm “These LCP&#39;s were important in their day, especially Kevlar. They still have important uses outside of archery, but have been replaced for our purposes by newer, more reliable fibres. There are still plenty of spools of Keviar and other aramids knocking around in cupboards and tackle boxes, but they should not be used. Even when new they have a short life—often as low as 1000 shots—and tendency to break without warning. After a few years storage, especially in sunlight, they could be positively dangerous.” 
     The horizontal Spandex (™) component of the knitwoven material will not suddenly gain the fire-resistant qualities of the vertical Kevlar (™) component. The knit-woven material will be progressively consumed by flame. The motorcyclist&#39;s apparel website at the following webpage explains this statement saying that: 
     http:/Iwww.aerostich.com/isroot/riderwearhouse/DirectPages/straightstory.html “To solve these problems, manufacturers blend Kevlar® with Lycra® and nylon. In this blend, “Kevlar®” is only about one third actual Kevlar®. This creates problems. Because of the additional nylon and Lycra®, much of its slight weight advantage over Cordura® is lost. It also loses some of its fireresistant qualities. The blended Kevlar® fabric may bum or melt Oust like nylon) when it comes in contact with a flame, hot component, or high frictional heat.” 
     As designed, the rescue chute of U.S. Pat. No. 6,098,747 can only be accessed where the frame is located and limited only to one story at a time. In case another evacuee needed to deploy another rescue chute immediately below the first one, it would not be possible. To increase the number of evacuees across several stories therefore, horizontal deployment of several rescue chutes of varying lengths would be required, but this can be a severe limitation during emergencies. Furthermore, no attempt is made to properly space evacuees apart, to prevent bodily contact, or to avoid collisions from occurring when several evacuees travel down the rescue chute. 
     Finally and more importantly, should the fire be at a lower level than the evacuee and the lower portion of the rescue chute is damaged, there is no way to ascertain the serviceability of the fabric before descending down the rescue chute. This feature of the rescue chute should be a serious consideration, due to the very nature of its intended use. 
     After the tragic events of Sep. 11, 2001, there has been a call for emergency elevator systems to be implemented in all high-rise buildings. Specifically these emergency elevators must have superior reinforcements to withstand bomb blasts, dedicated ventilation, standalone electrical power systems and independent communications systems for each elevator shaft. Naturally, most building owners and administrators have deemed these requirements as expensive and impractical to implement. 
     OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
     Several objects and advantages of the present invention are: 
     (a) to provide expeditious and safe evacuations from a high-rise building during emergencies by implementing an apparatus that checks its own physical integrity and approximates free space for each evacuee, thereby allowing pre-qualified egress through the system; 
     (b) to provide a high-rise emergency evacuation system that is easy to use during emergency situations even by people who are totally uninitiated about its use, and by whose who may be acrophobic or who are afraid of heights; 
     (c) to provide a high-rise emergency evacuation system that is relatively inexpensive, uncomplicated to integrate into existing high-rise buildings, and externally concealable so as to preserve the building&#39;s external aesthetics, structural integrity and valuable real estate; 
     (d) to provide a permanently-affixed, independent and readily-available high-rise emergency evacuation system that aims to revive confidence in high-rise tenancy specially after Sep. 11, 2001 by ensuring a swifter, less-strenuous and safe evacuation alternative that can significantly reduce normal feelings of anxiety generated by an awareness that the staircase is the only emergency exit option for an individual who goes out of an elevator at a height of perhaps twenty-five or more stories, and reads a sign that says “Do not use the elevator during fire or earthquakes.”; 
     (e) to provide a high-rise emergency evacuation system that requires only a minimal amount of power to be immediately operational but which can enable a high volume of evacuees to egress during emergencies, especially when swift evacuations en masse is necessary from high-rise buildings; 
     (f) to provide a high-rise emergency evacuation system that is modular, rendering it less expensive to manufacture and resulting in an increase in the overall strength of the materials used, as the weight and stresses throughout the apparatus would be distributed; 
     (g) to provide a high-rise emergency evacuation system that can allow even injured, elderly and disabled individuals to evacuate a building with minimum effort or assistance. Likewise, unconscious individuals may either be accompanied or strapped onto special self-inflating stretchers and evacuated from a high-rise building with relative ease; 
     (h) to provide a high-rise emergency evacuation system that can protect evacuees from fire, smoke, chemicals, fuel, falling objects, and the like, by transporting them immediately away from the building premises through a system of high-tensile strength long poles attached to the building&#39;s superstructure and an appropriate combination of advanced fire-resistant fabrics and specialized composite materials; and 
     (i) to provide a high-rise emergency evacuation system that does not compromise building security by effectively preventing unauthorized access into the building through the system, while allowing quick and efficient emergency egress out of the building when required. 
     Further objects and advantages shall become more apparent after considering the ensuing descriptions and drawings. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention solves a long felt, long existing need for a quick, efficient, relatively inexpensive, practical, reliable and safe way of enabling even elderly, injured or disabled persons to escape entrapment from or to bypass the levels of a skyscraper or high-rise building that is impassable due to flame, smoke or heavy damage with very little effort or assistance, by using an apparatus that checks its own physical integrity and approximates free space for each evacuee thereby allowing pre-qualified egress through the system. 
     Unlike prior art, the present invention allows the apparatus to be concealed, despite being a permanent fixture of the building itself. The present invention, as a new and unusual result, enables appropriate spacing between several evacuees who are utilizing a single descent tube, despite the fact that the said evacuees may originate from different stories of the same building. 
     Human stampede, even at ground level can be deadly. At any extreme height or extreme depth, safe travel requires a measure of discipline and control. A high-rise evacuation system then must ensure swift but orderly escape. The present invention&#39;s unique combination of the cylindrical door, door sensors, including the dimensions and slant of the egress booth, induce the required discipline and control to ensure that only an allowable number of evacuees are in the egress booth when the trap door opens. 
     There is a common saying that: ‘You can immediately tell how strong a rope is by deciding if you are willing to risk your life using it’. The same idea applies to prior art, wherein a single fabric is commonly used to transport several evacuees in vertical descent. This single fabric used in prior art is designed for horizontal elasticity and vertical strength. True to form, very few people are willing to risk their lives by using these prior art fabrics, most specially if great heights and the weight of several people are involved. The present invention addresses this issue through a novel combination of appropriate materials in a unique form, thereby ensuring that each element&#39;s individual characteristics that made it desirable for the task, is never compromised or diluted. Furthermore, its modular design, as a new and unexpected result, increases the overall strength of the materials used in the present invention as the weight and stresses are distributed throughout the apparatus. 
    
    
     DRAWINGS 
     Drawing Figures 
     In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes. 
     FIG. 1A shows a side view of an abbreviated high-rise building with internal and external components of the present invention visible, so as to facilitate the understanding of relative size and position of the system in relation to the building. 
     FIG. 2A shows a side, cut-away view of a building which focuses on egress booths in relation to the building. 
     FIG. 2B shows a side view detail of a trap door for consistency with FIG.  2 A. 
     FIG. 2C shows an exploded view of an internal cylindrical door for the egress booth. 
     FIG. 3A shows a side view of a typical support pole. 
     FIG. 3B shows a top view of the support pole and a pair of octagon-in-square trusses with guide lines that depict how diagonal descent tubes are alternately positioned and supported in relation to the support pole. 
     FIG. 3C shows a side view of the topmost floor of the building generally focusing on the pre-deployment position of the support poles including the crane motor, drum and cables that return the said poles after use. 
     FIG. 4A shows a side view of the building with focus on a y-shaped modular descent tube. 
     FIG. 4B shows a front view of the modular descent tubes to facilitate the understanding of how greater evacuee volume is supported by two descent tubes and to show the positioning of the ventilation holes. 
     FIG. 4C shows a perspective view a single-piece cargo netting that serves as an internal backbone component of the y-shaped modular descent tube. 
     FIG. 4D shows a detailed front view of the state of the single-piece cargo netting prior to its cladding with breathable elastic material, thus allowing the netting to expand as required. 
     FIG. 4E shows a detailed top view of special materials that make up the modular descent tube, with focus on fabric sensors. 
     FIG. 4F shows a perspective view of a funnel-shaped reinforced elastic material that serves as an innermost layer for the modular descent tube and an attachment means to the pole trusses. 
     FIG. 4G shows a perspective view of a typical side of an octagonal truss, generally designed as four bars branching out from a center bar. 
     FIG. 4H shows a side cutaway view of FIG. 4G, and its unique design that facilitates the attachment of three main materials that comprise the modular descent tube. 
     FIG. 4I shows a perspective, cross-sectional view of the descent tube material, sans fire-proof layer for clarity, with an evacuee with child in a recommended harness, in the diagonal section of a y-shaped modular descent tube immediately prior to transition to vertical descent, with particular focus on how the descent tubes are designed to facilitate the transition. 
     FIG. 4J shows a perspective, cross-sectional view of the descent tube material, sans fire-proof layer for clarity, with an evacuee with child in a recommended harness, in the vertical section of a y-shaped modular descent tube immediately prior to crossing a typical elastic aperture that serves as a transition from diagonal to vertical descent, with particular focus on how the descent tubes are designed to allow evacuees to cross the said apertures safely. 
     FIG. 4K shows a side view of a building with focus on the position of the fabric sensors internally embedded into the modular descent tubes for avoiding collisions between evacuees using the same modular descent tube. 
     FIG. 4L shows a side view of a building with focus on the positioning of the fiber-optic cables internally embedded into the fire-proof layer on both the diagonal and vertical sections of the modular descent tubes for actively monitoring damage to the descent tube material. 
     FIG. 4M shows a detailed front view of the waveform shaped fiber-optic cable paths used in FIG. 4L for preventing cable slippage and breaks due to expansion. 
     FIG. 5A shows a side view of a building, focusing on the rope webbings and supports for the modular descent tube that prevent excessive sagging or swaying. 
     FIG. 6A shows a side view of a building, focusing on a fully-deployed inflatable slide attached to a support pole that is nearest to the ground. 
     FIG. 6B shows a front, cross-sectional view of the inflatable slide in FIG. 6A, with an evacuee to provide perspective for the height of the safety side walls and two slide channels for increased evacuee volume. 
     FIG. 6C shows a perspective view of the optional test dummy with passive keyed bands of conductive material on both front and back to facilitate an initial test run of a recently deployed system. 
     FIG. 6D shows a perspective view of the end portion of the inflatable slide with the optional active keyed bands of conductive material that triggers signaling as the test dummy successfully completes its test run. 
     FIG. 7A shows a front view of a glass covered interface panel, positioned immediately outside of the egress booth and also serves as a wiring box, comprised of an auxiliary trap door release button, status light emitting diodes (LEDs) and the system activation button. 
     FIG. 7B shows a front view of an interface panel, positioned inside the egress booth, comprised of a trap door release button and status LEDs. 
     FIG. 7C shows a front view of a normally covered and locked interface panel, located outside the egress booth, comprised of an trap door override lever and vertical continuity check override key switch, generally used exclusively by authorized personnel. 
     FIG. 8A shows a perspective view of two sliding protective and aesthetic covers for the apparatus. 
     FIG. 8B shows a perspective view of two L-shaped protective and aesthetic covers for the apparatus. 
     FIGS. 8C and 8D shows a perspective view of two possible versions of magnetic bolt latches used in the apparatus for applicable tasks such as fastening and releasing poles or keeping the protective and aesthetic covers shut. 
     FIGS. 8E to  8 G shows a top view of the mechanisms used to open the protective and aesthetic covers without the use of large amounts of electrical power. 
     FIG. 9A shows a perspective view of a wall-based alternative embodiment of the system that does not require an egress booth. 
     FIG. 9B shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the system focusing on support poles, diagonal descent tubes and support webbings for primarily diagonal descent. 
     FIG. 9C shows a building side view of a floor-based alternative embodiment of the system that also does away with the egress booth. 
     FIG. 9D shows a building side view of an alternative embodiment of the system that supports an evacuee re-routing feature by utilizing a top sliding truss and four bottom descent tubes instead of the usual two. 
     FIG. 10A is a flowchart that details the step-by-step process and procedures used in the system, to significantly reduce any questions or ambiguity with regard to wiring and other related issues by those who are skilled in the art. 
     FIG. 10B is a schematic summary of the relationships between active components used in the system. 
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS 
       200  System Activation Button 
       202  Egress Booth 
       204  Trap Door 
       205  Trap Door Hinge 
       206  Internal Trap Door Release Button 
       208  Auxiliary Trap Door Release Button 
       210  Booth Occupancy Fabric Sensor 
       212  Trap Door Calibrated Damper Rod 
       214  Trap Door Magnetic Bolt Latch 
       215  Trap Door Open/Closed Sensor 
       216  Cylindrical Door 
       218  Cylindrical Door Sensors 
       220  Cylindrical Door Open/Closed Position Locking Gear 
       221  Cylindrical Door Magnetic Bolt Latch (while Trap Door is open) 
       222  Cylindrical Door Handle and Lever 
       224  Bearing Rails 
       226  Internal Light Emitting Diode (LED) Display Board 
       228  Auxiliary LED Display Board 
       230  Overhead Light 
       232  Manual Override Lever for Trap Door with Protective Cover 
       234  Vertical Continuity Override Key Switch 
       235  Override Cover Key Lock 
       236  Passageway 
       238  Circular Aperture with Rounded Edges and Padding 
       240  Elliotially-shaped truss (Building Wall for Diagonal Tube Attachment) 
       244  Egress Booth Availability Signage 
       246  Signage, “Please Close the Door” 
       300  High-tensile strength Steel Support Poles 
       302  High-tensile strength Hinges 
       304  Cable Anchors (for Fixed Length Cable) 
       306  Fixed Length Cables 
       308  Nautilus-shaped Disks 
       310  Horizontal Sensor Switches 
       312  Bottom-side Struts 
       314  Maximum Travel Lock 
       316  Strut Rail and Guide 
       318  Gas-lift Rod 
       320  Octagonally-shaped trusses 
       321  Five-bar Truss for Vertical Descent Tube Ends Attachment 
       324  Forged bends 
       326  Clamps and Fastening Bolts 
       328  Reinforced Edge of Fire-Proof Material (for Truss Attachment) 
       330  Arched Attachment Bar 
       332  Continuous Vertical Fire-Proof Material Shield 
       334  Support Arches 
       336  Horizontal Bars 
       340  Webbing Cable Anchor Points 
       342  Crane Motor 
       344  Crane Cable 
       346  Internally Insulated Pipes 
       348  Topmost Pole Truss Suspension Arm 
       352  Last Support Pole nearest to the Ground 
       400  Y-Shaped Modular Descent Tube 
       402  Cylindrical Modular Descent Tube 
       404  Diagonal Section of Y-Shaped Modular Descent Tube 
       406  Vertical Section of Y-Shaped Modular Descent Tube 
       408  Single-Piece Cargo Netting 
       410  Breathable Cladding for Cargo Netting 
       412  Breathable Elastic Lattice 
       413  Vertical Strips of Ultra High Molecular Weight PolyEthylene (UHMWPE) Material 
       414  Vertical Section Fabric Sensor 
       415  Funnel 
       416  Fireproof material (such as Nomex (™)) 
       418  Base of z-patten folds 
       420  Waveform Cable Paths 
       422  Air Holes/Breathing Apertures 
       424  Vertical Elastic Lattice 
       426  Diagonal Elastic Lattice 
       428  NON-stick substance (i.e. PTFL or Teflon™) 
       430  Extra Length of Breathable Elastic Lattice from the Diagonal Section 
       432  Reinforced Opening In Vertical Section Elastic Lattice and Cargo Netting 
       434  Cover Flap 
       436  Extra Cordura Shield 
       438  Fixed-tension UHMWPE netting 
       440  Elastic Support Band 
       442  Elastic Material Reinforced Edges 
       443  Reinforced Cargo Netting Edges 
       444  Reinforcement Material 
       445  Truss Foam Padding 
       446  Breathable Elastic Lattice Tail 
       448  Vertical Ventilation Openings 
       450  Overhead Netted Ventilation Openings 
       452  Single-mode Fiber-optic Cable 
       454  Multi-mode Fiber-optic Cable 
       455  Reserved Slack 
       456  Fabric Sensor Cables 
       460  Horizontal Segments of Cargo Netting 
       462  Vertical Segments of Cargo Netting 
       500  Webbing Ropes 
       502  Diamond-shaped Cordura (™) and UHMWPE material 
       504  Vertical Section Stabilizer Webbing Cables/Ropes 
       506  Nomex (™)-covered Cordura (™) and UHMWPE Stabilizer Ring 
       512  Rock Climbing Rope Locks 
       600  Inflatable Slide 
       602  Surface Reinforcements 
       604  High Side Walls and Cover Netting 
       606  Slide Support Webbings 
       608  Evacuee Receiving Area 
       610  Catch Wall 
       612  Air Cylinders with Aspirators 
       614  Protective Cover 
       616  Air Pressure Sensors 
       618  Test Dummy with Keyed Bands of Conductive material 
       619  Passive Keyed Bands of Conductive material 
       620  Active Keyed Bands of Conductive material and Switch 
       622  Slide Channel or Path 
       624  Test Dummy Suspension Loop 
       700  Fiber-optic Transceivers and Electronic Switches 
       702  Copper Cabling (for Trap Door Control Signals) 
       704  Low-voltage Electrical Relays (for Trap Door Magnetic Bolt Latch Release) 
       705  Wiring Box 
       706  Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) for extended system signals 
       708  UPS for local system signals 
       709  System Deactivation Key Switch 
       800  Sliding Door 
       802  L-shaped Hinged Door 
       803  Bolt Catch 
       804  Magnetic Bolt Latch 
       805  Rubber-ended Release Pin 
       806  Gas-lift Rods 
       808  Cables and Pulleys 
       810  Rail Guides 
       812  Extensible Rails 
       814  Hinges 
       816  Weather Seal 
       818  Barrier 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Just as a skyscraper is the successful embodiment of a very complex combination of engineering formulas, each individual component used in the present invention solves a long-felt, long-existing need by acting as a synergistic whole. 
     To facilitate writing, the lengthy detailed description is very roughly subdivided into sections composed of the present invention&#39;s major components, since the interrelationships between these components easily cross the intended descriptive subdivisions. The major components are: 
     I. Protective and Aesthetic Covering 
     II. Support Poles 
     III. Egress Booth and Trap Door 
     IV. Modular Descent Tubes 
     V. Sensors and Switches 
     VI. Truss Design and Strategies for Volume 
     VII. Stabilizer Webbing and Supports 
     VIII. Inflatable Slide and Test Dummy 
     IX. Control Signals 
     Trademarked names (such as Nomex, Cordura, Lycra and Teflon—all manufactured by DuPont) that may be used throughout this document does not imply that only these exact brands are recommended. Rather, these names are only used to facilitate writing by conveying of the inherent characteristics of the material in a single word. Other brands with the same or better characteristics than the trademarked materials may be used for as long as the safety features are well considered as in the previously mention case of Keviar (™) in the Background—Description of Prior Art section of this document. 
     I. Protective and Aesthetic Covering 
     A successful cover for the apparatus preserves the building&#39;s aesthetics by mimicking the visual characteristics of a building&#39;s external materials and shape, such that it is virtually unnoticeable to pedestrians looking at the building. The cover should also adequately protect the apparatus against the elements. 
     The preferred embodiment for the covering uses a combination of glass and steel that is so common in today&#39;s high-rise edifices. However, it should be noted that the exact combination of materials will depend on the existing material used on a building to which the present invention will be affixed. 
     The protective and aesthetic covers are well-balanced and lubricated ‘doors’ that mimic building windows panels. They are designed as either sliding doors  800  or L-shaped hinged doors  802  shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, respectively. These doors are held firmly in place by magnetic bolt latches  804  comparable to that manufactured by SDC Security (www.sdcsecurity.com) as shown in FIG.  8 D. Weather seals line the edges of the covers to keep the elements from entering the building as shown in FIGS. 8E and 8F. 
     When the system activation button  200  shown in FIG. 7A is pressed, the magnetic bolt latches  804  are released. Custombuilt gas-lift rods  806  similar to that manufactured by Stabilus of Germany (www.stabilus.com), and a system of cables and pulleys  808  are simultaneously triggered to push the covers open. Hinges  814 , or rails  812  with rail guides  810  allow the doors to be suspended and moved to an open position. A barrier  818  comprised of concrete or glass prevents building occupants from falling through the created opening, as shown in FIGS. 8E and 8F. 
     By using gas-lift rods  806  to open the doors, the need for a great and steady amount of electricity is precluded, and this is beneficial during a major crisis, as the regular amount of power may not be available. Inwardly-moving sliding doors  800  are preferred, whenever building design permits. 
     The interaction between active electronic components involving the above mentioned system activation button and magnetic bolt latches is summarized in FIGS. 10A and 10B. 
     II. Support Poles 
     The following description relates to FIGS. 3A to  3 C. Once the gas-lift rods  806 , used to open the protective and aesthetic covers  800  or  802 , have been fully opened, the tip of the gas-lift rods activates switches that disengage magnetic bolt latches  804  show in FIG. 8C, and frees all high-tensile strength steel support poles  300  and its attached trusses  320  from its vertical position as shown in FIG.  3 C. The support poles are attached onto the superstructure of the building by high-tensile strength steel hinges  302  that are bolted and welded directly onto the building superstructure. These support poles simultaneously move from a vertical to a horizontal position with its descent carefully controlled by a bottom-side support strut  312  led by a strut rail and guide  316  that compresses a fully extended industrial-grade gas-lift rod  318  until obstructed by a maximum travel lock  314 . Fixed-length cables  306 , cable anchors  304  welded and bolted onto the building&#39;s superstructure, including bottom-side struts  312  and maximum travel lock,  314  firmly establishes the support pole at a horizontal position. As shown in FIG. 3A. A nautilus-shaped disk  308  at the base of the support pole activates a weather-proof horizontal sensor switch  310  shown in FIG. 3B, which indicates that horizontal rest position has been reached and maintained. 
     The interaction between active electronic components involving the above mentioned horizontal sensor and magnetic bolt latches are summarized in FIGS. 10A and 10B. 
     A single crane motor  342  near or at the top floor of the building is connected to the topmost support pole by a crane cable  344  and is used to return all support poles simultaneously to pre-deployment position, but only after strict and careful inspection of the whole system as shown in FIG.  3 C. Note that the crane motor  342  is not needed to deploy the support poles. It is instead the use of gas-lift rods  318  on the bottom-side struts  312  that swiftly but carefully deploys the support poles without the need for a large and steady amount of electrical power that may not be available during a major crisis. Whenever building design permits, these support poles should be positioned along the comers rather than the center of the building 
     III. Egress Booth and Trap Door 
     Shown in FIG. 2A, the primary portal for exiting the building with minimum effort and reasonable speed is a cylindrical egress booth  202  that is slanted at about sixty degrees. This booth can support a large adult in excess of six feet in height, two smaller adults, or an adult with a child or infant at a time. It has an overhead light  230  and a special internal cylindrical door  216  shown in FIG. 2C, made of transparent nontoxic window-grade material such as Lexan (™) polycarbonate similar to that manufactured by GE Plastics (www.geplastics.com). The cylindrical door is sandwiched between the walls of the egress booth. The cylindrical door generally rotates in one direction only, supported by a bearing rail  224 . Its rotation is stopped at pre-determined, alternating open or close positions by a locking gear  220  that is released by depressing a lever  222  found the door handle. The cylindrical door has four available door handles for each alternating open and closed position, but only one handle is exposed at any given time. Moreover, the cylindrical door has sensors  218  that indicate whether it is in a close or open position. 
     The floor of the egress booth is a trap door  204  shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, covered by a fabric sensor  210  that indicates whether the egress booth is occupied or not. The trap door leads to a passageway  236  that is slanted at about thirty to forty degrees. While the trap door  204  is open, a magnetic bolt latch  221  prevents the opening of the booth&#39;s cylindrical door  216 . 
     The whole egress path, from the booth to the passageway, is lined with a coat of non-stick Teflon (™)  428 . Shown in FIG. 2A, the passageway  236  leads out of the building through a somewhat circular aperture  238  with rounded edges and foam padding of about the same circumference as that of the egress booth, to prevent injury to evacuees. Outside the building, the aperture  238  is reinforced by an octagonal steel truss  240  that is bolted and welded onto the building&#39;s superstructure and serves as an attachment point for a diagonal section of a y-shaped modular descent tube  404  shown in detail by FIG.  4 A. This diagonal section generally keeps the angle of descent set by the passageway  236 . 
     As shown in FIG. 2A, the trap door  204  of the egress booth  202  and the whole passageway  236  is generally composed of very high tensile strength steel that is bolted and welded onto the building&#39;s superstructure to provide additional support for the octagonal steel truss  240 , should the building walls be made out of glass instead of reinforced concrete or steel. 
     The interaction between active electronic components involving the previously mentioned magnetic bolt latch, door and occupancy sensors is summarized in FIGS. 10A and 10B. 
     IV. Modular Descent Tubes 
     A modular descent tube is either y-shaped  400  or cylindrical  402  as shown in FIG.  4 B. The y-shaped modular descent tube  400 , as shown in FIG. 4A, is functionally divided into diagonal  404  and vertical  406  sections. The cylindrical modular descent tube  402  shown in FIG. 4B, simply lacks the diagonal section  404  of the y-shaped modular descent tube  400 . Both sections of the modular descent tubes are primarily composed of a continuous single piece cargo netting  408  shown in FIG. 4C, using ropes of advance materials employed in rock climbing and rescue helicopter long-lines as shown in. Netting made of Amsteel Blue (™) and Ultra-High Molecular Weight Poly Ethylene (UHMWPE) material, as manufactured by Samson Rope (www.samsonrope.com), are good examples. 
     With reference to the backbone netting shown in FIG. 4C, the vertical portion of the cargo netting  408  is compressed by about three-fourths of the average width of an adult person or less, while in the diagonal section of the cargo netting is compressed by about the average width of an adult person or less. The expansion of the modular descent tube is partially achieved by allowing horizontal segments of the cargo netting  460  to sag, as shown in FIG.  4 D. The total length of this horizontal segments must be roughly equal to three compressed vertical segments of the cargo netting  462 . This expansive potential will allow the main body of the cargo netting to span roughly three times its current width. 
     As shown in FIG. 4E, the compression difference between the vertical  406  and diagonal sections  404  of the modular descent tubes are maintained by enveloping the cargo netting  408  with a breathable elastic cladding  410  honeycombed with air holes  422 , comprised of roughly seventy percent Lycra (™) and roughly thirty percent Cordura (™), both manufactured by DuPont (www.dupont.com). 
     Continuing with FIG. 4E, a breathable elastic lattice  412  nearly as thick as the cargo netting, composed of roughly the same ratio of Lycra (™) and Cordura (™) is then bonded to the breathable cladding  410  of the cargo netting. Thin vertical strips of UHMWPE material  413  are embedded or sewn into the breathable elastic lattice  412  and attached at the points where the cargo netting&#39;s  408  horizontal  460  and vertical segments  462  are joined, for added strength. As the modular descent tube expands, the Lycra (™) and Cordura (™) materials that are integrated in the breathable cladding for the cargo netting  410 , together with the breathable elastic lattice  412  will return the main body of the cargo netting  408  to its original compressed state. 
     The only variation to the abovementioned elastic compression procedure is that the top, bottom and diagonal ends of each modular descent tube, whether y-shaped  400  or cylindrical  402 , must be expanded to form a funnel  415  as seen in FIGS. 4C and 4F. The funnel is then affixed to trusses  320  or  240  that are affixed to the support poles  300  or the end of egress booth passageway  236  as shown in FIGS. 2A and 3B. The now expanded, funnel-shaped cargo netting  408  is reinforced and stabilized by a nearly identical funnel-shaped, fixed-tension UHMWPE netting  438  before being clad  410  in Lycra (™) and Cordura (™) as shown in FIG.  4 C. 
     The rest of the processes involved in the breathable cladding of the cargo netting  408  and its integration with the breathable elastic lattice  412  does not differ from the previous paragraph. An additional breathable elastic support band  440 , made of Lycra (™) and Cordura (™), is used at the end of each funnel as shown in FIG.  4 A. 
     The near-maximum stretched width of the cargo netting  408  is about equal or somewhat less than the internal circumference of the egress booth  202 . The normal, unstretched and uncompressed width of the cargo netting  408  after cladding is about equal to or somewhat greater than the average width of a large adult person. To prevent skin adhesion, a coating of non-stick substance such as PTFE or Teflon™  428  is used on the breathable elastic lattice  412  as shown in FIG.  4 E. This unique composition allows evacuees of varying physical builds a roughly regular rate of descent that is less than free-fall without compromising material strength and evacuee safety. 
     For reasons of safety, evacuees within the vertical section of the y-shaped modular descent tube  406  shown in FIG. 4J must not be able to grab onto the apertures in the diagonal section of the y-shaped modular descent tubes  404  as they travel downwards. This prevention is achieved by providing a reinforced opening in the vertical elastic lattice and cargo netting  432  that by allows an extra length of breathable elastic lattice from the diagonal section  430  clearly shown in FIG. 4I, to extend well within the vertical elastic lattice  424 , and by completely covering this extra length  430 , including the reinforced opening  432 , with a cover flap  434  of elastic lattice material that is integrated with the vertical elastic lattice  424  such that it still offers a smooth surface to evacuees. An extra, internal Cordura (™) shield  436  is used in the portion of the vertical section of the descent tube at the junction immediately opposite the opening of the diagonal section. The areas where the breathable cladding of the cargo netting  410  separates from the breathable elastic lattice  412  is strengthened by reinforcement material  444  composed of additional Lycra (™) and Cordura (™) plus UHMWPE thread. 
     As shown in FIG. 4E, to protect evacuees against fire, the diagonal  404  and vertical  406  sections of the y-shaped modular descent tube are covered with a layer of fire-proof material  416 , such as Nomex (™) manufactured by DuPont, that is folded in a z-patten, to provide a a thicker shield against fire. The base of the z-pattern folds  418  has a layer of Lycra (™) and Cordura (™) that bonds with the breathable cladding for the cargo netting  410 . The z-pattern folds  418  allow simultaneous expansion to roughly three times its current length, approximating the cargo netting&#39;s  408  elastic tolerances. 
     The outer skin of fire-proof material  416  does not afford ventilation unlike the cargo netting  408  and the breathable elastic lattice  412 . Thus, the fire-proof material in the vertical section of the y-shaped modular descent tube  406  or the cylindrical modular descent tube  402  has large and regular vertical ventilation openings  448  shown in FIG. 4B, that are positioned away from the building. For the diagonal section of the y-shaped modular descent tube  404 , the portion which is farthest away from the building has several Nomex (™) shielded ventilation openings  450  that ensure appropriate ventilation without risking direct exposure to fire as shown in FIG.  4 A. 
     The ends of each modular descent tube&#39;s fire-proof material  416  are joined together, reinforced and attached to a five-bar truss  321  as shown in FIG.  4 H. 
     V. Sensors and Switches 
     As shown in FIG. 4K, the modular descent tubes are equipped with fabric sensors  414  similar to the ones manufactured by SoftSwitch Ltd. Company in the United Kingdom (www.softswitch.co.uk). These fabric sensors are embedded between the cargo netting  408  and breathable elastic lattice  412  as shown in FIG.  4 E. These sensors ensure that the egress booth trap door  204  will only open if a predetermined length of space in the descent tubes is free of evacuees. This length of space is projected to be available and thus reserved for the evacuee in the egress booth by the time the said evacuee crosses the diagonal section of the y-shaped modular descent tube  404 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 4E and 4L, the diagonal length of the y-shaped descent tube is equipped to actively monitor its integrity or continuity by embedding multi-mode fiber optic cables  454  like those manufactured by Lucent (www.lucent.com) in the z-folds of the fire-proof material used in the descent tube. If the light from this continuity assurance fiber-optic cable is not received by the fiber-optic transceivers  700 , the egress booth trap door  204  will not open. Similarly, also shown in FIG. 4L, the whole vertical length of either y-shaped  400  or cylindrical  402  modular descent tube from the top of the building to the ground is equipped with single-mode fiber-optic cables  452  for integrity or continuity monitoring. Again, all egress booth trap doors  204  attached to a particular descent tube will not open if damage to vertical continuity is detected. 
     A vertical continuity override button  234  is available to authorized personnel should vertical continuity damage be determined to be restricted to higher floors while the rest of the system to the ground is still intact as shown in detail in FIG.  7 C and located through FIG.  2 A. 
     All fiber-optic cables used are generally the light-weight, supple indoor-type, partially reinforced with Kevlar (™) and clad with nontoxic material. All collision and continuity cables are deployed via a special wave form cable path  420  composed of Lycra (™) in the outer z-pattern fold of the fire-proof material  416 , as shown in FIGS. 4E and 4M. The wave form cable path  420  reduces the chance for expansive breakage and reduces cable slippage. The wave form path is comprised of elastic Lycra (™) lining also allows the fiber-optic cables to take up reserved slack  455  located in each truss area, also to prevent breakage as shown in FIG.  4 H. All diagonal continuity verification multi-mode fiber-optic cables  454  and anti-collision fabric sensor cables  456  reach the building through internally insulated pipes  346  attached to the support poles  300  as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. 
     The interaction between active electronic components involving the previously mentioned fabric sensors, transceivers, overrides and fiber-optic cables is summarized in FIGS. 10A and 10B. 
     VI. Truss Design and Strategies for Volume 
     Both elliptically-shaped truss  240  for the diagonal section of the y-shaped modular descent tube  404  and the octagonally-shaped trusses on the support poles  300  shown in FIGS. 2A and 3B serve the same primary purpose of providing attachment point for the wrapping of reinforced edges  442  of either the y-shaped  400  or the cylindrical  402  modular descent tubes. These trusses are composed of very high tensile strength steel that are forged as a single finished unit. As shown in FIG. 4G, each single side of the octagon is branches into five metal bars  321  so as not to significantly diminish thickness or strength, as shown in FIG.  3 C. The support poles similarly have forged bends  324  as shown in FIG. 3B so as not to obstruct these metal bars. 
     As shown in FIG. 4H, two of the bars on the top half support the bottom end of a higher modular descent tube and the other two bars on the bottom half supports the top end of the next modular descent tube, thus allowing separate modular descent tubes to be connected as a single functional unit. The two outer bars are for the attachment of the breathable elastic material&#39;s reinforced edges  442  and the two inner bars are for the attachment of the cargo netting&#39;s reinforced edges  443 . Clamps and fastening bolts  326  are used for the breathable elastic material while rock climbing rope locks  512  are used on the cargo netting&#39;s reinforced edges  443  and complementary fixed-tension UHMWPE netting  438  to create the funnel  415  of each modular descent tube. 
     As shown in FIG. 4B, the bottom of each modular descent tube has an extra length of breathable elastic lattice tail  446  that extends well within the modular descent tube immediately below it and provides a guided transition for the evacuees as they move from one modular descent tube to another. Foam padding  445  is used around the elastic lattice tail  446  as an additional safety measure. 
     Both y-shaded  400  and cylindrical  402  modular descent tubes are provided for every other floor of the building, as shown in FIG.  4 B. Although other combinations are possible, depending on a building&#39;s exact design. This alternating descent tube strategy will allow for greater spacing between evacuees, thereby increasing the supported volume of evacuees without increasing the risk of collisions and installation costs. 
     As a primary protection against fire, all support poles  300  have an arched attachment bar  330  shown in FIG. 3B, located between the building and the trusses for the deployment of a continuous vertical fire-proof material shield  332  as shown in FIG. 2A that serves as the evacuees first defense against flame while within the vertical descent tubes. This primary fire-shield  332  is specially important when the design of the building requires that support poles be positioned to gently slope away from a lower roof Naturally this fire-shield  332  has openings for each diagonal section of the y-shaded modular descent tube  404 . 
     VII. Stabilizer Webbings and Supports 
     As shown in FIG. 3B, between each pair of square/octagonal steel trusses are horizontal bars  336  and support arches  334  for torsion resistance. The support poles  300  have several regularly spaced webbing cable anchor points  340 . 
     As shown in FIG. 5A, the bottom of the diagonal section of the y-shaded modular descent tube  404  is supported from excessive sagging by a series of diamond-shaped Cordura(™) and UHMWPE material  502  covered by fire-proof material such as Nomex (™). In hammock fashion, the skyward-facing points of that diamond-shaped material serve as the attachment point for webbing ropes  500  made of advanced materials used in rock climbing or rescue helicopter long line cables, similar to that manufactured by Samson Rope (www.samsonrope.com). Each rope is covered with fire-proof cladding material similar to that used for the descent tube&#39;s outer cover. 
     Likewise depicted in FIG. 5A, the approximate center of each modular descent tubes is stabilized from excessive swaying by a Nomex (™) covered Cordura (™) and UHMWPE ring  506  lined with foam, which provides attachment points for the same webbing ropes  500  mentioned earlier. The webbing ropes are affixed to the support pole anchor points  340 . This stabilizer system is important when the spacing of support poles  300  span several floors. 
     VII. Inflatable Slide and Test Dummy 
     The very last support pole nearest to the ground  352  shown in FIG. 6A, located about three or four stories high, is equipped with an inflatable slide  600  similar to that manufactured by Carlton Technologies (www.carltech.com) that is held by a protective cover  614 . As this last support pole reaches horizontal, the pole&#39;s horizontal sensor switch  310  simultaneously releases the protective cover magnetic bolt latch  804  and activates the air cylinders with aspirators  612 . The slide quickly unfolds and inflates. The slide&#39;s thick padded base contains surface reinforcements  602  and has high side walls and cover netting  604  shown in FIG. 6B, that create a separate channel or path  622  for each modular descent tube. Slide support webbings  606  originating from the last support pole  352  shown in FIG. 6A is used to ensure that the slide does not sag prematurely due to its length. Towards the end of the slide at ground level, both sides of the slide have a flat padded area to serve as an evacuee receiving area  608 . The very far end of the slide has a cushioned catch wall  610 . Redundant electronic air pressure sensors and mated electronic switches  616 , similar to that manufactured by Keyence America (www.keyence.com) or Entran (www.entran.com), are embedded within the slide to reach a predetermined threshold that indicates that the slide is sufficiently inflated. 
     As shown in FIGS. 4L and 6A, the mated electronic switches of the slide&#39;s air pressure sensors then activate around four to eight fiber optic transceivers its mated electronic switches  700  similar to the ones manufactured by Lucent (www.lucent.com) that light up the single-mode fiber optic cables  452  that run to the top of the building and down again, embedded vertically in the modular descent tubes. If the light returns to the other transceiver, the mated electronic switch of the fiber optic transceiver sends a signal to all egress booth trap door control relays  704  indicating that vertical continuity is intact. Should damage to the single-mode fiber-optic cables  452  occur, the vertical continuity good signal will not be sent and the egress booth trap door  204  will not open unless the vertical continuity override button  234  or the trap door manual override lever  232  would be engaged, shown in FIG.  7 C. 
     The interaction between all these active components involving the previously mentioned air pressure sensors, fiber-optic transceivers, magnetic bolt latches and override buttons are summarized in FIGS. 10A and 10B. 
     For security reasons, the last set of support poles nearest to the ground may be intentionally designed not to support diagonal descent and thus take the form of a simple cylindrical modular descent tubes  402  as shown in FIG.  4 B. 
     It is very important to emphasize that the intended emergency evacuation receiving area for the inflatable slide must be kept clear of cars and other obstructions at all times. 
     A dry run of the modular descent tubes is optional, considering all the safety sensors employed. If required, a test dummy  618  shown in FIG. 6B with passive keyed bands of conductive material  619  on both front and back surfaces can be provided to take the first trip down the just-deployed system. As soon as all poles have reached horizontal and the slide has sufficiently inflated, the topmost pole receives a ‘vertical continuity ok’ signal that triggers the activation of a magnetic bolt latch  804  that frees the test dummy&#39;s suspension loop  624 , and the test dummy begins its descent. The test dummy is generally made of soft rubber and shaped to approximate a prone human form, but is contoured to be faster than a human in its descent so as not to waste valuable time. It has a flexible midsection, so as to facilitate passage from the diagonal section  404  to the vertical section  406  of the y-shaded modular descent tube. It is also of similar weight as that of a real person of the same height. The test dummy does not need to contain any active sensors, rather it has passive keyed bands of conductive material on both of its surfaces. Once the test dummy reaches matching active keyed bands of conductive material  620  found on each slide channel surface towards the end of the inflatable slide, as shown in FIG. 6D, even if only momentarily, it completes a circuit that sends a signal through copper signaling cable  702  that ultimately reaches all egress trap door control relays  704  assigned to that particular tube, that indicates that the test dummy has successfully completed its descent. 
     The interaction between active electronic components involving the previously mentioned test run signal, magnetic bolt latches and pole horizontal switch is summarized in FIGS. 10A and 10B. 
     IX. Control Signals 
     The following description in the succeeding paragraphs relates to FIGS. 10A and 10B. Each major component of the present invention has embedded sensors that belie its simplicity with regard to its application in the present invention. Even air pressure sensors  616  embedded in the inflatable slide  600  are pre-calibrated, thus all sensors indicated in this document are mated to, or function as, simple off-in electronic switches, which makes it a simple matter for those knowledgeable in the art to implement. For example, if light from the fiber-optic cable  452  within the cylindrical modular descent tubes  402  is received by the fiber-optic transceiver  700 , the vertical continuity ‘on’ signal is sent through copper cabling for trap door control signals  702  running inside and up the building to each egress booth&#39;s wiring box  705 . 
     For obvious safety reasons, the egress booth trap door  204  must only open if the following conditions have been met: the system activation button  200  has been pressed, all support poles  300  have reached horizontal position, the test dummy  618  successfully reached the end of the slide, diagonal section  404  continuity is verified, fabric sensor  414  space-reservation in the modular descent tube is okay, vertical continuity  402  and  406  is verified, the egress booth occupancy sensor  210  is positive, the egress booth cylindrical door is closed  218  and finally, the trap door release button  206  or the auxiliary trap door release button  208  is pressed. These nine safety conditions are given physical representation by the respective sensors and mated switches to signals for nine simple, low-voltage electrical relays  704  located at each egress booth wiring box  705 . Each of these nine low-voltage electrical relays must all be in the ‘on’ position to complete a circuit that activates the opening of the egress booth trap door&#39;s magnetic bolt latch  214 . 
     There are two sets of signal and power wiring. The first set involves wiring and uninterruptible power for system signals that must run up and down the whole height of the building. Specifically these signals affect all egress booths that are related through its attachment to a single modular descent tube. These four signals are: a) General System Deployment b) Test Dummy Descent Complete, c) All-Poles are Horizontal and d) Vertical Continuity Okay (Slide Air-Pressure Sensors and Vertical Fiber-optic Cable). The wiring and power for these signals originate in the area within the building directly adjacent to the last support pole  352  that houses the inflatable slide  600 . 
     The second set concerns wiring and UPS power for system signals that are considered ‘local’ to each egress booth on a particular floor. Specifically, these signals do not affect other egress booths on other floors. These five signals are: a) Diagonal Continuity Good c) Space-Reservation Okay d) Occupancy Positive e) Door is Closed and f) Trap Door Release Button Pressed (Auxiliary and Main). 
     As shown in FIGS. 2A to  2 C, after the egress booth trap door magnetic bolt latch  214  is opened, as a result of all nine low-voltage electrical relays  704  being activated, a trap door hinge  205  takes the weight of the trap door  204  as it swings open and the evacuee descends. The booth&#39;s cylindrical door  216  is simultaneously locked via a magnetic bolt latch  221  with the opening of the trap door, and stays locked until the trap door closes, as detected by a trap door sensor  215 . The egress booth trap door automatically closes with the help of a calibrated damper rod  212  similar to that manufactured by Stabilus of Germany (www.stabilus.com) after the evacuee&#39;s weight is off the trap door  204 . 
     As previously mentioned, the egress booth trap door  204  can also be opened by engaging the trap door manual override lever  232  shown in FIG.  7 C. The egress booth trap door  204  cannot be opened from the passageway  236  as the trap door magnetic bolt latches  214  are embedded in reinforced concrete and the building&#39;s superstructure. Likewise security is not compromised since the aesthetic and protective covers  800  or  802  for the apparatus are normally locked shut. 
     A required signage immediately above the egress booth  244  announces its status and availability as follows: Emergency Exit: Available (Green), Occupied (Yellow), Damaged: Use other Exits! (Red). 
     System deactivation after a general building evacuation must only be done by authorized personnel. It is accomplished by disabling the System Activation  200  signal wire to all egress booth wiring boxes  705 . This is provided as a key switch  709  at secret, customized locations for obvious reasons. 
     ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     With regard to the egress booth, an alternative embodiment for more disciplined, somewhat military use is to forego the egress booth, trapdoor and inflatable slide altogether. An aperture in the wall immediately leads out to the diagonal section of a y-shaded modular decent tube. A steel bar immediately above the aperture allows the evacuee to lift his or her whole body into the passageway, as shown in FIG.  9 A. The evacuee should only let go of the bar when the anti-collision fabric sensors light up a green bulb that indicates that the evacuee can safely proceed. 
     Another embodiment simply removes the egress booth but retains the trap door as shown in FIG.  9 C. Using a floor-based aperture, the trapdoor is repositioned at the very end of the passageway. This can be particularly usefull since unconscious individuals can be supported upright with relative ease. 
     These two previous alternative embodiments that forego the egress booth will reduce the amount of real estate needed by the system within the building to nearly nothing. For obvious reasons both alternative embodiments require specially-built aperture covers. 
     Another alternative embodiment relates to the support poles. If it becomes necessary to have evacuees travel somewhat diagonally at an angle where octagonal trusses would not be required, special support poles, webbings and descent tubes can be deployed as shown in FIG.  9 B. The advantage of this embodiment is that the evacuee can expeditiously transfer to another side of a building. Closer to the ground, this embodiment allows for greater flexibility with regard to the choice of evacuee receiving area. 
     Moreover, an alternative embodiment for the support poles relates to a rerouting feature that is impossible to implement using ordinary elevators. If for some reason, the regular exit inflatable slide location or the existing vertical path or building side is not desirable, a customized, heavier duty support pole will be equipped with a special two-part truss. The top portion can slide into position over a bottom truss that supports four descent tubes, as shown in FIG.  9 D. If no one is in both modular descent tubes, as verified by the anticollision fabric sensors, the top truss be used to redirect evacuees from the usual descent tube to a new exit location provided by the alternate descent tubes. 
     OPERATION—PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     During a major building emergency such as fire, earthquake or a terrorist incident, any building occupant may press the system activation button  200  after breaking its transparent cover. The evacuee waits while the system initializes. The egress booth status signage  244  signals that it is available. The evacuee steps inside the egress booth  202  and due to its slanted position, induces the evacuee to lean and to assume a position appropriate for egress. The evacuee presses the internal trapdoor release button  206 . The evacuee then sees a signage  246  that says ‘Please close booth door’ if it is still open. Once the door is closed, the space-reservation fabric sensor  414  ensures that a length of space in the vertical descent tube is free of other evacuees. For safety reasons, the booth&#39;s  202  cylindrical door  216  must first lock into place immediately prior to opening the trap door  204 . Once the cylindrical door lock is established, the fabric sensor then activates the last low-voltage electrical relay  704  required to release the trap door magnetic bolt latch  214 . The trap door opens and the evacuee, by force of gravity and with a bit of help from the Teflon coating  428  will slide downwards to the passageway  236  and out of the building. 
     In the diagonal section of the modular descent tube  404  the evacuee&#39;s descent is somewhat rapid as the diagonal breathable elastic lattice  426  is not as narrow as it is in the vertical section of the modular descent tube  406 . As the evacuee&#39;s body stretches the modular descent tube&#39;s material, the evacuee&#39;s rate of descent is reduced to less than free fall speed. However, the breathable elastic lattice  424  or  426  is designed to be soft and supple enough to allow evacuees of varying physical builds, a roughly regular rate of descent. The evacuee then reaches the end of the modular descent tube and is transported to the receiving area  608  at the end of the inflatable slide  600 , where the evacuee is assisted by rescue personnel. 
     As previously mentioned, parents should wear provided infant harnesses when carrying infants through the system. A small child can be embraced by the parent as they simultaneously travel down the modular descent tube. Small children or infants should never be allowed to travel down the modular descent tube without an adult. Unconscious individuals can be accompanied by an adult. 
     CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE 
     Accordingly the reader will see that the present invention provides a viable, effective and safe high-rise emergency mass evacuation apparatus that is a real-world solution to a long felt and long existing need. 
     In this post Sep. 11, 2001 era, each comer of every high-rise building should have an implementation of the present invention as a standard emergency evacuation device, depending upon the average total number of building occupants that must be evacuated within a desired number of minutes. 
     Various stick-on signs affixed near the egress booth are strongly recommended to guide the evacuees in the proper use of the system. One example of an informational signage indicates that high-heeled shoes must be removed or that shoe covers for high-heeled shoes that must be worn before entering the egress booth. Another example is a signage that strongly recommends that all infants and small children be carried in harnesses strapped to an adults. Finally, another signage example directs evacuees or rescue personnel to use specially designed self-inflating stretchers with restraints for unconscious individuals. 
     If at all feasible, it is also recommended that a closet with a transparent cover be positioned near each egress booth. Inside the closet are the previously mentioned infant harnesses, shoe covers, and self inflating stretchers. 
     Finally, despite the intuitive, user-friendly nature of the apparatus, building administrators should educate all new tenants in the proper use of the emergency evacuation apparatus. There is no doubt that this orientation can only boost the tenant&#39;s confidence in their safety and provide peace of mind. 
     While the above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.