Fire Evacuation Bumper Handrail

Evacuation guidance handrail that adjusts height based on toxic gas density and illuminates the opposite direction

This technology is a fire evacuation bumper handrail installed horizontally along corridor walls to support those with limited mobility and cushion wheelchair impacts. It integrates fire and toxic gas sensors for both directions, a directional indicator to light the way to safety, and an actuator to adjust the body height.

Existing emergency handrails that glow during power outages only illuminate the immediate area regardless of the fire's location, failing to indicate the safest evacuation route. Since toxic gas inhalation is the leading cause of fire-related deaths, evacuees often struggle to detect gas and may inadvertently follow lights directly into high-concentration gas zones.

This technology features alternating arrow-shaped light sources pointing left and right, using green, yellow, and red sequences to indicate increasing danger levels. If gas is detected on the left, it illuminates the right-pointing arrow; if detected on both sides, both lights activate. For gases heavier than air, such as chlorine or sulfur dioxide, the actuator raises the handrail in proportion to the concentration; for lighter gases like ammonia or carbon monoxide, it lowers the handrail, guiding evacuees to a safer posture. Suitable for nursing homes, senior centers, public buildings, and subway corridors, it allows users to follow the handrail through smoke while receiving guidance on both the safe direction and the optimal body height to avoid gas layers.

‍

‍

Key Features:

• A body installed horizontally along the wall to assist the movement of those with limited mobility and cushion impacts from wheelchairs or other mobility aids
• Sensor units installed on both sides of the body to detect fire and toxic gases
• A directional indicator with alternating arrow-shaped first and second light sources pointing right and left to indicate the direction away from the hazard
• An actuator mounted on the wall and coupled to the body to raise or lower it in stages proportional to the detected toxic gas concentration

‍

This invention was developed with support from the Ministry of Education's LINC 3.0 project.

‍