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How do you open the emergency exit windows?

July 18, 2010, 01:19:53 pm

After the lengthy discussion regarding fire extinguishers, here is a related topic.

My coach is a 2003 model with the Creation windows.  Some of the driver-side widows have red latches.  These are supposed to be the emergency exits.  How do they work?  On my previous SOB motorhome, the emergency exit window was a fixed piece of glass at the rear with a pull-cord that made it pop out.  On my Foretravel windows, nothing appears to be any different with the red-latch windows than the black-latch ones.

Thanks,  Tom

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Re: How do you open the emergency exit windows?

Reply #1 – July 18, 2010, 02:04:32 pm

Those red latches are probably required by law.  You windows slide open.

They do not kick out.

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Re: How do you open the emergency exit windows?

Reply #2 – July 18, 2010, 02:42:09 pm

Hi, Tom...  we have the same year/model coach, only 2 feet shorter, and I have wondered about those two emergency exit windows myself.

I did a little Googling and learned (as you already know I'm sure) that Creation Windows ceased manufacturing in December 2007.  While I found that replacement parts are available from several sources, I could not locate instructions/owners manual/etc.

However, I did find an interesting thread on the RV.net Open Roads forum, which started with exactly your (and my) same question: http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/21638724/print/true.cfm

The thread was not terribly helpful, but it did provide one interesting comment:

"All of the coach windows are the identical. (With the exception of the front drivers and passenger side windows, and the rear bedroom window). What I found is that Fleetwood took that same exact model of window that they used on the passenger side of the coach, flipped it upside and installed the same type on the driver's side of the coach. [Why they would flip it upside down, I don't know (?)]. Then they replaced the black latch with a red latch in its place and stuck an "EXIT" sticker on it."

I took a look at ours, to see if that held true.  We have two emergency exit windows (both on the driver side - as I understand where they should be located):  one over the sofa in the slide-out, and one in the bedroom.

While I couldn't tell whether the emergency window itself was installed differently, I did note that the red latches pull down and the black latches on the PASSENGER side pull up, while the black latches on the DRIVER side pull down.

Does make me wonder about the Fleetwood owner's observation above...  hmm....  In any case, I'll be interested in other comments regarding whether these are true emergency exit windows and, if so, how they are supposed to operate.  Thanks for starting the topic!

Pat

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Re: How do you open the emergency exit windows?

Reply #3 – July 18, 2010, 05:02:02 pm

I realize my windows are much older and a different manufacturer but I asked James Triana about this once since it look like the handles were just painted red.  He said that the windows with the red handles are no different from the others.  I concluded that the windows when normally open must satisfy the emergency exit size requirement and that the red paint was just satisfying a DOT requirement.

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Re: How do you open the emergency exit windows?

Reply #4 – July 18, 2010, 05:43:13 pm

Thanks everyone.  This makes sense.

I think the windows are all installed so the sliding part slides to the front to open, meaning the windows are installed one side op on one side and the other side up on the other side.  This might be to prevent wind and rain getting in while traveling down the road.

And I never could detect a difference other than the color of the latches. All the big windows are emergency exits, which is a good thing. 

Now all I need to do is stuff a rope ladder somewhere.

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Re: How do you open the emergency exit windows?

Reply #5 – July 18, 2010, 08:55:30 pm

I agree, Tom, it appears the only difference between the emergency escape windows and the others are a red latch and an "emergency exit" sticker.

With regard to a rope ladder, in the RV.net Open Roads forum thread above (I fixed the previously broken link - my apologies!), one of the posters replied, "It was recommended to me by a fireman friend of mine that a 6 foot rope ladder be stowed behind the couch in case the emergency widows do have to be used as an exit in an emergency. He told me that "older" people to not do well on a 6 foot drop to get out in an emergency. A broken ankle can leave you in harm's way if the coach is on fire and you need to get away from it fast."

To which another poster, a retired fire captain, replied, "For a rope ladder to work, it needs to be attached permanently just inside the window and when you open the window, you throw the ladder out the window and then you have something to climb down."

And another replied, "By the time you dig out that rope ladder from behind the sofa. You could be out the door or E-Exit a lot faster."

I did look to see what might be available in the way of fire escape ladders, and the following... something to think about:

http://www.x-itproducts.com/

Pat

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Re: How do you open the emergency exit windows?

Reply #6 – July 18, 2010, 09:12:45 pm

I was told if you lock yourself out you can tap the exit window and the latch will unlock...
 Mine did on our old 96, have not tried the 99 yet.
Ben
1999 with slide

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Re: How do you open the emergency exit windows?

Reply #7 – July 19, 2010, 07:08:29 am

I have jumped out of trucks before and I have also worked on the roof and swung over to a large branch to get down rather than face the rear ladder. If you hang off the edge you are not falling six feet but only a couple  If you go head first you are still only going four or so feet as your torso gets past the mid point you will start to fall. It it is bad enough to have to jump out of a vehicle you jump and usually others will be around a house is different. 

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Re: How do you open the emergency exit windows?

Reply #8 – July 19, 2010, 11:17:02 pm

I really liked the video where the guy had his small son do the exit exercise instead of himself.
He wasn't holding any camera..........What's his excuse?Must not be as easy as it is supposed to look.  I noticed that the kid kinda grimaced when his bare feet hit the metal steps on the ladder.
I can just see ME trying to articulate my rather large body OUT and AROUND the window opening trying to get on the ladder and avoid a rupture or a hernia, or a complete abdominal wall rash.
I guess it would be better than the alternative.

I have rehearsed the exit exercise before MENTALLY without a ladder and did not elect to ACTUALLY try an exit.
It would seem to me, that a one inch nylon strap with a hook on it with a three inch radius, would suffice to allow me to exit the window inverted. Some small loops in the strap would allow me to hold on to it and articulate around to remove my legs and hopefully drop to the ground in a vertical position.
Provided of course that I have the physical strength to hold onto the strap.
I would attach the strap via the hook around one of the vertical boards between the overhead compartment doors.  I am sure that it will suffice to hold my ample body weight.
I think that I will make two of the straps.  One for the bedroom and one for the living room, just in case, UNLESS, someone comes up with a more attractive idea.
Very simple to just velcro it to the ceiling where I might need it and use it as a conversation piece, on the subject of fires and other emergencies.
Gee, maybe I should hang my GoBags there too.
Regards,

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Re: How do you open the emergency exit windows?

Reply #9 – July 19, 2010, 11:28:45 pm

John , my go bags weigh to much to hang from the ceiling!!!!!!!!!

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