BRK electronic EL50 User Manual

User’s Manual

Steel Fire Escape Ladder

Cat. EL50

This steel fire escape ladder is easy to use, and
provides a reliable means of escape through a
second-floor window during a home fire.

Features and Benefits

• For use in two-story homes

• Strong steel construction

• Fully assembled, ready to use

• Slip-resistant epoxy coated rungs

• Large hooks secure easily to windowsills

• Six pairs of steel rung stabilizers

• Ladder classified by Underwriters Labora­tories, Inc. as to load carrying capacity
only, 375 lb. rating.

Model

M06-4007-001 10/00

THIS USER’S MANUAL HAS BEEN RESIZED TO PRINT OUT ON 8-1/2 x 11” PAGES.

All Rights Reserved. ©2000 BRK Brands, Inc.
BRK Brands, Inc., 3901 Liberty Street Road, Aurora, IL 60504-8122
Consumer Affairs: Monday-Friday, 7:30am-5pm (Central Time): [phone]
Internet: www.firstalert.com

TO WORK PROPERLY IN A FIRE EMERGENCY, THIS LADDER MUST:

EL50

Be Properly Secured To The Windowsill Before You Start Climbing Down...

• To properly support your weight and provide the needed stability while you climb down, the ladder must be
properly attached to the windowsill.

• Make sure the sill hooks rest securely on the windowsill.

• Make sure the folding crosspiece between the sill hooks is straight, and the chain does not tangle as you
lower the ladder out of the window.

CHOOSING A WINDOW

WARNING!

This escape ladder is not intended for use from second floor windows directly above first floor windows.
The rung stabilizers could break a first-floor window and cause injury.

Do not use from a
second floor window
directly above a first
floor window.

CAUTION!

You must test fit this ladder on your chosen escape window before storing it. In a fire emergency you will
not have time to determine whether or not a particular window is suitable, and using the ladder on an
unsuitable window could result in injury or death.

1. The ladder should be used ONLY from second floor windows no more than 16 feet from the ground

Be Stored Where It Is Easy To Reach Quickly...

• Do not store the ladder on another floor of your home. If you have more than one second-floor room
requiring an alternate means of escape, put a fire ladder in each room.

• Store the ladder where it can be immediately accessed--near the window, under a bed, or in the front part
of a closet.

• Make sure nothing blocks you from reaching the ladder. In a fire you have just minutes to react and take action.

• Store the ladder in its original box to keep it from becoming tangled.

Be Used On A Suitable Window...

• This ladder is intended for use in windows that are structurally safe for the intended load.

• The ladder must be used from the correct height, and there should be no obstructions along the ladder path
to the ground.

• This ladder is intended only for second-floor windows no higher than 16 feet from the ground.

• The windowsill must be no narrower than 6” (15 cm) and no wider than 10” (25 cm).

• The windowsill must be in good condition (no rotted wood, loose boards, etc.).

• The window must open easily and completely. Storm windows, screens or other types of multi-track win­dows can make it difficult to use this ladder in an emergency.

• The window should not be blocked by furniture or security devices like grills or bars.

• For details on choosing a suitable window, see the “Choosing A Window” and “Test Fitting The Ladder” inside.

Use ONLY from second floor
windows no more than 16 feet
from the ground.

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2. The window should be at least 20 inches (51 cm) wide and 32 inches (81 cm) high to give you enough
clearance to exit safely.
The windowsill width should be between a minimum of 6 inches (15 cm) and a maximum of 10 inches (25
cm). Measure windowsill from outside to inside. DO NOT USE THIS FIRE ESCAPE LADDER ON

WINDOWSILLS THAT ARE TOO LARGE OR TOO SMALL FOR THE HOOKS.

TEST FITTING THE LADDER

You must test fit this ladder on your chosen escape window before storing it.

1. Remove the ladder from the box and unfold the sill hooks so the folding crosspiece is positioned towards you.

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3. DO NOT USE ON A DAMAGED OR WEAK WINDOWSILL. Check windowsill for wear, rotted or loose
wood, or damage. Consult a contractor or replace windowsill BEFORE attempting to hook the fire escape
ladder to a damaged windowsill.
This ladder is intended for use in windows that are structurally safe for the intended load.

4. For safest use, there should be a clear path from the window all the way to the ground. BEFORE STORING
THE LADDER FOR AN EMERGENCY: From outside of your home, check below the window for any
obstructions. Check for trees, bushes, plants, windows, house fixtures, or any other objects in the direct
path below the chosen window.

5. Make sure the window you choose opens easily and completely. In an emergency, every minute counts.

A. The windowsill width
should be between a
minimum of 6” (15 cm) and a
maximum of 10” (25 cm).

2. Place the sill hooks firmly over the windowsill, keeping the chain and ladder rungs inside.

3. Grasp the bottom rung of the ladder (the one with the label) and lower the chain and rungs out the window,
bottom rung first.

4. Check the rung stabilizers to make sure they are securely fastened to the ladder. Tighten any loose screws
or stabilizers, and make sure there is no visible evidence of damage to any part of the ladder.

5. After you check that the ladder fits securely on the windowsill, and provides you with a viable escape path
all the way to the ground, carefully pull it back in through the window. Store the ladder in its original box as
described in “Storing The Ladder After Use”.

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STORING THE LADDER AFTER USE

1. Lay the box on the floor with the lid folded open.

2. Stretch the ladder out on the floor, with the rung stabilizers facing up towards you.
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Grab the bottom two rungs of the ladder, and set them in the

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bottom of the box so the rungs are as far apart as possible.
The chain between them should lay straight.

4. Continue placing two rungs in the box at a time, making sure
the rungs stack neatly on top of each other. This will minimize
the chance of the ladder becoming tangled when you remove
it from the box in an emergency.

HOW TO USE IN A FIRE EMERGENCY

WARNING!

This fire escape ladder is not a toy or recreational device. Use it only in a fire emergency.

IMPORTANT!

It is strongly recommended that children and elderly adults be accompanied by an adult if at all possible when using
this ladder in a fire emergency .

1. Before you open the window, close the door leading out of the room you are in.

2. Remove the ladder from the box and unfold the sill hooks so the
folding crosspiece is positioned towards you.

3. Place the sill hooks firmly over the windowsill, keeping the chain and
ladder rungs inside.

5. When you reach the top end of the ladder, fold the sill hooks
together and turn them so they line up as shown.

6. Lay the sill hooks in the box as shown. The hooks should rest
on the bottom of the box, around the outside of the stacked
rungs.

7. Store the fire escape ladder in an accessible location, by the
window, under a bed, or in the front part of a closet. Be sure
nothing blocks your access to the ladder.

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4. Grasp the bottom rung of the ladder (the one with the label) and
lower the chain and rungs out the window, bottom rung first.

5. Exit carefully through the window and place your feet on the first
rung. Hold onto the window frame until your weight is evenly
distributed on the ladder. Climb down, keeping your body close to
the ladder.

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WHAT FIRE ESCAPE LADDERS CANNOT DO

• This fire escape ladder is NOT a means of protection against fire. It will not warn or alert you to a fire or of
any other type of emergency. It is intended to be used as an alternate escape means in a fire emergency
only.

• This fire escape ladder is NOT intended to be the main exit for escape in an emergency. Instruct family
members to use the fire escape ladder as a last resort, ONLY when their main exit is blocked, not accessi­ble, or unsafe to use.

• This fire escape ladder is NOT a toy or recreational device. It is intended to be used as a supplemental
emergency escape device ONL Y. Instruct children not to use this fire escape ladder for any reason, except in
an emergency.

• This portable fire escape ladder does not meet your local codes as a primary means of exit from multi-family
dwellings. It is not intended to replace fire escapes in multi-family residences, institutions, or rental proper­ties. This ladder is intended for use as a means of escape from residential buildings, and may supplement
the primary means of exit required by codes and other local regulations.

• This fire escape ladder is NOT intended for use from rooms above a second-floor level. DO NOT use from
rooms above a second-floor height. The ladder is 15 feet long and is NOT intended for escape from rooms
with windowsills higher than 16 feet from the ground.

• This fire escape ladder is NOT intended to be hooked onto gutters, siding, or any other interior or exterior
fixture. It is ONLY intended to be hooked to windowsills.

SIX YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY COVERAGE:

BRK Brands, Inc. warrants its enclosed First Alert Fire Escape Ladder to be free from defects in materials and
workmanship under normal use for a period of 6 years from the date of purchase. During the first year after the date of
purchase, BRK Brands, Inc. will replace any defective fire escape ladder without charge. During the next five years, BRK
Brands, Inc. will replace any defective fire escape ladder at a charge to you not to exceed BRK Brands, Inc.’s cost. This
is your exclusive warranty.

This warranty is valid for the original retail purchaser from the date of initial retail purchase and is not transferable. Keep
the original sales receipt. Proof of purchase is required to obtain warranty performance. Dealers, service centers, or
retail stores selling this product do not have the right to alter, modify or any way change the terms and conditions of this
warranty. In new construction, if your fire escape ladder was installed by a contractor, this warranty is valid for the
homeowner at the time of installation from the date of original installation and is not transferable.

This warranty does not cover normal wear of parts or damage resulting from any of the following: negligent use or
misuse of the product, use contrary to the operating instructions, disassembly, r epair or alteration by anyone other than
BRK Brands, Inc. Further, the warranty does not cover acts of God, such as fir e, flood, hurricanes and tornadoes.

BRK Brands, Inc. shall not be liable for any incidental or consequential damages caused by the breach of any express or
implied warranty. Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law, any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for
a particular purpose is limited in duration for 6 years. Some states, provinces, or jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion
or limitation of incidental or consequential damages or limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above
limitations or exclusions may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have
other rights that vary from state to state, or province to province.

Service: Units under warranty and in need of repair should be returned, shipping prepaid, to BRK Brands, Inc., Attn.:

Consumer Affairs, 3920 Enterprise Court, Aurora, IL 60504-8132.
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