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Home » Blog » DIY Fire Escape Ladder

DIY Fire Escape Ladder

By PreparednessMama on July 11, 2018 * 4 Comments

DIY Fire Escape Ladder – Give a gift you hope they never have to use!

DIY fire escape ladder | PreparednessMama

This is a re-post from our archives. This ladder can be made in a few hours and is perfect for last minute giving. So give the gift of safety to those you love.

A fire escape ladder is essential to every home, yet most people just plan on using their stairs or jumping off a roof. So if you want to give a meaningful gift, make someone a fire escape ladder. It’s way cheaper than the store bought versions. This ladder is stored under the bed and uses the weight of the bed to hold the ladder when in use.

Gather Your Supplies

  • 2 x 4 (8-12’in length)
  • 50’ of medium to heavy duty rope (the weight load will be written on the package and should be enough to cover the weight on the 2 heaviest people in the house combined) if the house has vaulted ceilings or is raised off  the ground you may want to use a longer rope and make more rungs.
  • Spray paint (optional)
  • Non-slip Tread stickers (optional)
  • Drill and appropriate bit for rope size
  • Saw (hand or power)

Step 1: Cut your wood into 1’or 1 ½’ lengths. You’ll need about 8 rungs so use 8’ of wood for 1’ rungs and 1 ½’ wide rungs needs 12 ’of wood).

measure
Each rung should be 1′ to 1 1/2′ wide
cut rungs
Cut your rungs

Step 2: Drill holes 1  1/2” from each side of the rung

inch and half mark
Measure 1 1/2″ from edges to mark where to drill
drill holes
Drill as marked for each side of rungs

Step 3: (optional) If you want to paint your rungs do so now, same with the tread stickers (after the paint dries obviously). I apologize that my sample isn’t’t painted I wanted to make mine fireman yellow but it has been pouring (literally) rain here and it would ruin my paint job, plus my wood’s still drying. I love the Pacific Northwest!

emergency escape ladder - measure from the fold

Measure 12 ft from the fold and mark

Step 4: Fold rope in half and spread out on the floor

Step 5: Measure 10-12′ from the fold and mark both sides of your rope (it depends on how many rungs you want to have on the ladder and how much space is between the bed and the window)

 

 

 

Step 6: Tie a square knot at each mark

tie a knot
Tie a knot at marks

Step 7: Thread rope through the holes on the first rung

thread rope through holes
Thread the rope through the holes on each side of the rung

Step 8: Tie a square knot snug against the bottom of the first rung on both sides

under rung knots
Tie knots under rung nice and snug against the wood

Step 9: Measure from the top knot 12” down and tie a knot

measure 12 inches from rung
Measure 12 inches from the rung and tie a knot

Step 10: Repeat steps 6-9 for each rung until you’re out of room. Don’t panic if you have a rung left over, the knots can eat up more rope than you think.

repeat steps collage
Finish ladder by repeating steps 6-9

Step 11: Save and print the following image to keep with the ladder. These are the instructions. Who said instructions had to be ugly? I recommend laminating the instructions for greater longevity (especially if this is likely to go in a kids room).

emergency escape ladder instructions
emergency escape ladder instructions

Step 12: Roll up your finished ladder and tie your laminated instructions onto the ladder with some nice ribbon.

Finishing the ladder
Put the finishing touches on your emergency escape ladder.

Feel  free to print our special gift label to go with your special gift. (Just right click and save image then print with the instructions)

Now pat yourself on the back and go eat some Christmas treats, you’ve earned it.

ladder gift tag

 

Shared with: From the Farm Hop – DIY Linky – Clever Chicks –

PreparednessMama
Preparedness Mama and its collaborators have created a one-stop shop of critical resources for families looking to prepare for disaster. We know firsthand that getting ready for the worst with a big family poses some particular challenges.
 
We’ve learned from the past so that you don’t have to make the same mistakes again. Fear of the unknown is one of the scariest things in life, but we hope that Preparedness Mama’s treasure trove of practical advice will make that unknown less daunting and ultimately help take the scared out of being prepared for every single one of our readers.

Comments

  1. JR says

    December 8, 2018 at 9:19 pm

    There are no handles for this! So, what are you suggesting that DIY-ers use for handles to put over the window sill for stability???

    Reply
  2. Derrick says

    May 29, 2020 at 10:29 am

    Should not tie knots in a rope for the fact it significantly reduces rope strength. Painting is also not a good idea do to contact with with the rope can cause the rope to become weak. Chemicals and solvents in paint can affect anything around them. In fall-arrest course they emphasize on these two concerns a lot. Safety First. Not criticizing just helping educate. Thnx

    Reply
    • PreparednessMama says

      May 29, 2020 at 2:50 pm

      Excellent input Derrick. We all learn from each other.

      Have a good one!

      Reply
  3. Mary Lambeth says

    July 6, 2020 at 10:49 pm

    I want to make a 30′ ladder with PVC rungs every 12″. How much rope do you think I should buy? Thanks.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 10 Tips for Fire Prevention Week | PreparednessMama says:
    October 11, 2016 at 7:05 am

    […] If you can’t get out, keep the doors closed and sit by the window and wait for rescue (another reason why you need a fire escape ladder). […]

    Reply

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