Steve Forman from Redi-Exit joins Bob to talk about the extruded-aluminum escape ladder from Redi-Exit that is installed at the Rowley home. Forman stresses that secondary exits from bedrooms would greatly reduce fire deaths in this country. Smoke detectors can alert the residents, but only a means of escape can save them. For around $1100 this latching, fully mounted ladder can carry up to 800 pounds in case of emergency.
Bob meets with the Project Manager for the DUMBO restoration, Chris Vila, to discuss the status of all ongoing work. They discuss the demo work still to be completed, the clean up and the beginning of framing by Dino�s Construction. The outside of the building is set to be pressure washed and the interior has had its beams, walls and ceiling sandblasted to raw surfaces. They discuss the layout for the second floor, which highlights a large main living room and ample storage areas in the two bedrooms.
Bob and architect Greg Rochlin tour the exterior of this season's project, Bob's own 100-year-old shingle style home in Cambridge, Mass. Bob notes the various features of the existing house and discusses the previous remodelling projects.
Bob joins Steve Forman of Redi-Exit and contractor Tim Berky for the installation of the aluminum fireescape. Forman points to the high death rate from fires in the United States, because secondary exits are not required in bedrooms
need it. Having a good escape route from the upper floors of your house is one of those moments. I always thought fireescape ladders looked cool on the side of buildings in New York City but they look pretty goofy on houses in the suburbs