CEO Alun Marriott tells IFSJ all about EVACSTAC – a quick-build secondary staircase solution to the high-rise problem

In the ever-evolving landscape of urban development, high-rises have become both a symbol of progress and a challenge for safety regulations.

IFSJ Editor Iain Hoey recently caught up with Alun Marriott, CEO of EvacStac, a company that might just be the solution the world needs to ensure the safety of high-rise inhabitants.

“EvacStac,” Marriott begins, “is more than just a staircase. It’s a lifeline.”

Designed as a prefabricated modular structure, this innovative and affordable external staircase can be tailored to both old and new single staircase high-rise buildings.

The idea is not merely to provide an additional exit but to challenge the conventional “stay put” fire strategy which has often proven fatal.

“The beauty of the EvacStac solution,” Marriott explains, “is its multifaceted approach to safety.

Apart from acting as an alternative escape route, it also boasts features like wet and dry risers for firefighting, sprinkler feed tanks and connections, as well as safe refuge areas for those who might struggle with mobility during an evacuation.”

He adds: “Moreover, the system includes communication means, ensuring that evacuations can be managed effectively and efficiently.”

The practicality of the EvacStac system is also noteable: “One might think that retrofitting an external staircase to a building would be a logistical nightmare,” Marriott says.

“But EvacStac can be set up in a matter of weeks, causing minimal disturbance to residents.

And we pride ourselves on the design – it can be tailored to mirror the aesthetics of any building, ensuring that it doesn’t stand out like a sore thumb.”

The inception story of EvacStac is as heartrending as it is inspiring.

Kevin Stewart, a steel fabrication expert and the brain behind EvacStac, was in close proximity to the Grenfell incident.

“Kevin saw the smoke on the horizon,” Marriott recounts.

That same day after learning about the magnitude of the tragedy, Stewart was galvanised into action and after collaborating with a number of fire safety experts, the concept of EvacStac was borne.

The prototype, funded by the UK Government’s Smart Innovate programme, has been set up at Moreton in the Marsh – the Fire Training College.

“It’s a 7-story prototype tower used to train fire crews in the evacuation of tall buildings equipped with dual staircases,” Marriott tells.

“One of them is, of course, the EVACSTAC, complete with wet and dry riser capabilities.”

EVACSTAC: A new age in evacuation

Traditional evacuation routes in these structures often hinge on internal staircases, which, in scenarios like fires, can become death traps.

EVACSTAC fundamentally reimagines this approach.

Instead of being encased within the building, EvacStac prominently stands outside.

Marriott elucidates: “EvacStac is typically separated by a 2m connecting tunnel from the main structure.

“This offers a distinct advantage: it remains independent and insulated from any catastrophic events that might be unfolding within the building.”

Another facet that differentiates EvacStac is its robust construction.

“It’s constructed from high-quality, CE marked steel.

” Importantly, no flammable materials have been employed in its creation,” explains Marriott.

This ensures that in the direst of situations where the primary evacuation route might be blocked or compromised, EvacStac remains a steadfast and reliable means of escape.

But it doesn’t stop there.

“For structures that might be lacking in modern fire protection amenities, EvacStac can fill in those gaps,” Marriott states.

He lists some of the features that can be incorporated, including active or passive smoke venting, fire curtains to thwart smoke ingress, to sprinkler systems and even a fire-fighting lift shaft.

“However,” Marriott emphasises: “The sheer presence of an additional staircase is a monumental stride in safety.

“A solitary staircase in a building is a risk, and EvacStac primarily seeks to mitigate that.”

An inclusive approach

Marriott was keen to highlight how EvacStac champions inclusivity, especially in crisis situations.

“Each level of EvacStac is equipped with a Safe Refuge area,” Marriott tells.

These are specially designated zones that ensure those with physical disabilities or challenges can await rescue in relative safety.

“There is a communication interface present in these areas links directly to the fire control point, providing a means to coordinate rescue operations.”

For those with mobility challenges, such as wheelchair users, EvacStac has a thoughtful provision.

“We can incorporate a fire lift specifically designed for wheelchair use,” Marriott shares.

“These lifts are powered using redundant batteries, ensuring that even in power outages, they remain functional, facilitating the safe evacuation of those less able.”

On how EvacStac approaches this preliminary assessment, Marriott explains:  “While we are not fire engineers ourselves, we work hand-in-hand with fire engineers or officers from the fire brigade.”

The idea is to lean on their expertise to identify the need for an additional escape route.

Once this requirement is established, EvacStac steps in.

“We then supply a tower in line with the specific requirements set by the fire engineer,” Marriott clarifies.

With governments legislating the requirement of secondary staircases in new high-rise structures, the potential of EvacStac’s solution is enormous.

All over the world there exist thousands of buildings globally where a second staircase could be the difference between life and death.

Incorporating EvacStac into evacuation addresses safety on paper whilst promising a tangible, reliable escape route that might just make the crucial difference when disaster strikes.

A paradigm shift

Asked about what lies ahead for EvacStac, Marriott cites the drive for wider reach and affordability: “Now that our prototype is established, our focus is on maintaining cost-effectiveness and bolstering engineering efficiency.”

He envisions EvacStac’s integration into a multitude of at-risk buildings, stating that this goal would inform upcoming design strategies.

Marriott broaches a contentious issue in fire safety: the “Stay-Put” directive.

He sees EvacStac as a logical solution: “A secondary staircase, which can be seamlessly and cost-effectively integrated—even with firefighting apparatus—should be a primary consideration for stakeholders responsible for resident welfare.”

The journey of EvacStac, from a mere concept sparked by a tragedy to a tangible solution, underlines the power of innovation and collaboration.

As we wrapped up our conversation, Marriott’s determination was evident: “We’ve only just begun.

“EvacStac is not just about evacuation; it’s about saving lives, and we’re committed to that cause.”

This article was originally published in the November 2023 issue of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.