Ingström Escape Chutes Australia supplies the Ingström Escape Chute; permanent, fast-action deployment systems for emergency evacuation from industrial machines and vehicles.
A series of fires in the 1990s highlighted the dangers of operating large mining machines, as operators can be trapped metres above the ground while machines are partially or completely destroyed. Installing an escape chute enables the operator to deploy the chute in one to two seconds, enter it, and travel 5m to the ground in four to five seconds. Chutes have many advantages over a second door or hatch in the cabin, as they are made from durable, flexible, fire-safe material so can safely carry a person through a fire.
They don’t require a power source and the descent is controlled by the evacuee, for comfort and safety.
Escape chutes are designed for specialist mining industry operations but offer life-saving exits to staff working at heights in many industries.
Vertical escape chute deployment system
Ingström offers external deployment units that are mounted to the outside of an excavator, shovel, or drag line. The unit is small enough to be fitted to a vehicle’s walkway and does not interfere with access or operation.
The vertical deployment system is suitable for:
- Large earthmovers, such as shovels, excavators and drag lines
- Wheel loaders and push Cat loaders
Floor-mounted escape chute units
For industrial buildings, silos, sewerage digesters, coal-handling preparation plants and similar functions, a floor-mounted escape system is recommended.
The easy-to-deploy system is designed to ‘drop into’ existing platforms with minimal work required, and be low enough to not cause an obstruction.
Horizontal chute deployment unit
Ingström escape chutes are available with a horizontal deployment system should a vertical drop unit interfere with a machine’s functioning or an operator’s vision.
Safety training for using escape chutes
Ingström offers training sessions to optimise the effectiveness of its escape chutes and enable workers to act fast in emergency situations.
The basic operator course provides an overview of the escape chute, its usage, deployment and how to perform inspections. The course allows participants to practice using the equipment to increase their confidence, so that they are comfortable taking immediate action.
More advanced training is available for service personnel.
About Ingström
Mr. Ingström was a specialist in the textile industry with more than forty years of experience in technical fabrics. In 1982 he developed the Ingström Escape Chute® system and began marketing it worldwide through his company, Mobiltex. In 1988, the company expanded its operations by opening offices in Australia and Singapore, and developed close working relationships in the Asia Pacific region.
Since 1998, Mobiltex Far East Pty Ltd has distributed Ingström Escape Chutes throughout the Australasian region. The managing director of the Far East branch, Mr Zacke Waldeback, developed the chute’s vertical deployment system especially for the adverse mining industry environments.
Ingström Escape Chutes Australia Pty Ltd was established in 2012 to reflect the company’s core purpose: to be a specialist supplier and manufacture of Ingström Escape Chutes to the mining sector.
