Spiral stairways are pretty easy to ascend, but more difficult to descend. So, make the spiral just a little wider and put a firepole down the center of the staircase. Easy up. Easy down.
-- Vecini, Jan 10 2001

Adelaide: Bed & Breakfast in former Victorian Firestation http://www.adelaide...h/firestation8.html
Sadly, the pole you see in the background here isn't in use (the ceiling is closed and floors are rented separately). But the red fire engine really pulls the room together. [jutta, Jan 10 2001]

Blackthorne Inn, Point Reyes, CA http://www.blacktho...ms-reservations.htm
Hotel with spiral staircase and fireman's pole - sadly not in the configuration described by [Vecini]. However, the photo shows the pole in use which is good news. Would any HalfBakers living in the Bay area like to go and check this place out and report back? [hippo, Jan 10 2001, last modified Oct 17 2004]

Or add a spiral slide to the outside edge, like they have in playgrounds. I always loved the slide. If it's the right kind, you build up a wonderfully high static charge too.
-- badoingdoing, Jan 10 2001


Hmm... a slide could solve the "crossover" problem for the double helix escalator by eliminating the need for a mechanised "down" side.
-- supercat, Jan 10 2001


lol, supercat, but I don't think that most "normals" would sacrifice their dignity for the thrill of an easy descent; it'd be WAAAY to funny to see the new CFO or whoever slide down to get his luggage in a three-piece suit. And then again, you'd have kids that try to monopolize the slide and all that... heh. Sadly, most notions of adulthood/responsibility/maturity are tied to remaining vertical as much as possible.

(that is, presuming that the firepole/slide/helical escalator implementation is intended for public places, not at home)
-- absterge, Jan 12 2001


Kids would be a problem initially, but once poles become the norm it will be too boring for them to bother with. A more urgent problem would be how to stop people sliding down on top of you before you get clear at the bottom. Though personally I'm prepared to accept a few casualties for the greater good of mankind.
-- DrBob, Jan 13 2001


Maybe have the pole and its hole clearly visible, but the up-stairway rather well hidden from view, on the offchance that a few newcomers, seeing everyone working above and no other obvious means of access, might actually try climbing the pole..
-- Mygo, Oct 01 2001


Too dangerous for all. No matter how coordinated and healthy you are, you _will_ eventually fall and hurt yourself if you use it several times a day. It's unusable for the older set (which all of you will join). And you would not be able to keep the smallest children from, essentially, happily leaping to their deaths after seeing mommy zoom down to answer the phone some busy morning.
-- horripilation, Nov 19 2002


The in-home firepole is an idea I've loved for years now. I plan on eliminating stairs in my future house and making myself climb UP the pole to get to the second floor. Imagine the upper-body development!

:)
-- rubbus, Dec 29 2002


I have an eccentric grand-uncle in North Carolina who has a firepole in his farmhouse. He also has a tire swing in his living room.
-- goober, Mar 10 2003


And here I am using my legs like a sucker.
-- Worldgineer, Mar 15 2003



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