Evac from SSE-How?

[dreamscometrue]

While riding SSE recently with some first timers, we stopped for awhile on our ascent just a few minutes into the ride (Rome, I think). My elderly relative asked how we get out if the ride didn't restart. I was unsure, so...
How do they evacuate you from SSE during the climb up? I saw stairs on the decent, but what if you stop in one of the ascent scenes?

 

[Fievel]

I do believe there are stairs throughout the entire ride.

That or stairways within the geosphere away that you might have to go through a door first.

 

[mouse_luv]

There are stairs. Its interesting that you mention it because we got stuck in the same part of the ride last Tuesday evening. LOL Sometimes it stops for minutes (like our stop was about 4 minutes), sometimes they just slow it and stop it very shortly which means they are loading a wheelchair person onto the ride.

 

[DisneyPrincess5]

Yeah, there are stairs throughout the whole ride. But good luck on them.. it's mighty dark!

 

[codingkw]

I don't think I have ever been on that ride and it didn't stop. :lol: I have that kind of luck. Same goes for HM...I always get stuck in the inverted backward position. I remember one time being in the HM for more then 10 minutes. That song can really get on your nerves after 10 solid minutes.

 

[Zummi Gummi]

Yeah, there are stairs throughout the whole ride. But good luck on them.. it's mighty dark!

If they had to evac the ride, wouldn't they at least turn on the lights?

I could see quite a lawsuit if someone tripped going down those stairs in the dark.

 

[fosse76]

If they had to evac the ride, wouldn't they at least turn on the lights?

I could see quite a lawsuit if someone tripped going down those stairs in the dark.

It is a liability issue for sure, but it probably isn't too siginificant for them...how often do rides evacuate? When I worked at Six Flags, we had to stress to employees and (sometimes guests) that evacuating from the ride was a last resort option since the evacuation is inherently dangerous (people might get disoriented from the height and slip, etc.). I would think Disney would line the evacuation stairs with some kind of glow in the dark material or small lights if they aren't using interior emergency lights.

 

[SirGoofy]

As a CM who has performed a SSE evac, I'll shed some light.

There are stairs anywhere you are moving up/down, and yes the evac lights would be on if we needed to get people off the ride.

And there are 3 evac points, so if you are towards the middle of the ride, you would go into SSE's super structure while evacing.

The pain is evac-ing at the 180 top where the timerovers are turned. We have to get a little bridge and get one car out at a time. It's annoying.:brick:

 

[cblodg]

If you ride the ride on the left hand side, you can see the stairs very clearly. There are some right side stair cases, but not too many.

I too have been on the ride to have it stop. We were up at the very top just as the cars were rotating to look at the Earth. It stopped for a good 4-6 minutes, but they kept playing the "we'll be resuming our time travels shortly."

The only ride I've ever had to be 'evaced' from was Test Track when it first opened (they had a LOT of problems with that ride when it first opened). Luckily we were just on the ascent hill just as the ride starts, so we really didn't have to worry about stairs etc. I'd hate to be caught on the excelleration part of the ride and on the angle. I'm sure that it has back-ups that can pull it back to the garage to get the guests out of the vehicle.

 

[jmvd20]

Code requires emergency lighting in all egress areas of public buildings. There is no exception or exemption for amusement rides and officials do not relax life safety codes. Even if you have not seen them, the exit and emergency lighting is installed at SSE.

That aside I would also assume that there is actual area lighting installed on SSE, it would make sense for maintenance and cleaning - similar to the general area lighting at Space Mountain. Anyone know if that is the case with SSE?

 

[cblodg]

If you look close enough there are track lights and other lighting devices that are set along the emergency exit stars and lighted signs.

 

[marni1971]

I'm sure that it has back-ups that can pull it back to the garage to get the guests out of the vehicle.

Nope. In a full 101 it`s a walk to the evac stairs if you`re outside.

That aside I would also assume that there is actual area lighting installed on SSE, it would make sense for maintenance and cleaning - similar to the general area lighting at Space Mountain. Anyone know if that is the case with SSE?

There certainly is. 180top looks rather... mucky under worklights.

 

[cblodg]

Really. So if you get stuck on TT and are out on the track, you have to get to a walkway. Must be because I'm always going by it at like 60+ miles an hour so I've never seen them.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

Nope. In a full 101 it`s a walk to the evac stairs if you`re outside.
There certainly is. 180top looks rather... mucky under worklights.

Not to mention you get to see MoonBase82

 

[Missing20K]

What happens for those folks who are unable to use stairs?

 

[marni1971]

What happens for those folks who are unable to use stairs?

Worst case for an SSE evac? RCFD come and either stretcher them down or take them in the service elevator.

 

[gardener14]

As a CM who has performed a SSE evac, I'll shed some light.

The pain is evac-ing at the 180 top where the timerovers are turned. We have to get a little bridge and get one car out at a time. It's annoying.:brick:

I understand having to get out of your vehicle and climb down stairs to evaculate SSE, but the idea of waiting for a cast member to unload each vehicle at the top individually scares me. What happens in a true emergency when time is short? What happens in the event of a fire? Shouldn't there be a faster way to exit? Most buildings must have fire escapes, fire walls, or some such way to evacuate quickly and somewhat safely.

 

[Rob562]

I understand having to get out of your vehicle and climb down stairs to evaculate SSE, but the idea of waiting for a cast member to unload each vehicle at the top individually scares me. What happens in a true emergency when time is short? What happens in the event of a fire? Shouldn't there be a faster way to exit? Most buildings must have fire escapes, fire walls, or some such way to evacuate quickly and somewhat safely.

Well if there is an actual, visible fire, I'm sure that Guests wouldn't sit in their cars and wait for CMs to arrive. They'd jump out and follow the exit walkways and exit signs themselves.

-Rob

 

[jmvd20]

I understand having to get out of your vehicle and climb down stairs to evaculate SSE, but the idea of waiting for a cast member to unload each vehicle at the top individually scares me. What happens in a true emergency when time is short? What happens in the event of a fire? Shouldn't there be a faster way to exit? Most buildings must have fire escapes, fire walls, or some such way to evacuate quickly and somewhat safely.

SSE will have firewalls protecting the egress routes and stairs for an emergency exit. Also in the event a fire is detected the emergency lights and exit signs that were being discussed would become active to alert people exactly where the exits are located.

Being that there is no restraint to keep you in the ride there would be no need to wait for a CM. As far as getting handicapped people out in a situation like this you would most likley need to wait for the fire department or - heroes always emerge in emergency situations.

SSE *should* also be equiped with a fire supression system - however every locality in the country can adopt and modify their own building codes so it may not have been required for SSE.

Martin - there's another question for ya - does SSE have a sprinkler system?

 

[disney9752]

SSE will have firewalls protecting the egress routes and stairs for an emergency exit. Also in the event a fire is detected the emergency lights and exit signs that were being discussed would become active to alert people exactly where the exits are located.

Being that there is no restraint to keep you in the ride there would be no need to wait for a CM. As far as getting handicapped people out in a situation like this you would most likley need to wait for the fire department or - heroes always emerge in emergency situations.

SSE *should* also be equiped with a fire supression system - however every locality in the country can adopt and modify their own building codes so it may not have been required for SSE.

Martin - there's another question for ya - does SSE have a sprinkler system?

I can assure anyone that wdw & the EPCOT BUILDING CODE are very strict about many requirements that local governments might not require. If you look around nearly every structure except for an out door merchandise cart or popcorn cart has sprinklers. If for nothing else for insurance reasons & the REEDY CREEK fire department is very strict on this issue.