Since 9/11 we've seen a number of companies releasing and promoting systems which supposedly ensure, in the event of emergencies, a quick and safe evacuation for people working and living in high rise buildings should normal methods of escape be unusable. Some are predictable, some less so, but surprisingly few have been adopted by the companies who own or run these very premises. We're unsure of the reasons why, but we decided to take a look at a few of the options available.

Designed in 2002, the Escape Rescue System is an impressive automated system which can facilitate both the evacuation of high-rise buildings as well as their entry by rescue workers. Five connected, collapsible cabins are stored on the building's roof. When needed, the mechanism lowers the array towards ground level, resulting in each of the five cabins stopping at seperate floors. When everyone has boarded the cabins, each one is lowered to ground level. It seems to be an excellent system. Video below.

The Evacuchute is supposedly 'the only rescue parachute specifically designed for building evacuation' and following 9/11 was a relatively popular purchase for anxious high-rise workers at a cost of $2,495. The manufacturers claim that the Evacuchute's various unique design features result in the perfect parachute to use should an unexperienced user be jumping from a tall building. 'Our rescue parachute deploys quickly, has forward movement, is stable in turbulent air, maneuvers easily, and descends slowly, with stability'

The Wizard, a product dreamt up by HJC Design, consists of a portable casing which holds and dispense up to 250m of 'reciprocating lifeline technology'. The idea is that after the casing has been securely fastened to a static point on the building, evacuated occupants can then be smoothly lowered to ground level. According to Yanko Design, 'this life saving device uses webbing woven from liquid polyester capable of withstanding forces in excess of 2 tonnes'.