fire escape

American  

noun

1. an apparatus or structure used to escape from a burning building, as a metal stairway down an outside wall.

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fire escape British  

noun

1. a means of evacuating people from a building in the event of fire, esp a metal staircase outside the building

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Etymology

Origin of fire escape

First recorded in 1670–80

Example Sentences

The window to Anat’s room wasn’t hard to find, but rather than fly straight through, she landed on the fire escape a floor below so Anat wouldn’t see her change.

From Literature

The fire service are urging the public to make sure they do not overload electrical sockets, they have working smoke alarms at their properties and they have a fire escape plan in place.

From BBC

Other patients were helped out through corridors with the aid of fire escape hoods, a breathing apparatus used by fire brigades in smoke-filled environments.

From BBC

Some of the properties were never occupied due to safety issues such as unusual layouts or fire escape problems.

From BBC

The interior minister said there were two fire escapes, but there are indications they were not of a good standard.

From BBC