(ATLANTA) February 13, 2008 – PEARL Protected®, creators of the patented Permanent Escape And Rescue Ladder (PEARL®) for two- and three-story homes, today announced that the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) has added permanent escape ladders as a recommendation to builders in its 2007 Fortified Builder’s Guide.
The guide, which provides specific building requirements and recommendations to achieve the prestigious Fortified…for safer living® designation from IBHS, cites permanent escape ladders as a way to save lives in the face of residential disasters. As a result of this recommendation, one of the country’s first Fortified…for safer living® subdivisions will include PEARL permanent escape ladders in every two-story house in the 23-home community.
The Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), a national nonprofit initiative of the insurance industry, created the Fortified…for safer living® program to make homes and families safer. “Fortified” guidelines specify construction and design standards to increase a new home's resistance to natural disasters such as hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes and others.
The Fortified...for safer living® program requires construction and materials to meet program standards and pass a series of third-party inspections, but specific products or brands are not mandated. The program was recently enhanced to address additional sources of property damage such as water losses and home fires. The 2007 Fortified Builder’s Guide includes many new requirements and recommendations, such as the inclusion of permanent escape ladders in multi-story dwellings
“The mission of IBHS is to reduce property losses,” said Pete Hamer, IBHS Fortified program administrator. “When there is a product available that would also increase personal safety, it is a logical extension of the Fortified…for safer living® program to make builders more aware of its availability.”
The National Fire Protection Association estimates there were more than 412,000 residential fires in 2006, resulting in approximately 2,500 civilian deaths and 13,000 injuries. A significant number of these casualties happened because people did not have a means of escape from upper story bedrooms. PEARL Protected’s permanent escape and rescue ladder, PEARL, mitigates this danger by offering a safe and reliable escape option. Recessed into the interior wall space beneath second and third-story windows, PEARL is always located where you need it, when you need it and is easy enough for a child to use.
One of the first “Fortified” communities in the country – Trailside, under construction in Bloomington, Illinois – will emphasize the importance of permanent escape ladders by installing PEARL in all second floor bedrooms. The Trailside neighborhood will feature 23 one and two story homes and is the first Fortified…for safer living® subdivision designed for low and moderate income populations.
Since PEARL’s debut in October 2005, it has become one of the most recognized home safety products in the marketplace. Currently, more than 100 homebuilders are installing the ladder as a standard or optional feature, while national retail partners like Costco and Smarthome offer PEARL as part of their home safety product portfolio. PEARL has received the Home Safety Council’s 2006 Product Innovation Award and has been featured on multiple episodes of ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. PEARL has been also been showcased on NBC’s Today and CBS’s The Early Show.
PEARL Protected Co-founder and CEO David Duley comments: “Similar to what we’ve seen happen with the smoke alarm over the past 30 years, people are realizing that permanent escape ladders are a critical part of every home safety plan. We are grateful to homebuilders who seek Fortified Builder status and hope they will continue to elevate home safety standards across the country.”
The PEARL ladder will be on display February 13-16th at the 2008 International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Florida at the Orange County Convention Center. In addition to live demonstrations at the NextGen Home Experience in the outdoor exhibit area, the ladder can be seen indoors at booth W6078.
For more information on the Fortified…for safer living® program and to view the latest Fortified Builder’s Guide, please visit www.DisasterSafety.org. To learn how you can increase your family’s safety by installing permanent escape ladders, go to www.pearlprotected.com.
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About PEARL Protected
Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, PEARL Protected is redefining the standards of home and fire safety through its patented, breakthrough product - PEARL - a revolutionary Permanent Escape And Rescue Ladder that can be quickly and easily deployed in the event of a residential fire or other home emergency. It is currently available through a variety of channels, including the company’s national installation partner – Mr. Handyman, homebuilders, building material dealers, security companies, remodelers and other maintenance specialists. PEARL can also be ordered directly through the PEARL Protected website (www.pearlprotected.com) or via phone at 800.374.5737.
For media inquiries and product images, contact:
Stacy Gardella
PEARL Protected
404.323.3853
stacy@pearlprotected.com
