Company says 'super desk' will save lives during an earthquake
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BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, Wash. -- The owner of a Bainbridge Island company wants to make sure you stay safe the next time a big earthquake hits.
To make that happen, the company developed a "super desk" that could save lives if a building collapses.
The steel-reinforced desk is designed to remain intact -- with someone inside it -- during the ravages of an earthquake.
Inside, there are handles to grip during the violent shaking. There's also room to store a respirator, flashlight, blanket and food -- enough to survive for a few days.
Videos for the Lifeguard Structures show massive chunks of concrete -- even trucks -- being dropped on the desk. The company claims they can withstand more than one million pounds of collapsing debris while sustaining little damage.
"We have had people who live in single-wide mobile homes to billionaires, and there is no limit to who is desiring that type of protection," said Lifeguard Structures president Robert Von Bereghy.
The devastating quake that slammed Christchurch, New Zealand, two years ago carries amazing similarities to what could happen to Western Washington, which would be much worse than the 2001 Nisqually quake.
Lifeguard is marketing the desks to offices, hospitals and schools, but they're not cheap. A classroom model costs $1,200. An office model costs about $6,500, but that number climbs to more than $10,000 for the oak design.
Von Bereghy said that's about the price of a couch, a nice TV or a high-end computer, but his product can shelter its customers when the world comes crashing down.
"It's important to be prepared, understand the risks and be prepared for those risks," he said. "but there's no reason to change the way you live your life."
Lifeguard also makes canopy bed frames, credenzas, desks that can hold up to a dozen people.
To make that happen, the company developed a "super desk" that could save lives if a building collapses.
The steel-reinforced desk is designed to remain intact -- with someone inside it -- during the ravages of an earthquake.
Inside, there are handles to grip during the violent shaking. There's also room to store a respirator, flashlight, blanket and food -- enough to survive for a few days.
Videos for the Lifeguard Structures show massive chunks of concrete -- even trucks -- being dropped on the desk. The company claims they can withstand more than one million pounds of collapsing debris while sustaining little damage.
"We have had people who live in single-wide mobile homes to billionaires, and there is no limit to who is desiring that type of protection," said Lifeguard Structures president Robert Von Bereghy.
The devastating quake that slammed Christchurch, New Zealand, two years ago carries amazing similarities to what could happen to Western Washington, which would be much worse than the 2001 Nisqually quake.
Lifeguard is marketing the desks to offices, hospitals and schools, but they're not cheap. A classroom model costs $1,200. An office model costs about $6,500, but that number climbs to more than $10,000 for the oak design.
Von Bereghy said that's about the price of a couch, a nice TV or a high-end computer, but his product can shelter its customers when the world comes crashing down.
"It's important to be prepared, understand the risks and be prepared for those risks," he said. "but there's no reason to change the way you live your life."
Lifeguard also makes canopy bed frames, credenzas, desks that can hold up to a dozen people.
Yes, but will it stop a bullet?
Hmmm. As long as the floor beneath you stays where it's supposed to stay.Â
@achoo2 According to the videos I found on YouTube, it's designed to fall with the building as the bottom is reinforced.
I'm sure our schools and the government offices will have to outfit their rooms with these at the taxpayers' expense.
Just raise our taxes some more thanks to our su cream kort
Should be enough gullible folks in Seattle to make a nice profit...
The only problem with something like this is that there's a high probability that you won't actually be at your desk when an earthquake strikes.
I'll take my chances with the earthquake rather than spend that kind of money on a GD desk!
Perfect for George Costanza.
There should also be some kind of beacon included so rescuers will know where you are.