Abstract: An escape mechanism for enabling a person to escape at any floor of a building, the escape mechanism including a vertically disposed hollow rail and at least one rack disposed within the rail. At least one running and suspension apparatus is adapted to be introduced within the rail, where the apparatus is equipped with support members and includes an engagement portion having at least one pinion. The pinion engages the rack to allow the apparatus to move along the rail only upon rotation of the pinion. The engagement portion includes impeding assemblies having inertial escapement members for hindering the rotation and for slowing the descent of the apparatus by gravity while the engagement portion is engaged within the rail.