REPAIRS-REFURBISHMENT-LOAD TEST

Below are repair, refurbishment and or replacement guidelines required to Certify (guarantee) a Fire Escape System in lieu of a Load Test ordered by the Fire and or Code Official. Again most violations are requesting a Load Test to remove the Violations unless the Inspector is satisfied that the Fire Escape System has been CERTIFIED (guaranteed) by the Structural Engineer or others acceptable to the Official. No Disclaimers by the Engineer on Critical Major Structural Connections (visible or hidden) on final Fire Escape Confidence Test submitted to the Code Official. No Repair Work can be done without Repair Permit pulled prior to any work performed other than emergency work and Engineer oversight must be 3-5 site visits during repairs. No painting of Fire Escape can be done until engineer sign off on all repair work. EPA Renovator Lic required to paint on all Fire Escape older than 1978 and presumed to have LEAD.

1. Ladder to roof: All original hardware (Bolts/Rivets/Welds), identified or not on any report, at major critical connections (top, bottom) will be repaired, reinforced and or replaced, scraped/wire brushed, spot primed and sealed w/50yr silicone as per contract and or Industry Standard. Ladder construction, strength and materials will be repaired, reinforced, replaced and or verified/documented by vendor as certifiable to accept a Level 3 Live Load Test if required by the Fire Dept. and or Code Official.
2. Platform Rail(s): All original hardware (Bolts/Rivets/Welds), identified or not on any report, at major critical connections (posts, tie backs) will be repaired, reinforced and or replaced, scraped/wire brushed, spot primed and sealed w/50 silicone as per contract and or Industry Standard. Rail construction, strength and materials will be repaired, reinforced, replaced and or verified/documented by vendor as certifiable to accept a Level 3 Live Load Test if required by the Fire Dept. and or Code Official.
3. Platform Supports: All original hardware (Bolts/Rivets/Welds), identified or not on any report, at major external critical connections (gussets, connections) will be repaired, reinforced and or replaced, scraped/wire brushed, spot primed and sealed w/50yr silicone as per contract and or Industry Standard. All Internal Masonry Connections and or Thru-Bolts w/plates will be verified/documented (photo) and or Duplicated with a new 3/4" Epoxy Bolt (8-12") at each and every support connection and or supporting bracket systems. (ladders assemblies, etc.) Support construction, strength and materials will be repaired, reinforced, replaced and or verified/documented by vendor as certifiable to accept a Level 3 Live Load Test if required by the Fire Dept. and or Code Official.
4. Staircase(s): All original hardware (Bolts/Rivets/Welds), identified or not on any report, at major critical connections (top hanger, lower shoe,rails) will be repaired, reinforced and or replaced, scraped/wire brushed, spot primed and sealed w/50yr silicone as per contract and or Industry Standard. Stringer and Rail construction, strength and materials will be repaired, reinforced, replaced and or verified/documented by vendor as certifiable to accept a Level 3 Live Load Test if required by the Fire Dept. and or Code Official.
5. Treads: All original hardware (Bolts/Rivets/Welds), identified or not on any report, at major critical connections (nosing, angle clips etc.) will be repaired, reinforced and or replaced, scraped/wire brushed, spot primed and sealed w/50 silicone as per contract and or Industry Standard. Tread construction, strength and materials will be repaired, reinforced, replaced and or verified/documented by vendor as certifiable to accept a Level 3 Live Load Test if required by the Fire Dept. and or Code Official.
6. Fixed Ladders: All original hardware (Bolts/Rivets/Welds), identified or not on any report, at major critical connections (rungs, wall brackets, etc) will be repaired, reinforced and or replaced, scraped/wire brushed, spot primed and sealed w/50yr silicone as per contract and or Industry Standard. Tread construction, strength and materials will be repaired, reinforced, replaced and or verified/documented by vendor as certifiable to accept a Level 3 Live Load Test if required by the Fire Dept. and or Code Official.
7. Weight Balanced Cantilever(s) and or Ladder(s): All original hardware (Bolts/Rivets/Welds), identified or not on any report, at major critical connections (pulleys,rungs, wall brackets, etc) will be repaired, reinforced and or replaced, scraped/wire brushed, spot primed and sealed w/50yr silicone as per contract and or Industry Standard. 4 New Ladder systems with weights and lock system will be designed and engineered for submittal to Code Official during Permit Review Process for Plan Review with a final approved drawing to Fire Escape Engineers for our records. 2 original Weighted Ladders will be re-cabled, new lock system, new pin wheel assemblies (pulleys), sealed weight boxes and stabilizers at grade for ladders. Cantilever/Ladder construction, strength and materials will be repaired, reinforced, replaced and or verified/documented by vendor as certifiable to accept a Level 3 Live Load Test if required by the Fire Dept. and or Code Official.
8. Mortar Connections and Footings: All steel Implements (major critical connections) into masonry buildings, identified or not in any report, will be verified and photo documented or duplicated which ever is less expensive to the client as explained in section 3. All railing tie backs will be repaired, reinforced and or replaced, scraped/wire brushed, spot primed and sealed masonry silicone as per contract and or Industry Standard. All footings will be field verified and or modified to meet code. (48" below grade) All footing connections of steel to concrete will be with angle clip and sleeve anchor. All imbedded steel will be modified with new anchor clip. Removal of steel in concrete not required but must be sealed with TAR to avoid future splitting/spauling of footings. Mortar Connections and Footings construction, cement strength and surrounding materials (brick, dirt, etc.) will be repaired, reinforced, replaced and or verified/documented by vendor as certifiable to accept a Level 3 Live Load Test if required by the Fire Dept. and or Code Official.
9. Paint: Permits may or may not be required to paint. EPA guideline do require that the Licensed Vendor be Licensed Renovator and his/her company be a Registered EPA Firm. No Welding, or Open Flame may be used at any time as per EPA Guidelines. Plastic, Signs, Suits, etc required as per EPA. All Repaired, Reinforced and or replaced connections (internal) and or materials have been scraped/wire brushed, spot primed and sealed w/50yr silicone as required in all sections 1-8 above. All external surfaces areas will be scraped/wire brushed, Fully hand primed (as per contract) then Fully Hand Painted (as per contract) in 3-5 days to allow curing of base paint. Application will be with rollers and brushes with limited spraying under controlled conditions unless otherwise accepted by owner. All Caulking to be approved by owner as a 30-50 yr paintable silicone for Internal Connection Sealant and a 50-60yrs unpaintable color matching sealant for all areas (above or below) that to pieces of metal cross or attach to a dissimilar material (wood, brick, cement, etc). All areas will be completely incapsulated in or to Guarantee a TEN YEAR WARRANTY as per contract. Ten Year Plus Paint Warranties are now available with 2 part Epoxy Paint (Sherwin Williams, Tenemic, etc).

Welding: No onsite welding unless a Fire Permit is issued. No welding allowed on Fire Escape Parts or System as per EPA Guidelines. Welded Components, assemblies and or materials (New Material) must be done by Certified Welder (docs required), otherwise bolted connections only for every connection to match original construction.

Permits Required: All Repairs must be done under Permit as required by all Fire Codes and Building Codes in this state as well as for Fire Escape Engineers to Sign-Off on a Level 2 Calculated Load Test. Vendor must hold a State Contractors License in order to pull permits or be given a permit under a City License at the discretion of the Code Official. All out of state Vendors must be registered in the state as an out of state vendor. (usually a filing fee only). All vendors must carry Workers Compensation to work in or out of state as well as Liability Insurance. Vendor must sign, upon completion of all work, a Fire Escape Confidence Test provided by Fire Escape Engineers as well as list owner and Fire escape Engineers as additional insured.

Oversight and Re-inspections: As per our Contract we will schedule with you or your Repair Vendor and Initial Site visit within 1-3 days of starting each Fire Escape to confirm terms and conditions are being met as well as answer any technical questions that may have arisen from work activity. Future fire escape starts (2-6) may or may not need initial inspection based on quality of workmanship and or other factors and request by owner, code official etc. A Mid Visit will be scheduled with owner and or Repair Vendor after 50% or more work completion has been attained. If payments are tied to our visits and confirmation of acceptable work than we will need 2-3 weeks notice ahead of time on dates to avoid delays. Final walk thru will be scheduled only after Code Official has signed off on Permit required as per Fire/Bldg Codes and Fire Escape Engineers. We will schedule Sign-Off on a Level 2 Calculated Load Test in 1-3 weeks as time permits or sooner for all 3 persons to sign. Vendor, Code Official and Fire Escape Engineers.

FIRE ESCAPE REPLACEMENT OR DESIGN BUILD NEW

In cases where the fire escape is beyond repair or a new fire escape is needed to satisfy a 2nd means of egress a CAD Drawing is required by the official prior to any permits being issued. Costs include the following people in the process.

1. Architect to visit site and get all measurements needed to draw one or more solutions to grade.
2. Structural Engineer to confirm calculations and seal the drawing that the NEW Fire Escape System will meet or exceed the 100 lbs per sq ft as required per code.
3. Ironworker to Fabricate and Install as per design Permitted.
4. General Contractor to install any footings at grade and repair any interior or exterior damage due to installation of thru-bolts, doors, siding, roofing etc.