Repair or Replace Fire Escape (apartment, house, contractors)

[Jorge Campbell]

I'm looking at a 3-story, 3-family brick apartment building with a pretty rusted metal fire escape in the back. Some treads have even rusted such that they're loose. The fire escape is a full-size staircase which runs by the rear doors of all three units.

This is my first time in dealing with a fire escape. In trying to figure out if I should take on this project, I'm wondering:

1. Have any of you guys ever had to deal with such a project? What's your experience been like?

2. What's the price range for tearing the old one down and installing a new one in its place?

3. Any recommended contractors for such a project?

THANKS.

[guy2073]

You will need alot of money, I don't think alot of guys will take on the liability of repairing a firescape, if they do it wont be cheap. Most new escapes that I see are made of wood. They can't be attached to the house and they have to have a roof over them. There are a few companies that sell circular stair kits, that maybe the best way of going if everything lines up.

[selltheburgh]

You'll likely need an engineer or an architect.

[onwardandupward]

I got a quote from Safe Escapeways, Matt Bartlett back in 2012 for a new 3 story fire escape for $15,000. This did not include permit fees or window/doorways.

[Jorge Campbell]

Originally Posted by onwardandupward

I got a quote from Safe Escapeways, Matt Bartlett back in 2012 for a new 3 story fire escape for $15,000. This did not include permit fees or window/doorways.

Thanks, this is very helpful. When you talk about window/doorways, did that mean you needed to create windows/doorways which opened to the fire escape?

Did you contact anyone else about your project? What did you end up doing/paying?

[onwardandupward]

Originally Posted by Jorge Campbell

Thanks, this is very helpful. When you talk about window/doorways, did that mean you needed to create windows/doorways which opened to the fire escape?

No - it means the quote did not include any of that work if I were to need it. I was able to use my existing windows because they were grandfathered in - I was told that current code required fire doors to the fire escape.

Originally Posted by Jorge Campbell

Did you contact anyone else about your project? What did you end up doing/paying?

I ended up replacing it with another wooden one and using a different contractor. I had to get the Pgh BBI's ok to do that and got permission because I had an existing wooden one. If you have a steel/metal one you would not be able to replace it with a wooden one. I think I ended up paying around $10-12K, again, back in 2012.

[jea6321]

Originally Posted by onwardandupward

No - it means the quote did not include any of that work if I were to need it. I was able to use my existing windows because they were grandfathered in - I was told that current code required fire doors to the fire escape.



I ended up replacing it with another wooden one and using a different contractor. I had to get the Pgh BBI's ok to do that and got permission because I had an existing wooden one. If you have a steel/metal one you would not be able to replace it with a wooden one. I think I ended up paying around $10-12K, again, back in 2012.

did they try to make you go to metal? I wondered how easy they would be about this if there was a wooden egress already in place.

[onwardandupward]

Originally Posted by jea6321

did they try to make you go to metal?

Yes - metal is the current code.

Originally Posted by jea6321

I wondered how easy they would be about this if there was a wooden egress already in place.

If what I was doing was "repairing" the fire escape, there would have been no problem, as I was grandfathered in. However, mine needed completely "replaced," and was therefore subject to the current code. Getting approval to use wood definitely was a hassle - I had to plead my case to the building inspector, get preliminary approval, pay (~$1500) for an engineered set of drawings for a new wooden one, meet again with the inspector to have them approved, and then have him come out when it was finished to sign off on it.

And honestly, if I had to do it again, I would probably do it in metal, even though it is more expensive. The wooden one needs to be stained every few years, and is much larger than a metal one would be. Alternatively, I would make the wooden one have more of a deck/porch feel, so that folks could actually sit outside on it. That would involve cutting into the house and using fire doors rather than using existing windows, however, so more $$$....

I have no idea what current costs would be, but in either case - metal or wood, it's a very expensive proposition.

[jea6321]

gotcha. thanks for the info. I have one set up with decks and doors on each unit, its coming to the end years of its life, but ill just repair as needed instead of completely replacing.

[Sophie270]

Originally Posted by Jorge Campbell

I'm looking at a 3-story, 3-family brick apartment building with a pretty rusted metal fire escape in the back. Some treads have even rusted such that they're loose. The fire escape is a full-size staircase which runs by the rear doors of all three units.

This is my first time in dealing with a fire escape. In trying to figure out if I should take on this project, I'm wondering:

1. Have any of you guys ever had to deal with such a project? What's your experience been like?

2. What's the price range for tearing the old one down and installing a new one in its place?

3. Any recommended contractors for such a project?

THANKS.

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