Penn Valley Engineering performed a structural and safety evaluation of a fire escape in Philadelphia, PA 19106. Fire escapes provide emergency access and often require a safety inspection. In case of a fire or other emergency, the escape route must be safe and work in the manner it was designed.
The building inspected by our licensed structural engineer was a three-story masonry and wood-framed structure. The fire escape provided emergency access from the ground level to the second and third-floor levels. The stairs and landings of the fire escape were fixed in place from the ground floor to the third-floor level. It was constructed of steel with a paint covering.
Fire Escape Structural Evaluation
During the structural evaluation, various issues were noted concerning the fire escape. Rivets that secure the stair treads to the stair stringer were either missing or in need of being replaced. Railing supports were damaged and warrant replacement. The lower support that ties the stair stringer to the building was not attached to the building appropriately.
Furthermore, railing tie-in support locations at the building were significantly deteriorated. At various locations, the steel floor members were not secured to the structural supports. The outer structural angle that ran the length of the landing had significantly deteriorated. Holes in the angle member were noted due to corrosion.
Additionally, the paint covering had deteriorated throughout the entirety of the fire escape. At various locations, exposed steel was corroded. Various connections to the building were not sealed properly.
Required Fire Escape Repairs
Obviously, the fire escape will need to be repaired to pass a safety inspection. Treads must be installed with appropriate connections. The missing or damaged stair tread rivet connections should be replaced with structural bolts. Steel floor members must be secured to the structural supports. The existing angle member should be repaired and strengthened. The corroded steel should be treated and the entirety of the fire escape should be primed and painted.
Attaching the lower support to the window trim is an inappropriate location. Rather, it must be anchored to the building in a structurally safe manner. Each building connection should be sealed to prevent water penetration and further deterioration.
Fire Escape Repair Costs
In addition to performing a safety inspection of your fire escape, PVE can also provide an opinion of an approximate estimate for the repairs. Repair costs as recommended were provided to the owner for planning a budget purposes. Any cosmetic repair and/or restoration resulting from the fire escape repairs were not included.
Our structural engineers offer blueprint fees for the repairs at an additional cost. This engineering fee does not include any redesign, construction services, or further site visits before, during, or after construction.
Once all repairs are completed, a second structural inspection is required. Penn Valley Engineering can confirm the completion of the repairs and finalize the fire escape safety inspection reporting procedure as outlined by the City of Philadelphia. Per the City’s procedure, the repairs and the second structural inspection must be completed within six (6) months of the initial inspection date. An additional fee is charged for the second structural engineering inspection, narrative report preparation, and fire escape inspection procedure closeout.
Contact PVE for Your Safety Inspection
Fire escape safety is vital to residents and occupants. While this safety feature can go unnoticed year after year, the fire escape must be safe when it is necessary to use. If the conditions of the fire escape in this narrative seem similar to yours, contact us to have it evaluated for structural integrity. Our service areas cover this as well as many other engineering services. Call the office that best describes the ‘structural engineer near me’ or fill out our contact form to get started. We’re looking forward to meeting you!
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“I have been working with Penn Valley Engineering for several years at a Condominium Complex of 351 Units. They provided excellent service and at a reasonable price. I would highly recommend their services”
– David K., reviewing structural engineering in Cherry Hill, NJ 08034