September 5, 2016

Fire Escapes San Francisco

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Fire Escape Engineers

Fire Escape Inspections
Ladder Inspections
Fire Escape Load Tests
Balcony Inspections
Deck Inspections

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Fire Escape Engineers California
Fire Escapes Balconies Decks Exterior Elevated Elements
04.16.5.1 Examination. Fire escape stairways and balconies shall be examined for structural adequacy and safety in accordance with Section 1104.16.5 by a registered design professional or others acceptable to the fire code official every 5 years, or as required by the fire code official. An inspection report shall be submitted to the fire code official after such examination.

In California on January 1, 2019 SB 721 went into effect applies to apartment buildings with three or more units.

Also California SB 326, signed in 2019, applies to community associations or condominiums with three or more attached units.
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2022 California Fire Code, Title 24, Part 9 CHAPTER 10 MEANS OF EGRESS

Required exit accesses, exits and exit discharges shall be continuously maintained free from obstructions or impediments to full instant use in the case of fire or other emergency where the building area served by the means of egress is occupied. An exit or exit passageway shall not be used for any purpose that interferes with a means of egress.

(BE] 1028.2 Exit discharge.

Exits shall discharge directly to the exterior of the building. The exit discharge shall be at grade or shall provide a direct path of egress travel to grade.

1032.2.1.3 Examination.

Fire escape stairways and balconies shall be examined for structural adequacy and safety by a registered design

The examination shall determine

whether the fire escape stairways and balconies can support
pounds per square foot ( 4. 78 kN/m) An inspection report shall be submitted to the fire code official after such examination.

(BE] 1028.5 Access to a public way.
The exit discharge shall provide a direct and unobstructed access to a public way

3312.2 Maintenance.

Required means of egress and required accessible means of egress shall be maintained during construction and demolition, remodeling or alterations and additions to any building.
Exception: Approved temporary means of egress and accessible means of egress systems and facilities.


 

The regulations in San Francisco state that fire escapes must be examined every 5 years and fire escape ladders every year.

SECTION 604

Requires apartment house (including residential condominium of 3 dwellings or more) and hotel (6 guest rooms or more) owners to have

all building appendages to be inspected by a licensed general contractor, or structural pest control licensee, or licensed professional architect or engineer,

verifying that the exit system, corridor, balcony, deck or any thereof is in general safe condition, in adequate working order, and free from hazardous dry rot, fungus, deterioration, decay, or improper alteration.

Property owners shall provide proof of compliance with this section by submitting an affidavit form (provided by the Department) signed by the responsible inspector to the Housing Inspection Services Division every five years.

SEC. 908. MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR. 

[Added by Ord. 399-89, App. 1 1/6/89; amended by Ord. 161-92, App. 6/4/92; Ord. 192-02, App. 9/17/02; Ord. 256-07, App. 11/6/07] 

All safety devices or equipment provided for in this chapter shall be maintained in good repair at all times. Fire escapes shall be kept clear and unobstructed and be readily accessible at all times. Upon inspection, the property owner, or authorized agent, shall demonstrate to the Director or designated personnel, that all existing fire escapes are fully operational and properly maintained. Upon completion of the inspection, all existing fire escapes shall be secured pursuant to Section 1110.3.1. of the San Francisco Fire Code.



NATIONAL CODES:

IFC 2015 1104.16 Fire Escape PDF copy actual code

2012 IFC 1104.16.5.1 Fire escape stairs must be examined every 5 years ,by design professional or others acceptable and inspection report must be submitted to the fire code official.

IBC 1001.3.3 All fire escapes shall be examined and/or tested and certified every five years by a design professional or others acceptable who will then submit an affidavit city official.

NFPA LIFE SAFETY CODE 101  7.2.8.6.2 The Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) shall approve any fire escape by Load Test or other evidence of strength (Certification).

OSHA 1910.37 Exit routes must be maintained during construction, repairs, alterations or provide alternative egress with equivalent level of safety. (permit issued if egress is certified or with egress scaffolding) 

FIVE STEPS to Certify a Fire Escape:

  1. Schedule a pre load test evaluation by a design professional or others acceptable by City Official – AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction)
  2. Said professional will confirm with City Official if there are any other requirements other than load testing or other evidence of strength and if City Official wants to witness initial evaluation
  3. Submit evaluation report to owner/agent and a copy to the City Official as per code
  4. Issue certification, if passed, done by load test or other evidence of strength to City Official or, if failed, owner/agent and city official to confirm next steps (ex. engineer oversight, permits or other conditions)
  5. Please contact your local City Official (AHJ) with any questions about the above steps

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Fire Escapes, that’s all we do since 1971.